She didn’t look surprised by the question.

She sat at the edge of the bed, untangling her hair calmly.

> “The rent was killing me,” she said. “This marriage cuts that in half. Actually, it removes it entirely. Three years without rent? That solves half my problems.”

She said it like she was discussing the weather — with zero drama, zero apology.

And it hit Reian like a flick to the center of his chest.

Not because it was cold.

But because it was honest.

No angle. No tears. Just… truth.

Next chapter coming after 2 days. Stay curious.

He moved to the desk and sat down, rubbing his forehead.

> “You don’t want love?”

“I don’t need it,” she said simply. “I’m not against it. But I won’t chase it.”

He nodded slowly. “I feel the same.”

They looked at each other for a beat. No tension, just clarity.

Reian pulled open a drawer, grabbed a blank sheet of paper, and clicked his pen.

> “Let’s make this simple then.”

---

They wrote:

Respect each other

Live peacefully under the same roof

Be faithful for the duration

No expectation of romantic love

If her work contract ends, he’ll help with transition

If they divorce, he’ll offer reasonable alimony

> “A small apartment will do,” Soraya added.

“That alone would solve half my problems again.”

He paused, stared at her for a moment.

No demands. No begging. Just the basics.

> “You’re really not in this for anything, are you?”

“I’m in it for space. Stability. And peace of mind.”

She smiled faintly — the first sign of any warmth he’d seen so far.

> “And maybe I just enjoy being married on paper,” she teased. “It feels like a job contract. Should we notarize it?”

Reian let out a soft, surprised laugh.

> “You’re not wrong.”

They both signed the paper.

At the bottom, there was a final section: Intimacy.

Neither of them touched it.

Reian finally said,

> “Let’s leave that open. We’ll talk… if or when it becomes relevant.”

Soraya nodded, her tone dry and playful.

> “A flexible clause. Very modern.”

He placed the agreement in the desk drawer. Closed it. Locked it.

And just like that, their terms were set.

Not lovers.

Not friends.

But something in between.

Something still waiting to become something more…

Or nothing at all.