She moved quietly through the suite, careful not to wake Reian.

Simple clothes, comfortable shoes. No makeup except a hint of balm on her lips.

Her suitcase was neatly unpacked, but she had one small tote bag ready for errands.

As she packed vegetables, bread, and basic necessities into the tote, her thoughts flicked briefly to home.

“Mom will be glad I’m managing rent. Dad’s health insurance needs more care.”

A quick text to her sister: “Rent sorted. Hope things are well there.”

No reply yet, but that was normal.

She paused by the balcony, watching the morning mist curl over the villa gardens.

The unfamiliar quiet settled over her like a soft weight — comforting and lonely all at once.

---

Downstairs in the kitchen, the smell of brewing coffee drifted through the air.

Jayce noticed the absence of the “mystery wife” at breakfast.

Elia, already pouring herself a cup, raised a brow.

“Maybe she’s embarrassed to be seen with him this early,” she said, voice dripping with thinly veiled judgment.

“Or maybe she has something to hide,” Kairo joked, though his eyes flicked toward the stairwell, curious.

Elia sipped her coffee slowly, whispering to Mina nearby, “She’s too calm, too distant. This place is a pressure cooker. I don’t see her lasting long.”

Mina nodded, “And that ‘not dependent’ attitude? That’s going to rub some the wrong way.”

---

Upstairs, Reian stirred awake to the absence of weight beside him.

On the bedside table lay a single bank card, unclaimed.

He unlocked his phone and typed a message:

“You left early.”

The reply came quickly, terse but not unkind:

“I have a life.”

He smiled faintly at the screen, raising a brow.

He hadn’t asked for her number until after they signed the contract.

“I’ll text you anything important,” he’d said.

She gave it without looking up.

Reian’s thoughts drifted, triggered by the terse message.

His last relationship hadn’t ended this calmly.

His ex had wanted more—too much, maybe. Love, attention, promises he couldn’t keep.

He’d learned to protect himself since then.

But Soraya? She seemed different. Not needing, not clinging.

Maybe this contract marriage wouldn’t be so hellish after all.

---

Evening fell softly, and Soraya returned, her tote bag carrying a few essentials — fresh vegetables, bread, simple ingredients.

Some of the wives whispered as she walked by.

“Finally going shopping.”

“That’s the same outfit from yesterday.”

Soraya ignored them, moving straight to the shared kitchen.

Reian caught her eye.

“That card was for necessities,” he said quietly.

She met his gaze evenly.

“I only bought what I needed. I’m not your dependent.”

Their eyes locked in a silent agreement.

The quiet routine was beginning.

Unknown variables in a carefully measured equation.

Neither rushed. Neither forced.

Just… waiting.