r coffee table like a silent intruder. She had barely slept, her thoughts a whirlwind of disbelief, anger, and curiosity. Every time she tried to

ed at the screen: an unknown number. Her instinct

she said

kable voice sent a jolt through he

ter. "You can't seriously

anged a meeting to go over everything. N

ted, but he had

ing his motives-and perhaps finding a way to turn him down on her terms-was too strong to igno

p floor was silent, the air thick with anticipation. When the doors opened, Amanda was greeted by a sharply dressed a

er as he stared out at the city. He turned

said, gesturing to a leathe

efensively. "I'm not agreeing t

usement. "Of course. But you deserve to hea

e hesitated before opening it, her eyes scanning the document's

riage. During that time, you'll receive a substantial monthly allowance, ful

up to meet his.

financial constraints," he said, his gaz

able to create again, without the constant pressure o

public events as my wife, maintain the appearance of a stable m

eyes catching on a section labeled

more. We'll maintain separate living spaces within the same residence,

owed. "And what hap

lk away with the financial security to pursue your drea

kin crawl. "Why do you even need this? Wha

en, he said, "My family's position in certain... circles requires stability.

hinted at deeper dangers. "And you couldn'

he said simply. "You're an outside

lated, almost impossibly rational. And yet, there was something in Leonardo's eyes-a

. "You're asking me to put my life on hold, to live in y

. "Freedom. The kind you've never had. The chance

g hours at the gallery, and the dreams she'd buried under the weight of pra

refuse?"

y world has already touched yours, Amanda. Whether you like it or not, you're in the shado

chilled her. "Is

quietly. "One I wish yo

r scraping against the polished

rising as well. "But know this: the longer yo

rned to her apartment, her head was spinning. She spread the contract across her kitchen table, reading

stant stars. Leonardo Castelli was a man of many layers, and she had barely scratched the s

message from an unknown number.

ck is t

stakes even clearer. But beneath the cold logic of it all, she sensed something else-an undercurr

s she stepping into his world

rned off the light, leaving the