2 The smell of roasted beans clung to the air as I stirred my coffee absentmindedly , Across from me , Alice was grinning like she knew something I didnt . Youve been postponing your project meetings lately , she said , lifting her cup . Let m guess . Too many rich people events with your husband ? I gave her a deadpan look . Its not what you think . She leaned closer , chin resting on her hand . No strings attached , purely business … yeah yeah , Ive heard that before . It is , I insisted , sipping my latte . He needed a wife for his inheritance . I needed ar escape . Thats it . But hes hot , she smirked . Dont tell me you havent noticed . I groaned , rolling my eyes . Hes nice . Annoyingly hot . Always composed smells like sin and power , and somehow manages to look expensive even in a T shirt Exactly my point . She raised her brows suggestively . But , I cut her off , setting my cup down with a soft clink , Im not interested in love . No anymore . Ive been burned once , not going for seconds . Alice sobered , nodding slowly . Fair enough … but you sounded a little weird earlier . Like youre curious about him ? I hesitated before confessing , I think hes in love with someone else . Alice blinked . Wait , what ? Why would you say that ? I leaned back , eyes unfocused . The other day , he pulled out his wallet to get something . I saw a photo inside . It wasnt clear , but it was of a woman . Looked important . He doesnt talk about her , and I havent seen anything in the estate to suggest hes currently dating someone , but still … Alice hummed . You know … now that you say that , I do remember hearing something . Some rumor that he used to date someone seriously . But no name , no face . Exactly , I murmured . But hey none of my business . Im not planning on falling for a man who might already belong to someone else . She gave me a look . Youre already thinking too much . I smiled faintly . Which is why we should change the topic . Lets talk about the project . We dove into plans and outlines , but even after the meeting , my thoughts lingered around Rozen . When I returned to the estate , the smell of garlic and herbs filled the air . My eyes widened as I found Rozen in the kitchen apron on , sleeves rolled up , preparing what looked like a full dinner spread . You cook ? I asked , more amused than shocked . Rozen glanced up , then shrugged . Sometimes . 19:24 Fri , 18 Apr Whats the occasion ? No occasion . He slid a bowl toward me . Eat with me . I arched a brow . Why ? He met my gaze without hesitation . Because I want to . * 60 % Something about his tone made me pause . It wasnt a command , it wasnt even a suggestion it was … a request . And it felt oddly intimate . I took a seat . Youre not as cold as you pretend to be , I muttered while chewing . He didnt look at me . Youre not as detached as you claim . A beat passed in silence before I asked , How long do you think this arrangement will last ? He paused , setting his glass down . Until one of us breaks the rule . I nodded . The no falling in love clause . Rozens lips tugged into a small smirk . And if one of us does … they pay the price . I smiled wryly . Dont worry . I dont believe in love anymore . Then , curious , I ventured , Have you ever been in love ? The question seemed to shift the atmosphere . Rozen stilled , eyes darkening slightly . His fork hovered above his plate , then slowly lowered . But he didnt answer . I didnt push . His silence spoke louder than words . Later that night , the estate was quieter than usual . The stillness felt heavy . I wandered aimlessly , my feet guiding me through winding halls until I stumbled upon a large double door tucked in a dim corner . Curiosity got the better of me . I pushed the doors open and gasped . A library . A massive one . Floor to ceiling shelves stretched across every wall , filled with books that looked like they hadnt been touched in years . There was a faint scent of old paper , mahogany , and something floral . My eyes wandered to the center of the room where a large painting hung -an oil portrait of a woman . She was beautiful . Delicate . Her eyes held a softness Id never seen in Rozen . Was this … her ? Beneath the portrait was a long wooden table with neatly arranged vases , framed photos , and tiny knickknacks . My fingers brushed a porcelain vase trimmed with gold . I lifted it , curious . There was a faint inscription on the bottom in cursive . I tilted it to read it Chapter 8 3/3 32.0 % 19:24 Fri , 18 Apr Chapter 9 60 % It shattered on the floor . Porcelain shards scattered like fragments of my heartbeat , delicate pieces ruined in an instant . I stared at the mess , stunned , not understanding why his voice had sounded so … furious . Rozen stormed toward me , his eyes blazing , fury painting every angle of his face . What the hell are you doing ?! he bellowed . I flinched . I I didnt mean to- This isnt just some thing ! he spat , grabbing the broken remains off the ground , his hand trembling . That vase was hers she made it- His voice cracked . And now its gone . The word her hit me like ice water . My breath caught . His … her ? I was too stunned to move . But he wasnt done . You shouldnt be in here . This room these things- His voice grew louder with every syllable . You dont belong here ! He shoved me hard . I wasnt ready . My feet tangled beneath me . I stumbled back , crashing onto the broken glass . Pain bloomed across my arm as a shard sliced through skin . I let out a sharp gasp , the sting deep and real . He paused , but only for a moment then the rage returned . GET OUT ! Rozen roared . Get out now ! Tears blurred my vision . I scrambled to my feet , broken glass biting at my palms , legs shaky as I stumbled past him . I didnt look back . I couldnt . The corridor outside the library felt a thousand miles long . Every step away from that room was soaked in confusion and shame and a fresh , aching betrayal I couldnt explain . By the time I reached my room , my hands were trembling , blood trailing down my forearm . My knees hit the floor as I collapsed , pressing my lips together to silence the sobs rising in my chest . I didnt mean to break it . I didnt know . I didnt- But none of it mattered . The girl in the painting . The vase . Whoever she was she had a part of Rozen I would never touch . And that realization ? It gutted me . He had never shouted at me like that before . Never looked at me like I was a mistake . But tonight , he did . And for a moment , I felt like I was back in the past betrayed , unwanted , unimportant . Quietly , bitterly . My hand throbbed , my heart worse . My hand throbbed , my heart worse . The pain from the glass couldnt compare to the sting that bloomed in my chest . And as the tears soaked into the pillow , memories started slipping in through the cracks of my walls . His lies . His charm . His betrayal . Chante O 19:24 Fri , 18 Apr Scott . The fake warmth . The promises that meant nothing . I remembered it all now . The moment I found out . The way they gaslit me . The way they made me feel like I was crazy , stupid , for believing I was loved . And tonight Rozens voice , his eyes … it brought all of that flooding back . Even though this was different . Even though I knew it wasnt the same . The ache felt familiar . Why did it hurt so much ? Why did I care that he had someone in the past ? Why did I care about a vase , a painting , a name I didnt even know ? Why … was my chest this tight ? No strings attached . That was the deal . That was supposed to protect me . I had told myself over and over I wont fall . I wont feel . I wont love . But then why did it feel like I had already broken every rule Id made ? I curled tighter into myself , like I could hide from the thoughts crowding in my head . No , I shouldnt be like this . He didnt love me . He made that clear from day one . It was just a contract . A performance . A convenient partnership . I was Mrs. Blackwood on paper . Not in his heart . And I was okay with that . Wasnt I ? So why did tonight feel like heartbreak ? I buried my face into the sheets , fists clenched around the fabric , trying to block out the questions , the doubts , the rising fear that I had gotten too close again . I shouldnt be crying . I shouldnt be breaking . I shouldnt be … feeling . ! Just business , I whispered into the silence . No strings attached … When I woke up , the first thing I noticed was the silence . Then the warmth . Someone had dressed my wounds . My arm was wrapped in clean gauze , the sting numbed . My clothes were changed too , replaced with soft , fresh fabric . A blanket had been pulled over me . Someone … had taken care of me while I was unconscious . I sat up slowly . My limbs were heavy . My head , foggy . But my heart ? That still ached . I rose from the bed and crossed the room , dragging my suitcase from the closet . My fingers moved quickly , packing what little I had . It wasnt about pride . It was about self respect . He didnt want to love . I didnt want to fall . For now , I have to leave . I folded the last of my clothes , zipped the bag , and reached for my coat when a firm hand landed on mine . His expression was unreadable . Not angry anymore . Not cold . Just … tired . Im sorry , he said . I didnt mean to hurt you . I didnt respond . My eyes dropped to his hand , still resting on mine . He noticed , pulled it back . I shouldnt have shouted at you , he continued . I shouldnt have pushed you . That was 19:25 Fri , 18 Apr. 60 % I shouldnt have shouted at you , he continued . I shouldnt have pushed you . That was- he inhaled sharply , jaw tight . That vase … it belonged to someone I cared about . A long time ago . And when you touched it I panicked . I didnt mean to break it , I whispered . I didnt know it was hers . I know that too . He looked away . I just … lost control . The silence stretched . My throat tightened . Im still leaving , I finally said . I need to accept that project . If you need a wife , just call me . After all , no strings attached . 19:25 Fri , 18 Apr Audrey's biggest regret? A one-night stand with Floyd, her secret love for eight years. Despite his arranged marriage and his family's troubles, he kept rescuing her. She thought she was just a fling,...