The Distance Between A Contract And Love
678 Words
After Adrian returned from the hospital, Luna thought things would return to normal.
But something had changed.
Not between them in a dramatic way.
Not enough for anyone else to notice.
But Luna noticed.
Adrian was becoming different.
---
Before, he always kept a careful distance.
They shared the same house, but it felt like they lived separate lives.
They ate together because of appearances.
They attended events because of their agreement.
They smiled for cameras because it was necessary.
But recently…
Things felt less like an arrangement.
And more like a real marriage.
---
One evening, Luna came home late from filming.
She expected the house to be quiet.
Instead, she found Adrian in the dining room.
He was not working.
He was waiting.
Luna stopped when she saw him.
“You’re still awake?”
Adrian looked up.
“Yes.”
She glanced at the table.
“Did you eat?”
“No.”
Luna frowned.
“Why?”
“I was waiting.”
The answer surprised her.
“Waiting for me?”
Adrian nodded.
Luna looked at him carefully.
The old Adrian Xue would never admit something like that.
“You have changed.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
“Have I?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
She thought for a moment.
Then she smiled.
“You used to act like caring about someone was a weakness.”
Adrian looked away.
“And now?”
“Now you’re still pretending you don’t care.”
For a few seconds, the room was silent.
Then Adrian said:
“Maybe I’m not pretending anymore.”
Luna froze.
Her heart beat faster.
But before she could respond, Adrian stood up.
“Eat before the food gets cold.”
She stared at him.
Sometimes he said things that confused her even more.
---
The next day, Luna had a magazine interview.
It was supposed to be about her new drama.
But the interviewer quickly changed the topic.
“Mrs. Xue, many people believe your success increased after your marriage.”
Luna remained calm.
“I understand why people think that.”
The interviewer smiled.
“So you admit it?”
“No.”
Luna looked directly at the camera.
“I admit that marrying Adrian changed my life.”
The interviewer seemed surprised.
“But not because he gave me success.”
She continued:
“It changed because I met someone who respects my dreams.”
The interview room became quiet.
Nobody expected that answer.
---
When the interview aired, the reaction was huge.
Some people still criticized her.
But many people started seeing her differently.
They realized Luna was not simply hiding behind Adrian’s name.
She had her own strength.
---
That evening, Adrian watched the interview in his office.
Daniel stood nearby.
“Madam Xue handled the interview well.”
Adrian nodded.
“She always does.”
Daniel smiled slightly.
“President Xue, you sound proud.”
Adrian looked at him.
“I am.”
Daniel was surprised.
Because Adrian Xue rarely praised anyone.
Especially not so openly.
---
Later that night, Luna returned home.
She found Adrian waiting.
“You watched the interview?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Adrian looked at her.
“You did well.”
Luna smiled.
“That’s all?”
“What else?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a bigger compliment from the great Adrian Xue.”
He looked serious for a moment.
Then he said:
“You were impressive.”
Luna blinked.
A genuine compliment from Adrian was rare.
“Thank you.”
A quiet moment passed.
Then Adrian reached out and gently removed a small piece of dust from her hair.
Neither of them moved.
The distance between them suddenly felt much smaller.
Luna looked into his eyes.
And for a second…
She forgot this was supposed to be a contract marriage.
Adrian also realized something.
The woman in front of him was no longer just someone he married for convenience.
She had become someone he wanted beside him.
But neither of them was ready to say it yet.
- Writer
