THE 365-DAYS WIFE

Chapter 4: Wife

Day 3.

Zara woke up at 7am to a note on her door:

`“Photo shoot. 9am. Garden. - D”`

She wore what they told her. White dress. Barely any makeup.

Photographer, lighting, 3 assistants.

`“Act in love,”` the photographer said. `“Hold his arm. Lean on him.”`

Damian came out in jeans and a white shirt. He looked... normal.

He put his arm around her waist. `“Smile, wife.”`

Click. Click. Click.

The photos would be on the company website by noon. `“CEO Damian Okafor and wife at home.”`

After, Damian poured her coffee. `“How are you settling in?”`

`“Fine,”` Zara said.

`“Any questions about the contract?”`

Zara’s heart jumped. `“No.”`

`“Good,”` Damian smiled. `“Because I hate questions.”`

The rest of the day was boring. And that was the problem.

Too perfect. Too quiet.

At 10pm Zara couldn’t sleep. She opened her laptop. Googled: `Damian Okafor Amina`.

One article. `CAR CRASH. NO FOUL PLAY.`

No photos of Amina. No funeral details. Nothing.

Zara tried to find Bola. No results.

Tried to find the contract online. Nothing.

She was about to close the laptop when an email popped up.

*From: anonymous2024@protonmail.com*

*Subject: READ THIS*

Body: `“Check Clause 11.3. Then check your bank account. - B”`

Zara opened the contract PDF on her phone. Scrolled to page 37.

*CLAUSE 11.3: TERMINATION BY DEATH*

`“In the event of The Wife’s death during the contract period, all payments cease immediately. The Husband bears no liability.”`

Her blood went cold.

She opened her banking app.

`$2,000,000.00` had been deposited.

But under "notes": `“Held in escrow. Released on Day 365.”`

If she died before Day 365... her mom got nothing.

Zara slammed the laptop shut.

A knock.

`“Zara?”` Damian’s voice. `“Are you okay? I saw your light on.”`

Zara shoved the phone under her pillow. `“I’m fine! Just reading.”`

The door opened anyway. Damian in sweatpants. Concerned.

`“You look pale,”` he said, sitting on the edge of her bed. `“Nightmare?”`

Zara forced a smile. `“Just jet lag. From moving.”`

Damian brushed hair from her face. His touch was warm. `“If you need anything, tell me. That’s what husbands are for.”`

`“Okay,”` Zara whispered.

He stood up. At the door he turned. `“Zara?”`

`“Hmm?”`

`“Don’t trust strangers who email you. Okay?”`

He left.

Zara stared at the ceiling.

How did he know about the email?

She was being watched.

END OF CHAPTER 4