Morning didn't feel like morning.
It felt like a countdown.
Gray light filled the apartment.
Cold.
Empty.
Unforgiving.
Alex Carter was already awake.
Eyes open.
Staring at the cracked ceiling above him.
He didn't move.
Didn't breathe deeper.
Didn't think.
Because the moment he did—
It would all become real.
Then he saw it.
The folder.
Black.
Waiting.
Reality hit.
Hard.
Alex sat up slowly.
The couch creaked under him.
Everything looked the same.
Same broken apartment.
Same cheap furniture.
Same life.
Except—
It wasn't the same anymore.
He stood.
Walked to the table.
Opened the folder.
Marriage Agreement
The words didn't change.
Didn't disappear.
Didn't turn into a dream.
Still real.
Still dangerous.
His phone buzzed.
Alex froze.
Slowly—
He picked it up.
Three messages.
Same number.
YOU HAD YOUR TIME.
WE VISIT TODAY.
NO MORE WARNINGS.
Silence.
The apartment shrank around him.
Walls closing in.
Air heavier.
He locked the phone.
Placed it down carefully.
Like it might explode.
Then he looked back at the contract.
One year.
One signature.
One man who could erase everything.
Or erase him.
Alex leaned back.
Closed his eyes.
"You don't have a safe choice."
Yeah.
He remembered that.
He looked around the apartment.
Nothing worth saving.
Except memories.
And most of them hurt.
His father's jacket hung near the door.
Still there.
Like he might walk back in.
Alex stared at it.
Long.
Silent.
Then he turned away.
Decision made.
——
Laurent International Tower looked even bigger in daylight.
Like it didn't belong to the same city.
Alex stood across the street.
Holding the contract.
This was it.
No turning back.
He crossed.
The doors opened.
Automatically.
Like they were expecting him.
Inside—
Everything was bright.
Clean.
Perfect.
He didn't fit.
Not here.
Not anywhere.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
The receptionist smiled.
Polite.
Perfect.
Fake.
"I'm here to see Adrian Laurent."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
A pause.
Then—
She saw the folder.
Everything changed.
"Your name?"
"Alex Carter."
Typing.
Quick.
Efficient.
Then—
"Please take elevator twelve."
Just like that.
Alex frowned.
Too easy.
The elevator ride felt longer than it was.
Numbers climbing.
Heartbeat matching them.
One life ending.
Another starting.
The doors opened.
Silence.
The same hallway.
The same woman in gray.
Waiting.
"Mr. Carter."
"You expected me."
"Mr. Laurent did."
Of course he did.
The door opened.
Alex stepped inside.
Nothing had changed.
Same office.
Same view.
Same man.
Adrian Laurent stood by the window.
Like he had never moved.
"You came back."
"You sound surprised."
"I'm not."
Of course.
He never was.
Alex walked forward.
Sat.
This time—no hesitation.
He placed the contract on the desk.
Between them.
Adrian looked at it.
Then at him.
"You read it."
"Yes."
"And?"
Alex exhaled.
"It's insane."
"It's efficient."
Alex smirked slightly.
"You really like that word."
"It works."
Silence.
Then—
"That public clause."
"Yes."
"You expect me to act like your husband."
"I expect you to be convincing."
"That's the same thing."
"No."
Alex stared at him.
"You've done this before."
"No."
"Then how are you so sure?"
Adrian didn't hesitate.
"People believe what they want."
…damn.
Alex leaned back.
Couldn't argue.
"One year."
"Yes."
"And after?"
"It ends."
"Clean?"
"Completely."
That word again.
Clean.
Alex looked down.
Numbers.
Clauses.
Freedom.
Chains.
All in one place.
"You said everything disappears."
"Tonight."
"The debt."
"Yes."
"The lender."
"Handled."
"The threats."
"Gone."
Alex looked up.
"And me?"
Adrian held his gaze.
"Protected."
That word hit different.
Alex picked up the pen.
His hand didn't shake.
That scared him more than anything.
"You're very sure I'll sign."
"Yes."
"You don't think I'll walk away?"
"No."
A beat.
"Why?"
Adrian leaned slightly forward.
Eyes sharp.
Voice low.
"Because you already chose."
Silence.
And yeah—
He had.
The moment he came back.
Alex looked at the contract.
Then—
Signed.
Alexander Carter
Ink on paper.
Life rewritten.
He dropped the pen.
Silence filled the room.
Adrian looked at the signature.
Longer than necessary.
Then he stood.
Closed the folder.
And extended his hand.
"Welcome to the agreement."
Alex stared at it.
Then took it.
Firm grip.
Cold control.
"Did I just ruin my life?" Alex asked.
Adrian didn't blink.
"It was already ruined."
…fair.
Alex let go.
Outside—
The rain stopped.
Light broke through the clouds.
The city looked different.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
Alex turned back.
"So what now?"
Adrian walked to the window.
Looked down at the world like it belonged to him.
Then said—
"Now…"
A pause.
"We make it public."