Episode 2: The Rules of the Contract
644 Words
Elena’s heart refused to slow down.
Standing inside Adrian Kingsley’s office felt unreal, like she had stepped into someone else’s life by mistake.
“Sit,” he said calmly, walking past her toward his desk.
She obeyed without thinking.
The chair felt too soft. Too expensive. Everything about this place reminded her that she did not belong here.
Adrian remained standing.
His sharp eyes studied her quietly, as if measuring every reaction she made.
“You understand why you’re here,” he said finally.
“Yes,” Elena replied softly. “About the contract marriage.”
He nodded once.
“This marriage will last one year.”
One year.
The number sounded heavy.
“In return,” he continued, “your mother’s surgery will be arranged tonight. All medical bills will be paid in full. You will also receive financial support during the contract period.”
Elena’s fingers tightened on her lap.
Tonight?
“You mean… immediately?” she asked carefully.
“Yes.”
Her chest tightened with emotion.
For the first time in days, she felt hope.
“But,” Adrian added, his voice turning colder, “this is not a real marriage.”
Elena looked up at him.
“You will live in my house. Attend public events with me. And act as my wife when necessary.”
Necessary.
The word sounded strange.
“No one must know this marriage is a contract,” he continued. “Not the media. Not my family. Not anyone.”
Elena swallowed.
“And after one year?” she asked quietly.
“We divorce.”
His answer came without hesitation.
Simple.
Cold.
Final.
He walked around the desk and stopped beside her.
“There are rules,” he said.
Elena straightened slightly.
“Rule one,” he began, his voice calm but firm. “You will not fall in love with me.”
Her breath caught.
“I—what?”
“This is a business agreement,” he continued. “Nothing more.”
Her cheeks warmed slightly, though she wasn’t sure why.
“I understand,” she said quickly.
“Rule two,” he continued, ignoring her reaction. “You will not interfere with my personal life.”
Personal life?
Did that mean he already had someone else?
Something uncomfortable twisted inside her chest.
“Rule three,” he said, his gaze sharpening slightly, “you must follow my arrangements during public appearances.”
Elena nodded slowly.
“And the last rule,” Adrian said, his voice lowering slightly.
“You are not allowed to leave without my permission until the contract ends.”
Elena froze.
“That sounds more like a prison than a marriage,” she whispered before she could stop herself.
Silence filled the office.
For a moment, she thought she had gone too far.
Then—
Adrian smiled.
It was the first expression she had seen on his face since she arrived.
“You’re free to refuse,” he said calmly.
Refuse.
The word echoed painfully in her mind.
Refuse meant losing the surgery.
Refuse meant losing her mother.
Refuse meant going back to nothing.
Her fingers slowly tightened together.
“I accept,” she said quietly.
Adrian watched her for a long moment.
As if he had already known her answer.
“Good,” he replied.
He reached into a drawer and placed a document on the table between them.
“Sign it.”
Elena stared at the contract.
Her name was already printed on the last page.
Her heartbeat became louder with every second that passed.
“Why me?” she asked suddenly.
Adrian stopped moving.
For the first time, something unreadable crossed his expression.
“That,” he said quietly, “is not something you need to know yet.”
Yet.
Elena hesitated for only a moment longer.
Then she picked up the pen.
And signed her name.
- Writer
