River Knight's booming voice drew stares from coworkers nearby, but the second they caught sight of Magnus Marshall, they quickly averted their eyes, pretending they hadn't heard a thing.

Astrid didn't budge from Magnus's steady grip. She stood her ground, meeting River's gaze coolly. "Do we owe you an explanation?"

River glanced between them, then addressed Magnus as "Uncle" before trying to steer Astrid away.

Astrid brushed his hand off firmly. "Please respect personal boundaries."

River let out a frustrated sigh, pressing his lips into a thin line. "Astrid, I know you're upset with me, but can we just sit down and talk?"

Wanting to clear the air, Astrid turned to Magnus. "Mr. Marshall, mind if I step out for a bit? I'll be right back."

"Go ahead," he said, his tone softer than usual.

Both Astrid and River caught the shift in Magnus's voice, but neither said a word. They headed to the café downstairs.

River ordered two Americanos.

Astrid looked him dead in the eye. "River, you know I don't like American coffee—or any coffee, for that matter—right?"

River blinked, caught off guard, then let out a heavy sigh. "Sweetheart, I get that you're mad because I didn't marry you just to please your father. But I can't rush into something that big. We've been together three years, and there's still so much to figure out. Marriage is forever—and getting divorced later would be a total mess."

Astrid let out a dry chuckle. "Actually... isn't Fallon Silva the one who likes Americanos?"

River's face went pale, and he slammed his palm on the table. "What are you implying? That I'm messing around with my sister-in-law? That's insane—"

Before he could finish, Astrid pulled out her phone and played a video.

River watched the footage—captured on a rainy day by a dashcam—where he and Fallon were caught mid-kiss, badmouthing Astrid.

The worst part? Learning they'd been sneaking around before Fallon's husband—River's cousin—had even died. Fallon had gotten pregnant, and the family had believed the kid was her late husband's. They'd mourned with her when she lost it. But Astrid had overheard the real truth: that baby was River's.

That was when Astrid finally saw the man she'd loved for three years for what he really was.

River's face crumbled as he kept watching. "Have you been spying on me?"

Astrid tucked her phone away. "You're overthinking this. I was working five gigs to cover my dad's medical bills. I overheard everything from passengers while I was driving rideshare. The dashcam caught it all."

Desperate, River reached out, trying to grab her wrist.

"Astrid, listen to me. Fallon was just a fling. You're the one I actually care about. If I'd known how bad your dad's condition was... I came here today to tell you I've made up my mind. I'll marry you now. We can go see your dad together."

Astrid shook his hand off again, her voice steady. "There's no need, River. I thought I made myself clear last time: if marriage was off the table, we were done. I'm already married. And... it's been five days since we last saw each other. If you really cared, you'd know my dad's already gone. In that time, I nearly lost everything trying to pay for his treatment—and then I lost him. That kind of pain doesn't just disappear.

You weren't there when I needed you most. That tells me everything I need to know about us. Don't come looking for me again—my husband might not take it well. Oh, and wasn't it someone else who pulled me out of that car crash three years ago?"

River's eyes went wide, panic flickering through them. "Astrid, back then—"

He trailed off, but Astrid had already connected the dots.

"I know now. And even if you had been the one who saved me, I paid that debt when Fallon miscarried—I helped her recover and designed several projects she asked for, free of charge. So I owe you nothing. Goodbye, River."

Astrid stood up, surprised by how calm she felt. Their three years hadn't been all bad. When she'd asked him to marry her, it wasn't just for her dad's sake—she genuinely saw a future with him.

But he'd never planned on marriage. He'd just wanted to keep stringing her along.

Now, accepting that their paths had split for good, she felt relief washing over her instead of grief. Her eyes were set on a brighter future: saving up enough to help Abby Carter buy a big house, and maybe get Baylor Morrison a decent car when he tied the knot.

River kept calling after her as she walked away, but Astrid tuned him out completely.

Back at the office, she spotted Magnus standing near the entrance—unusual for him. Was he heading out?

She couldn't just ignore him, so she walked over. "Mr. Marshall."

Magnus gave her a short nod.

Trying to keep things strictly professional, Astrid didn't say more and headed to her office.

Magnus watched her go, a little disappointed that all they'd exchanged was a simple greeting.

...

Astrid had learned that Magnus was River's uncle during a date where River had addressed him that way. Magnus had been born to Howard Marshall late in life, after an affair with a young housekeeper. Howard's wife couldn't stand having Magnus around, so she had him sent to an orphanage—until Howard eventually brought him back and handed him the family legacy.

With that kind of complicated family history, Astrid felt grateful that Magnus had been there for her during her darkest days. She made up her mind not to avoid him.

Once she settled into her office, she got buried in her work and didn't look up until after nine in the evening. Exhausted, she dozed off without realizing it.

When she woke up, the office was empty. She checked the time—past eleven. As she got ready to head home, she noticed a men's jacket draped over her—one she recognized from Magnus's wardrobe. He must have covered her while she was asleep.

She quickly set the jacket aside, not wanting to give coworkers any reason to gossip. Grabbing her things, she called Magnus.

He picked up right away. "I'm sorry about that—I must have dozed off while working. Is there a curfew at your place? I'll be more careful next time."

Magnus's voice was calm and understanding, clearly aware of how much the past few days had taken out of her.

When Astrid heard silence on the other end of the line, she wondered if she’d already managed to upset Magnus Marshall on day one of their marriage. Their arrangement didn’t exactly come with the usual marital perks, but they still had to share a roof and interact on the regular. So how was she supposed to play this?

"Do I look like the kind of boss who'd make you work late and then have you crash in the office?" The voice didn’t come from the phone—it came from the doorway.

She looked up, shocked to see Magnus standing there, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Astrid hung up in a hurry, disbelief written all over her face. "Have you been here the whole time… waiting for me?"

He walked toward her, and she instinctively took a step back.

He let out a low chuckle. "Relax. Everyone else is gone. It’s just us. I texted you earlier, and when you didn’t reply, I figured you’d probably dozed off."

Astrid checked her phone—sure enough, Magnus had messaged asking when she’d be heading home. She’d clearly said she’d leave once she wrapped up her work. When she didn’t get a response, she just assumed he’d taken off. But he’d been waiting?

"You… waited for me?" she asked hesitantly.

"I had a few things to finish up. By the time I was done, I wanted to see if you’d left. When I saw you hadn’t, I figured we could ride back together."

Astrid felt a wave of relief—it wasn’t purely about waiting, which made her feel less guilty. She handed him back his jacket, packed up her stuff, and followed him into the elevator.

Still, she couldn’t shake the unease. Even with Magnus assuring her everyone else was gone, what if someone spotted them leaving together? How would they even explain that? She was so tense that she nearly tripped stepping out of the elevator—it was only Magnus’s quick reflexes that saved her.

Feeling like a total klutz, she mumbled, "Sorry… I got distracted."

"No worries. Just watch your step," Magnus said, but his hand lingered on hers.

Realizing it, he quickly pulled back. "Sorry—I just didn’t want you to fall."

"It’s fine," Astrid said quickly. "I get it."

Oddly enough, his touch felt… reassuring. Nothing like River Knight’s—that always felt distant.

Magnus headed to the car first, and just as Astrid was about to get in, her coworker, Katalina Larson, called out.

"Hey, Astrid! Heading out now?"

Startled, Astrid turned and tried to play it cool. "Yeah—had a mountain of work to get through. Before I knew it, it was this late."

She tried to flip the conversation around. "What about you? You weren’t still working, were you?"

Katalina sighed. "Ugh, I left my heating pad in the office. Cramps are killing me, and I can’t function without it. Figured it wasn’t worth buying another since I live close by."

"Right. Go grab it, then. I’m heading home," Astrid said, eager to get out of there.

As Katalina passed her, she added, "Oh, by the way—I thought I saw Mr. Marshall."

Astrid tensed. "Really? Didn’t notice. I figured I was the only one left."

Katalina gave her a curious look. "You seem… off tonight."

Astrid forced confidence into her voice. "What do you mean?"

Katalina frowned. "I don’t know—you’re acting like you’re hiding something."

Astrid let out a nervous laugh. "Me? No way. Just exhausted."

Katalina finally backed off. "Alright, get home. It’s late—you need rest."

Astrid waved her off. "You too. Get home safe."

"Sure thing."

Astrid watched Katalina disappear, then quickly slipped into Magnus’s car. She opened the back door, but that small move seemed to irritate him.

"Sit up front with me. I’m not your chauffeur," he said coolly.

Only then did she catch the slight annoyance in his tone. She scrambled to the front passenger seat, frantically searching for something to say.

Magnus suddenly leaned in, and Astrid froze. Was he going to kiss her? She’d suggested they put on a show of physical affection, but she wasn’t ready for a sudden move like this.

When she realized he was just reaching for her seatbelt, embarrassment washed over her. What was she even thinking?

"I—I can do it myself," she stammered, reaching out—only to brush his hand and yank hers back like she’d touched fire.

Magnus finished buckling her in. "Buckle up. Let’s go."

All she could manage was a flustered "Okay."

Magnus drove smoothly. Since their home was conveniently close to the office, the drive took less than twenty minutes.

Before she got out, Magnus handed her the car keys. "I remember you can drive. You can use this one."

Astrid stared at the keys, surprised. It was a sleek, practical SUV—perfect for her needs. Since their place wasn’t anywhere near public transit, having a car would be a lifesaver.

"But I can’t accept this," she protested.

Magnus pressed the keys into her palm. "It’s part of our arrangement. I’m not doing much for you, but you’re doing a lot for me. Think of it as compensation."

Astrid opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off before stepping out. "Unless you’d rather throw it away."

She stood there speechless, realizing she might have rubbed him the wrong way again.

After a moment, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to use the car while their agreement lasted. She could always give it back later.

Following him inside, she called out, "Magnus—"

Catching herself, she tried again. "I mean, Magnus… I’ll accept the car."

Magnus finally looked pleased, a smile creeping onto his face. "It’s late, so don’t stuff yourself. I’ll make us some pasta."

"I can cook too," Astrid offered, liking the idea of starting fresh in a new home.

She’d stayed at her family home up until now—left to her, her stepmother, and her brother—but she wasn’t eager to stay there, too haunted by memories of her father.

"I’ve got this," Magnus said, heading to the kitchen.

Astrid was curious—could someone with a demanding job like his actually manage to cook? She was pleasantly surprised by his skills.

He made a simple yet delicious pasta with tomato and egg sauce. As she ate, she couldn’t hold back the praise. "Magnus, you’re amazing—both at work and in the kitchen. Whoever marries you is seriously lucky."

A slow smile curled his lips. Didn’t she know? There was more to that saying—something about being a skilled lover.

Astrid cleaned up after dinner and headed to her room.

The next morning, she woke up rudely—hit by a wave of nausea. She bolted to the bathroom retching, but her stomach was already empty, so there was nothing to bring up.

She lifted her head, staring at her disheveled reflection, and spotted Magnus standing in the doorway, concern etched on his face. Her face flushed with sheer embarrassment.

Astrid opened her mouth to say something, but another wave of nausea slammed into her before she could get a word out. She doubled over, trying to steady her churning stomach, but nothing came up. Just then, Magnus handed her a glass of water.

"Thanks," she murmured, swishing it around her mouth before taking a slow sip to settle herself. Magnus lingered by the door, watching her closely. "Are you... pregnant?" he asked. "If you are, and you don't want River to know, you can keep the baby. I'll help you raise it."

The offer hit her like a freight train. Her hand froze mid-sip, and she just stared at him, completely dumbfounded.

Magnus didn't back down. "Of course, if you decide you don't want it, I'll go with you to to get an abortion. But going back to River? That might not be an option now. My family knows about our marriage, and if he shows up, it'll cause a scene."

Astrid wanted to correct him, but the words that spilled out took a different turn. "Why would you... offer to raise a kid that isn't even yours?"

Magnus's brow furrowed, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. "We're married. If there's a child and you want to keep it, I'll stand by you."

Astrid paused, letting that sink in. Was there really a man out there willing to raise another man's child? Seemed too good to be true.

But wait. She shifted the glass to her other hand and let out a small laugh. "Magnus, I've never even been with River. How could I be pregnant? I think it's from burning the candle at both ends to pay for Dad's treatment. I skipped meals left and right, and last night I probably overdid it. That's why my stomach's off."

Magnus's frown deepened. "You've really been neglecting yourself like that?"

"Huh?"

Before she could react, Magnus scooped her up and carried her to the car. Once inside, he grabbed a jacket from the back seat and handed it to her. "Put this on. We're getting you checked out."

Only then did it hit her—she was in her sleepwear, no bra underneath. His jacket carried a faint, comforting scent, and she was grateful for the cover.

At the hospital, they were among the first in line, and Astrid quickly got started on her check-up. The clinic was known for its thorough, state-of-the-art exams.

Not long after, the doctor turned to Magnus with a disapproving look. "How could you let your wife's health get to this point? It's not just about feeding her. If you'd waited longer, this could've become something serious."

Astrid opened her mouth to explain, but Magnus stepped in first. "You're right, doctor. I didn't pay enough attention. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

The doctor, seemingly satisfied with his response, wrote out a prescription. "I'll give you a remedy. When you get home, make her some oatmeal. Health is the foundation—without it, what good is all the money in the world?"

"Yes," Magnus replied seriously, taking the prescription.

He went to pick up the medicine, then said to Astrid, "Stay here. I'll be right back."

"I can—"

Astrid started, but the doctor cut her off. "Let him handle it. It's his job."

Magnus gave her a small smile and left.

The doctor turned back to Astrid. "Your husband seems like a good man. How did you end up in this condition then?"

Astrid forced a smile. "We just got married. He didn't know how much I'd been slacking on my health."

The doctor nodded and moved on to the next patient.

Magnus returned quickly with the medicine, already bending down to pick her up again.

"No need, Magnus. I can walk."

"It's fine. You're light as a feather."

Astrid felt her cheeks flush with heat. "I can really walk."

He relented, walking beside her with the meds.

In the car, Astrid pulled out her phone. "How much was it? I'll transfer the money to you."

Magnus, already settled in the driver's seat, suddenly leaned over.

Astrid held her breath, caught completely off guard.

"The agreement clearly says all expenses during our marriage are on me. When you come home to meet the family, do you want them thinking this is just a marriage of convenience?"

Astrid recalled the contract's fine print and nodded. "Alright, Magnus. Understood."

She put her phone away.

As he drove, Magnus asked, "Is your stomach like this because you're working five jobs a day?"

She nodded firmly. "But I don't regret it. I worked my ass off for Dad's treatment. Even though it didn't end well, at least I tried."

Magnus felt a pang of sympathy but kept his mouth shut.

"I should thank you," Astrid said, turning toward him. "You gave me a loan when I was desperate."

Magnus looked out the window, hiding his emotions. "It was nothing. You're a talented employee. You deserved a little help."

"That's why I've stopped complaining about you."

He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

Maybe the hospital visit had made her bolder. "Even though you said overtime wasn't mandatory and you paid for it, when things got busy, I still had to stay late. I might have grumbled..."

Her voice trailed off.

Magnus chuckled. "Called me a tyrant? A slave driver?"

She laughed awkwardly.

"It's hard to control sometimes, especially in your advertising department with those tight deadlines."

"I get it," Astrid said. "I understand. Even when you didn't ask, I chose to stay late to get the clients what they needed."

The conversation left a lighter air between them, but one question still nagged at Astrid. After a pause, she asked, "Doesn't it bother you if your wife has been with another man?"

"If it's someone I truly care about, it wouldn't. I'd only regret not meeting her sooner."

She glanced at him, realizing how different he was from her first impression. If she'd met him first, maybe things with River wouldn't have been such a mess.

When they got home, Astrid realized they had two hours before work. She decided to brew the prescribed medicine.

In the kitchen, she found Magnus had already warmed up the herbal remedy and poured it into a bowl for her.

"Isn't this medicine supposed to be brewed?"

"These days, clinics make it for convenience. Young people don't have time. You can buy it pre-made and just reheat it."

Astrid hadn't known that. When her dad was sick, the doctor had only mentioned it was too late for treatment, not prescribed anything.

As she drank, she mused on how Magnus didn't match the picture she'd painted of him. Even River had never done this much for her. As the saying goes, comparisons can be brutal.

After breakfast, Astrid headed to work, and Magnus reminded her, "Try to have oatmeal for lunch. Doctor's orders."

"I will."

At her desk, she caught snippets of her coworkers' chatter.

"Did you hear? Last night I saw Mr. Marshall walking with a woman. I bet he's married—that's his wife."

"What does she look like? Are you sure? I can't believe Mr. Marshall's married!"

"Since you saw her, could she be someone from our company?"

Astrid's heart raced. Had her colleague Camilla seen them？