The moment Richard Montague walked away, Eurydice finally let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
She turned back to the city skyline, gripping the cool metal of the balcony railing, trying to process what just happened.
She had expected Conrad’s father to be cold, maybe even dismissive.
She hadn’t expected him to outright try to buy her off.
God.
What had she gotten herself into?
Just as she was about to rub her temples in frustration—
A familiar calm, steady voice spoke behind her.
“What did he say?”
Eurydice didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.
Conrad.
 
She exhaled through her nose. “Wow. You actually left a conversation with your mother to check on me? I feel honored.”
Conrad stepped up beside her, leaning lightly against the railing. “You didn’t answer the question.”
Eurydice glanced at him. His face was carefully neutral, but there was something… tense about his posture.
Like he already knew what his father had said.
She hesitated.
Then, deciding there was no point in sugarcoating it, she said, “He offered me money to leave you.”
Conrad didn’t even blink.
Like he had been expecting that exact answer.
“Of course, he did,” he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Eurydice tilted her head. “Not surprised?”
Conrad exhaled, eyes fixed on the city lights. “My father believes everything has a price.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, well. He clearly underestimated how stubborn I am.”
That made the corner of Conrad’s mouth twitch, like he was holding back a smirk.
Then, his gaze flickered back to her. “And? Did you take it?”
Eurydice stared at him, deadpan. “Oh, totally. I’m actually leaving right now. I just wanted to enjoy the view before I disappear forever.”
Conrad’s lips curled slightly, the closest thing to a real smile she had ever seen on him.
“So, you’re staying.”
Eurydice sighed, turning back to the city. “Not for you.”
Conrad didn’t look offended. “Then why?”
Eurydice hesitated.
She could’ve given a sarcastic answer, something easy, something that would let her dodge the real truth.
But instead—
She exhaled and said, “Because I don’t like being told what I’m worth.”
For a moment—
Conrad said nothing.
Just stood there, watching her, his expression unreadable.
Then, finally, he said, “You’re different.”
Eurydice snorted. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. I don’t fit in with your fancy crowd.”
“No,” Conrad corrected, his voice quieter this time. “I meant… you’re different from what I expected.”
Eurydice paused, slightly thrown off by that.
Because for the first time since she met him—
He actually sounded… genuine.
Like he wasn’t just saying something to maintain control of a situation.
Like he was just… being honest.
She crossed her arms, turning to fully face him. “And what did you expect?”
Conrad studied her for a moment, then said simply, “Someone easier to intimidate.”
Eurydice huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, well. I don’t scare easy.”
His gaze flickered, something unreadable behind his eyes. “I’m starting to realize that.”
They stood there in silence for a moment, the distant hum of the gala a dull background noise compared to the weight of their conversation.
Finally, Eurydice sighed, leaning back against the railing. “You know, if we’re gonna do this whole pretend engagement thing, you could’ve at least warned me that your family was like—” she gestured vaguely, “—this.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
Eurydice gave him a pointed look. “Oh, I don’t know. Cold. Suspicious. Slightly terrifying.”
Conrad was silent for a beat.
Then—
He looked away, his jaw tightening slightly. “They weren’t always like that.”
Eurydice blinked, caught off guard by the quiet, almost… distant tone of his voice.
She wasn’t sure why—
But something about it made her chest feel slightly heavy.
She hesitated, then asked, “What changed?”
Conrad’s eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite read.
Then, after a moment, he simply said—
“They learned to stop trusting people.”
Eurydice frowned. “You mean outsiders? Or just… in general?”
Conrad’s jaw tensed again, like he wasn’t sure how much to say.
Then, after a pause, he exhaled. “Both.”
Eurydice studied him for a moment.
Because for all his unshakable confidence, his cold, calculating demeanor, and his ability to control a room with just one glance—
She realized something.
There was something deeper underneath it all.
Something he didn’t let people see.
And maybe she was imagining it, but for the first time…
Conrad Montague looked a little tired.
 
 
Eurydice sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Okay. So let’s get this straight.”
Conrad turned toward her, waiting.
She lifted a finger. “Your dad thinks I can be bought.”
Another finger. “Your mom looks at me like I’m a stray dog you brought home.”
And another. “Your cousin is probably already plotting ways to expose us.”
She turned back to Conrad, raising an eyebrow. “This is what I signed up for?”
Conrad tilted his head slightly, as if considering.
Then, finally, he said—
“Yes.”
Eurydice groaned. “Great. Love that for me.”
Conrad smirked. “You did agree to this.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “Remind me to ask for a raise.”
Conrad’s smirk widened slightly. “I’ll consider it.”
Eurydice huffed. “Ugh. You are so lucky I love a challenge.”
Conrad’s expression shifted just a little, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze.
Then—
He simply said, “Good.”
Because something told him—
Eurydice Santiago had no idea what she had just gotten herself into.
But neither did he.
And somehow…
That didn’t seem like a bad thing.
 
As the gala began to wind down, Eurydice was more than ready to escape.
Her feet ached from wearing heels for far too long, her face hurt from fake-smiling at judgmental rich people, and if she had to listen to one more veiled insult about her background, she was going to shove an entire champagne flute down someone’s throat.
So when Conrad finally turned to her and said, “It’s time to leave,” she nearly collapsed in relief.
“Thank God,” she muttered, already imagining the feeling of taking off these shoes.
But as they exited the ballroom, Conrad suddenly added, “I’ll send you home.”
Eurydice paused mid-step, turning to him.
“What?”
Conrad adjusted the cuff of his tuxedo, his expression calm, unreadable as always. “It’s late. I’ll have my driver take you home.”
Eurydice blinked.
“Wait. You’re not dragging me to some afterparty of the rich and miserable?”
Conrad exhaled sharply—his version of an amused sigh. “No. You’ve done enough for one night.”
Eurydice narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You’re being… oddly considerate.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “Would you rather stay?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then get in the car, Eurydice.”
She huffed but followed him as they exited the hotel.
 
The limo was already waiting for them, sleek and too expensive-looking for her comfort.
Eurydice slipped inside, sinking into the plush leather seats, while Conrad followed, loosening his tie slightly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
Eurydice sighed dramatically, kicking off her heels and groaning in relief. “Oh, finally.”
Conrad glanced at her, looking mildly amused. “Tired already?”
She shot him a look. “You try walking around in these death traps for hours.”
Conrad smirked slightly. “I’ll pass.”
Eurydice stretched her legs, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Okay. So, let’s talk about this arrangement.”
Conrad glanced at her, waiting.
She gestured vaguely. “If I’m supposed to be your live-in fiancée, when exactly am I moving in?”
Conrad studied her, then said, “Tonight.”
Eurydice choked on air.
“Excuse me?!”
Conrad tilted his head, unfazed. “You agreed to the contract. We need to establish credibility. If people find out you’re still living in your apartment, it will raise suspicion.”
Eurydice stared at him, then groaned.
“Oh my God, you’re serious.”
“Always.”
She flopped against the seat, rubbing her temples. “I was not mentally prepared for this level of insanity.”
Conrad leaned back slightly, watching her. “You can stop pretending to be surprised. You knew this was part of the deal.”
Eurydice pointed at him accusingly. “I thought I had time! Like, a grace period before suddenly being thrown into your rich villain lair!”
Conrad’s lips twitched slightly, but he didn’t comment.
Instead, he asked, “What do you need from your apartment?”
Eurydice blinked. “Wait. We’re stopping by now?”
Conrad nodded. “It’s more efficient.”
Eurydice sighed, crossing her arms. “Wow. Romance really is dead.”
Conrad smirked slightly. “I thought we established that already.”
She groaned, leaning back against the seat. “Fine. But if you so much as judge my place, I’m throwing a paintbrush at your face.”
Conrad’s smirk deepened. “Duly noted.”
 
By the time they reached her family’s apartment, it was well past midnight.
Eurydice groaned, rubbing her temples. “Great. My mom is going to have so many questions.”
Conrad raised an eyebrow. “She already knows, doesn’t she?”
Eurydice winced. “Yeah… but hearing it and seeing it are two different things.”
The moment she unlocked the door, she was immediately met with silence.
A bad silence.
A waiting silence.
Then—
“About time,” Leo Santiago muttered from the couch, arms crossed. “We were wondering if you had been kidnapped.”
Their mother, Isabel Santiago, stood in the doorway to the kitchen, wearing a look of calm concern.
And seated next to Leo, grinning like this was the most entertaining thing to ever happen, was Amelia Vasquez.
Eurydice groaned. “Oh, you’re here, too?”
Amelia beamed. “Obviously. Like I’d miss your first night as a billionaire’s fake bride-to-be.”
Conrad, standing just behind Eurydice, took the moment to step forward.
“Mrs. Santiago.” He greeted Isabel with a polite nod.
Isabel’s gaze drifted over him, as if trying to figure him out. Then, she sighed. “Come in, Mr. Montague.”
Leo snorted. “Wow. He’s actually real.”
Eurydice shot him a look. “What, did you think I made him up?”
Leo shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the weirdest thing you’ve done.”
Amelia grinned, kicking her feet up on the coffee table. “Sooo, are we packing up your stuff, or do you need a dramatic intervention first?”
Eurydice sighed, dragging a hand down her face.
Her mother stepped forward, studying her carefully. “Mija. Are you sure about this?”
Eurydice hesitated.
Then, with an exhale, she nodded. “I am.”
Isabel’s gaze softened. Then she simply said, “Then go, and don’t forget where home is.”
Eurydice swallowed, her heart tightening unexpectedly.
She nodded, then hugged her mother tightly.
Leo smirked. “You better visit. And bring back expensive snacks.”
Eurydice rolled her eyes. “I’ll think about it.”
Amelia, of course, was smirking the whole time.
“Just one thing,” she said, tilting her head. “Does he know we know?”
Eurydice blinked. Then, slowly, she turned to Conrad.
“…Is it okay that I told them?”
Conrad studied her family and Amelia, eyes flickering with something unreadable.
Then, after a pause, he said, “It doesn’t matter. Just as long as they understand the importance of discretion.”
Amelia saluted dramatically. “Oh, don’t worry, boss man. We’ll play nice.”
Conrad gave her a flat look before turning back to Eurydice. “Are you ready?”
Eurydice took one last look around the apartment.
Then, with a deep breath, she grabbed her bags and turned to him.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
And with that, she left her old life behind—
Heading straight into whatever disaster awaited her next.