Chapter 47: Slow And Steady
Lilia couldn't believe this man. He was truly something else. She turned away, doing her best not to let his words bother her. The things he said—made her feel small, like she was nothing more than a pawn in his game.
She took a deep breath and continued reading, trying to focus on the contract in her hands. "Party A and Party B must fulfill Party A's needs when required..."
She paused. What did that even mean? She glanced at Zethan, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Required? You mean...?"
Zethan's eyes locked onto hers as he spoke, his tone casual, almost amused. "If we choose to, we can. The contract is a bit silly, but most of the things you wanted are there."
Lilia's stomach churned. She knew exactly what he meant. The contract was a reflection of order, and the real reason behind it all was that she had asked for it. She could hardly believe this was the life she'd ended up in. With him.
She returned her attention to the contract, trying to focus. Her eyes scanned the words, but her mind was still reeling from the conversation. "Party A and Party B would get a divorce if both parties agree. If one party signs the divorce papers and the other doesn't, the papers are invalid."
Lilia's breath hitched. What? She turned sharply toward him, her heart racing. "What? What if—what if one of us refuses to sign the papers?"
Zethan responded nonchalantly, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. "Then it's invalid."
His expression made it clear that he thought she should've known that already. He seemed to ask, Didn'tyoujustreadit?Whyareyouasking?
Lilia hated that. He made her questions feel foolish, even though they were perfectly valid. She felt irritation build within her as he dismissed her concerns with a flick of his hand. The ease with which he did it, like her thoughts meant nothing to him, made her want to scream at him but she remained silent.
Instead, she turned her attention back to the contract, reading it. She had to make sense of it, even if it made her feel worse. "Party A and Party B must live together in the same residence and room, and they must remain within the terms of the agreement until both parties mutually agree to end it."