Bound by Contract

Rules begin to break

Alexander stepped closer.

Too close.

The city lights reflected in his dark eyes while the cold night wind moved through the silence between them.

Mira’s heart betrayed her immediately.

Fast. Uneven. Dangerous.

“You didn’t answer me,” she said softly.

Alexander held her gaze for a long moment before speaking.

“You’re overthinking things.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting tonight.”

Typical.

Mira should have been annoyed, but instead she found herself studying him carefully. The longer she spent around Alexander Knight, the more confusing he became.

He claimed this marriage was only business.

Yet nothing about the way he looked at her lately felt entirely professional.

Before she could push further, music drifted faintly from inside the ballroom.

Alexander glanced toward the doors. “We should go back inside.”

“You mean continue pretending to be deeply in love?”

His eyes returned to hers slowly.

“We’re supposed to be convincing.”

The quietness in his voice made her stomach tighten unexpectedly.

Mira looked away first.

That alone irritated her.

—

By the end of the night, she was exhausted.

The event had been endless smiles, staged photographs, and fake congratulations from people who suddenly acted obsessed with their relationship.

As Alexander’s car drove through the quiet city streets, Mira leaned her head against the window.

“I think three reporters nearly blinded me tonight.”

“You handled them well.”

“I lied to an entire ballroom.”

“You adapted quickly.”

She turned toward him suspiciously. “Was that a compliment?”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Mira rolled her eyes, but a small smile escaped anyway.

The car fell quiet afterward.

Not awkward quiet.

Comfortable quiet.

And somehow, that felt even more dangerous.

When they arrived at her apartment building, the driver stopped smoothly outside.

Mira reached for the door handle before Alexander’s voice stopped her.

“Mira.”

She turned slightly.

For once, he didn’t look cold or unreadable.

Just… tired.

“Be careful tomorrow,” he said quietly.

Her brows furrowed. “Why?”

“There’s increased media attention now. My security team will remain nearby.”

Mira stared at him. “You assigned security to watch me?”

“To protect you.”

“You really don’t know how normal relationships work.”

Alexander looked at her steadily. “This isn’t a normal relationship.”

The words lingered heavily between them.

Mira swallowed unexpectedly.

“No,” she admitted softly. “It isn’t.”

For a second, neither moved.

Then Alexander reached forward slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

The gesture was small.

Gentle.

And completely unnecessary.

Mira’s breath caught.

Alexander seemed to realize what he had done a second too late because his expression shifted instantly back into control.

But the damage was already done.

The rules between them were beginning to blur.

And both of them knew it.

Mira quickly opened the door before her thoughts became even more dangerous.

“Goodnight, Alexander.”

His gaze remained fixed on her.

“Goodnight, Mira.”

—

That night, sleep came slowly.

Every time Mira closed her eyes, she remembered his hand against her face.

The way his voice softened when he thought she wasn’t noticing.

The way he constantly protected her without explanation.

None of it matched the emotionally detached billionaire he pretended to be.

Which meant one of two things.

Either Alexander Knight was hiding something…

Or she was becoming attached to a man she absolutely should not trust.

Both possibilities terrified her.

—

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly across the bed.

Mira frowned slightly, still half asleep.

Something felt strange.

Her apartment was too quiet.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

Then froze.

Alexander’s jacket rested over the chair near her bed.

Memories from the previous night flashed through her mind in fragments — arriving home exhausted, talking with him longer than intended, falling asleep while he was still there.

But now—

The room was empty.

Mira sat up immediately, confusion twisting in her chest.

“Alexander?”

No answer.

Only silence.