After Grandpa Arinston left, the office slowly returned to its usual rhythm—but Selena couldn't.
She sat back down at her corner desk, fingers resting lightly on the papers in front of her, yet her mind was far away. The conversation she had overheard replayed in her head like a stubborn echo.
Full power… marriage… wife…
She swallowed.
She had known from the very beginning why this marriage existed. It was never a fairy tale or a love story—it was a contract. Three months. Clear terms. Clear ending.
And yet…
Her gaze drifted unconsciously toward Jace.
He sat behind his desk, posture straight, expression calm, flipping through documents with practiced ease. From the outside, he looked perfectly in control. Untouchable. Unbothered.
But Selena knew better now.
She clenched her fingers together softly. Somewhere along the way—between hospital visits, shared meals, quiet drives, and unexpected tenderness—her heart had betrayed her.
I'm starting to feel something for him…
The realization made her chest tighten.
What would happen when the three months were over?
She already knew the answer. She would leave quietly. Pack her things. Thank him. Walk out of his life like she was never there.
She had agreed to that ending the moment she signed the contract.
So what else could she possibly ask for?
Selena lowered her head and forced herself to focus on her work. Don't be greedy. Don't be foolish. This was never meant to last. And she reminded herself sharply that getting attached would only make leaving hurt more.
Across the room, Jace wasn't doing much better.
Though his eyes scanned documents and his pen moved steadily, his thoughts were tangled elsewhere.
Why didn't I introduce her?
He frowned slightly, irritation creasing his brow. The opportunity had been right there. His grandfather had been in the same room. Selena had been present.
And yet, he hesitated.
Jace leaned back in his chair, exhaling quietly.
His grandfather's warning echoed in his thoughts—not for the first time.
His father had died a hero, a soldier who gave his life for his country. Jace had been young then… too young to understand loss completely. His mother followed not long after, broken by grief she couldn't survive.
Since then, it had been Grandpa Arinston who raised him with iron discipline and impossible expectations.
His only remaining close family was his aunt—Binta Ariston—who lived far away in the United States with her husband and three children. Two daughters. One son. They rarely met.
Marriage wasn't just personal in his world. It was legacy.
Jace rubbed his temple briefly.
I'll do what needs to be done… when the time is right.
Straightening, he turned back to work.
"Selena," he called calmly.
She looked up immediately. "Yes?"
"The documents I asked you to copy earlier—are you done with them?"
"Yes," she replied, standing quickly and bringing them to his desk.
Jace glanced through them, nodding. "Good. You can place them there."
She did and returned to her seat.
The rest of the workday passed quietly, almost peacefully—if not for the unresolved thoughts lingering in both their minds.
By evening, Selena packed her things and approached Jace.
"I'll be going to my mom's place tonight," she said softly.
Jace didn't hesitate. "Okay. I'll drop you off."
She nodded in quiet gratitude.
The drive was calm. Not awkward. Not tense. Just… subdued.
When they reached the apartment building, Jace pulled to a stop.
"Thank you," Selena said, undoing her seatbelt.
"Take care," Jace replied, watching her step out of the car.
He waited until she entered the building before driving off.
Inside the apartment, the smell of cooking immediately greeted Selena.
"Mum?" she called lightly.
From the kitchen came a cheerful voice. "I'm here!"
Tinu wiped her hands on a towel and hurried out, her face lighting up the moment she saw her daughter.
"Selena! You're back already?" she exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug. "Have you eaten?"
Selena smiled, relaxing into her mother's embrace. "No, I came straight here after work."
Tinu's smile widened. "Good! That means you'll eat fresh food. I was just cooking when I heard the doorbell."
She guided Selena inside. "Sit down, everything will be ready soon."
"Okay, Mum," Selena replied, dropping onto the sofa.
As Tinu returned to the kitchen, Selena glanced around the apartment. It felt different seeing it properly now—quiet, modest, warm. When they had rented it, everything had been rushed.
Curious, she stood and began to explore.
She walked down the short hallway, peeking into the first bedroom—neatly arranged, clearly her mother's. Then the second room, still mostly empty except for a bed and a small table.
It's simple… but it's nice, she thought.
In the dining area, Tinu finished plating the last dish and carried it out.
"Selena?" she called.
No answer.
She frowned slightly. "This girl…"
Just as she was about to call again, Selena emerged from the second bedroom.
"Oh, you're there," Tinu said, relief replacing her concern. "Dinner is ready."
Selena smiled and walked toward the table. "The place looks nice, Mum."
Tinu beamed. "As long as it's close to you and the hospital, I'm happy."
They sat down together, mother and daughter, the quiet comfort of family settling between them—while elsewhere, Jace Ariston drove through the city, unaware that both their hearts were drifting toward the same uncertain edge.