Emily barely slept that night.
The bed was too big.
So big that even though she lay on the very edge, it still felt like miles away from Alexander.
She kept her back to him, not daring to move.
The room was silent except for the faint ticking of a clock on the wall.
She thought he was asleep.
Then suddenly—
"Are you going to stay that stiff the whole night?" Alexander's voice came from behind her.
Emily's eyes opened immediately.
"I thought you were asleep."
"I don't sleep that early," he said calmly.
The air fell silent again.
After a few seconds, Emily spoke quietly,
"We need to talk."
"About what?"
"Rules."
There was a short pause. She could almost feel him looking at her in the dark.
"Rules?" he repeated.
Emily turned around and faced him, even though her heart was beating fast.
"This is a contract marriage, not a real one. So I think we need rules."
Alexander didn't interrupt. He just looked at her, waiting.
Emily took a deep breath and said,
"First, in front of other people, we are a normal married couple."
"Second, in private, we are just partners. Nothing more."
"Third, you are not allowed to touch me without my permission."
"Fourth, after one year, we get a divorce."
The room became very quiet.
Alexander looked at her for a long time. So long that Emily started to feel nervous.
Then he suddenly moved closer.
Very close.
Close enough that she could feel his breath.
He lifted his hand and gently held her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"You are very brave," he said softly.
Emily tried to stay calm. "I just want things to be clear."
Alexander looked at her for a few seconds, then said slowly,
"Alright. I agree to the first rule."
"In public, we are the perfect couple."
He moved even closer.
"But the second rule…" he said quietly,
"I don't agree."
Emily's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Alexander looked straight into her eyes.
"You are my wife, Emily. Contract or not, that is a fact."
"And I am not interested in pretending to be just your 'partner' when we are alone."
Emily's face turned red. "That wasn't what we agreed—"
Alexander suddenly let go of her chin and lay back on his pillow.
"Don't worry," he said calmly.
"I am a very patient man."
He closed his eyes.
"But one year is a long time."
Emily didn't sleep at all after that.
For the first time, she started to realize something.
Marrying Alexander Moretti might be much more dangerous than she thought.