The silence in the room felt heavier after his answer
"Fine"
One word.
That was all it took to charge everything.
Racheal studied him carefully from across the table, her expression calm as always, but her eyes sharper now, as if she had just confirmed something important.
Without another word, she reached for the contract.
"You'll sign tomorrow," she said.
He frowned slightly
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Her tone left no room for argument.
She walked past him toward the massive window overlooking the city lights below.
Even from behind, she looked untouchable.
Cold. Perfect.
"You'll be staying here from now on," she continued. "The staff will prepare a room for you."
He let out a short laugh.
"You really planned all this ahead of time."
Racheal didn't answer immediately.
That silence again.
It bothered him more than her attitude.
Slowly, she turned to face him.
"There are rules ."
Of course, there were.
"No unnecessary questions about my private life," she said. "In public, you will act as my husband. You will attend events when necessary, and you will not embarrass me."
"And if I do?
Her eyes met his.
"You won't."
The confidence in her voice irritated him.
Still, he stayed quiet.
Because deep down, he knew something worse than pride --
He needed this deal.
Racheal walked back to the table and placed a small black card in front of him.
A bank card.
"For your expenses," she said.
He stared at it but didn't touch it.
The old him probably would have refused immediately.
But the old him still had a home.
Still had people.
Still had a life.
This version of him had nothing.
And Rachel knew it.
That was the dangerous part.