The drive back from the party was painfully silent.
The city lights flickered through the tinted windows, casting fleeting shadows over the expensive leather seats. Sophia sat poised, her posture perfect as always—but her hands were clenched tightly in her lap, hidden beneath the fabric of her navy-blue evening gown.
Adrian, behind the wheel, didn't say a word.
Not since Ethan had innocently told the hosts that "Mommy and Daddy got married again."
Not since the whispers started behind champagne glasses and well-practiced smiles.
Not since that possessive hand of his had slid around her waist like it still belonged there.
She hadn't stopped thinking about it.
"You didn't have to do that," she said finally, her voice low but firm.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Do what?"
"Put your arm around me. Act like we're—" She hesitated. "Something more than what we are."
"You mean husband and wife?" he said coldly. "Because legally, we are."
Sophia turned to the window. "Only for Ethan."
Silence again.
The car slowed as they pulled into the private driveway of their penthouse. As the engine cut off, Adrian sat still, fingers loosely wrapped around the steering wheel.
"I'm not playing house, Sophia," he said. "I'm not going to pretend we're strangers in public just because you're afraid of people knowing the truth."
She blinked, slowly turning to face him. "The truth? The truth is that I raised Ethan alone for five years while you built your career without even knowing he existed."
Adrian flinched. Just for a second. But it was enough.
"You're right," he said quietly. "But I'm here now. I'm trying. And if we're going to live under the same roof, then we need boundaries."
Sophia stepped out of the car, heels clicking sharply on the concrete. She didn't wait for him to follow as she entered the building.
But he did.
Inside, Ethan was already asleep in his room, clutching his lion plush. The nanny gave them a polite nod and left for the night.
Sophia went straight to the living room, unzipping her dress halfway as she poured herself a glass of wine. Adrian leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"What kind of boundaries?" she asked coolly.
Adrian met her eyes. "Let's set some rules."
She took a sip, waiting.
"No mixed signals in public. If we're acting married, we act married. If not, we keep it distant."
Sophia nodded. "Fine."
"No using Ethan as a shield to avoid talking about us."
She bristled. "There is no us."
"There was. And you don't get to erase it like it never mattered."
She slammed the glass on the table, the sound cracking through the room. "You don't get to walk back into my life and claim space like you never left!"
His eyes darkened. "And you don't get to hide behind pride while pretending you're not hurting."
The silence after that was deafening.
They stood on opposite sides of the room—married, but miles apart.
Finally, Sophia broke the stillness. Her voice was calm again. Too calm.
"We'll do what's best for Ethan. You'll have your father role. I'll handle everything else."
Adrian nodded once, eyes locked on her.
"One year," he said. "That's all this contract promises."
Sophia looked away.
"One year," she repeated. "Then we go our separate ways."
But even as she said it, something twisted inside her chest.
Because deep down, a part of her wondered…
What if one year isn't enough?