The dinner ended with applause, laughter, and too many fake smiles.
As soon as they were back in the car, Adrian released Aria's waist like it had burned him. The warmth disappeared instantly.
"You did well," he said, eyes fixed on the road.
She looked at him. "That's it? Just… 'you did well'?"
"That's all that's required."
The words hurt more than she wanted to admit.
Back at the mansion, Aria kicked off her heels and walked toward her room, but Adrian's voice stopped her.
"Wait."
She turned slowly.
"For tonight," he said, hesitation flickering in his eyes, "you can have dinner with me."
The offer surprised her.
They sat across from each other in silence. The distance between them felt heavier than any argument.
"Why me?" Aria finally asked. "Out of all the women you could have chosen… why did you pick me?"
Adrian's jaw tightened. He stood and walked toward the window, his back to her.
"Because you're not here for my money," he said. "And because you look at me like I'm not untouchable."
Her chest tightened.
"I don't think you're untouchable," she said softly. "I think you're lonely."
The room went still.
He turned sharply. "Don't analyze me."
"I wasn't trying to," she replied. "I was just being honest."
For a moment, she thought he would walk away. Instead, he stepped closer.
"Honesty is dangerous in this marriage," he said, his voice low. "It creates cracks in the contract."
Her breath caught as she looked up at him.
"Then maybe," she whispered, "the contract was never strong to begin with."
Something shifted between them—unspoken, fragile, undeniable.
Adrian stepped back abruptly.
"Get some rest," he said coldly. "Tomorrow will be difficult."
As he walked away, Aria's heart pounded.
The contract was supposed to protect them.
But tonight, it had begun to break.