Lina found it difficult to say anything else. The atmosphere was unbearable. She couldn’t decide between running from him and running into his arms. He was still pressed close to her. Heat rolled off of his body in thick waves.

“Pen.” Lina swallowed. “Give me the pen.” ​​

Lina knew there was no other man in this world who could compete with Everett Leclare, except Kaden DeHaven himself. No other man would be accepted by her family. At least, this marriage with Kaden was a decision she made for herself. No one else.

Lina could say wholeheartedly that she chose this path for her, no matter the hardships she might face, the regret that had yet to come. In the end, she had walked down the treacherous road by herself.

“It’ll be a real marriage,” Kaden said, grabbing her hand and staring at her fingers. He entwined his hand into hers and she jolted, like she had been shot.

“What are you doing?” Lina demanded, pulling her fingers away, as if his touch had burned her.

Lina was suddenly reminded of the woman in the wedding dress, sobbing before the empty altar. That woman was her. And the terrifying future was coming for her neck.

So this was how destiny came to bite her in the ass. No matter what she decided to do, no matter her plan to stay away from him, no matter her efforts, the future was bound to happen one way or another.

“Holding your hand,” Kaden shamelessly stated. “Don’t act like I’m decapitating it.”

Lina scowled. “Don’t start acting like a real husband just because it’s a real marriage.”

Kaden raised a brow, took a good look at her, and let out an arrogant breath.

“All women want to be loved and cherished. I won’t be able to love you, but I’ll be able to cherish you. Isn’t that enough?” Kaden stated.

Lina was distraught. What? “No. No, it’s never enough.”

Kaden’s face froze over. He pushed away from her and frowned.

“Don’t tell me you expect me to love you after all that you’ve done to me?” Kaden demanded, staring at her like she had the audacity to breathe.

“And what did you do to me?” Lina shot back. “I trusted you. I gave you my heart one thousand years ago, expecting you to take care of it! You swore you would. You swore you loved me, yet look at where we are now!”

Kaden faltered. “You’ll sign the contract, it’ll be a real marriage, and you’ll act as my real wife.”

Lina scoffed. He was unbelievable. He really was.

“I won’t have it any other way, dove,” Kaden seethed.

“Fine, Eden,” Lina snapped back.

“Eden?!” Kaden sharply repeated.

“Kaden sounds like Eden,” Lina stated. “Like the Garden of Eden.”

“You’re crazy,” Kaden growled.

“Well, that makes two of us, doesn’t it?” Lina argued.

“You think I’m crazy?” Kaden asked, rolling his eyes at her.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right, but it certainly makes us even,” Lina stated, crossing her arms. She glanced over his arms, where the ominous contract lied.

“Petty in the past, petty in the present,” Kaden muttered, glancing at her with disapproval. Some said pride would be the downfall of the people, but to him, her pettiness was her ruin.

“Whatever.” Lina shoved him aside and approached the contract.

Real marriage it is. It would be fine. Once all of this mess was cleaned up, she’d divorce him. No other man would have the guts to go after something Kaden DeHaven married. Which meant no more blind dates, no more contract marriages, and no more puppeteers meddling with her life.

After this marriage, Lina would be a free woman. Her freedom was right there. She could taste it so bad.

“Since when did you understand contract language?” Kaden drawled, just to push her buttons.

It certainly did. Her head snapped up and she looked like she was ready to shove the pen into his neck. He laughed on the inside. He’d like to see her try.

“I’m a PhD candidate. Of course, I’d know this,” Lina muttered.

It took every cell inside of her body to not get mad. That was the reaction he wanted. She knew from his arrogant smirk. She wanted to wipe it off of his face with her fist.

“You’re 22 and already a PhD candidate?” Kaden mused, leaning against his desk with his arms crossed.

Lina briefly glanced up from the paper, her mouth growing dry at how good he looked. His biceps bulged, straining against the thin t-shirt. Thick veins slithered down his arms like ropes, flexing whenever he moved his knuckles. He was handsome and he knew it.

“Yes,” Lina responded. “I graduated high school earlier than most.”

“I’m surprised,” Kaden teased. “What happened to the little Princess that’d cheat in a poetry competition?”

Lina’s face burned at his words. She remembered being caught red-handed or ink-handed by him. It was a long time ago, and one of their first-ever interactions. He had grabbed her, lifted her sleeves, and saw the haphazard writing on her wrists.

“Shut up.” Lina flipped the page on the contract, her eyes narrowing on the details of the marriage contract.

“What is this?” Lina asked, pointing a finger at the two clauses.

“Party B will accept the following conditions: she will not cheat on Party A with men or women. She will not look into Party A’s affairs. She will fulfill the duties of a wife,” Lina read out loud.

Kaden opened his mouth, ready to explain the last part, but she spoke again.

“I can’t have affairs, but you can?” Lina questioned.

Kaden blinked. She misunderstood him. She was cute when she was angry. Damn her.

“It’s not literal affairs,” Kaden mused. She was angry at this clause, but not the last one? He expected her to throw stuff at him.

“If you’re going to have clauses, I want three of my own as well,” Lina stated.

“Fine. I’m listening.”

Wait, that was too easy. Lina expected him to argue with her. She had prepared a full-blown argument too. Now that he gave in so easily, she didn’t know what to say.

“U-uhm,” Lina stammered. “Let me think.”

Kaden let out a soft laugh. Her face grew warm. She looked away and he slid up to her, grabbing her waist and pulling her close. She elbowed him to go away. He persisted. He pressed her backside close to his body, but away from the hardened spot.

“You didn’t think I’d oblige?” Kaden mused, enjoying catching her off-guard.

For a split second, her blank expression was adoring. Like a little bunny who realized the lion wasn’t going to eat her.

“Shut it.” Lina was trying to think. Just then, she thought of something. Clauses that’d counter his.

“Party A shall not cheat on Party B with men or women. Party A shall not meddle in Party B’s affairs. Party A will be a fulfilling husband who answers his wife’s beck and call,” Lina said. If he was going to make unfair demands, then so would she.

“Done.”

Lina perked up, her eyes brightening. “Really?”

Kaden felt a strange stir in his chest. “Yes.”

“Okay, let’s tell our lawyers—”

“But first,” Kaden stated, forcibly turning her around. He saw her ecstatic expression perfectly now.

“I’d like to change my third clause,” Kaden slowly stated.

Lina’s brows wrung together.

“Party B,” Kaden began. “Shall be a dutiful wife who accepts her husband’s request to do it anytime, anywhere, any day.”

“You—”

“If I’m at your beck and call, shouldn’t you do the same?” Kaden returned.

Lina was unable to refute him. She struggled to think of something to say. He was right. Besides, he’d grow bored of her eventually. There was no way he’d have the stamina to want to do it as frequently as he had hoped… right?

“Fine.” Lina thrust her hand out in front of him.

Kaden glanced down at it. His lips slowly curled into an upwards smirk. This little bunny. She was making a deal with the devil and didn’t even realize it.

“Fine.” Kaden shook her hand, his smirk widening at her innocent stare.

“It’s a deal then, dear dove,” Kaden stated.

“It’s a deal, Eden,” Lina concluded.

Kaden held back laughter at her naive blink. Such a sweet, sweet girl she was, oblivious to the things he’d do to her.