Melissa returned to the sitting room with the same composed smile she had worn since stepping into the Ariston residence.
"Grandpa ," she said gently, "thank you for dinner. I didn't intend to intrude, but it was lovely seeing you again."
Grandpa Arinston looked up from his seat, his expression warm. "You're always welcome here, Melissa. Don't be a stranger."
She smiled, bowing her head slightly. "I won't."
Her gaze shifted briefly—just briefly—to Jace. He stood beside the window, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
"Good night, Jace," she added softly.
Jace nodded curtly, saying nothing.
Melissa didn't push. She simply turned, picked up her handbag, and walked out with graceful steps, the faint click of her heels echoing through the large room until it faded.
The house seemed quieter after she left.
Not long after, Selena entered the sitting room as well.
Her face was calm, composed. So composed that it felt deliberate.
Jace's eyes lifted instantly.
She looked… fine. Too fine.
"You're back," Grandpa Arinston said casually.
"Yes, sir," Selena replied politely. "The garden is beautiful."
Grandpa nodded, satisfied. "Good. It's getting late. You two should head home."
Jace agreed, and after exchanging brief goodbyes, they left the house together.
The drive back was silent.
Not the comfortable kind.
Jace's hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel as his thoughts spiraled. Something was off. He could feel it—an unsettled weight pressing at his chest.
Selena hadn't spoken much since returning from the walk.
She wasn't upset—at least not outwardly. But she was quieter than usual. Distant.
His mind drifted to Melissa.
She came uninvited.
He frowned.
Melissa wasn't careless. She never did anything without reason. Why would she suddenly show up at a family dinner she wasn't invited to?
And more importantly—
Did she say something to Selena?
His jaw clenched.
He glanced briefly at Selena, who sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the passing city lights. Her posture was composed, her expression unreadable.
"Are you okay?" he asked finally, breaking the silence.
Selena turned to him, startled for half a second before she smiled faintly. "I'm fine."
That answer did nothing to settle him.
"But—"
"I'm really fine, Jace," she said gently. "Just tired."
He didn't press further.
When they arrived home, Selena thanked him softly and went straight to her room.
Jace stood in the living room long after, staring at nothing.
That night, sleep refused to come easily.
Selena closed the door to her room quietly, leaning against it for a moment longer than necessary.
Only when she was sure she was alone did her composure crack—just a little.
She moved to the edge of the bed and sat down slowly, staring at her hands.
Three months, she reminded herself.
She had signed the contract knowing how it would end. Knowing it wasn't real. Knowing she had no claim to anything beyond what was written on paper.
So why did Melissa's words still echo in her head?
"Someone Jace took pity on."
Her fingers curled tightly into her palms.
Selena lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, the room quiet except for the distant hum of the house.
When the three months are over…
She swallowed hard.
She had always known she would leave. She had prepared herself mentally from the beginning. Told herself not to get attached. Told herself not to dream.
And yet…
Her chest felt tight.
She turned onto her side, gripping the pillow lightly.
Melissa wasn't wrong about one thing. This marriage had started as pity. As obligation. As a transaction.
But somehow, along the way, lines had blurred.
Jace had started changing.
Small things. Unexpected things.
Breakfast. Rides together. Conversations that lingered longer than necessary.
Promises he didn't have to make.
And that was what scared her.
Because when it ended, it wouldn't just be a contract expiring.
It would be her.
Leaving his house.
Leaving his life.
Leaving this version of herself behind.
Selena squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the thoughts away.
You knew this, she told herself firmly.
Don't ask for more than you agreed to.
After a long while, she sat up and reached for her phone, scrolling aimlessly without really seeing anything. Eventually, exhaustion crept in.
She lay down again, pulling the blanket over herself.
Tomorrow would come.
Work would continue.
Life would move forward—contract or not.
With that thought, Selena finally let sleep claim her… quietly, without tears.
Down the hall, Jace stood outside her door for a moment longer than he realized.
He lifted his hand as if to knock—
Then lowered it.
Somehow, he knew.
Something had shifted.
And whatever it was, it had Melissa's fingerprints all over it.