Chapter 10

Evelyn stood there in the quiet parking lot, the words still echoing in her ears. “We’re moving in together.” She let out a nervous laugh, the sound coming out shaky and too high.

She figured he had to be joking. It was the kind of thing people said to break the tension after a long night, right? But Lucien didn’t smile. He didn’t even blink. He just looked at her with that steady gaze, making it clear he wasn’t kidding at all.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her dress feeling suddenly uncomfortable. “Wait, you’re serious?” she asked, her voice cracking just a little. “Like, actually living in the same house every day?”

Lucien gave a small nod, still leaning against his car. The silence stretched between them for a moment, and Evelyn felt her heart start to race.

“Why can’t we just keep pretending during the public events?” she pushed back, crossing her arms.

“We show up together, smile for everyone, and then go back to our own places after. No one needs to know where we actually sleep at night. It’s not like they’re checking our houses or anything.”

She kept going, trying to make her point. “I’m already settled in at my parents’ house. Moving again doesn’t make any sense. All my stuff is there, and it would be such a hassle for no real reason.”

Deep down though, she was terrified. The memories from the night kept flashing back, making her stomach twist.

Living with him would mean seeing him every single day, walking the same halls, and being reminded of that night over and over. She didn’t know if she could handle that.

Lucien waited until she finished talking before he responded. His voice stayed calm and logical, like he was going over business numbers.

“Wealthy couples are constantly watched,” he explained. “The staff gossip about everything they see. Business rivals dig around looking for any weakness. Reporters hide and take pictures from far away, hoping to catch something.”

He paused for a second, then continued in the same even tone. “If anyone finds out we’re living apart while trying to extend this marriage, questions will come up fast. There's also talk of having an heir in place. My father’s trust could fall apart, and the Sterling deal would go right along with it. This isn’t about romance. It’s just about protecting the agreement we have.”

Evelyn listened, biting her lip. It all sounded reasonable when he said it like that, but it didn’t make the fear go away.

She looked down at the ground for a bit, then finally asked the question she’d been avoiding the whole time. Her voice came out soft. “Will we have to share a bedroom?”

There was a small pause. Lucien looked almost confused, like he couldn’t believe she would even think that. He shook his head right away. “Absolutely not. The mansion has more than enough rooms. You’ll have your own bedroom, your own bathroom, and plenty of private space. No sharing anything you don’t want to.”

She let out a quiet breath, her shoulders relaxing just a little. But then she frowned, "How then are we supposed to have an heir?"

"Let them believe we're trying."

She tried to hide how relieved she felt, but it was hard not to show it after worrying so much.

Lucien started laying out the boundaries then, one by one. “We knock before entering each other’s rooms,” he said. “No unnecessary interference in each other’s personal lives. If you want to bring a guest over, you let me know first, and I’ll do the same. In public, we appear close. But privately, we respect each other’s space completely.”

Evelyn nodded along to everything. “Okay. I can do that,” she agreed, her words coming out steady even if her mind was screaming against it.

As she turned to head back inside, Lucien noticed how tired she looked. Without making it sound gentle or anything, he simply said, “Get some sleep.”

She looked at him, surprised. It was such a simple sentence, but it didn’t feel as cold as his usual words.

Before she could say anything back, he got into his car and drove away, the engine fading into the night.

Evelyn stood there watching until the taillights disappeared completely around the corner. Then she walked back inside the building.

Later that night, she lay in bed at her parents’ house, staring up at the ceiling in the dark. Sleep wouldn’t come no matter how hard she tried.

Her mind kept repeating one sentence over and over. “We’re moving in together.”

She wondered what living with Lucien would actually be like. Would they avoid each other most of the time? Or would the forced closeness make things even more complicated?

At the same time, across the city, Lucien drove home in silence.

He pulled up to the estate, the gates opening slowly for him. Inside, the house felt even quieter than usual. He walked through the front hall and stopped for a moment, looking at the empty dining table. The whole place was still and perfect, with no signs of life.

His butler came out from one of the side doors, looking a bit surprised to see him back so late. “Sir, should we begin preparations?” the butler asked.

Lucien stood there for a second, then replied simply, “Prepare the east wing.”

The butler’s eyes widened just a little. Nobody had lived in the east wing for years. But he didn’t question it. Lucien turned and walked upstairs without another word, his footsteps echoing softly in the big empty house.

The next few days passed in a blur for Evelyn. She packed her things slowly, folding clothes and putting her books into boxes.

Her mother seemed more excited about the move than she was.

"You're a huge blessing to us, Evie."

Evelyn nodded.

"Your father and I are truly grateful for you...."

"Perhaps it's time daddy retired?"

Her mother paused, eyes moving to hers.

"This is his life Evelyn. If he's going to retire, he wants to clear up the mess his made. Allow him..... for his honour."