THE CONTRACT BETWEEN US

chapter 4: Mrs sterling

Amelia’s POV

The Sterling residence didn't feel like a home.

It felt like a museum.

Everything was beautiful.

Everything was expensive.

And somehow, nothing looked like it was meant to be touched.

I stepped out of the car and followed Alexander inside.

The moment I entered, I looked around in silence.

The ceiling was high, the furniture was perfectly arranged, and huge windows covered one side of the living room.

There were paintings on the walls that probably cost more than everything I had ever owned.

Alexander walked ahead of me.

"You'll get used to it."

I looked at him.

"I don't think I will."

He glanced over his shoulder.

"Why?"

"Because everything here looks like it's afraid to be touched."

For a second, something almost like amusement appeared in his eyes.

"You're allowed to touch things."

"Good to know."

He continued walking.

I followed him upstairs.

My bedroom was enormous.

A king-sized bed sat in the middle of the room, with two bedside tables on either side. A large window overlooked the city, and there was even a small sitting area near the balcony.

I walked toward the window.

The city lights were beginning to come alive below us.

It was beautiful.

"Your room is here."

I turned around.

Alexander stood near the door.

"You'll have privacy here."

"Thank you."

He nodded.

Then he walked away.

I stared at the closed door after he left.

That was it.

No congratulations.

No awkward conversation.

No attempt to make me feel welcome.

Just silence.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

So this was my marriage.

A beautiful house.

A powerful husband.

And two strangers living under the same roof.

My phone suddenly rang.

I looked at the screen.

Aunt Evelyn.

I answered.

"Hello, Aunt."

"Amelia."

Her voice immediately sounded worried.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

I looked around the room.

"Yes."

"How is the house?"

I almost laughed.

"Big."

"Big?"

"Very big."

She chuckled softly.

"Your father would have been shocked to see where you're living now."

My smile disappeared.

I looked down at my hands.

"I wish Dad could see it."

"I know."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then she asked, "Has Alexander been good to you?"

I hesitated.

"He's..."

I didn't know how to describe him.

"He's distant."

"Distant how?"

"I don't know. He isn't rude. He just doesn't really talk."

"Maybe that's how the Sterling family are."

I smiled slightly.

"Maybe."

But then Aunt Evelyn's voice changed.

"Amelia, listen to me."

Something in her tone made me sit up straight.

"What?"

"Be careful."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

"About what?"

"Just be careful."

"Aunt, you're scaring me."

"I'm not trying to."

"Then tell me what's wrong."

She went quiet.

Too quiet.

"Aunt?"

"It's nothing."

"You just told me to be careful."

"I worry about you. That's all."

I didn't believe her.

"Why are you saying this now?"

"I have to go."

"Aunt—"

"Call me tomorrow."

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone.

"What is going on?"

Before I could think about it any longer, someone knocked on my door.

A housekeeper stood outside.

"Mrs. Sterling, dinner is ready."

The title sounded strange.

"Thank you."

I followed her downstairs.

Alexander was already seated at the dining table.

I took the chair opposite him.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

Finally, I looked at him.

"Do you always eat in silence?"

"Usually."

"Why?"

"I don't have much to say."

I stared at him.

"You're surprisingly honest."

"I try to be."

A waiter placed food in front of us.

I barely touched mine.

My mind was still on Aunt Evelyn's warning.

Alexander noticed.

"You're not eating."

"I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten since noon."

I looked at him.

"How do you know that?"

He paused.

Then took a sip of water.

"I pay attention."

I didn't know what to say.

For someone who acted like he didn't care, he certainly noticed things.

My phone buzzed on the table.

I looked at the screen.

A message from Aunt Evelyn.

Don't forget what I told you. Be careful.

I stared at it.

Alexander noticed my expression.

"Everything okay?"

I quickly locked my phone.

"Yes."

He didn't look convinced.

Before he could ask anything else, his phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His entire expression changed.

"I'll take this upstairs."

He stood and walked away.

I watched him disappear.

Something about that call bothered me.

I finished dinner and went upstairs.

But sleep wouldn't come.

Around midnight, I heard voices.

I opened my bedroom door.

The hallway was dark.

The voices were coming from Alexander's study.

I quietly walked closer.

The door wasn't completely closed.

I heard Alexander speaking.

His voice was low and firm.

"You shouldn't have come back."

Another man's voice answered.

"You knew I would eventually."

I froze.

Who was that?

Then Alexander spoke again.

"She knows nothing about what happened."

My heart began pounding.

She?

The other man gave a quiet laugh.

"How long do you think you can keep her in the dark?"

My stomach twisted.

Who were they talking about?

Me?

I stepped backward.

I didn't want them to hear me.

I hurried back to my room and quietly closed the door.

A few seconds later, I heard the study door open.

Footsteps moved down the hallway.

Slowly.

Then they stopped outside my door.

I held my breath.

The handle moved.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

But the door didn't open.

After several seconds, the footsteps disappeared.

I slowly sat on my bed.

My hands were cold.

Something was happening inside this house.

Something connected to me.

And Alexander knew about it.

The only question was...

What was he hiding from me?

.................