The billionaire's vow.

Chapter 4: The Rules

The next morning, Alexander summoned Ava to his office.

It was on the top floor of his company's headquarters. Glass walls. A view of the entire city. His desk was black marble. His chair was leather. His expression was cold.

"Sit," he said.

Ava sat.

"We need to establish ground rules."

"You already gave me rules. Don't enter your bedroom. Don't touch your things. Don't ask about your past."

"Those were household rules. These are different."

He slid a document across the desk.

Ava read it. Her eyes widened.

"These are impossible."

"They are necessary."

---

The rules were strict.

1. No public arguments.

2. No speaking to the press.

3. No social media without approval.

4. No revealing the true nature of their marriage.

5. No relationships with other men.

6. No late nights without explanation.

7. No refusing event attendance without a valid excuse.

8. No leaving the penthouse without security.

Ava looked up. "No leaving without security? I'm not a prisoner."

"You're a target."

"A target for what?"

Alexander leaned back in his chair. "My enemies. Business rivals. Ex-lovers. Anyone who wants to hurt me."

"And they would hurt me to get to you?"

"Yes."

Ava's stomach turned. "You should have told me this before I signed the contract."

"Would it have changed your mind?"

"No."

"Then why does it matter?"

"Because I like to know what I'm walking into."

---

Ava signed the rules.

"What else?"

"Interviews. We have three this week."

"Three?"

"Magazines. Television. Social media."

"What will they ask?"

"About us. How we met. Why we married so quickly."

Ava's hands clenched. "What do I say?"

Alexander stood. Walked to the window.

"You saw me at a business event. I pursued you. You resisted. I was persistent. You finally said yes."

"That's not true."

"It's our story."

Ava stood. Walked to stand beside him.

"I won't lie."

"You won't have to. Just don't tell the whole truth."

"Same thing."

He turned to look at her. "You're learning."

---

The first interview was for a lifestyle magazine.

The reporter was a young woman with bright eyes and a hungry smile.

"Ava, tell us about your love story with Alexander."

Ava smiled. Recited the story Alexander had given her.

"He pursued me. I resisted. He was persistent. I finally said yes."

"How romantic! Was it love at first sight?"

Ava looked at Alexander. His expression was unreadable.

"I don't believe in love at first sight. I believe in respect. Trust. Growth."

The reporter nodded. "And where do you see your relationship in five years?"

Ava's heart pounded. "Happy. Healthy. Together."

---

The second interview was for a television show.

The host was older. Smarter. More aggressive.

"Ava, there are rumors that your marriage is a business arrangement. What do you say to that?"

Ava's hands shook. But her voice was steady.

"People spread rumors when they're jealous. Alexander and I are happy. That's all that matters."

"And what about the prenup? Sources say you signed a strict contract."

Ava smiled. "Every smart woman gets a prenup."

The host laughed. Moved on.

---

The third interview was for a social media influencer.

Ava didn't understand the questions. "Ship" and "Stan" and "Red flags."

Alexander did most of the talking.

"You two are so cute together!"

"Thank you," Alexander said.

"Can you do a t****k challenge?"

"No," Alexander said.

"Please?"

"Absolutely not."

---

After the interviews, Ava collapsed on the couch.

"I'm exhausted."

"You did well."

"I feel dirty."

"That's fame."

Ava looked at him. "Does it get easier?"

"No. You get harder."

She laughed. It was a bitter sound.

"I don't want to get hard. I want to stay soft."

Alexander looked at her. His gray eyes were soft. For just a moment.

"Then stay soft. I'll be hard enough for both of us."

---

That night, Ava's father called.

"Ava, baby, I saw you on television."

"Papa."

"You looked beautiful. So happy."

"I'm trying, Papa."

"Is he good to you?"

Ava looked at her door. Alexander's room was across the hall.

"He's... complicated."

"Complicated good or complicated bad?"

"I don't know yet."

Her father sighed. "Be careful, baby. Men like him... they play games."

"I know, Papa."

"Come visit soon. I miss you."

"I miss you too."

---

After the call, Ava walked to the window.

The city lights blurred below her.

She was married to a stranger. A man who made rules and gave interviews and said "stay soft."

She didn't know what he wanted. She didn't know what she wanted.

But she was here. And she was not leaving.

---

Alexander knocked on her door.

"Come in."

He opened the door. He was wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants. No suit. No armor.

"You did well today."

"You said that."

"I mean it."

Ava turned to face him. "Why do you care if I do well?"

He walked to stand beside her.

"Because you're my wife. Your success is my success."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

---

They stood in silence.

The city lights sparkled. The room was dark.

"Ava."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not running."

She looked at him. His gray eyes were soft.

"I made a deal. I keep my promises."

"So do I."

He walked to the door. Stopped.

"Goodnight, Mrs. King."

"Goodnight, Mr. King."

He left.

Ava stood by the window.

She was married to a stranger.

But maybe, just maybe, he wasn't a stranger anymore.