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？

“You all know it’s Katalina Larson,” Camilla was the first to react, practically bouncing with excitement. “Oh my gosh, it’s Katalina! I heard she’s totally into Magnus Marshall. Their families go way back, you know? She’s so accomplished, they’d make such a power couple!”

“Yes, totally agree! They’re perfect for each other! She’s always been the one making the first move, but Magnus never seemed interested before. Could it be he’s finally catching on?”

Astrid finally let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

She’d nearly forgotten how much Katalina Larson was into Magnus, always dropping by to see him at Amazon. From everyone else’s point of view, Magnus should obviously marry someone like Katalina. So why would he pick her instead?

She didn’t have Katalina’s money. Sure, Astrid had talent, but her social status didn’t come close to Katalina’s—the heiress of the Larson Group, who’d been running the family business like a champ.

Astrid, on the other hand, was just… ordinary. Even if she’d earned some recognition in her field, anyone in their right mind would choose Katalina over her, right?

“Astrid, what’s up with you?” Camilla asked, giving her a curious look.

In the past, Astrid would’ve jumped right into the gossip, but not today. Now that Magnus was her husband—even if it was just a contract—gossiping about his private life felt… wrong.

“Nothing, just didn’t sleep well last night,” she replied, heading to her desk.

Everyone knew her situation, so no one pressed further. Since it was time to start the day, the chatter fizzled out as people turned to their screens.

Around ten, the supervisor announced that Magnus wanted to hold a meeting with their department.

Astrid and Camilla were on their way to the conference room when they nearly collided with Fallon Silva.

Fallon shot Astrid a cutting glare. “Watch where you’re going, will you?”

Camilla’s face went dark. “How could you—”

Astrid quickly tugged Katalina back, not wanting her to take the brunt of Fallon’s venom.

She turned to Fallon, plastering on a smile. “I believe I was walking just fine. You’re the one who bumped into me. Or are you saying you weren’t paying attention?”

Fallon sneered, “Astrid, remember, I’m your manager.”

“Oh, really? For how much longer, I wonder.”

Fallon’s brow furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Astrid just gave a mysterious smile and walked into the meeting room with Camilla trailing behind.

Camilla whispered, “Astrid, are you planning to go for her position? I’ve told you before, you’re crazy capable. You should totally go for it! I’ve got your back!”

Before, Fallon’s attitude had always puzzled Astrid. Then she’d seen Fallon with River Knight, and everything clicked.

After all, Fallon had a habit of using Astrid’s designs while putting her down. Did she really think Astrid was that easy to push around?

Astrid smiled. “I’m thinking about it.”

“Do it!”

Before, she’d worked her ass off for River Knight. But now that she knew how they’d both played her, there was no way in hell she’d let Fallon get another free ride.

Inside the meeting room, Magnus was already seated. Seeing him in this new light made her feel slightly off.

But she acted like nothing was different, settling in with the others—and catching Magnus glance her way.

That one glance was enough to make her grip her pen like a lifeline, feeling like she was sneaking around behind everyone’s back.

Once everyone was present, Jorge Knight spoke. “We’re holding this meeting because the city plans to develop a large public park. We got the bid, but we need a killer design. I want each of you to submit a proposal. You’ve got one week.”

Fallon tensed up immediately. “Mr. Marshall, does everyone have to submit?”

Magnus looked straight at her. “Is there a problem with that?”

“No!” Fallon shook her head quickly. “It’s just—some people might not be ready for such a big project. Isn’t that a bit risky?”

Magnus turned back to the group. “The city is heavily invested in this. They want a park with real character, something culturally rich, different from everything else out there. Usually, only a few of you would work on this, but this time, I want everyone involved. We need fresh eyes.”

Camilla whispered excitedly to Astrid, “Astrid, this is your moment to shine!”

Astrid had handled a few big projects before, but the plum assignments always went to Fallon. And those designs? They were Astrid’s anyway.

So yeah, for Astrid, this was a golden opportunity.

She turned to Katalina and smiled. “You should try too.”

Camilla nodded eagerly. “No way I’m letting this pass me by.”

Fallon looked like she wanted to argue, but Magnus shut her down before she could start.

“Any other questions? If not, we’re done here. And Astrid, please come to my office.”

With that, Magnus left without giving Astrid another glance.

It felt normal on the surface, but Katalina and a few others turned to Astrid with worried looks.

“Astrid, Mr. Marshall never calls you into his office. You took personal leave recently—he shouldn’t be upset. Why’s he asking for you now?”

“Yeah, Astrid, did you do something against the company?”

Astrid was just as confused. Why would Magnus summon her?

Unable to come up with a reason, she reassured them, “It’s fine. I’ll find out soon enough.”

Left with no choice, she followed him.

Fallon was a nervous wreck, but she didn’t dare act up in the meeting. She knew Magnus’s temper all too well.

If everyone was submitting designs, would Astrid still design for her?

Fallon hurried back to her office and quickly call River Knight.

“River, you’ve gotta help me out. Your uncle landed a huge city project and now he wants every designer to submit a proposal! Usually, I’m the one handling the big stuff. What is he thinking?”

River tried to calm her down. “Don’t worry, it’s just a formality. Your design is untouchable.”

“But you know those designs aren’t mine. They’re Astrid’s. Do you think she’ll still design for me now?”

River chuckled smugly. “She wouldn’t dare refuse. Relax, I’ll handle it.”

“Okay.”

With River’s assurance, Fallon finally relaxed. She’d gotten so used to being praised, to having the industry’s respect. When she’d heard River and Astrid broke up, she’d panicked. But still, Astrid was so head-over-heels for River. Surely she’d come running if he asked, right?

...

Astrid reached Magnus’s office and promptly shut the door behind her.

Half-expecting that move, Magnus gave a faint smile as he pulled out a lunch container and handed it to her.

“The doctor said you should be eating oatmeal every day now. I had some delivered for you.”

Astrid was touched by the thoughtfulness, but quickly tried to refuse. “I can grab some myself later.”

“Street food isn’t good for your stomach. Listen to me—I don’t want you not being able to eat when we get home.”

He had a point, so she accepted. But his words carried a strange intimacy that made her cheeks flush.

Walking out of Magnus’s office, she felt like a thief. What would she say if someone spotted her carrying food from his office?

Luckily, she made it back to her desk without running into anyone—until Camilla rushed over, eyes wide with shock. “Is that from Mr. Marshall? Are you and Mr. Marshall…”

That statement made half the office look up.

Astrid panicked, quickly denying it. “No, no! It’s from my aunt. I’ve been having stomach issues, so I picked this up after leaving Mr. Marshall’s office. It’s got nothing to do with him.”

Camilla hadn’t thought much of it at first, but Astrid’s nervousness was a dead giveaway.

“Astrid, the you I know wouldn’t act like this. Are you and Mr. Marshall—”

Before she could finish, Astrid blurted out, “Seriously, there’s nothing going on. Don’t overthink it. Just—”

In her rush, the marriage certificate slipped off her desk.

Everyone stared at the thing on the floor while Camilla bent down to pick it up.