His lips were still on mine , too long , too deep . I kissed him back longer than I should've , my fingers gripping his arms like I needed them to stay upright . My heart was racing , chest tight , heat rolling across my skin like a wave I couldn't stop , everything in me was responding to him from muscle memory , craving this more than I had expected . But it wasn't real , not anymore . I pushed at his chest , breaking the kiss . " No ," I said , breathless . He didn't step back . " Why ? Isn't this something you want ? " I could still feel his hot breath fanning my face as his voice dropped to a whisper , " I said I'd do my part as your husband , " he raked his eyes all over my body for a second before meeting my gaze again , " and I meant that in every way . " I opened my mouth , then closed it again . I couldn't say the truth . That it felt wrong because he didn't remember who I was because the man holding me wasn't Rick , not really , not the Rick who once told me I was the only future he saw . This version didn't know what he'd already thrown away . I stepped back , my voice sharp now . " No. " He frowned like I had just throw salt to his wounds but the only thing flashing through my mind were his Father's words . I shook my head fast , " I'm only your wife on paper , " I said , not sure if I was reminding me or him , " let's keep it that way . " I moved to the door , hand on the knob , then turned slightly , " for the contract period , I'll be sleeping in the same room as my daughter . " He didn't answer . I opened the door , but his hand caught my wrist again , gentler this time . " Why are you doing this ? I know what's in it for me , but what's in it for you ? This sudden marriage ? " I didn't look back . " Just because I want to . " That was all I gave him before pulling free from his grip and taking my leave . The room they assigned for me and Lena was smaller than the one I had alone , but still bigger than anything we'd lived in before . The walls were pale blue , the lighting soft . Lena's little bed had already been made with new sheets , a pile 1/4 Chapter 8 -f stuffed animals stacked at the headboard . he ran in immediately , squealing and jumping on the mattress . stayed near the door , still holding the knob , heart too heavy to move . 55 vouchers hated this . I hated every part of it . But the thought of Marissa ending up with Rick , smiling beside him in very photo , sliding into a life that should've never been hers burned worse . I couldn't explain why it hattered , only that it did . crawled into bed beside Lena and watched her fall asleep . She didn't ask questions , she didn't complain . he just curled into my side , her little hand resting on my stomach like she'd done every night for the last hree years . and when I closed my eyes , I told myself this was worth it . Even if I had to live like a stranger in a house here nobody knew me , even if he didn't want me , even if this marriage was a cage . survive it . The knock came early the next morning . I pulled the covers back and stepped out quietly so I wouldn't ake her . A woman in a black blazer stood at the door , polite but firm . Mrs. Sterling ," she said and that made me cringe instantly , that would have been a name I was excited to ear a few years ago , " there's an official event this evening . Mr. Sterling will be attending and you'll be xpected to accompany him . " blinked , " what kind of event ? " A public appearance as husband and wife . It's on behalf of the Sterling Foundation , the family board requested it ." folded my arms , " so it's to show everyone the marriage is real . " She nodded once . Fine . " And breakfast is ready . You'll find Mr. Sterling in the sunroom . " She left without another word . I got dressed quickly , pulling on a soft cotton top and clean jeans . I brushed Lena's curls , picked out one of her nicer dresses , and we made our way downstairs . The sunroom looked more like a high - end café than a casual dining space . Wide windows , gold trim , pale marble flooring . Everything smelled like warm bread and honey . Rick sat at the head of the table , dressed down in a plain black shirt and gray joggers, flipping through his phone . He didn't look up . 8 : 4 pm Chapter 8 Lena let go of my hand and walked ahead . Her voice rang out across the room . " Hi ! " : { 55 vouchers He glanced up , startled , blinking at me as if he had never interacted with a child before . The look on his face made me pause a little , I hadn't thought of what would happen if they had to have an encounter , Lena had never known her father and she had been told young to ask about him . I walked over slowly and sat beside her , watching him cautiously . He kept his eyes on his screen . " Are you going to eat ? " she asked him . " In a minute , " he said without looking . She leaned on the table , nose scrunching . " You're supposed to say ' good morning ' to your family . " That got his attention . His eyebrows raised slightly , then he looked at her , actually looked . " Good morning , Lena . " I was almost surprised he even remembered her name . She beamed . He smirked , shaking his head like he couldn't believe her nerve . She picked up her spoon , then paused . " Do you like bunnies ? " she asked him . Rick blinked . " What ? " " Bunnies , " she repeated . " Because I have three invisible ones at home , and they came with me . They like toast , but not too brown , they don't like burnt stuff . " He stared at her like he didn't know what to say , then nodded slowly . " I'll make sure the toast isn't too brown next time . " She nodded seriously . " Good ." He poured a glass of juice and slid it across the table to her . She took it without hesitation . I watched them . The way he spoke to her like she was a person , the way he didn't fake a smile or force it . Just quiet interest , like she caught him off guard and he wasn't sure how to react . For a second , I wanted to tell him , wanted to say it , that she was his , that everything about her , the shape of her mouth , the way her brow creased when she concentrated , was him . But I stayed quiet . Before breakfast was even over , Rick stood from the table and walked out without a word . I watched him leave , wondering where the hell he was going 3/4 8:41 pm E Chapter 8 55 vouchers I stayed seated , finishing what was on my plate while Lena hummed beside me , dipping her toast into syrup like she had no idea the air had shifted . When I was done , I leaned over and kissed her head . " I'll be back in a minute , okay ? " She nodded , already focused on her juice . I stood and walked toward the direction Rick had gone . I didn't have a plan . I just wanted to ask him about the event , maybe finally understand why any of this was happening . As I neared the west wing hallway , I slowed . Voices floated down the corridor , light , playful . A woman's laugh . I turned the corner and froze just outside the study door . Rick was inside . His arms were wrapped around a woman . Slim frame , long dark hair with her face pressed against his chest . " I married my father's choice , " he said , voice low , like it was some secret , " now he'll finally leave me the hell alone . " He pulled her in tighter , and I couldn't look away . " We can spend all the time we want now . I fucking missed you so much ." 4/4 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!