Chapter 4. Evidence

I never imagined marriage would feel like a cold war.

Especially with the man who once killed me.

This is a gamble.

In my previous life, this marriage never existed.

Which meant—something had changed.

I wasn't sure if this change would save my life or hasten my death before those thirty days were up.

But I can't back out.

"Are you scared, Wifey?" Skyden asked lightly.

I wanted to punch him, but our car was in line to enter the Echelon Nine zone.

Right. After accepting his offer last night, I immediately took some time off.

I had only said I'd be visiting my adoptive father's house today; I didn't say I was moving, let alone getting married. But maybe I would tell the team later.

I was just on a mission to investigate The Raven; I thought they would understand, though some of them will grumble, especially Commander Adrian.

We had signed the marriage papers—legally binding. No party, no witnesses, just official records of our partnership in the state system.

All the formalities are complete. We were now recognized as a couple.

Ever since the state recognized us as a couple, Skyden has been relentlessly teasing me with strange nicknames like that one—it didn't make me happy; on the contrary, it made me feel sick to my stomach.

"Don't push my patience to the limit or I'll kill you," I hissed softly as the car moved slowly toward the gate.

He chuckled lightly. "Okay, honey."

I vented my anger by clenching my fists and punching the car's dashboard, and he just whistled casually while driving.

The line moved more smoothly than I expected.

I stared at the tall gate ahead. Black metal, blinking surveillance cameras, and a few private guards standing stiffly—so this is Echelon Nine.

After passing through the entrance gate simply by showing the black card with the logo of a bird with outstretched wings, the car stopped right in the parking lot near the main lobby.

I got out first, looking around.

"Just take the light ones," Skyden's voice sounded casual from behind. "Honey," he added.

I turned slowly and took a deep breath.

He was at it again.

But I had to hold back; I didn't know how many surveillance cameras were here. We had to look like a newlywed couple moving in.

I didn't respond.

I took two small boxes from the trunk. Then, without hesitation, I stacked them on top of the large box he was carrying.

"Lino—"

Skyden staggered for a moment. A few boxes in his hands nearly fell, but he managed to keep his balance. The muscles in his arms tensed, his jaw clenched for a split second.

I gave a faint smile.

"Thanks for all your hard work, honey," I said flatly—clearly sarcastic.

Without waiting for his reaction, I turned and stepped through the open parking lot lobby door.

The penthouse-style interior, cold despite its opulence, greeted me immediately. The spacious room featured polished granite floors and monochromatic designer furniture.

I'd only taken a few steps when I realized Skyden hadn't followed.

I turned around.

He was still standing in the parking lot, the boxes in his hands nearly collapsing—but he remained steady. And instead of being angry, he was actually smiling.

Not a mocking smile.

Not an angry smile.

A satisfied smile.

As if my recent mess was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

I snorted softly and continued toward the elevator.

We arrived on the 13th floor.

One word: luxurious.

This room was the very definition of exclusivity. The floor was covered in thick carpet that muffled every step we took, while the walls were lined with dark wood paneling that gave off an air of privacy yet felt suffocating.

Everything here—from the designer chairs to the smart lighting system that dims automatically as we enter—felt worlds away from my usual reality.

I had no idea where Skyden got the money and connections to secure this place. Still, I mustn't let the atmosphere get to me.

"How are you going to explain this to the others?" Skyden asked as he opened several boxes he'd brought.

These weren't your typical household items; rifles, gunpowder, and various combat gear were there.

"I'll think about it later," I replied, staring at him with a blank expression until the sound of gunfire shattered the silence between us.

The sound came from outside.

Spending so much time together as partners had made Skyden and me reflexively and seamlessly go on high alert. I hated this synergy. Still, I had to hold myself back.

The first thing I saw when I peeked through the peephole was blood.

A middle-aged man aimed his rifle at a man already lying on the marble floor of the unit's hallway, not far from the entrance to our unit.

"A—"

Bang!

A second shot followed, taking the man's last breath.

No screams.

No one running over.

Several unit doors remained tightly shut.

I didn't know when Skyden had opened the door, but the middle-aged man was still focused on the corpse.

My chest felt tight.

The smell of iron stung my nose.

The world suddenly felt too bright—too silent.

Flashbacks of my own death broke through, uninvited—my own blood pooling around my body, my hands trembling as I tried to reach for his legs, that cold stare I'd never seen before as he watched me die.

Remembering it made my breath catch in my throat.

My hands were shaking.

I'm a cop. I should be used to seeing corpses.

But my body didn't care.

Before my feet lost their balance, a hand gripped my shoulder firmly.

Skyden squeezed my shoulder a little tighter.

"Take a breath," he whispered softly, just loud enough for me to hear. "Just a little."

His words only made me feel worse.

But I did it anyway—trying to take a deep breath.

One.

Two.

"I'm sorry," Skyden's voice sounded calm, a little louder than necessary. "My wife is exhausted. We just moved in."

That tone—natural, flat, reassuring.

His other hand held my arm, positioned just right to look protective to others.

The middle-aged man holding the rifle glanced our way.

"Oh," he said briefly, as if only now noticing us. "Welcome."

His gaze was innocent. Not exactly emotional, either. Just neutral.

"He's a rat," he continued, swiveling the muzzle of his rifle toward the corpse. "Entering someone's home without permission. The rules here are clear."

I swallowed hard. I should have known why Skyden chose me over that woman… this place is dangerous; he wouldn't ask the woman he loved to accompany him into the lion's den.

Skyden nodded slowly, his manner relaxed. "Thanks for cleaning up the area."

Unlike me, he remained calm—it felt as though he was truly… at home.

The middle-aged man gave a faint smile, then turned and walked away. His rifle was still slung over his shoulder; his steps were steady, like someone who'd just finished sweeping the yard.

As the door closed, I immediately brushed his arm aside. I could walk on my own. I was too ashamed to show him my vulnerable side.

"What's wrong? You've never acted like this when seeing a corpse before," he asked.

His gaze was worried.

Just like before.

But I won't be fooled again.

My body, still trembling, reflexively pulled away as his hand reached out to touch me again.

"Just call me crazy for imagining you killing me like that in this fancy place," I said, trying to look strong.

At that moment, I saw his eyes widen in shock.

"Stop acting. I know you've imagined killing me here countless times too—" I didn't finish when I saw his expression of shock hadn't changed.

My hands were still trembling when he suddenly pinned me against the door.

I didn't even have time to fight back.

I, who had no strength left, tried to struggle but to no avail.

Damn it.

Am I going to die this soon?

But instead of slitting my throat, Skyden pressed our lips together.

His lips pressed against mine without warning—not a kiss, but a forceful press. Like someone silencing me, not touching me.

My body reacted first—not to return it, but to resist. I was almost overwhelmed by it, but his body pressed deeper against me.

"Bastard—" I cursed as our connection briefly broke, but he silenced me again with his lips.

I can't breathe, damn it!

It wasn't just because of the kiss, but also my body's reflexive rejection of the same hand that had once pulled the trigger that pierced my body.

"CCTV…" Skyden whispered in my ear once our connection finally broke. He was still trapping me between his body and the door, while I struggled to breathe.

My eyes darted wildly through the gap between his shoulders, searching for hidden cameras in the room, until my gaze landed on a small black circle in the chandelier.

Crazy!

I didn't even realize they'd do this to a new tenant. Did they install listening devices too?!

"I get it, so let me go," I whispered softly.

"You have an amazing dark sense of humor, darling," he said loudly, as if to be heard by others besides us, but he didn't move away; instead, he lifted me up bride-style.

"What are you doing?" I hissed, though I couldn't resist.

Skyden widened his smile.

"We'll unpack our stuff later; let's just take a shower together this afternoon," he said casually.

He's completely lost his mind.

I almost struggled, but he was already carrying me to the bathroom.

After locking the door and turning on the shower, he quickly and thoroughly inspected the bathroom.

The result: no cameras or listening devices were found.

"Just as I thought, this place is clean," he said, his voice deliberately muffled by the shower water.

I immediately kicked his shin, feeling quite satisfied when I saw him wince in pain.

"I'm really going to kill you!" I snapped.

Skyden, who was wincing in pain, started chuckling.

"You know the deal," he said.

Damn it.

Of course I remember; I've even memorized the contents of our marriage contract by heart:

Clause One: The marriage is valid for the duration of the Echelon Nine investigation mission or until The Raven falls.

Clause Two: Linora Vance and Skyden Wolfe must act as the perfect romantic couple in front of the public or other residents.

Clause Three: Linora Vance is permitted to attempt to kill Skyden Wolfe only if they are already within the Echelon Nine area.

Clause Four: Skyden Wolfe is prohibited from obstructing Linora's investigation into The Raven, and conversely, Linora Vance is prohibited from reporting Skyden's activities to police headquarters during this period.

Clause Five: Since Echelon Nine is extremely strict about residency rules, the unnatural death of either party would alert Echelon Nine to both parties' cover, so at certain times, the murder between the two parties will be postponed.

"Damn clause five," I muttered, then watched as he began unbuttoning his shirt one by one.

"What are you doing?" I asked warily.

I couldn't predict this man at all.

But he didn't answer and stepped forward, trapping me once again between his body and the wall.

The shower water began to drench us.

"They'll get suspicious if we come out dry," he whispered as he undid the last button.

His body leaned forward and mine tensed instantly—not out of desire, but out of a survival instinct.

"You said you'd look for proof that I'm a Black Lotus spy. I've been more than generous in giving you the chance to search my body. I know that look you gave me in the office, as if you were stripping me naked just to find my membership tattoo," he whispered as he took off his shirt.

Damn it!

So he'd figured it out.

But this was a good opportunity; I had to examine him, yet my body remained tense.

As a result, I only scanned his body with my eyes; droplets of water began to run over his abdominal muscles, and I could also see the bullet wound on his shoulder from when he saved me before.

I hated that memory.

I didn't care about his body. I was only looking for one thing—a mark that would prove he really was that monster.

The shower water began to drench us more, and for a moment, something seemed different.

Not a clear shape.

Not a definite color either.

Just… something off.

Like there was something beneath his skin that shouldn't be there.

I held my breath.

Or maybe… it was just my eyes trying to see what I wanted to see?

My fingers moved faster than my thoughts. I had to be sure. I had to—

But just as I was about to touch him, Skyden held me tighter, his hands gripping my wrists, his body pressing closer this time… too close.

Back then, I never minded it. Now, I just want to push him as far away as possible.

"Let go! I have to check it!"

Skyden chuckled softly. "So you're that kind of person?" His lips were almost touching my ear. "Checking… or just an excuse to touch my body?"