It's intimidating in its official letterhead and professional watermarks.
A cover letter on top, signed by Noah Carroway, ERS Legal Counsel.
Ms. Lopez, Please find enclosed the revised marriage contract incorporating new protections. I encourage you to review thoroughly and consult with independent legal counsel before making any decision. My contact information is below should you have questions.
I flip to the first page of the contract. The language is dense, formal, exactly what I expected. But as I start focusing on the content, I realize this isn't a standard agreement. This is something else entirely.
Luna peers over my shoulder. "What does it say?"
"It says..." I scan down the page, my heart beating faster with each clause. "It says he meant what he said."
I carry the contract to the couch and start flipping through it.
Consent clauses. Legal protections. Separate living quarters.
Luna leans closer. “Wait. He put all that in?”
Luna whistles low. "He's serious about this."
She settles beside me, reading over my shoulder.
I stare at the contract for a long moment, then reach for my phone. Noah Carroway's business card is clipped to the cover letter. Luna frowns. "What are you doing?"
"Getting clarity." I dial before I can second-guess myself.
It rings twice before he answers. "Noah Carroway."
"Mr. Carroway, this is Rosanna Lopez. I'm sorry to call so late, but I just received the contract and I have questions."
"What can I clarify?"
I take a breath. "It says the money is mine regardless of whether I complete the full six months. Why would he agree to that?"
Noah is quiet for a moment. "Because Mr. O'Malley wanted to ensure you felt free to leave if the arrangement became untenable. The funding is for your willing cooperation, not payment for enduring a bad situation."
That stops me. "He said that? Those words?"
"Close enough." Noah's voice warms slightly. "He also added to the consent clauses. Those aren't just the standard ERS lines, Ms. Lopez. He wanted to make sure you felt comfortable."
I don't know what to do with that information. "What if this is manipulation? What if he's just really good at saying the right things?"
"Then he's manipulating himself too, because he’s bound to these terms just as much as you are." Noah pauses.
“I’ve worked with a lot of clients,” Noah says. “Some are performative. Some are calculating. Mr. O’Malley isn't one of them. Yes, he is doing this for his own optics, but he doesn’t want to hurt you.”
"You sound like you're trying to sell me on this."
"I'm trying to give you accurate information." His tone is mild but firm. "You asked if this could be manipulation. My professional opinion? No. This is a man who's deeply aware ofthe power imbalances in this relationship and is and trying to correct for them."
After I hang up with Noah, I sit in silence for a long moment. Luna is watching me like she's trying to read my thoughts. "So? What are you thinking?"
“I’m thinking this is the most ethical contract I’ve ever seen for something this surreal.” I set my phone down. “And I still have reservations.”
"What kind of reservations?"
I pull my knees to my chest. "What if I can't do this? What if living with him, pretending to be married, being that close to someone I actively dislike—what if it's harder than I think? What if I can't maintain the performance?"
Luna tilts her head. "You're worried you'll blow the cover? Tell him what you really think in front of cameras?"
