Mia's POV
The day started like any other. Eric had his breakfast, the usual chaos of packing his lunchbox, tying his shoes, and then rushing out the door to catch the school bus. Ryan barely acknowledged me as he left for work, his brief nod the only indication that he knew I existed.
It had been weeks since our contract marriage had started, and I was getting used to the routine. The disconnection. The understanding that this wasn't love, and it never would be.
I told myself I was okay with that.
But then there were moments like tonight, when I saw Ryan standing in the kitchen, his shirt sleeves rolled up, preparing a late-night snack for himself, his expression lost in thought. I saw how his jaw clenched, how his silver eyes briefly met mine before quickly flicking away.
Something… shifted between us in those quiet moments.
And I hated it.
I hated how it made me feel like I was slipping into something deeper. Something that was dangerous and unplanned. I hated how my heart seemed to want to believe in something more—something I knew wasn't real.
And that's when the doorbell rang.
I wasn't expecting anyone. When I opened it, I found Diane standing on the other side, looking effortlessly elegant in a sleek black dress, her hair styled to perfection.
"Hello, Mia," she purred, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. "What… what are you doing here?"
Diane's gaze drifted past me, to the living room, where Ryan stood, his back to us. "I'm here to see my fiancé," she said with a tight smile, her words dripping with a possessive edge that sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine.
I stiffened. "Your fiancé?"
She ignored me and approached Ryan, wrapping her arms around him from behind. I watched in shock as Ryan didn't flinch, didn't pull away. He didn't even look at me.
Instead, he turned and kissed her on the lips. Not a brief peck. But a kiss that was deep and slow. A kiss that sent an undeniable message.
A message that made my chest tighten.
When they pulled away, Diane smiled at me, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Don't worry, Mia. I'm sure you're used to this by now."
Ryan's gaze flickered toward me, and I could see the faintest hint of regret, but it was gone in an instant.
He broke the silence. "Good night, Mia. Don't worry about Eric. He's asleep."
I didn't know what to say. What could I say? I wasn't his wife. I wasn't his lover. I was just a placeholder. A contract.
But that didn't stop the wave of jealousy that threatened to drown me.
Ryan's POV
The tension was palpable as Diane stood there, her arms still wrapped around me. I didn't want her here. I didn't want the reminder that Mia was… herself.
But it didn't matter. I didn't belong to anyone.
The doorbell rang, and when Mia opened the door, I saw her stiffen. I didn't need to look at her face to know what she was feeling. I could hear it in the silence between us. The tension.
Diane's presence, her kiss, everything was just part of the act. The act I had to play.
But for some reason, tonight it felt like too much.
I pulled away from Diane, walking toward the door. Mia's eyes were on me—eyes I couldn't read. Eyes that made something in me twist uncomfortably.
"Good night, Mia," I said quietly, turning away before I could hear her response.
I had to leave. I had to get out before I did something stupid.