Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 30: Old Memory

As Pia pulled away, a smile still on her lips, she felt a small sense of relief. Zephany had really done it. Even if her explanation seemed a bit shaky, it was still an incredible feat.

Varen Enterprises.

Pia hated to admit it, but she was genuinely curious. The mysterious Cassius Varen rarely made public appearances. Everything about him was shrouded in secrecy, adding to the allure. Wealthy, powerful, untouchable — people could only speculate about his private life.

She remembered that night vividly.

The lavish gala. The elegant gowns. The clinking of glasses.

She’d only gone for one reason — to chase gossip. Sneaking into the event under the guise of "just checking the atmosphere" had seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. After all, a scoop from an elite gathering like that could’ve finally elevated her stagnant career.

But the moment she saw Zephany at the venue, she became even more determined to get a big scoop — not just for herself, but to help Zephany secure the story and save her job.

However, things didn’t go as planned.

Just as Zephany was called out by Sophia Sparkle, someone recognized her. One moment she was stealthily scanning the crowd, and the next, a firm voice cut through the air.

"You’re not supposed to be here."

Humiliated, she had no choice but to leave. She hadn’t even gotten a proper look at Cassius Varen. Just a glimpse of his tall frame, a sharp suit, and an unsettling air of authority.

Still, she was thrilled for Zephany. Even if Pia’s plan had failed, at least her friend’s career had taken a step forward.

"Okay, enough serious talk," Pia declared, giving Zephany a playful nudge. "We should celebrate. Free coffee’s not going to cut it. Dinner tomorrow night, my treat!"

Zephany smiled softly. "That sounds nice."

"Great! And who knows, maybe I’ll get some inspiration from you and finally get my own scoop!" Pia winked.

Zephany only laughed, though a small pang of guilt tugged at her.

If only Pia knew.

One year. Just one year. Then it’ll be over.

She could only hope the truth would stay buried until then.

---

Evening came swiftly. The golden hues of the setting sun bathed the city in warm light, but for Zephany, it only brought a heavy reminder — the apartment.

Not her usual home or a comforting retreat, but the new space she shared with Kendrick.

It was part of the arrangement. One year of marriage. One year under the same roof.

Her fingers fumbled with the keys, hesitating for a moment before she finally unlocked the door. The faint sound of the bustling street faded away as she stepped inside.

Then, it hit her.

The rich, inviting aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. A blend of garlic, herbs, and something savory lingered, wrapping around her like an old memory.

For a brief second, she forgot everything — the contract, the awkwardness, the secrets. Instead, warmth flooded her chest. It reminded her of the days when her parents used to cook together, laughter echoing through their kitchen. How long had it been since she’d come home to a meal like this?

"Kendrick?" Her voice was soft, uncertain.

From the kitchen, Kendrick popped his head out, strands of dark hair falling slightly over his forehead. His apron was tied neatly, and a bit of flour dusted his hands. He smiled, though a hint of nervousness danced in his eyes.

"You’re back." He cleared his throat. "Well... hmm, I cooked dinner for us. You’re right on time."

Zephany blinked, her gaze shifting past him. The small dining table, once bare, was now set with plates of steaming dishes. A pot of creamy soup. A pan of golden-brown roast chicken. Crisp vegetables. It was simple, but undeniably homey.

"You cooked all this?" Her voice cracked slightly.

"I tried," Kendrick replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I kept it basic."

For a moment, Zephany just stood there, staring. The scents, the effort — it was all overwhelming. Memories of her parents came rushing back, and before she could stop herself, tears welled up.

Kendrick’s smile faded. He stepped closer, his brows furrowed in concern.

"Zephany? What’s wrong? Did I do something?" His voice was laced with panic. "Is the food not okay? I-I can order something if you want—"

"No!" Zephany quickly shook her head, forcing a laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "It’s not that."

"Then what is it?"

She blinked rapidly, brushing away the tears with the back of her hand. "I’m fine. I just—" She inhaled sharply, grasping for a believable excuse. "It’s been so long since I had a home-cooked meal. I guess it just... brought back memories."

Kendrick’s tense shoulders relaxed, though concern still lingered. "I see."

"But enough of that." Zephany straightened, pushing a smile onto her face. "It smells amazing. Let’s eat before it gets cold."

Kendrick hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay. I’ll get the soup."

They settled at the table, the atmosphere somewhat lighter.

The clinking of utensils and the occasional scrape of plates filled the room. Kendrick ate quietly, occasionally stealing glances at Zephany. She seemed calmer now, though the slight redness in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

Zephany, on the other hand, focused on her meal, savoring every bite. Each spoonful of the creamy soup warmed her from the inside out. She wanted to say something, maybe thank him again, but the words never quite came.

Instead, Kendrick spoke first. freēwēbnovel.com

"Did... work go well?"

Zephany paused, her fork hovering mid-air. "Yeah," she replied softly. "Mr. Davidson was surprisingly nice today."

"That’s good."

"And Pia was... well, Pia." A faint smile tugged at her lips. "She wants to celebrate. Dinner tomorrow, her treat."

"That sounds nice." Kendrick’s expression softened. "She seems like a good friend."

"She is," Zephany murmured.

The conversation faded, but the silence wasn’t entirely uncomfortable.

After dinner, the apartment grew quiet.

Zephany stood by the sink, rinsing her hands, the warmth of the meal still lingering in her chest. Kendrick had insisted on doing most of the cleaning, which left her with little to do. It was a simple meal, but somehow it had left a mark — the kind that reminded her of the past, of family dinners and laughter that echoed through the house.

But those days were gone. And now, she was here. Sharing a space with Kendrick. A man she barely knew outside their agreement.

"Goodnight," Kendrick’s voice broke the silence as he dried his hands.

"Goodnight," she echoed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

They exchanged a polite nod before retreating to their rooms.

Both were thinking the same thing — check The Archive and plan their next move.

They couldn’t just wait for the contract to be fulfilled before getting the information they needed.

They had to find other ways, even if it meant starting over in The Archive.