Chapter 3:
I didn't sleep again.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face—cold, confident, untouchable. Ethan Blackwood. The man I had married on paper, yet knew nothing about.
The door clicked open softly.
I felt it before I saw him.
"Why are you still awake?" his voice came, low and controlled.
I turned to find him standing by the door, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up. He looked less like the ruthless billionaire and more like a man who had been carrying too much weight.
"I couldn't sleep," I said honestly.
He walked closer. Too close.
"You'll need to get used to this life," he said. "It won't slow down for you."
I laughed bitterly. "You mean your life."
His jaw tightened. "You agreed to it."
"Yes," I whispered. "Because I had no choice."
Silence stretched between us, thick and dangerous.
Ethan reached out suddenly, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. My breath caught. The touch was light—but it sent a shock through me.
"This," he said quietly, "is what you must never forget."
My heart pounded. "What?"
"That this is pretend."
His hand dropped, but the warmth lingered on my skin. I hated that my body reacted faster than my mind.
"You're shaking," he said.
"I'm not," I lied.
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Look at me."
I did.
For the first time, I saw something behind his cold eyes—conflict. Restraint.
"If you let your guard down," he murmured, "this arrangement will destroy you."
"Maybe it already is," I replied softly.
For a moment, I thought he might kiss me. His gaze dropped to my lips. My heart screamed for him to stop—or to finish what he started.
Instead, he stepped back.
"Get dressed," he said coldly. "The world is waiting to meet Mrs. Blackwood."
He turned away.
But I knew the truth then.
The contract wasn't the most dangerous thing between us.
It was the way he looked at me like he was fighting himself.