Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 28: Treat Each Other Well

"Zephany?"

Kendrick’s voice called out from outside her room.

She opened the door, startled by how close he was. For a moment, they both froze, their breaths mingling in the narrow gap. Then, as if realizing the awkwardness, they quickly stepped back.

"I just wanted to let you know," Kendrick said, his tone gentle. "I’ll be heading out. I have work at my art studio, and I’ll be back by evening. If anything changes, I’ll message you."

Zephany blinked, caught off guard. ’Why is he telling me this? Is he updating me on his schedule?’

Awkwardly, she nodded. "I... I’ll be heading out too. I need to report to work. I’ll be back in the evening as well."

Kendrick smiled brightly. "That’s good to know."

Zephany stared at him, surprised. ’Why does he look so happy that I told him?’

And then, as she watched his expression, a strange feeling settled in her chest. His smile—it was warm, genuine, almost too kind. He looked like someone untouched by the darkness of their world.

A small sigh escaped her lips. ’He looks so innocent. So kind. But life hasn’t been kind to him. They took advantage of his dream to be a well-known painter... used his desperation to pull him into this mess.’

’I should at least treat him well while we’re stuck in this contract.’

Meanwhile, Kendrick watched her closely, noticing the way she kept sighing. She looked troubled. Sad, even.

’She must be nervous about work,’ he thought. ’Why did Cassius drag her into this? She seems too delicate for this kind of mess. Just because she needed her job...’

He sighed internally. ’Well, what’s done is done. We’re married now. Even if it’s only for a year, it’s still legally binding. I’ll just treat her well until it’s over.’

Unknowingly, both of them had come to the same conclusion—treat each other well while this contract lasted.

But what would happen when they finally uncovered each other’s secrets?

---

Kendrick watched Zephany retreat into her room before letting out a soft breath. Without wasting time, he left the apartment, stepping into the sleek black car provided by Cassius. It was parked in the garage, its polished exterior reflecting the morning light.

He drove toward his studio, the low hum of the engine a comforting rhythm. The large estate gates shut behind him, but the weight of the situation lingered.

Married.

The word still sounded absurd.

Living under the same roof with a stranger for a year wasn’t something he’d ever imagined. Zephany seemed harmless — timid even — but that didn’t change the fact that they were stuck together. He sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

"Just a year," he muttered. "Then it’s over."

The streets were quiet, and the early sunlight cast soft shadows over the city. Before long, he pulled up in front of his art studio. It wasn’t grand, just a small rented space tucked between other creative hubs, but it had everything he needed.

He barely had time to settle in when his phone buzzed.

Levy.

"Hey, brat," Kendrick answered, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"Ugh, stop calling me that," Levy grumbled. "I’m practically a college student now!"

"Practically," Kendrick chuckled. "What’s up?"

"I’m heading to Elite Legacy Institute today," she announced, her voice laced with excitement and a little nervousness. "Going to check out the dorms and see what else I might need before classes start."

"Elite Legacy, huh?" Kendrick’s grin widened. "The most prestigious school in the country. Not bad, sis."

"Obviously," Levy replied smugly. "But I still have to figure out how not to get lost in that massive place. And the dorms? I just hope they’re not haunted."

"They probably charge extra if they are," Kendrick joked.

Levy snorted. "Anyway, Mom said she’s taking another night shift at the hospital. So, you’re free to sneak off to whatever secret mission you’re up to without her noticing."

Kendrick’s smile stiffened slightly, though he kept his tone light. "Mission? What mission? I’m just a humble artist, remember?"

"Yeah, sure. And I’m the queen of England," Levy shot back.

"More like the queen of sass," Kendrick quipped. "But seriously, I’m glad you’re checking out the dorms. It’ll be good for you."

"Right, and it’ll be good for you too," Levy said knowingly. "Less chance of me walking in on your ’business meetings.’"

Kendrick rolled his eyes. "You’re impossible."

"And you love it," Levy countered. "Okay, gotta go. Wish me luck!"

"Good luck, brat."

"Stop calling me that!"

The call ended, and Kendrick let out a deep sigh.

Levy didn’t know the full extent of what he did. To her, those ’business meetings’ were just some side gigs — programming, cyber-security, and a bit of IT work. She always assumed he took on extra projects to help pay the bills. And in a way, she wasn’t wrong. Kendrick was working hard to give them a better life.

But the truth was darker.

No one in their right mind would suspect an aspiring painter like him of having ties to a far more dangerous world.

With Levy moving into the dorms and his mom working night shifts, it gave him more freedom. Fewer questions. Fewer excuses to come up with.

Perfect.

Well, except for the fact that he had to live with a stranger for a year.

"Why, Cassius?" Kendrick muttered. "Why this ridiculous contract?"

His thoughts flashed to Zephany — the timid smile, the hesitant glances. She looked like she didn’t belong in this mess. The complete opposite of Eclipse.

"If only she had even a quarter of Eclipse’s confidence."

Eclipse. Fierce. Reckless. Impossible to predict. The woman had a loud mouth and an even louder presence. Kendrick hated how unpredictable she was, but he couldn’t deny her strength.

But Zephany? She was nothing like that. Maybe that was a good thing.

After all, just the thought of having Eclipse around him every day sent shivers down his spine. There was no way he wouldn’t die from high blood pressure because of her.

So, Zephany’s character was much better for his peace of mind.

"Well, at least she’s lucky," Kendrick murmured. "If Cassius had thrown her to some jerk, she’d have it much worse."

Despite everything, Kendrick wasn’t that kind of man. He’d treat her well — for the year, at least.