The house had never felt this tense before.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just… quietly dangerous.
Ammie noticed it the moment she walked down the stairs that morning.
Adrian was already at the dining table.
And beside him—
His mother. She knew that was Adrian mother, because her picture was hunged in his room.
She was shocked.
Adrian didn't tell her about this.
Perfect posture. Expensive jewelry. Controlled smile.
But her eyes…
Her eyes were sharp.
Like she had already decided something.
Ammie paused slightly at the bottom of the stairs.
"Good morning," she said politely.
Adrian glanced up briefly. "Morning."
His mother didn't respond immediately.
She looked at Ammie slowly.
From head to toe.
Then smiled.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
"So this is her," she said softly.
Ammie stayed calm. "Ma'am."
"Sit," Adrian said simply.
Ammie obeyed.
The silence at the table felt heavier than usual.
Then—
The front door opened.
Heels clicked inside.
Confident.
Loud.
Unbothered.
A young woman walked in like she owned the house already.
Expensive outfit. Heavy makeup. Designer bag swinging loosely on her arm.
She looked around once.
Then smiled.
"Mom, I'm back."
Ammie frowned slightly.
Mom?
The woman walked straight to Adrian's mother and hugged her casually.
Then turned.
Her eyes landed on Ammie.
And stayed there.
Longer than necessary.
"Who's that?" she asked, pointing slightly.
Adrian's mother smiled.
"This is the girl I told you about."
The girl tilted her head.
"Oh."
Then she smiled.
But it was not friendly.
It was mocking.
"So… this is the competition?"
Ammie's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm not—" she started.
Adrian's mother raised a hand.
"No need for explanations."
Then she turned to Adrian.
"This is Bianca," she said. "She just returned from abroad. From a very good background. Proper family. Proper upbringing, you should remember her, you attended the same college"
Bianca smiled proudly and sat beside Adrian without asking.
Ammie felt something tighten in her chest.
Adrian didn't react.
Didn't move.
Didn't stop her.
"Mom," Bianca said softly, leaning slightly toward him. "I missed you."
Ammie's fingers curled under the table.
Adrian finally spoke.
"Don't touch me like that."
Bianca paused.
Then laughed lightly.
"I forgot. You're always like this."
His mother smiled approvingly.
But then her eyes turned to Ammie.
"And you," she said calmly. "You understand this situation, don't you?"
Ammie frowned. "What situation?"
Her mother-in-law leaned forward slightly.
"My son needs someone suitable. Someone from the right background. Not… confusion."
Silence.
Ammie's heart dropped slightly.
Adrian said nothing.
That silence hurt more.
Bianca smirked.
"Honestly," she said casually, "I don't even understand why this is a discussion. I mean… look at her."
Ammie stood up immediately.
"I think I should leave."
Adrian's mother's voice cut in.
"You should know your place first."
That stopped her.
Ammie turned slowly.
"My place?" she repeated quietly.
Bianca laughed. "Exactly."
Ammie looked at Adrian.
Waiting.
Just once.
Say something.
Anything.
But he didn't.
Instead—
He stood up.
Everyone went quiet.
Adrian looked at Ammie directly.
His voice was cold.
"You're forgetting your position."
Ammie froze slightly.
Bianca smiled wider.
Adrian continued.
"This is a contract."
Silence.
"You are not my girlfriend," he said flatly. "You are not my wife in the real sense."
Ammie's breath caught.
His words didn't stop.
"You are here because of an agreement."
A pause.
Then the final blow—
"I paid you for it."
Silence fell completely.
Ammie felt her chest tighten painfully.
Her eyes stung instantly, but she refused to let it fall.
Bianca smiled like she had won something.
His mother nodded slightly in approval.
Ammie looked at Adrian one last time.
Then slowly—
She sat back down.
Quiet.
Broken inside.
But still silent.
---
🌙 Later That Night
Ammie sat alone in her room.
The contract lay untouched on the table.
Her hands trembled slightly.
But she wasn't crying loudly.
Just quietly.
Like someone trying not to fall apart completely.
A knock came.
She didn't respond.
The door opened anyway.
Adrian.
He stepped in.
Paused when he saw her.
"You shouldn't take things personally," he said calmly.
Ammie laughed softly through pain.
"Right."
Silence.
Then she stood up.
"For you, everything is business, right?"
"Yes."
She nodded slowly.
Then looked at him.
"Then don't expect me to feel like I belong here."
A pause.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You agreed to the contract."
"I agreed to survive," she snapped.
Silence dropped again.
He stepped closer.
"You're overreacting."
That broke something in her.
"Overreacting?" she repeated, voice shaking slightly. "You let them humiliate me."
He didn't answer.
Just stared at her.
Then coldly—
"This is not emotional," he said. "Don't turn it into something it's not."
Ammie's voice dropped.
"Then what is it?"
He didn't hesitate.
"Work."
Silence.
Ammie swallowed hard.
Then nodded slowly.
"Okay."
She turned away.
"That's all I needed to hear."