Chapter 4: The Rules Of The Marriage
553 Words
Maya signed the contract with trembling hands.
The moment her signature touched the paper, it felt as though her freedom disappeared with it.
Nathaniel watched her silently from across the table, his expression unreadable.
The lawyer quickly gathered the documents with visible relief.
“Congratulations,"
he said nervously.
“The marriage certificate will be finalized by tomorrow.”
Congratulations.
Maya nearly laughed at the absurdity of the word.
This wasn’t a wedding.
It was a business transaction.
As soon as the lawyer left, Maya stood up immediately.
“I’m done here.”
“Sit down.”
Nathaniel’s deep voice stopped her before she could take another step.
She slowly turned toward him, irritated. “Excuse me?”
“If we’re going to survive this arrangement, we need to establish rules.”
The audacity of this man.
Still, Maya crossed her arms and sat back down reluctantly.
Nathaniel remained calm, like he was discussing a business meeting instead of a marriage.
“Rule number one,” he began. “In public, you will act like my wife.”
“I already regret this.”
He ignored her completely.
“Rule number two: no unnecessary drama.”
Maya let out a dry laugh.
“You forced me into a contract marriage and expect no drama?”
A faint amusement flickered in his eyes for the first time.
It disappeared just as quickly.
“Rule number three,” he continued, “you’ll move into my house tomorrow.”
Maya nearly choked.
“What?!”
“It’s part of the arrangement.”
“No, absolutely not.”
Nathaniel leaned back slightly.
“Do you want your family protected or not?”
She hated that he always had an answer.
“You’re manipulative,” she muttered.
“And you’re stubborn.”
The tension between them thickened instantly.
Maya looked away first.
Because somehow, those cold dark eyes of his were far too distracting.
“I have my own conditions too,” she said firmly.
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”
“This marriage stays fake.”
“Obviously.”
“No touching.”
His lips twitched slightly. “That might be difficult if we’re pretending to be happily married.”
Her face heated immediately.
“I mean unnecessary touching.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
Maya glared at him. “You enjoy annoying me, don’t you?”
“A little.”
That answer caught her off guard.
For the first time since meeting him, Nathaniel almost looked human.
Almost.
She quickly stood up before he could say anything else.
“I’ll move tomorrow,” she said coldly. “But don’t expect me to suddenly become the perfect wife.”
Nathaniel slowly rose to his feet too.
The height difference between them suddenly felt unfairly intimidating.
“I don’t need a perfect wife, Maya.”
His voice softened slightly.
“I just need you.”
Her breath caught unexpectedly.
For one dangerous second, the room felt too small.
Too quiet.
Too intense.
Then Nathaniel stepped back, his expression cold again.
“I’ll send someone for your things tomorrow morning.”
Just like that, the moment disappeared.
Maya watched him walk toward the door, frustration twisting inside her chest.
She barely knew this man.
So why did he already have the power to make her heart race?
- Writer
