Episode Five: Unwanted Arrangements
819 Words
Natasha didn’t go home.
Instead, she drove straight to the hospital.
The fluorescent lights felt harsher than usual, the silence heavier. She walked quickly down the hallway, her mind still replaying Joel’s words.
I’d make the same decision again.
Her jaw tightened.
“Nat!”
Cassidy’s voice pulled her back.
Natasha turned, forcing a smile as she stepped into the room. “Hey.”
Cassidy sat up slightly, her eyes searching Natasha’s face. “You look tired.”
“Long day.”
“You always say that.”
Natasha sighed softly, sitting beside her. “Yeah… I do.”
Cassidy hesitated. “Did something happen?”
Natasha reached for her hand. “I’m fixing things, Cass. That’s all you need to know.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
Cassidy studied her. “You’re scaring me a little.”
Natasha softened. “Don’t be. I’ve got this.”
“Do you?” Cassidy asked quietly.
Natasha held her gaze.
“I do.”
A knock interrupted them.
A nurse stepped in briefly, checking Cassidy’s chart before leaving again.
The moment passed—but the tension didn’t.
“You’re hiding something,” Cassidy said.
Natasha smiled faintly. “I’m protecting you.”
“I don’t need protection from you.”
“Maybe not,” Natasha said. “But I need to protect you anyway.”
Cassidy squeezed her hand. “Just don’t lose yourself doing it.”
Natasha didn’t answer.
Because she wasn’t sure she hadn’t already.
Later that night, Natasha stepped outside into the cold.
Her phone buzzed.
Joel.
She stared at the screen for a second… then answered.
“What?”
“Where are you?” his voice came, calm as ever.
“Not your concern.”
“It is now.”
She let out a short laugh. “Right. Husband duties already?”
“Soon,” he corrected.
“What do you want, Joel?”
“A reminder,” he said. “Tomorrow morning. You move in.”
Natasha straightened. “We didn’t agree on tomorrow.”
“We agreed on the arrangement.”
“I need time.”
“You don’t have it.”
Her patience snapped. “You don’t get to control every second of my life.”
A pause.
Then, quieter—
“No. Just the ones that affect mine.”
Natasha exhaled slowly. “I have responsibilities.”
“And now, so do I,” he replied. “Appearances matter.”
“I’m not a prop.”
“No,” he said. “You’re my wife.”
The words landed differently this time.
He meant them.
Not emotionally.
But strategically.
“I’ll be there,” she said finally. “But this doesn’t mean you get to dictate everything.”
“We’ll see.”
She almost snapped back—but stopped.
“Goodnight, Joel.”
She ended the call before he could respond.
The next morning came too quickly.
When Natasha arrived at the Shamrock Estate, a black SUV was already waiting.
Joel stood outside, dressed sharply, like he hadn’t lost a minute of sleep.
Unlike her.
“You’re late,” he said.
“I’m five minutes early.”
“Not by my clock.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course.”
He gestured toward the house. “Come in.”
Natasha walked past him without another word.
Inside, things had changed.
Subtly—but enough.
A few staff members moved around quietly. Fresh flowers lined the hallway. Everything looked… prepared.
“For a fake marriage, you’re going all out,” she muttered.
“It needs to look real.”
Hannah Gordy appeared from the living room, tablet in hand.
“Perfect timing,” she said. “We have a schedule.”
Natasha groaned softly. “Of course we do.”
“Today,” Hannah continued, “you’ll meet the stylist, review the guest list, and finalize the ceremony details.”
Natasha blinked. “All today?”
“Yes.”
“That’s insane.”
“That’s efficient,” Joel said.
Natasha crossed her arms. “And what do you do while I’m being turned into your perfect wife?”
Joel met her gaze. “I handle everything else.”
“That sounds vague.”
“It’s meant to.”
Hannah stepped in smoothly. “We should begin.”
Natasha sighed. “Lead the way.”
As they walked, Natasha slowed slightly, turning to Joel.
“This doesn’t change anything,” she said quietly.
“It already has,” he replied.
She held his gaze for a second longer… then walked off with Hannah.
Joel watched her go, his expression unreadable.
Across the room, unnoticed—
Jans Opel stood near the window.
Watching.
Always watching.
And outside, parked just beyond the gates—
Gregory’s car remained.
Engine running.
Waiting.
Inside, plans were being made.
Outside, something else was already in motion.
And Natasha was right at the center of it.
- Writer
