Our Contracted Romance

Chapter Chapter 6: My Home

The next morning, soft daylight washed over the quiet hospital room. Mara opened her eyes slowly, expecting to see the tall figure in the chair beside her… but the chair was empty.

Her heart tightened.

He had been there all night. He didn’t even leave when Jonas called him outside. Why wasn’t he here now?

She pushed herself up weakly, fear rising in her chest.

“Sir…?” she whispered to no one.

Before the panic could settle, the door opened and a nurse stepped inside with a small tray.

“Good morning,” the nurse said warmly. “I’m here to give you your last dose.”

Mara’s entire body stiffened. Her breath hitched. Her fingers clutched the blanket.

“No… please… no…” Her voice cracked with terror.

The nurse’s smile faded. She quickly set the tray down and moved closer, trying to soothe her.

“Hey, hey… it’s alright. This one is safe, I promise. Yesterday was a mistake, but this is just for stabilizing your breathing. It won’t hurt you.”

Mara shook her head, tears filling her eyes.

“Please—no injections… please…”

The nurse gently held her arm. “Mara, sweetheart, I swear to you—”

Mara tried to pull away, trembling.

Just as the nurse reached for the syringe—

A strong hand grabbed the nurse’s wrist.

Both women froze.

Adrian stood in the doorway, tall, sharp, and furious—but not at Mara. His gaze was ice cold, locked on the nurse’s hand.

“Let her go,” he said quietly.

The nurse swallowed. “Sir, it’s just a safe—”

“I said let her go.”

His voice dropped lower, darker.

The nurse quickly released Mara’s arm.

Adrian stepped between them, positioning himself at the side of the bed like a shield. His presence alone felt like a wall—protective, immovable.

He looked over his shoulder at Mara, his eyes softer now.

“You’re safe. No one touches you unless you want it.”

Mara’s breathing shakily eased.

Adrian turned back to the nurse, voice still controlled but deadly calm.

“Leave the injection here,” he said. “I’ll decide when—and if—she gets it.”

“Yes, sir.” The nurse bowed her head and hurried out.

Silence fell.

Adrian finally sat down beside Mara, the fierce expression melting into something almost guilty.

“You thought I left,” he said quietly.

She looked down, embarrassed to be so transparent. “Yes…”

“I didn’t.” His voice softened. “I just went home to shower and finish a few things. I wasn’t going to stay away long.”

Then, after a moment—

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore. Not while I’m here.”

Mara swallowed, her chest tight—not from pain this time, but from something she couldn’t name.

“Thank you… sir.”

Adrian looked at her for a long moment, then murmured:

“You don’t have to call me ‘sir’ when you’re like this.”

Her eyes lifted to his.

“Then… what should I call you?”

His lips twitched just slightly.

“Adrian.”

Adrian’s gaze held hers for a moment too long, and something unspoken passed between them—warm, steady, almost tender.

But then, just as Mara opened her mouth to respond, he looked away.

His jaw tightened. His shoulders straightened. The softness vanished like it had never existed.

“Don’t misunderstand,” he said suddenly, his voice cool again.

Mara blinked. “Misunderstand…?”

He didn’t look at her.

He kept his eyes on the floor, like he was forcing himself to stay distant.

“I’m only doing this,” he continued slowly, “so you can recover well enough to take care of my child. Nothing else.”

The words hit her like cold water.

Her fingers loosened from the blanket. Her heart, which had just felt safe for the first time in days, tightened painfully.

“Oh…” she whispered.

He still didn’t look at her.

“This is a contract. You’re here for one purpose.” His tone was firm, rehearsed, like he was reminding himself as much as her. “Don’t read meaning into anything I do.”

Meaning…

Into anything he does…

Mara nodded once, forcing her expression to stay neutral.

“Yes. I understand.”

He finally looked at her—and her face was calm, polite, detached.

Exactly what he asked for.

But something in his eyes flickered.

Maybe guilt.

Maybe regret.

Maybe something else.

She didn’t know.

All she knew was the sinking truth settling inside her chest:

She wasn’t special.

She wasn’t important.

She was just a vessel—

a body chosen to bring his son into the world.

Nothing more.

Mara lowered her eyes and whispered, “I won’t forget.”

Adrian’s fingers curled slightly… as if the words stung him more than she realized.

Adrian stood slowly, smoothing the sleeves of his shirt as if sealing away every trace of emotion he had accidentally shown.

“You’ll be leaving now,” he said, his voice steady and business-cold again. “The doctors say you’re stable. Jonas will handle your discharge and take you home.”

Home.

Not his home.

Not the mansion.

Just… home.

Mara nodded without looking at him. “Alright.”

He paused, eyes lingering on her pale face, but his expression remained unreadable.

“You’ll be monitored from today onward,” he added. “Medication, diet, rest—Jonas will tell you everything. Just… follow instructions.”

Mara kept her gaze on her hands. “I will.”

Adrian gave a small nod—professional, distant—and turned toward the door.

He reached for the handle.

Stopped.

For a brief second, his shoulders lowered, like he wanted to say something else. Something softer. Something human.

But he stayed silent.

He straightened again and walked out without another word.

The door clicked shut behind him.

And the room felt suddenly colder… emptier… as if he had taken all the warmth with him.

Mara exhaled shakily.

Just a vessel.

Just a carrier.

Nothing more.

She repeated the words in her mind like a shield, but all they did was sting.

Outside, she heard Jonas’ voice approaching, preparing everything for her discharge.

But inside, her heart felt strangely hollow—

not because Adrian was distant…

…but because she realized she cared more than she should.

Jonas stepped into the room a moment later, clipboard in hand, his usual cheerful energy softened when he saw her expression.

“Miss Mara,” he said gently, “we’re ready when you are.”

She forced a small smile. “Okay.”

He helped her sit up, careful and patient, but even that simple kindness made her throat tighten. She didn’t want to look weak, so she kept her face turned away as he removed the wires from her wrist and set a clean gown over her shoulders.

“You’ll be staying in the new apartment for a few days,” Jonas explained softly. “A nurse will check on you twice a day. The doctor will visit tomorrow morning.”

Mara nodded, her mind on everything but his words.

Just a contract.

Just a vessel.

Nothing more.

Jonas paused, noticing how distant she looked.

“Did… something happen while I was gone?” he asked quietly.

“No,” she answered too quickly. “Nothing happened.”

Jonas didn’t believe her—but he didn’t push.

He helped her to her feet, supporting her weight carefully. As they stepped out of the room, Mara’s eyes lifted instinctively, searching the hallway.

Empty.

No tall figure in a suit.

No cold gaze watching her.

No presence waiting.

Jonas guided her into the private elevator. The silence between them stretched as they descended, broken only by the soft hum of the machine.

Outside, a black luxury car was parked under the shade. Mara hesitated before getting in, her fingers trembling on the door handle.

Jonas opened it for her. “Miss Mara… you’re safe. I promise.”

She nodded, sliding into the seat.

As the car pulled out of the hospital driveway, her eyes drifted to the building.

On the highest floor, behind one tinted window, a silhouette stood—broad shoulders, hands in his pockets, watching the car leave.

She didn’t see him.

But Adrian watched until her car disappeared.

Inside the car, Mara whispered to herself, barely audible:

“I won’t let myself expect anything…”

The words were meant to be strong.

But her voice broke halfway through.

Jonas glanced at her from the driver’s seat, concern growing in his chest.

And somewhere far behind them, Adrian Vallin stayed frozen by the window, jaw clenched, eyes sharper than steel—

trying to convince himself that the distance he put between them was the right thing.

Jonas unlocked the door and stepped aside for Mara to enter first.

The moment she crossed the threshold, warmth washed over her.

The apartment smelled like fresh flowers and clean linen—nothing like the cramped, old place she came from.

She lifted her eyes… and her breath caught.

Evan was seated at the dining table, legs swinging as he scribbled in a notebook. Beside him sat a young assistant, patiently guiding him through each question of his assignment.

“Try that one again, Evan. You almost got it,” the assistant encouraged.

Evan giggled. “Okay!”

Mara’s heart squeezed.

He looked happy. Really happy.

Then her gaze shifted.

On the long sofa, her mother lay against a pile of soft pillows, a blanket over her legs. Her color was better, her breathing calmer. Two maids stood quietly beside her—one holding a tray of warm tea, the other adjusting the pillow behind her back.

A movie played softly on the television, filling the room with light humor.

Her mother turned at the sound of the door opening.

“Mara?” she gasped, sitting up straighter. “Oh, my child!”

The maids quickly supported her, though she waved them off gently.

Mara’s eyes filled with tears. “Mother…”

She rushed forward, but Jonas gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Easy, Miss Mara. You shouldn’t strain yourself yet.”

Mara slowed, but when she reached her mother, she knelt beside the sofa and took her hand.

“You look… so much better.”

Her mother cupped her cheek with trembling fingers. “They’ve been treating me like a queen here. My pain is almost gone.”

Evan finally looked up—and his eyes widened.

“Mara!” He jumped off his chair and ran toward her, but the assistant held him back gently.

“Slowly, Evan. Your sister is still recovering.”

Evan nodded and approached carefully, wrapping his arms around Mara’s waist in a soft hug.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

Mara held him tightly, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I missed you too.”

The maids bowed politely to her.

“Welcome back, Miss Mara. Your room has been prepared. Please tell us if you need anything.”

The apartment felt warm. Safe. Alive.

Her family was smiling.

Healthy.

Cared for.

For the first time since the contract began… she felt a taste of peace.

Jonas cleared his throat gently.

“Miss Mara, I’ve brought your things from the hospital. And in the evening, I’ll return with your meal plan and instructions.”

Mara nodded. “Thank you, Jonas.”

As Jonas turned to leave, Evan tugged his sleeve.

“Brother Jonas… what happened to Sister?” Evan asked softly, still tugging at Jonas’s sleeve.

Jonas turned sharply toward Mara, seeing the tiredness in her face, the bandage on her arm, and the way she leaned slightly against the wall for support.

He crouched so Evan would hear him clearly and placed a steady hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“She was sick yesterday,” Jonas explained gently, still studying Mara with concern. “She fainted… but she’s better now.”

Evan’s eyes watered instantly.

“S–she fainted?”

Jonas nodded. “Yes… but don’t be scared. She’s okay.”

Evan ran up to Mara and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly.

“Sister… don’t scare us again,” he whispered.

Mara’s heart squeezed. She stroked his head softly.

“I won’t,” she breathed. “I’m here now.”

Jonas stood behind them, his expression torn between relief and anger at whoever caused it—but he stayed silent for Mara’s sake.

Adrian watched the small reunion quietly, his face unreadable… but something in his eyes flickered.