The next morning came quietly. Elena woke to the soft sound of birds outside her window. For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling and wondering what her life had become. Everything still felt unreal — the big room, the expensive sheets, and the name she now carried. Mrs. Knight. It didn't sound like her.
After getting dressed, she went downstairs. The smell of coffee filled the air. Mrs. Carter smiled politely and said, "Mr. Knight is waiting for you in the dining room."
Elena nodded, her heart beating a little faster. She wasn't sure why she felt nervous every time she saw him. Maybe because he always looked so calm, so distant, as if nothing could ever reach him.
When she entered, Alexander was already there, seated with his phone in hand. He didn't look up immediately. "Good morning," he said simply.
"Good morning," Elena replied and sat opposite him.
There was silence for a while. Then he placed his phone down and looked at her. "I've gone through the schedule Daniel gave you. I hope he explained everything clearly."
"Yes, he did," she said quietly. "But I have some questions."
"Go ahead."
She took a small breath. "This marriage… how long is it supposed to last?"
He didn't answer right away. His eyes stayed fixed on her, unreadable. Finally, he said, "One year."
Her heart dropped a little. "Only one year?"
"That's what we agreed on, Miss Hayes," he said in that calm, business-like tone. "After that, the contract ends. You'll be compensated as promised."
She looked down at her plate, pushing the food around with her fork. "And what happens after that year? We just… go our separate ways?"
"Yes," he said simply. "We return to our real lives."
His words stung more than she expected. She nodded, forcing a small smile. "All right. I understand."
He watched her for a moment, then said, "This arrangement is not meant to be emotional, Elena. Keep that in mind. As long as we play our roles in public, everything will go smoothly."
"I'll do my best," she whispered.
After breakfast, Alexander left for work, and the mansion felt silent again. Elena wandered through the rooms, feeling like a stranger in her own life. Every wall, every corner, every piece of furniture seemed to remind her that this wasn't home — it was a place built on rules and secrets.
By noon, Daniel arrived again. He carried a file and a polite smile. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Knight. I'm here to go over the media guidelines."
"Media guidelines?" she repeated, confused.
"Yes," he said, handing her the file. "There will be questions about your relationship, especially from reporters. You'll need to memorize these details — how you two met, when you fell in love, and even your favorite things about Mr. Knight."
Elena looked at the paper. It was full of facts that weren't true — made-up memories about a love story that never existed. "This feels strange," she said softly.
Daniel sighed. "It is. But it's necessary. Mr. Knight values privacy, but the public values stories. If we don't give them one, they'll create their own."
She smiled faintly. "You're good at this."
He shrugged lightly. "I've worked with him long enough to know how he thinks."
After Daniel left, Elena sat by the window with the file on her lap. Her eyes moved over the words again and again — the lies she would soon have to tell with a straight face. She wondered what kind of man Alexander really was behind all the control and distance. There had to be something more.
That evening, when Alexander came home, she was sitting in the living room reading. He stopped near the door, watching her for a moment. "You're still awake," he said.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted.
He walked closer. "Something on your mind?"
She hesitated. "Do you ever get tired of pretending?"
He raised a brow. "Pretending?"
"This marriage," she said quietly. "This image. The act we have to put on for everyone else."
His jaw tightened slightly. "You're overthinking it. This is business, Elena. Emotions only make things complicated."
She gave a soft, almost sad laugh. "Maybe. But even businesspeople are human, Mr. Knight."
He looked at her then — really looked — as if her words surprised him. For a few seconds, the mask on his face slipped. "You should rest," he said finally, his voice softer than before.
She nodded. "Goodnight, Alexander."
He paused for a moment before replying, "Goodnight."
When she went upstairs, her heart felt heavier than before. She didn't understand him. One moment he was cold and distant, the next there was something gentle in his eyes — something he quickly hid again.
The next day, she woke early. Daniel had arranged for her to visit a fashion boutique to pick out clothes for upcoming events. A driver took her into the city. For the first time since the wedding, she saw the world outside the mansion again — people walking, laughing, living normally. It made her heart ache.
At the boutique, cameras flashed as soon as she stepped out. Reporters shouted her name, asking about her marriage. "Mrs. Knight, how does it feel to be the wife of one of the richest men in the country?" "Is it true that you met at a charity event?"
Elena froze, but she quickly remembered Daniel's words. She smiled and said softly, "Yes, we met at a charity event. He's an incredible man — kind and focused."
The reporters cheered, writing down her words. When she got back to the car, her hands trembled slightly. She didn't know how long she could keep this up.
Back at the mansion, Alexander was waiting. He stood near the stairs, arms crossed. "I saw the interview clip," he said.
Her heart jumped. "Did I say something wrong?"
He shook his head. "No. You handled it well. You looked… convincing."
"Thank you," she said quietly, unsure if that was a compliment.
He studied her face for a moment, then added, "Just remember — every word you say in public affects both of us. Be careful."
"I will."
For a moment, neither of them moved. The silence between them was thick, almost heavy. Then he turned and walked away, his voice low. "Dinner will be ready soon."
That night, as Elena lay in bed, she thought about how her life had changed. One year — that was all they had agreed on. But something deep inside her whispered that one year might not be enough to understand this man or the secrets behind his cold eyes.
She didn't know it yet, but the story of their contract was only beginning — and soon, rules would start to break.
The story just begin,Elena just started to review what she have gone into ,but it's doesn't stop they,wait for the next chapter