Our Contracted Romance

Chapter 3: The Arrangement

Mrs. Vallin straightened herself instantly, shoulders lifting as if she wanted to appear composed—important—above the chaos she had just created. Her chin tilted slightly, lips parting as though she was about to offer a polite, practiced welcome.

But she never got the chance.

A firm voice came from the staircase above, cutting cleanly through the tension in the hall.

“Jonas.”

Everyone turned.

Mr. Vallin stood on the upper steps, one hand resting on the railing, gaze fixed on Mara—not warmly, not coldly, just intensely. His presence alone made the maids snap to attention.

“Yes, sir?” Jonas replied.

“Bring her to my study.”

His tone left no room for discussion.

Mrs. Vallin’s proud expression faltered. For a moment, she looked almost… startled that he had spoken before her. Mara could see the way the woman’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

Jonas gave a small nod. “Right away, sir.”

He gestured for Mara to follow him. Her heart thudded, unsure whether to feel fear or curiosity as she stepped away from the chaos of the hall.

Behind them, Mrs. Vallin watched with stiff, strained eyes—her pride swallowed by her husband’s single command—while Mara was led toward the study of the man whose life she was about to become entangled in.

Jonas guided Mara down a quiet hallway, leaving behind the echo of the earlier chaos. The deeper they walked into the mansion, the quieter it became—almost too quiet. Even the air felt different here, heavier, as though the walls themselves held secrets.

When they stopped at a tall wooden door, Jonas lowered his voice.

“He’s… not always easy to speak to,” he murmured carefully. “Just answer directly. Don’t over-explain. He dislikes that.”

Mara nodded, even though her pulse was jumping wildly.

Jonas knocked once.

“Come in,” Mr. Vallin’s voice responded immediately.

He opened the door and gently motioned for her to step inside before closing it behind her, leaving her alone with the man she barely understood.

Mr. Vallin was standing by the window, hands in his pockets, tall and composed. He didn’t turn around at first. He simply watched the garden outside as if her presence changed nothing.

For a moment, Mara wondered if she should speak.

But then he said, “You accepted the terms.”

His voice was calm, deep, and unreadable.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

Only then did he turn to face her, his eyes sharp but not unkind—simply assessing.

“You understand that if you proceed, your life will not look the same for the next year,” he said. “There will be rules. Boundaries. And complete privacy.”

Mara swallowed. “I understand.”

He stepped closer, slow and deliberate. Not intimidating—just controlled.

“Good,” he said. “Because this is not charity. This is a contract. You will be compensated well, but you must be able to endure the pressure that comes with it.”

“I—I can,” Mara said, though her voice wavered slightly.

His gaze lowered to her hands—she was clutching them tightly.

“You’re nervous,” he observed.

Her breath caught. She didn’t respond.

“I don’t want you entering this scared,” he said. “If you cannot handle this emotionally, you can still walk away.”

Mara shook her head quickly. “I need this, Mr. Vallin.”

He studied her for a long moment, as though searching for something beneath her words.

Finally, he nodded once. “Then from today on, you are under my protection—and under my supervision. Jonas will prepare the next steps.”

He turned away, dismissing her with quiet authority.

But just before she reached the door, he added, without looking back:

“This arrangement… must stay between us. Not even the walls should hear it.”

The warning lingered in the room long after she stepped outside.

Just as Mara reached for the door, his voice stopped her—quiet, but carrying a weight she hadn’t heard before.

“And one more thing,” Mr. Vallin said.

She turned slowly.

His back was still to her, but his tone sharpened, firm and final.

“No matter what my wife does… do not disrespect her.”

Mara’s breath stilled.

“She is dealing with a lot,” he continued. “More than anyone outside this house will ever understand. You will treat her with patience. With restraint. Is that clear?”

Mara nodded immediately, even though he couldn’t see it. “Yes, sir. I understand.”

“Good.”

Only that. No praise, no softness—just a final confirmation.

She opened the door quietly and slipped out, her heart unsteady. Jonas waited in the hallway, and the moment he saw her expression, he gestured gently for her to follow him.

Mara walked beside him, silent, still feeling the echo of the CEO’s last words.

In her mind, one thing replayed again and again:

No matter what my wife does…

Whatever she had stepped into, it was deeper and heavier than she had imagined.

Jonas walked beside her, his pace steady and professional as they moved down the long hallway.

“Your schedule for today is simple,” he said gently. “First, we’ll take your family to the apartment Mr. Vallin arranged. It’s fully furnished and secured. You won’t need to worry about their comfort.”

Mara nodded silently.

“Second,” he continued, “a trusted doctor will be assigned to your mother. She’ll receive treatment at home—no hospital stress. Everything will be handled privately.”

They stepped outside toward the waiting car.

Jonas opened the back door for her but didn’t let her enter yet. Instead, he added, “Your brother… he’ll be sent to Harvard. A full scholarship arranged under a private program. He’ll also have a personal assistant dedicated to helping him with classes, appointments, and anything he needs.”

Mara’s eyes widened, but words refused to come out.

Jonas paused, studying her. “Aren’t you curious why none of this involves you actually doing anything yet?”

She swallowed, then whispered, “Why?”

He glanced toward the mansion, then back at her. “Because Mr. Vallin wants you to focus on one thing only—his arrangements. No distractions. No outside worries.”

The wind shifted, brushing against her hair as the weight of his words settled in.

Jonas stepped back and nodded toward the open door.

“Shall we?”

As the car pulled away from the mansion, Mara sat quietly, hands folded in her lap. Jonas glanced at her through the mirror, his tone calm but straightforward.

“When we’re done settling your family,” he said, “you’ll be taken for a full medical checkup.”

Mara looked up carefully. “A checkup?”

“Yes. Standard procedure,” Jonas explained. “They just need to be sure you’re completely healthy. No infections, no untreated illnesses. Everything must be clean and safe before the arrangement continues.”

He didn’t sound insulting—just factual, following orders.

“It’s not personal,” he added softly. “They can’t risk the future child being exposed to anything. So they’ll run tests, give you whatever treatment you need, and make sure you’re in perfect condition.”

Mara nodded slowly, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.

“I understand,” she whispered.

Jonas gave a small, reassuring nod.

“It’s routine. Every part of this is controlled so nothing goes wrong.”

The car fell into a quiet hum again, the city passing by as Mara tried to steady her breathing—realizing more and more that her entire life was being adjusted around a future she hadn’t even begun to touch yet.

#########

They arrived at the apartment complex—a quiet, polished building with clean glass windows and soft lighting in the halls. It was nothing like the cramped place she had been living in. It felt unreal, too perfect, too… expensive.

Jonas led the way, unlocking the door with a small keycard.

“Go ahead,” he said.

Mara stepped inside first.

The moment her eyes landed on the living room, her breath caught. The space was bright, wide, with soft cream walls, neatly arranged furniture, and a fresh scent that made everything feel new. She pressed a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed.

This can’t be for us…

She turned back quickly, blinking hard, trying her best not to cry.

“My family… will stay here?” her voice trembled.

Jonas nodded. “Everything is paid for. Security is handled. Your brother will have a quiet room to study. Your mother’s room is close to the balcony so she can get light and fresh air. All of this is for their comfort.”

Mara swallowed the lump in her throat and hurried farther inside, touching the table, the walls, the curtains—almost afraid that everything would vanish if she blinked too long.

Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind—weak, tired, apologizing for being a burden. Her brother’s quiet sighs when they couldn’t afford his school materials.

Now… they would have this.

But instead of smiling, the pressure hit her all at once.

Her chest tightened, breaths turning shaky. She grabbed the edge of the couch, trying to stop her hands from trembling.

Jonas noticed immediately.

“Mara?”

She forced a small, unstable smile. “I’m fine. It’s just… a lot.”

“It is,” he admitted gently.

“I didn’t expect this,” she whispered. “I only wanted help for my family. I didn’t think…” She looked around again. “I didn’t think it would be this much.”

Jonas stepped closer, his voice low.

“Mr. Vallin doesn’t do anything halfway. If he commits, he commits fully. And right now… you and your family are part of that commitment.”

Her eyes burned. She blinked up at the ceiling, fighting the tears with everything she had.

But her voice still came out cracked and soft—

“Thank you.”

Jonas glanced around the apartment, checking everything with a professional eye before turning back to Mara.

“You won’t be staying with them now,” he explained gently. “Your family will be brought here once the maids arrive to prepare the place—and when your brother returns from school.”

Mara blinked. “They’re not coming now?”

“No,” Jonas said. “Everything has to be set up properly. Groceries, linens, medical supplies for your mother… and security. Mr. Vallin wants everything perfect before they step in.”

She nodded slowly, understanding but still feeling a tug in her chest.

Jonas continued, “Your brother will be brought here directly after school. He won’t have to go back to your old apartment at all. The maids will help both of them settle.”

Mara looked around again, taking in the quiet, spotless rooms—the fresh scent, the warmth, the comfort that seemed too good for her family.

“And my mother?” she asked softly.

“Once the medical team arrives, she’ll be transported here with proper care,” Jonas reassured. “She will not move until everything is ready for her.”

Mara breathed out shakily, both relieved and nervous.

Jonas gently gestured to the door.

“Come. We should go. This place will be their home by evening.”

Mara took one last look around the apartment—the sunlight on the floor, the soft furniture, the quiet promise of safety. Then she stepped out, knowing she wouldn’t see it again until her family was already living inside.

Jonas locked the door behind them and said softly as they walked back to the car,

“Your life moves forward from here, Mara. There’s no turning back now.”

They stepped back into the car, and the door shut with a soft thud. Mara let out a slow breath, trying to steady herself. Jonas settled in the front seat and signaled the driver before turning slightly to address her.

“Now,” he said, “we head to the medical center. It’s private—only reserved for high-profile clients. You’ll have no waiting lines, no public record of your visit.”

Mara nodded, staring down at her hands. It all felt surreal—too clean, too structured, too prepared. Nothing in her old life moved this smoothly.

As the car pulled away from the apartment building, Jonas continued, his tone matter-of-fact:

“Once we arrive, the doctors will run a full checkup. After that, you’ll be given supplements, treatments, anything necessary to make sure you’re completely healthy.”

Mara pressed her lips together. “All… for the arrangement.”

“All for the child,” Jonas corrected, gently but firmly. “Everything revolves around that.”

She looked out the window, watching the buildings pass by like a slow-moving current of her old world fading behind her.

After a quiet moment, Jonas added, “You won’t have to worry about your family anymore. The maids will prepare the apartment, and when Evan returns from school, he’ll be taken straight there. Your mother will follow once the medical people set her up.”

Mara nodded again. “Thank you.”

Jonas studied her through the mirror. “You don’t owe me gratitude, Mara. I’m doing my job. But… I understand this is a lot to take in.”

“It is,” she whispered. “Everything changed so fast.”

He gave a faint smile. “Mr. Vallin doesn’t waste time when he decides something.”

Mara tightened her grip on her bag.

“And what about me? After the checkup?”

“After that,” Jonas said, “you’ll be brought back to the estate for briefing. You’ll learn the rules, the schedule, and the expectations.”

The word rules made her shoulders stiffen.

Jonas seemed to notice.

“Don’t worry,” he added. “Nothing impossible. Just structure. Precision. Mr. Vallin likes things done a certain way.”

Mara nodded, though a heaviness settled in her chest.

As they drove deeper into the city toward the private medical center, she couldn’t help but wonder—

What exactly had she stepped into?

And how much of herself would she have to give up?