Chapter 3
606 Words
The Rules
The flash of the camera went unnoticed.
Outside the office, the mysterious woman slipped her phone into her handbag and walked away with a satisfied smile.
"Let's see how long this marriage survives," she murmured before disappearing into the elevator.
Inside the office, Ami slowly released Evans' hand. Her heart was still racing.
"So... what happens now?" she asked.
Evans picked up the signed contract and placed it inside a locked drawer.
"Now, you move into my mansion."
Ami blinked in surprise.
"Today?"
"Immediately."
"I don't even have time to pack!"
"You'll have everything you need."
His answer was so simple that it almost irritated her.
"My clothes are at my apartment."
"My assistant will take care of them."
"My job—"
"You don't have one."
Ami sighed. Arguing with him was like talking to a brick wall.
A few minutes later, a tall man in a navy-blue suit entered the office.
"Sir."
Evans nodded. "Lucas, this is Ami. From today onward, she is Mrs. Kingston."
Lucas' eyes widened for a brief second before he quickly bowed.
"Welcome, ma'am."
Ami forced an awkward smile.
The title sounded strange.
Mrs. Kingston.
It didn't feel like her.
An hour later, a sleek black luxury car stopped in front of a massive iron gate. As it slowly opened, Ami stared in disbelief.
The mansion looked more like a palace than a home. Perfect gardens stretched across the estate, while a sparkling fountain stood proudly in the center of the driveway.
"This... this is where you live?" she asked.
Evans didn't answer. He simply stepped out of the car.
Inside, dozens of maids and butlers stood in two neat rows.
The moment Evans entered, they bowed.
"Welcome home, Master."
Their voices echoed through the grand entrance.
Ami froze.
She had never imagined living in a place like this.
An elderly woman stepped forward with a kind smile.
"Welcome, Mrs. Kingston. I am Martha, the head housekeeper."
Ami smiled shyly.
"It's nice to meet you."
Unlike everyone else, Martha's eyes were warm and gentle.
For the first time that day, Ami felt slightly less alone.
Later that evening, Evans led Ami to the second floor and stopped in front of two large bedroom doors.
"You'll stay here."
Ami looked at one room, then the other.
"What about you?"
"The room next to yours."
She frowned.
"We're not sharing a room?"
Evans looked at her as though the answer should have been obvious.
"This is a contract marriage, not a real one."
Embarrassed, Ami quickly looked away.
"I... I knew that."
He handed her a small piece of paper.
"These are the rules."
She unfolded it.
Never enter my room without permission.
Never interfere in my business.
Always act like my wife in public.
Never lie to me.
Never fall in love with me.
Ami stared at the last rule for a long moment.
She let out a small laugh.
"As if that would ever happen."
Evans met her gaze, his face unreadable.
"Good."
Without another word, he walked into his room and closed the door.
Ami stood alone in the hallway, clutching the paper.
She didn't know why...
But something told her that the fifth rule would be the hardest one to keep.
And deep inside his room, Evans loosened his tie and looked at an old photograph hidden inside a drawer.
In the picture, a little girl with bright eyes smiled at the camera.
He traced the edge of the photo with his thumb.
"I won't fail again," he whispered.
Who was the little girl?
And what secret from Evans' past was he desperately trying to protect?
- Writer
