Chapter 3 - THE WIFE AGREEMENT
The next morning, Adrian placed a contract on the kitchen island.
Rosa stared at it.
"You're kidding."
"No."
"Marriage contract?"
"Six months."
She opened it.
Separate finances.
Separate bedrooms.
No obligation of intimacy.
Public appearances when necessary.
Protection provided by Adrian's security team.
At the end of six months, the marriage would dissolve.
Rosa looked up.
"You've done this before."
"No."
"You drafted this very quickly."
"I have lawyers."
"Of course you do."
She turned another page.
Then froze.
"My workshop?"
Adrian said nothing.
"The contract says I retain ownership."
"Yes."
"Even if the marriage ends?"
"Yes."
She studied him.
"Why?"
"Because it belongs to you."
Her expression softened.
"My father left it to me."
"Exactly."
She closed the contract.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Adrian leaned against the counter.
"Many things."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's honest."
Rosa laughed quietly.
"You know, you're terrible at romance."
"I'm not trying to be romantic."
"Then what are you trying to be?"
"Alive."
She looked at him.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Violet ran into the kitchen.
"Uncle Adrian!"
He turned immediately.
"My doll is missing."
"We'll find it."
Rosa watched him kneel.
"Where did you last see her?"
"Outside."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Outside?"
Violet nodded.
Rosa saw the danger enter his eyes.
He stood.
"Rosa, stay here."
She followed him anyway.
The doll lay near the terrace doors.
Adrian examined it.
A tiny black thread was tied around its arm.
His face hardened.
"What is it?"
"A message."
Rosa looked at him.
"From Matthew?"
Adrian nodded.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
"Adrian."
A man's voice came through.
"Your uncle's old accountant was found dead."
Adrian went still.
"Where?"
"At his house."
"Cause?"
"Two bullets."
Rosa felt cold.
Adrian looked at her.
"The war has started."
That night, Rosa couldn't sleep.
She wandered into the kitchen.
Adrian stood alone by the windows.
Philadelphia glittered beneath them.
"You don't sleep?"
"Not much."
"Because of Matthew?"
"Because people around me die."
Rosa approached.
"My father said you needed a wife."
Adrian looked at her.
"He knew something."
"What?"
"He knew I was becoming isolated."
"Because you don't trust anyone."
"Trust gets people killed."
"That's convenient."
His eyes narrowed.
She continued.
"You don't have to trust me."
"I know."
"But you can."
Silence.
Then Adrian said something so quietly she almost missed it.
"I already do."
Rosa's heart skipped.
Neither of them moved.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
"Get Violet."
Rosa heard panic for the first time in his voice.
"What happened?"
May you like
Adrian looked toward the hallway.
"She's gone."
