The Contract That Became Forever

MOVING IN TOGETHER FOR REAL

CHAPTER 15

Sophia came downstairs at 8:12 AM in Ethan’s gray hoodie. The sleeves swallowed her hands. She looked like she was drowning in him.

Ethan was at the stove. He was burning eggs. Actual eggs. In a pan. The CEO of Hart Industries looked completely lost.

“Morning,” Sophia said from the doorway.

Ethan didn’t turn around. “Stop sleeping in the guest room.”

Sophia frowned. “That’s direct.”

“It’s been three months of eating dinner three chairs apart,” Ethan said. He finally looked at her. There were dark circles under his eyes, but his expression was softer than she’d ever seen it. “I’m tired of it. Move in. To my room.”

“That’s fast,” Sophia whispered.

“We signed a marriage contract in ten minutes,” Ethan said. “This can take longer.”

DING DONG. DING DONG. DING DONG.

Mrs. Hale’s voice echoed from the hall. “Mr. Carter! You don’t have to ring like that!”

The kitchen doors swung open before Sophia could answer.

Noah Carter walked in like he owned the place. He was tall, messy brown hair, wearing designer joggers and holding two iced coffees. He had zero shame and even less volume control.

“Urgent business meeting,” Noah announced. Then he stopped. He looked at Sophia in Ethan’s hoodie. Then at the burnt eggs. Then back at Ethan.

His whole face broke into a grin. “OH. OH MY GOD. You did it. You finally moved her in. Hart, you look domestic. It’s disgusting.”

Ethan threw a dish towel at him. “She’s staying. Deal with it.”

Noah set the coffees down and walked straight to Sophia. He held out his hand. “Noah Carter. I’ve known this i***t since college. He tried to sell me stock when we were nineteen and I was broke. He’s an ass. But he’s my ass. You good for him?”

Sophia blinked, surprised. “I... I think so?”

Noah winked. “Good enough. Now feed me. And tell me if he snores. I’ve been wondering for ten years.”

Ethan groaned. “Noah.”

“What? I’m just being a good friend.” Noah stole a piece of burnt toast and made a face. “Also, we’re having dinner at my place Friday. Both of you. No excuses. I need to see this in person.”

For the first time since she’d arrived at the mansion, Sophia laughed in the kitchen. Ethan didn’t laugh. He just watched her, and something in his eyes loosened.

---

Two hours later, Sophia was in the guest room packing. She had one suitcase. Five shirts. Two pairs of jeans. That was it.

Her phone rang. LILA. FaceTime.

Lila’s face filled the screen immediately. Hair in a messy bun, hospital scrubs on. “SOPHIA BENNETT. Explain why Mrs. Hale just texted me ‘Miss Bennett is moving to the master bedroom.’”

Sophia laughed. “Traitor.”

“Traitor? Girl, I’m your hype woman. Is he hot? Is the bed big? Does he have a pool?”

The door opened. Ethan walked in with a stack of hangers. He froze when he saw the phone.

Lila gasped so loud Sophia heard it through the speaker. “IS THAT HIM?? Hi Mr. Billionaire! I’m Lila! I’m judging you!”

Ethan looked awkward. “Hi Lila. I’m Ethan.”

Lila squinted. “Okay. He’s hot. I’m taking back forty percent of what I said about all rich men being evil. Sixty percent still stands.”

Ethan set a shopping bag down on the bed. “For you,” he said quietly. “I saw these and thought of you.”

Sophia opened it. Inside were soft joggers, two books, face wash, and another hoodie. Nothing designer. Nothing flashy. Just normal, comfortable things.

“Thank you,” Sophia said.

Ethan nodded. Then, so quietly she almost missed it, “My side of the bed is cold.”

He left before she could answer.

Lila was grinning on the screen. “Okay, fifty percent retracted. He’s trying, Soph. Don’t mess this up.”

---

At 11:30 PM, Sophia lay in Ethan’s bed. It was massive. King size. And they were on opposite sides with a pillow wall between them.

“This is dumb,” Sophia whispered into the dark.

“Agreed,” Ethan said. Thump. The pillow hit the floor.

Now there were three inches between them. Then two. Then their pinkies brushed. Then their hands.

Ethan laced his fingers through hers under the blanket. He didn’t say anything else.

“What if we ruin this?” Sophia asked.

Ethan squeezed her hand. “Then we ruin it together. No contract to blame this time.”

Sophia fell asleep first. The last thing she felt was Ethan watching her for a long time before he closed his eyes too.

---

At 7:03 AM, there was a knock. Mrs. Hale brought in a huge bouquet of red roses. The card was tucked in the middle.

Sophia opened it.

`To Sophia. You deserve someone who chose you from the start. Not a contract. Call me. - V`

Victoria.

Ethan saw it over her shoulder. His jaw ticked.

His phone buzzed at the same time. Noah.

`Friday. My place. 8PM. Dinner. Bring the wife. We’re doing a casual photoshoot for the press.`

Ethan looked at the roses. Then at Sophia.

“We’re going,” he said. “And you’re wearing the red dress.”

Sophia’s stomach dropped. “Is that... a date?”

Ethan stepped closer. He brushed her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered.

“It’s a statement,” he said. “To Victoria. To the board. To everyone.”

He paused.

“Also,” he said. “It’s a date.”