Chapter 4: This is Temporary
1136 Words
Neriah’s POV
I stared at the photograph in my hand until my fingers started shaking.
“You were never supposed to have him.”
The words on the back kept running through my mind, and suddenly the room felt too small.
Amara took the photograph from me.
“Who took this?”
“I don’t know.”
“You were pregnant in this picture.”
“I know.”
She looked at me.
“Neriah, someone was watching you.”
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
It was Xavian.
I hesitated before answering.
“What?”
“Pack your things.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You and Elias are moving into my house tonight.”
I almost laughed.
“Absolutely not.”
“This isn’t a request.”
“Then you can find someone else to boss around.”
His voice became serious.
“Someone knows where you live.”
I went quiet.
“You said your security team was handling it.”
“They are, but I don’t trust the people around you anymore.”
“You barely trust me.”
“I trust you more than I trust whoever is doing this.”
I looked at Amara.
She was already shaking her head.
“Why should I move into your house?”
“Because it is the safest place for you and Elias.”
“I can protect my son.”
“I know you can.”
His voice softened.
“But you shouldn’t have to do it alone anymore.”
I hated how much those words affected me.
“You are still a stranger to him.”
“I know.”
“And you can’t suddenly act like his father.”
“I am not asking you to let me act like anything.”
There was a pause.
“I am asking you to let me protect my son.”
I closed my eyes.
The sensible part of me knew he was right.
The stubborn part wanted to hang up.
Then I heard Elias laughing from the other room.
I opened my eyes.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
“But there are rules.”
“I expected that.”
“I keep my room.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t control what I do.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t interfere with Elias’s routine.”
“I won’t.”
“And this arrangement ends when the danger is gone.”
There was silence.
Then he said,“We need another arrangement.”
“What?”
“My family is already asking questions about you.”
“I don’t care.”
“You will when they start coming after you.”
My stomach tightened.
“What are you suggesting?”
“A contract marriage.”
I laughed.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am.”
“You want me to marry you?”
“For one year.”
“And then what?”
“We walk away.”
I looked at Amara.
She mouthed,“Don’t.”
I ignored her.
“Why would your family believe that?”
“Because they already know I was supposed to marry Vivienne.”
“And?”
“If I suddenly announce that I married you, they will have to accept it.”
I shook my head.
“You need a fake wife.”
“I need someone I can trust.”
“Those are not the same thing.”
“No.”
His voice became quieter.
“They aren’t.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I heard him say,“Neriah, if you don’t agree, my father will use the custody case to
separate you from Elias.”
My chest tightened.
“You wouldn’t let him.”
“I won’t.”
“But you can’t guarantee that.”
“No.”
He paused.
“That is why I need you beside me.”
I hated the situation.
I hated the fear.
I hated that my son was caught in the middle.
Most of all, I hated that the only person powerful enough to protect us was the man I had spent
five years running from.
“When do you need an answer?”
“Tonight.”
I stared at the photograph again.
Then I looked at Elias.
“Fine.”
Xavian was silent.
“I’ll do it.”
“We get married tomorrow.”
My eyes widened.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“You really planned this already?”
“No.”
He paused.
“I just knew you would eventually say yes.”
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Amara looked at me like I had completely lost my mind.
“You are marrying Xavian Devereaux?”
“Apparently.”
“For a year?”
“Yes.”
“And you are going to live with him?”
“Yes.”
She covered her face.
“This is going to end terribly.”
I looked toward Elias.
“I don’t have a choice.”
But deep down, I knew that wasn’t completely true.
I had a choice.
I was choosing Xavian because I needed protection.
At least, that was what I kept telling myself.
The next morning, I walked into the courthouse wearing a simple white dress.
Xavian was already there.
He looked at me for a long moment without saying anything.
“What?”
“You look beautiful.”
I looked away.
“Thank you.”
His eyes stayed on me.
“You’re nervous.”
“I’m marrying a man I barely know.”
“You know me better than most.”
“That’s not comforting.”
He smiled.For some reason, that made my heart beat faster. The ceremony was quick. There were no
flowers, no guests, and no romance. Just signatures.
When the officiant told us we could kiss, I immediately looked at Xavian and he looked at me.
Neither of us moved, the officiant cleared his throat.
“It’s customary.”
Xavian leaned toward me.
“Do you want me to?”
I whispered,“No.”
He nodded.
Then he turned to the officiant.
“We’re done.”
I almost smiled.
That was the first thing we agreed on.
By evening, I was standing inside Xavian’s mansion with Elias beside me.
A staff member took our bags upstairs while I looked around the enormous house.
“This is temporary,” I reminded myself.
Then Xavian walked into the room.
His eyes met mine.
“For a year.”
I nodded.
“For a year.”
He stepped closer.
“And after that, you can leave.
”I looked into his eyes.
“Good.”
But neither of us knew that before that year ended, walking away from each other would be the
last thing either of us wanted.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD