The morning sun streamed through the apartment windows, lighting the small space with a warm glow. Ethan stretched on the couch, the tension from the past few days weighing heavily on him. After everything he'd learned about Lila and her reasons for their rushed marriage, he knew they couldn't keep going like this. He needed clarity—and so did she.
The system chimed in his mind:
**"New Task: Set clear boundaries and expectations with your wife. Reward: $1,000."**
He exhaled, rubbing his temples. The task aligned perfectly with what he was already thinking. If they were going to navigate this strange partnership, they needed rules.
Ethan found Lila at the dining table, her laptop open and a steaming mug of tea beside her. She didn't look up as he entered, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
"Morning," Ethan said, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee.
"Morning," she replied without breaking her focus.
He sat across from her, sipping his coffee while gathering his thoughts. After a moment, he cleared his throat.
"Lila, can we talk?"
She paused, finally looking up, her expression neutral but curious. "About what?"
"About us," Ethan said, his tone steady. "I think we need to set some ground rules."
Lila raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. "Ground rules? Sounds serious."
"It is," Ethan replied firmly. "We're in this together now, whether we like it or not. If we're going to make this work—whatever 'this' is—we need to be on the same page."
Her lips curved into a faint smirk. "Alright. I'll bite. What kind of rules are you thinking about?"
Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"First rule: No more secrets. If something affects both of us, I deserve to know about it."
Lila's smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "No secrets?"
"That's right," Ethan said. "You've already admitted you married me for your inheritance, and I get it. But if there's anything else I should know—about your family, your plans, anything—I need to hear it. No surprises."
She studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Alright. No secrets—at least not about the important stuff."
Ethan nodded, satisfied. "Second rule: Communication. If something's bothering you, say it. Don't keep it bottled up until it explodes. I'll do the same."
Lila chuckled lightly. "You're really leaning into the whole 'relationship counselor' thing, aren't you?"
"Maybe," Ethan admitted, his lips twitching into a small smile. "But I mean it. Communication is the only way this won't turn into a disaster."
"Fair enough," Lila said, her tone less guarded now. "What else?"
"Third rule: We split responsibilities. Living together isn't just about coexisting. Chores, bills, decisions—everything gets divided equally."
"Noted," Lila said with a small smirk. "Anything else, partner?"
Ethan hesitated, then added, "Last rule: If either of us wants out of this arrangement, we talk about it first. No running off or making decisions behind the other's back."
Lila tilted her head, her expression softening. "That seems fair."
She extended her hand across the table. "Alright, Ethan. Deal?"
Ethan shook her hand, surprised by how genuine the gesture felt. "Deal."
With the ground rules established, the tension between them eased slightly. Lila returned to her work, and Ethan spent the morning cleaning the apartment. Despite their rocky start, the new structure gave him a sense of purpose.
Around midday, Lila surprised him by closing her laptop and looking his way.
"Do you want to go out?" she asked casually.
"Out?" Ethan asked, surprised.
"Yes," she said, smirking. "You need clothes that don't look like they've been through a war, and I could use a change of scenery."
Ethan glanced down at his threadbare jeans and faded T-shirt, then nodded. "Fair point."
They spent the afternoon shopping, and Ethan found himself genuinely enjoying her company. Lila had a sharp eye for style, and her playful teasing lightened the mood.
"This one," she said, holding up a fitted navy blazer.
Ethan gave her a skeptical look. "It's a little fancy, don't you think?"
"Trust me," she said, her tone decisive. "You'll thank me later."
He reluctantly tried it on, and her approving smile made him feel unexpectedly confident.
"See?" she said. "You clean up nicely."
"Thanks," Ethan said, feeling a faint blush creep up his neck.
That evening, back at the apartment, Ethan decided to tackle another unresolved issue. As they sat on the couch with tea, he glanced at her cautiously.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"Depends on the question," Lila replied, sipping her tea.
"The inheritance," Ethan began. "Why is it so important to you?"
Lila's expression darkened, and she set her mug down. "Because it's all I have left of my family," she said quietly.
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"My mother built that estate from nothing," Lila explained. "She worked herself to the bone to create something lasting, something meaningful. When she passed, she left it to me. But my father's family contested the will, claiming I wasn't fit to manage it."
"That's ridiculous," Ethan said, anger rising on her behalf.
"Maybe," Lila said with a shrug. "But they had money and power, and I didn't. The court sided with them—on the condition that I could reclaim it if I met certain criteria."
"Like getting married," Ethan said, piecing it together.
"Exactly," Lila said. "They thought forcing me to 'settle down' would make me more responsible. It was humiliating."
Ethan leaned back, letting her words sink in. "So this isn't just about money. It's about proving them wrong."
"It's about doing what's right," Lila said firmly. "My mother's legacy deserves better than to be dismantled and sold off."
Ethan nodded, a newfound respect for her determination growing. "Alright. I get it now."
"Good," Lila said, her tone softening. "Because if we're doing this, I need you to understand why it matters."
Ethan met her gaze, his voice steady. "I do."
The system chimed in his mind:
**"Task completed: Set clear boundaries and expectations with your wife. Reward: $1,000 has been deposited into your account."**
Ethan barely noticed the notification this time. For the first time since their whirlwind marriage, he felt like they were starting to work as a team.
"Alright," he said, raising his mug. "Here's to figuring this out—together."
Lila clinked her mug against his, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Together."