Magnus Marshall was exceptionally handsome — sharp, aloof features that radiated an almost untouchable aura. When Astrid asked her question, she did so carefully.
"And so?" He raised an eyebrow, urging her on.
Astrid didn't sugarcoat it. "If you don't mind, then I certainly don't. I'm grateful to you. Your presence gave my dad peace — let him pass with a sense of comfort. Liver cancer in its final stages is pure agony. Even though I didn't want to lose him, ending his suffering was a blessing. I'm happy for him."
After days of mourning, a smile finally tugged at her lips.
She had made her peace with it.
She realized she couldn't selfishly keep her father tethered here — he needed to move on to where he belonged.
Turning to Magnus, she added, "Magnus, I promise I won't have any private dealings with River Knight anymore. Now that I'm your wife, I'll stick to our agreement. But... could you do me a favor? Keep my identity under wraps at the company. Since we're only doing this for a year, I just want to work there without any fuss."
"Of course."
Astrid hesitated before speaking again. "You probably need to manage the family situation, right? You've helped me so much these past few days, so I'll support you as much as I can. Though, while we're pretending, there might be some physical contact. I hope you don't mind."
Magnus looked at her, his tone calm and sincere. "Since you're my wife now, do you still need to call me Mr. Marshall?"
A blush crept across Astrid's cheeks. It was hard to adjust — her boss had become her husband. She used to secretly complain about him. Calling him by his first name felt weird, but she softly ventured, "Magnus."
His lips twitched, almost forming a smile. He then pulled a set of keys from his pocket and handed them to her. "You should move your things over. I'm a bit busy these next few days and can't help you. You can hire movers, and I'll cover the cost."
Astrid raised the bank card in her hand. "No need. I've got money here. I'll use this."
She hesitated again before asking, "Could you send me the address? I'll move my stuff today. I—"
She stopped, feeling awkward.
Magnus caught on to her discomfort. "During our agreement, we'll have separate rooms."
After her father's recent passing, Astrid definitely wasn't in the mindset for anything else and nodded gratefully. "I'll be going then."
"Alright."
Magnus stood, watching her leave.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was his eighty-year-old grandmother, Norah Howard, calling him.
"My dear grandson, how did it go? Did you manage to win over that young lady?"
Magnus rubbed his temples, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Grandmother, it wasn't deception."
"Oh, wasn't it? You said she didn't like you, and the message probably ended up in your inbox by accident. Yet you went along, got the marriage certificate, spun some reasons. If that's not deception, what is?"
Magnus shook his head wryly. "Please, grandmother, don't let anything slip in front of her."
"Rest assured, my dear. My lips are sealed! But remember, you need to hurry and give me a great-granddaughter while I'm still around."
A chuckle escaped Magnus. "Understood."
"And another thing," Norah sighed. "It's unfortunate timing. I would have loved to visit her family. Losing her father must be so hard on her. You'd better treat that young lady well, understand? If you mistreat her, I'll be the first to object."
"Yes, I understand."
"And when will you bring her over? Don't worry about River. It's his loss; a fine girl like her deserves someone better."
"In a little while, grandmother."
Norah wanted to push, but she knew not to overwhelm Astrid and reluctantly agreed.
"As for your father, don't worry about him. As long as I approve, no one can say a word against you."
Thinking about that distant relative, Magnus fell silent.
Norah sensed his thoughts and quickly changed the topic.
Before long, Norah ended the call.
Magnus pocketed his phone and then took out the marriage certificate, glancing at it, his finger gently tracing Astrid's face on the photo.
*Astrid, have you really forgotten me?*
...
Astrid moved her belongings to Magnus's place and stood awestruck in the sprawling five-thousand-square-foot luxury apartment. Such opulence she had only ever seen on TV or social media. The thought of living there — even as a housekeeper — was staggering.
But there was already staff. Norah Ferguson, the housekeeper, took Astrid's luggage to her room. Astrid thanked her with a smile and unpacked.
She didn't spend much time settling in and headed straight to work.
She worked in environmental design, a division of the Marshall Group, though it functioned as an independent company, never relocating from the Marshall Group's building.
Upon her arrival, her colleague Katalina Larson approached her with concern. "Why didn't you stay home and rest a few more days?"
Astrid smiled. "No need. I've got a lot of work to do. Best to get back to it."
"You always push yourself so hard!"
Katalina sighed, patting her shoulder.
Living well was Astrid's way of ensuring her father could rest peacefully.
Once back at work, she was swamped with tasks, especially a project for an out-of-state government that she couldn't delay any longer.
But before she could make significant progress, she was summoned by Fallon Silva.
Fallon was River's sister-in-law, the one who'd had an affair with him. A year ago, River's cousin had passed away suddenly. Fallon had been with the Marshall Group for years, and feeling guilty, they kept her on, making her Astrid's direct supervisor.
As soon as Astrid entered, Fallon tossed a file at her. "Look at what you've done. Don't let your personal life interfere with work; that's a basic rule. Keep this up, and I'll have you fired."
Astrid didn't pick up the file. Instead, she met Fallon's gaze. "That's not my work. If you want to bully me, at least do it more convincingly."
Fallon glared. She wouldn't have reached her position without Astrid's past help. At the time, River had pleaded, "Astrid, Fallon's had it rough; help her out. You'll have other opportunities."
Feeling sorry for Fallon and grateful to River's cousin for past support, Astrid had obliged.
But she listened to River not because she was naive about love, but because three years ago, after a car accident, River seemed like her savior when she regained consciousness.
Little did she know that River and Fallon had been deceitfully involved all along. Now, she wasn't going to let Fallon push her around.
"You dare talk back? One word from me, and you're out of here."
Astrid leaned over Fallon's desk, meeting her eyes. "Let's see who falls first — your reputation or my job."
With that, she walked out of Fallon's office.
Feeling a bit dizzy from the emotional strain and lack of sleep, she headed to the break room for a drink.
The room seemed to spin slightly as she moved, her steps faltering.
Just as she thought she might fall, a steady arm caught her waist, supporting her.
She looked up to find Magnus.
River's voice echoed behind her, "What are you doing?"