Chapter 9

“Thanks. I’ll do my best tomorrow,” I said, standing at my door, reassuring Ethan Brown.

The streetlamp’s light fell on him, highlighting his sharp, angular features—he looked even more handsome.

“Just be yourself, Iris White,” Ethan said, lowering his head to meet my eyes.

For some reason, whenever Ethan said my name, my heart skipped a beat.

“I haven’t been myself in a long time,” I said with a bitter smile.

In fact, I wasn’t even sure who the “real me” was anymore.

“Alright, go inside. Good night,” I said, hurrying him away—I didn’t want to sink into that sad mood again.

“Aren’t you gonna invite me in for a drink?” Sure enough, the man couldn’t stay serious for three seconds.

“Goodbye!” I waved him off.

“We’re legally married, you know,” he said slowly.

“We’re contractually married,” I retorted.

“Tomorrow, move into my place first. Then we’ll go see Grandpa,” he dropped a bombshell.

I was about to jump up and refuse.

“Clause one of the contract: Obey all reasonable requests from the party of the first part (me),” he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Come on—how was this reasonable?!

Ethan Brown stepped closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear, his voice low and gentle:

“Good night, wife.”

I froze, my heart seeming to skip a beat.

Looking into his deep eyes, a sense of foreboding washed over me.

This man was dangerous.

I pushed him away, my voice cold.

“Even if we’re contractually married, we should keep a proper distance.”

Ethan Brown said nothing, just stared at me—his eyes unreadable.

“Fine. Whatever you say.”