'That condition... does it apply to you too?"
Darius leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady on me.
"And if it doesn't?" he asked calmly.
I blinked, caught off guard.
"I... just thought it should be equal."
"Would that change your decision."
I opened my mouth to answer but truthfully, I had no reply to that because I didn't know. That uncertainty settled into silence, and that silence seemed to answer him anyway.
"I am off limits, too. No scandals. No mistresses, and if that were to change, you will be informed."
'Well, that's neither a yes nor a no... but even if he did, I wouldn't care. At least I had my money.'
"I have some questions about the clauses."
"Ask."
"The full-time residence clause says no exceptions unless approved. What constitutes an exception? If I need to stay elsewhere for a night, do I need a written permit?"
"You need my word," he said simply.
'It feels like I'm with my dorm mistress.'
"And what about coordinated schedules? Can you explain it?"
"You're being protected, so I need you to be where you say you'll be. It's just a matter of consistency."
'Of course. Your freedom being taken away from you German translation is protection.'
"In the mandatory display of affection, you said it is whatever the situation requires. That's too vague."
"In certain situations, when I touch or kiss you, you will let me do it without flinching."
I felt a shiver run through me, but I blamed the wine.
"What certain situations? And is there a limit?"
"You'll know when the situation occurs, and the limit is whatever the situation requires to be convincing."
He reached for the file beside him and slid it slightly across the table toward me.
"You're focusing on the wrong part of the agreement," Darius continued.
"What do you mean?"
"There's a section you didn't get to."
My stomach tightened.
The heading read:
Signed Control.
At least it was honest. Most people take control without asking… he just made sure I signed first.
It had subsections.
The first one was physical intimacy: Both parties acknowledge that external romantic or sexual outlets are strictly prohibited. To satisfy the biological requirements of Darius Crowne, Brielle Onyx agrees to remain open to sexual relations within the marriage. Such interactions are contractual and should not be interpreted as emotional involvement.
I looked up immediately.
"Biological requirements? You're putting sex into a business contract?"
"We're both young and trapped in this. I will try not to be interested in strangers, and I won't allow you to be either. It's practical."
"I refuse."
"We'll review it in three months."
I knew my answer wouldn't change, but I didn't bother arguing further.
The next subsection.
Cohabitation authority:
Darius Crowne retains final say over household management to ensure public consistency.
'Well, he is definitely thorough.'
Then—
Personal Presentation Clause:
My eyes slowed over the words.
Darius Crowne has final say over my wardrobe when required to maintain a consistent image. He may choose or approve outfits when I represent our marriage.
"You don't get to control what I wear," I said firmly. "That's not happening."
"It's not control. It's alignment."
"It's control," I repeated. "You're deciding how I present myself, how I look—"
"How we are perceived," he corrected smoothly.
"That's the same thing."
He studied me for a moment.
"When you represent yourself, wear whatever you want. When you represent me, you wear what reflects my name."
So I only belong to myself when he's not looking.
"I'm not a mannequin."
"And I'm not negotiating that clause."
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to keep going. It was all for the money, afterall
Next.
Total access:
He will have access to all my digital platforms to ensure transparency and loyalty.
"I have a problem with the digital access clause."
Darius didn't even blink. "I assumed you would."
"It's one-sided. You get full access to everything, but there's nothing about me having the same."
"There doesn't need to be."
I let out a short, disbelieving breath.
"Of course there doesn't."
"You're free to distrust me," he added calmly. "It changes nothing."
"And I'm just supposed to trust you?"
"No. You're supposed to follow the agreement."
That shut me up for a second.
The next.
Exclusivity of Presence:
In all public and private settings deemed necessary, Brielle Onyx must prioritize Darius Crowne's presence above all others. This includes immediate compliance when summoned, regardless of prior engagements.
I frowned. "Wait… this means if you call, I drop everything?"
"Yes."
"That's not normal." I said."And I want a clause of mine."
"Let's hear it."
"Residential provision. My nieces and nephew are allowed to live with us. Full-time, if necessary."
"No."
I stared at him. "No?"
"I don't like children. I'm not turning my home into a nursery."
And that was when I finally snapped and sat uo straighter.
"Then I'm not signing this."
That got his attention.
"If I don't get anything in this contract that actually works in my favor, then I'm no longer interested. You keep rejecting everything I say like I'm just… an add-on to your life. I'm not doing that."
Silence settled between us, heavier this time.
"Continue," he said.
I swallowed, then pushed forward.
"I want a reputation protection clause. When this ends, nothing falls back on me. No rumors, no public blame. If anything happens, you handle it. Publicly."
He didn't interrupt.
"And I want boundaries. Emotional ones."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"If you humiliate me in public, if you use me beyond what we agreed, or if you put me in a situation that damages me just to protect your image, I get the right to step back. No penalties."
Still nothing.
"And one more thing," I added, quieter now. "My family stays out of this. Completely. No cameras, no press, no involvement. This marriage is between us, not them."
The room went quiet again, but this time it didn't feel like I was losing ground.
He tapped his finger once against the table, then leaned forward slightly.
"The reputation clause is acceptable."
I didn't move.
"The family restriction… also acceptable."
I felt the tension in my chest easen just a little.
"The emotional boundary clause," he continued, "will be modified."
Of course it would.
"You may withdraw from situations that breach the agreement. But not without informing me first."
It wasn't perfect but it was something.
"And the children stay out of my house."
There it was again. Final.
I held his gaze for a moment, then leaned back.
"Fine."
Because now, at least, I wasn't walking in empty-handed.
And for the kids, I would use the money from the contract to rent a place nearby and even employ a nanny for them. He picked up his pen and added those part, signed under the handwritten part and the place for the contract.
"Good," he said. "I have signed my part. Sign yours."
I picked up the pen and signed. It felt like I was signing over my soul to the devil
"You'll move in tonight." Darius said, typing something in his tablet.
'I haven't even enjoyed that apartment yet.'
"I need a little time," I said carefully. "There are things I have to sort out."
"Three days. I will send my team to move your things and at 9:00pm the third night, my driver will come pick you up."
We stood, the meeting clearly over.
As we reached the exit, I hesitated.
"There's something else."
He waited.
"You're not what I expected."
Oh?"
I tilted my head slightly. "For someone with your reputation… the whole city calls a—"
"Playboy?" he finished smoothly.
I pressed my lips together.
"Yes."
I'd expected something else entirely. Playboys were supposed to look a certain way; loosened ties, wavy hair like they'd just rolled out of someone else's bed, that careless, too-charming ease.
But Darius Crowne… there was nothing careless about him.
"And i disappoint you?"
"No.. Just surprised."
We reached the exit and he paused.
"You have a nice ass, Miss Onyx."
My face heated instantly.
I turned back, caught between shock and irritation.
"For the cameras," he added calmly.