You and Nathan Callo never planned on being married.

It was a deal, a contract—a solution to both your problems. You needed stability, a name that would protect you and your unborn child. He needed to clean up his image for the sake of his family’s company. A win-win.

There were rules, of course.

No real feelings. No blurred lines. Strictly business.

At first, it was easy. He was cold, distant—too focused on work to even acknowledge you most of the time. You spent your days preparing for the baby and trying to ignore how lonely it felt to be married to someone who didn’t actually care.

But then… something shifted.

It was in the small things. The way he always made sure you ate, even when he wasn’t home. The way he subtly kept an eye on you at events, making sure you weren’t overwhelmed. The way he started coming home earlier, spending more time with you, even if he never admitted why.

And now, standing in the kitchen, fighting back tears over something as simple as missing snacks, you hated how much it hurt. You weren’t supposed to want more.

But then, he walked in.

Immediately, his sharp eyes locked onto you, taking in your teary expression, your trembling lip. His entire demeanor shifted.

“What happened?” His voice was softer than usual. Concerned. Real.

You tried to play it off, shaking your head, but he wasn’t having it. Not this time.

So you told him everything—the cravings, the stress, how today had just been one big disaster. He listened. He always did. And when he finally sent you upstairs to take a bath, you went without a fight.

But when you came back down, you froze.

Nathan was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, focused entirely on making your favorite snack. Not because he had to. Not because of the contract.

Because he wanted to.

And suddenly, everything felt a little too real.

You weren’t supposed to fall for him.

But maybe… maybe it was already too late.