The house was too quiet.
Xiaoyu stood by the window, her fingers lightly gripping the curtain as she stared outside. The city lights flickered in the distance, cold and distant—just like him.
It had been three days since that night.
Three days since he touched her—not harshly, not forcefully… but not gently either.
And somehow, that made it worse.
She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her thoughts.
"This isn't real," she whispered to herself. "It's just a contract."
But her heart didn't listen.
A soft click echoed behind her.
The door opened.
She didn't turn around.
"You're still awake."
His voice was calm, low, controlled—exactly the same as always.
Xiaoyu tightened her grip on the curtain. "Couldn't sleep."
Footsteps approached. Slow. Measured.
Dangerous.
"You've been avoiding me."
It wasn't a question.
She finally turned, meeting his eyes. "And you've been watching me."
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Then—
"I always watch what belongs to me."
Her chest tightened.
"I don't belong to you," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.
Something shifted in his expression.
Barely noticeable.
But there.
"Don't say things you don't understand," he replied quietly.
Xiaoyu let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Oh, I understand perfectly. A one-year marriage. No love. No interference. Isn't that what you said?"
She stepped closer, her eyes sharp now.
"So stop acting like I'm something more."
For a split second—
He froze.
Just a second.
But she saw it.
And that scared her more than anything.
Because a man like him… doesn't hesitate.
Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist.
Not rough.
But firm enough that she couldn't pull away.
"You're crossing a line."
His voice dropped lower.
Dangerously low.
Xiaoyu's heart pounded, but she didn't back down.
"Or what?" she challenged. "You'll remind me this is all just a deal?"
His grip tightened slightly.
Then loosened.
Then—
He pulled her closer.
Too close.
"Careful," he murmured near her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "You're starting to sound like you care."
Her breath hitched.
"I don't."
"Liar."
The word came out soft.
But it hit harder than anything else.
Before she could react—
He let go.
Just like that.
As if nothing happened.
As if he hadn't just shaken her completely.
"I'll be away for a few days," he said, turning toward the door.
Xiaoyu blinked, trying to regain control. "Where?"
He paused.
Then glanced back.
"Business."
Something about that answer felt… wrong.
Too simple.
Too easy.
After he left, the silence returned.
But this time, it felt heavier.
Colder.
Xiaoyu slowly sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts spiraling.
"Why does it feel like…"
She stopped.
No.
She refused to think that way.
Meanwhile—
Inside a black car speeding through the city—
He sat in the back seat, his expression unreadable.
"Sir," the driver spoke carefully, "we've confirmed it. The hospital records were altered."
His eyes darkened.
"And her mother?"
A pause.
Then—
"She was never supposed to survive the surgery."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
His fingers tapped once against his knee.
Slow.
Controlled.
"Find out who did it."
His voice was cold.
But underneath—
Something far more dangerous was building.
Because for the first time—
This wasn't just business anymore.