A/N: Thank you so much, everyone! I appreciate you all! :)
Eira watched as another car pulled up beside theirs in the vast compound, the estate looming ahead like a palace. The two men seated in front of her stepped out as soon as the car halted, and just as she reached for the door handle, it swung open from the outside.
With her bag over her shoulder and her jacket draped over her arm, Eira exited the car and rounded it just in time to see Jania striding toward her from the second vehicle. Dressed in her usual black combat attire—fitted pants, a leather jacket, and sturdy combat boots—Jania’s high ponytail pulled her dark hair back sharply, accentuating the fierce look that matched Eira’s first impression of her.
"Hey, little girl. How was school?" Jania smirked as they began walking toward the entrance.
Eira rolled her eyes, climbing the steps. "School was fine, old woman," she quipped, earning a chuckle from Jania.
"Oh, before I forget," Jania said, "the lawyer has finalized a draft for the contract with Master Lyle’s conditions. You just need to add your terms, and if both of you agree, it will go back to the lawyer for the final review. Once it’s settled, it’ll be ready for your signatures."
They passed through the double doors, met by greetings from men in suits and maids stationed along the grand hallway.
"Look, Jania," Eira sighed dramatically, "you’re not the one I’ll be signing a contract with, nor the one I’ll be marrying. So why am I always hearing all of this from you? Is your boss too busy or just allergic to communication?"
"Something like that." Jania turned, chuckling. "He’s waiting in the study. Follow me."
At the end of the hall, they reached a pair of white double doors. Jania lifted her hand to knock, but before her knuckles touched the door, a deep voice called from inside.
Eira stifled a sigh. The man had a voice as deep and smooth as velvet. A shame it was paired with such a frustratingly indifferent personality.
As Jania opened the door, Eira followed her into the study, which was spacious, almost cinematic in its design, with dark wood-paneled walls absorbing the light from the massive windows behind a sleek mahogany desk. Shelves lined one wall, filled with leather-bound books arranged so precisely they might have been untouched for years. Two high-backed leather chairs faced the desk, gleaming under the soft glow of an antique chandelier above. The room, stark and immaculate, was an eerie reflection of Lyle’s demeanor—imposing, meticulous, and controlled.
"Sit." Lyle’s words snapped her attention back to him. He was seated behind the desk, sleeves rolled to the elbows of his deep blue shirt, the top two buttons casually undone, revealing just a hint of his neck and collarbone.
"Ephyra?" Jania nudged her, breaking Eira’s brief distraction.
"Mm?" She glanced at Jania, momentarily puzzled.
"He said you should sit," Jania said, nodding toward the chair.
"Oh." Eira gave a tight-lipped smile. "Didn’t catch that." She settled into one of the leather chairs, her gaze meeting Lyle’s as she did. Jania stepped back, heading to the door to give them privacy.
A long silence stretched between them until Lyle’s gaze drifted to the jacket she held. Finally, he spoke.
With a slight smile, Eira extended it—but held on just a moment longer than necessary as he reached for it.
"It’s a great jacket, you know?" Eira grinned mischievously.
"It looked really good on me, too. You should’ve seen it."
"Top-notch leather. It’s huge, but over my uniform? Totally cute and chic. Where’d you get it?"
Her eyes lit up. "Can I have the exact same one? Same size and everything?"
Eira shrugged, her expression dimming slightly. "Don’t misunderstand. I don’t want something that already belongs to you. Just wondered if I could get one like it."
"Jania," Lyle turned to the door, "arrange for an identical jacket and put this one in my room."
Eira beamed, her tone dripping with mock admiration. "Thank you! You’re so kind." She saw his eyebrow raise just slightly as he handed the jacket over to Jania, who gave a slight bow and left.
She settled back in her chair. "So, the contract?"
Lyle reached into a drawer, pulling out a folder, a pen, and a blank sheet of paper. "This is the initial draft. You can add your conditions on the blank sheet." Googlᴇ search novᴇl(ꜰ)ire.ɴet
Eira opened the folder, skimming over the document.
Marriage of Convenience Contract
This agreement is hereby established between Party A: Lyle Aelion and Party B: Ephyra Allen for the purposes of a marriage of convenience, with the following terms and conditions:
Party B will provide therapeutic treatment to Party A, who has been diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, and under the condition that Party B complies with all requests from Party A deemed necessary for treatment.
Party B consents to undergo any necessary medical or psychological assessments, procedures, or treatment regimens as directed by Party A, regardless of time or location.
Marriage Duration and Ownership Transfer:
Upon Party B reaching the age of majority for marriage, Party B shall acquire shared rights to all possessions and assets belonging to Party A.
Party B’s responsibilities as Party A’s spouse are limited to treatment provisions alone, with no obligations of intimacy or traditional marital duties unless specified otherwise in this contract.
Living Arrangements and Reporting:
Both parties shall reside in the same residence. Party B shall inform Party A of any long-term absences and provide the reason for said absence.
Once Party A is deemed "cured" by agreed medical professionals, this marriage shall be annulled with both parties free to part ways without further obligations to one another.
Confidentiality and Identity Protection:
Party A’s identity and medical condition shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third parties. Any breaches of confidentiality or failure to meet the terms of this contract will incur consequences, as mutually agreed upon in writing by both parties.
Eira read through the document, nodding slowly as she reached the end. She looked up, her gaze meeting Lyle’s. "It’s mostly fine, but the shared residence clause—could we discuss an adjustment? Say, an apartment? Or even better, a condo, a car, and a little ’welcome to the neighborhood’ fund."
Lyle’s expression didn’t change. "Until Dr. Liam finds a way to extract your... scent," he said smoothly, "we’ll need to share living space. However, you may add your requests for separate accommodations to the list."
Eira raised an eyebrow, scribbling down her additional requests. "Also, I want a divorce contract drafted and signed in advance, effective upon the successful completion of our deal."
She added, "Oh, and no intimate relations. And aside from your treatment, I’m not ’doing anything’ for you as your wife. Also, I come and go as I please—no explanations needed."
She paused, looking up expectantly. Lyle nodded, his expression unwavering. "Write it all down. It will go to the lawyer."
Momentarily surprised, Eira looked at him. "You’re sure?"
"Yes," he replied curtly.
She smirked, jotting down her terms, and when she was done, she handed them back to Lyle who kept them back in the drawer.
"Alright, I’ll be taking my leave—"
"You’re still engaged to one of the Lathams, aren’t you?"
Eira groaned, rolling her eyes and throwing her head back with an exasperated sigh. "Don’t even remind me of that piece of shit."
Lyle leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "I’m sure you realize that as long as you’re engaged to him, we won’t be able to get married."
Her expression soured, and a shadow flickered across her face. "Do you think I don’t know? Who would ever want to be engaged to that fucker? If I could, I would’ve broken it off ages ago." She paused, eyes narrowing as she leaned forward, her tone dropping to a murmur. "I have been thinking of ways to make the families break it off or at least get him engaged to Myra instead. You don’t happen to have a way, do you?"
For a moment, Lyle just stared at her, a dangerous glint in his eye. Then he spoke. "Actually, I do."
The entire drive back, Eira’s lips tugged into a wicked smile as she replayed Lyle’s plan in her mind, savoring every detail of the devilish scheme. If she could pull this off, her life would change—and the Lathams wouldn’t know what hit them.
[Master, if you require my assistance, just ask. I detect I haven’t been of much use recently, ] the AI said in its calm, mechanical voice, breaking her reverie.
Eira chuckled softly, shaking her head. [Did you forget all the hacking you’ve already done for me? Don’t sell yourself short. And yes, I’ll definitely be needing your help.]
Her gaze turned steely as she imagined the shocked and angry faces of Myra and Alan.
My dear stepsister and my darling fiancé, I hope you’re ready for the surprise I’m going to give you. You should be, after all, it will be something you’ve never imagined.