3. This is Solution

Zayne let out a sigh. “Sunny is just the past. Why are you dragging her into our problems?”

“If she’s just the past,” Elmy said weakly, then looked at him sharply, “then why did you cancel your promise to me just to bring her into our home?”

Zayne’s usually cold face flushed red. He didn’t deny her words. He stayed silent.

“Since when did you decide this?”

“Since you said you needed an heir.”

“Why does it have to be Sunny? Wouldn’t it be easier if you were the one to do it?” Zayne whispered.

Elmy fell silent. A bitter smile curved on her lips. Was this how Zayne saw their marriage? That simple?

“Like you said, Sunny is having a hard time.” Elmy paused. “We can help her. In return, you get a child.”

She bit the inside of her cheek hard. Her eyes never left Zayne’s face, catching every expression he showed—including the disbelief in his eyes. He must think she’d lost her mind.

Instead of arguing, Zayne pressed his fingers hard against his eye sockets. A low groan escaped him before he ran a hand through his neatly styled hair. He turned to face the window, his large hand clenched as if he was about to punch the thick glass.

“I’ll take your silence as agreement, Zayne.”

“Enough, Elmy!” he snapped, his anger barely restrained. His broad chest rose with a long breath, as if that alone could calm the fury she kept provoking.

Watching him struggle to hold himself together, Elmy was stunned. She had never seen him this shaken. Had the divorce she asked for pushed a button that finally brought his emotions to life?

“You shouldn’t drag Sunny into this,” he said quietly, turning away.

“Why? Because it reminds you of the past?” Elmy scoffed.

Zayne let out a dry laugh. “Do you even realize what you’re doing right now?”

“I do. I’m trying to solve our problem.”

His lips twitched. Elmy was sure he wanted to curse, but the words never came out. Zayne had better control than she did, and right now she was pushing it, testing how far he could endure.

Their gazes locked. She noticed the slight tremor in his pupils. The subtle details didn’t escape her—his breathing slowing, his jaw tightening, his fists clenching and unclenching.

They stood facing each other, neither willing to speak first. The silence pressed down on them. Even the noise outside the study door felt distant. Elmy could hear the rush of Zayne’s breath, and the pounding of her own heart as she waited for him to speak.

Finally, he did.

“Fine,” Zayne said coldly. “But I have conditions.”

“Say them.”

“I’ll give you the details in a contract.”

“A contract?” Elmy burst out, shocked.

“Yes. There are several terms I want to include.” His sharp gaze locked onto her. “One of them is that while Sunny is staying in our house, you’ll sleep in my room.”

“What does that mean?”

The silence hung between them. Zayne had no intention of explaining. He walked to his desk, picked up his glasses, then glanced at Elmy, who was still stunned by his request.

“Which part needs explaining, my wife?”

“I’m not sleeping in the same room as you. If you want her to get pregnant, then you should be the one sleeping with Sunny.”

Zayne looked indifferent. He walked to the sofa and dropped onto it, as if he had regained control—and Elmy realized it. The pressure she had placed on him was shifting back onto her.

“I don’t need to touch Sunny to make her pregnant.”

Elmy strode toward him. “No. You have to touch her.”

“Why are you so eager for me to sleep with her?” Zayne stood up, leveling his gaze with hers. He bent slightly, a faint smile on his lips. Without her noticing, his hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer.

Their eyes locked. His anger-darkened gaze flickered briefly to her lips. Elmy swallowed when she caught the small movement.

“So you can finally have a child with the woman you love, Zayne,” she replied.

His jaw tightened. With a short breath, he let go of her and stepped back. “Why do you think I still love her?” he asked, confused. “Sunny is just the past,” he said firmly.

“And starting this second, she’ll be your future.”

Gathering her courage, Elmy stepped forward and, for the first time, touched his face. Zayne stiffened. His eyes widened. His pupils trembled again.

She realized they had never stood this close before. Never looked at each other this seriously. Heat spread from her chest to her eyes. With slender fingers, she brushed his cheek.

Looking up at him softly, she said, “I’m only giving you back the woman you let go of to marry me.”

A second later, Zayne brushed her hand away. Not roughly, but the rejection still lashed at her heart—hard enough to make it stop for a moment.

“Giving her back? When I married you, I had already broken up with her.”

“And that was because of me, right?”

Zayne placed his hands on his hips and let out a long sigh. “Oh, Elmy. You’re too kind,” he said mockingly.

“I know your relationship ended because of me. So just accept this goodwill of mine,” Elmy insisted. Zayne let out an amused hiss.

In a low, sharp voice he said, “Do you think I would touch another woman while you’re still my wife?”

Elmy stayed silent, even when he stepped closer again.

“If I want a good and respectable heir,” he murmured near her lips, “I know exactly who I should do it with.”

Silence fell between them as their eyes locked.

“I think you’re more suitable,” he added quietly.

Elmy blinked. So that was his reason? Because she came from a respectable family? How narrow-minded, she thought. Placing both hands on his chest, she slowly pushed him away.

“We agreed. We’ll divorce after Sunny gives you an heir.”

“Yes,” Zayne replied shortly.

He straightened his suit. His expression returned to calm and untouchable.

“Make sure you’re ready for the consequences of this decision.”

There was no threat in his tone, yet it felt more frightening that way. Without waiting for her response, Zayne left.

Elmy stood alone in the study, staring at her high heels. She covered her face with both hands. Her tears finally fell.

In that moment, Elmy realized she wasn’t the one controlling the game.

She had just handed full control to Zayne.