Chapter 3: The Terms And Conditions
1278 Words
The moment breakfast ended, I was not dismissed.
I was collected.
One of the maids stepped forward, her posture straight, her expression neutral. “Mr. Giordano is waiting for you.”
Of course he is.
I pushed my chair back slowly, my fingers brushing against the table for a second as if I needed something to steady me. The contract was already gone, taken away like it meant nothing.
Like I meant nothing.
“Follow me.”
I didn’t argue.
What would be the point?
The walk felt longer this time.
Everything about this place felt endless. The corridors stretched on, quiet and polished, lined with things that probably cost more than my entire life. My heels clicked against the floor, echoing around me, and I hated how loud it sounded.
Like I didn’t belong here.
Like the walls themselves knew it.
We stopped outside a set of dark wooden doors. The maid knocked once.
“Enter.”
His voice.
Cold. Calm. In control.
The door opened, and I stepped inside.
And froze.
This wasn’t just an office.
This was power.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, sunlight pouring in across a large dark desk. Everything was perfectly placed—nothing out of line, nothing out of control.
Just like him.
Luca stood behind the desk, flipping through a file like I wasn’t even there. His jacket was gone, his sleeves rolled slightly, and somehow that made him look even more dangerous.
There was another man in the room.
Older. Sharp suit. Watching me like I was something to assess.
A lawyer.
Great.
“You’re late,” Luca said without looking up.
My brows pulled together. “I came straight here.”
“Then you should have walked faster.”
I clenched my jaw.
Don’t react.
Don’t give him anything.
“Come here.”
Not a request.
Never a request.
I walked forward, stopping in front of the desk. The other man opened a folder, glancing between us.
“Miss—” he started.
“Mrs. Giordano,” Luca corrected.
The words hit me harder than I expected.
Mrs.
His.
The lawyer nodded. “Mrs. Giordano. We will now go over the terms of your agreement.”
Agreement.
Not marriage.
Not life.
Agreement.
“I’ve already signed it,” I said quietly.
“And now you will understand it,” Luca replied, finally looking at me.
His eyes locked onto mine.
“You don’t get the luxury of ignorance.”
My stomach tightened.
The lawyer began.
“You are required to reside full-time at Mr. Giordano’s primary residence—for the duration of the contract.”
I expected that.
Didn’t make it easier to hear.
“You will not leave the premises without prior approval.”
My head lifted instantly.
“What?”
The lawyer didn’t even blink. “Security reasons.”
I looked straight at Luca. “That’s not what I agreed to.”
“It is,” he said calmly. “You just didn’t read it properly.”
My chest tightened.
“You’re safer here,” he added. “That is not negotiable.”
Safe.
Right.
That’s what this is.
“You will attend all social and business events as required,” the lawyer continued, “and present yourself as Mr. Giordano’s lawful wife at all times.”
I folded my arms slightly, trying to hold onto something—anything—that felt like control.
“Your behaviour will reflect directly on Mr. Giordano’s reputation. Any misconduct will be… addressed.”
I didn’t like that pause.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
The second the words left my mouth, I felt it.
The shift.
Luca moved.
Slow. Controlled.
He stepped out from behind the desk, walking toward me like he had all the time in the world.
Like I wasn’t even a threat.
“Ask fewer questions,” he said quietly, stopping right in front of me, “and you won’t need to find out.”
My breath caught.
He was too close.
I could feel it.
The heat. The pressure. The way my body reacted even when my mind was screaming at me not to.
I hated it.
The lawyer cleared his throat and continued.
“Contact with your brother will be permitted under supervision.”
My head snapped toward him.
“What do you mean supervision?”
“To ensure compliance.”
“That’s ridiculous—”
“It’s necessary,” Luca cut in.
I looked at him, anger flickering through me. “He’s my brother.”
“And he is the reason you are here,” Luca replied, his voice sharper now. “Don’t forget that.”
That shut me up.
Instantly.
Matteo.
I swallowed hard, forcing everything down.
“Continue,” Luca said.
The lawyer nodded again.
“You will not engage in any romantic or physical relationship outside of this marriage.”
My brows pulled together. “That wasn’t—”
“It didn’t need to be said,” Luca interrupted.
My eyes locked onto his.
“And you?” I asked before I could stop myself.
The room went still.
The lawyer looked down.
Smart man.
Luca tilted his head slightly, studying me like I had just done something… interesting.
“You are not in a position to question me.”
There it was.
The truth.
This wasn’t equal.
Not even close.
“Finally,” the lawyer continued, “any breach of contract will result in immediate consequences, including withdrawal of protection.”
My stomach dropped.
I didn’t need him to explain.
I already knew.
Matteo.
That was the consequence.
Always Matteo.
My hands clenched at my sides, my nails digging into my palms just to keep myself steady.
“Do you understand?” Luca asked.
I didn’t answer straight away.
Did I understand?
No.
Not all of it.
But I understood enough.
Enough to know I had no way out.
“…Yes,” I said quietly.
He watched me for a moment.
Then stepped closer.
Even closer than before.
“You’ll learn quickly,” he said, his voice lower now, almost quieter, “or this will become very difficult for you.”
My breath hitched.
I lifted my chin slightly, forcing myself not to back down.
“I said I wouldn’t fail.”
For a second—just a second—something flickered in his eyes.
Approval?
Interest?
I couldn’t tell.
“See that you don’t,” he replied.
Then he stepped back like nothing had happened.
Like he hadn’t just shaken something inside me I didn’t understand.
“Tonight,” he continued, walking back toward his desk, “you will attend your first event as my wife.”
My heart skipped.
Already?
“I’m not—”
“This is not a discussion,” he cut in smoothly.
Of course it wasn’t.
Nothing with him ever would be.
I let out a slow breath, forcing myself to stay steady.
“Understood.”
“Good.”
He didn’t even look at me as he picked up another file.
“Dismissed.”
Just like that.
Like I was nothing more than another task completed.
I turned and walked toward the door, my legs moving before my brain could catch up.
But just as I reached it—
“Lena.”
I froze.
Slowly, I turned back.
He was watching me now.
Really watching me.
“Remember something,” he said, his voice calm, controlled… final.
“You chose this.”
The words hit harder than anything else.
Because he was right.
I had chosen this.
For Matteo.
For my brother.
For a life that wasn’t mine anymore.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodded once, and walked out.
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