Chapter 156: Chapter 156 Renegotiating the Deal
Elara
When I got home, I realized I hadn’t told Dominic I’d be late.
I checked my phone in the entryway. No messages from him either. I assumed he wasn’t home.
Then, in that thick, impenetrable darkness, I noticed a darker shape on the couch.A human silhouette.
My heart lurched. My bag hit the floor with a dull thud that seemed unnaturally loud.
"You’re home?" I frowned. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"
I felt along the wall for the light switch.
A strip of ambient lighting illuminated the room, revealing Dominic half reclined on the sofa, expression lazy.
"I was waiting for you and dozed off," he stretched, reaching under the coffee table to pull out a document folder. "Come look at this. I’ve made some adjustments to our marriage agreement."
I hesitated, confused about his intentions, but walked over and sat down. I kept careful distance between us.
"Was there something wrong with the previous agreement? Why change it?"
"Mm, of course there were problems," Dominic explained methodically. "The previous contract was based on the assumption that I liked men, so there were some unreasonable terms that needed adjustment."
"For example, we didn’t specify cohabitation requirements before. I’ve added that now." His expression was completely straightforward, as if this were perfectly reasonable. His long fingers tapped the second clause. "And regarding physical intimacy after marriage. I think five times a week is appropriate."
"Do you have any objections?"
"Physical intimacy?" My voice shot up. Of course I had objections!
"Why would you add that clause?" I demanded.
Dominic smiled casually, as if discussing the weather. "Well, obviously. Before, there was a misunderstanding. You thought I liked men. But now that you know I’m attracted to women, and given that the pack rules forbid infidelity after marriage..."
"Don’t worry, I’m in excellent physical condition. If you don’t believe me, we can go to any hospital you choose for premarital health screenings. Addressing basic physical needs is foundational to maintaining a healthy marriage, wouldn’t you agree?"
Like hell I agreed!
I wanted to curse him out.
How could someone make harassment sound so clinical and reasonable?
"I don’t agree! And five times is way too much!"
Dominic’s smile turned meaningful. "How about four times then? Four is my final offer."
"You seemed quite satisfied with my performance before, didn’t you?"
We’d only been together once, after I’d drunk that damn enhancement potion and lost myself in a haze of confused desire. The details were mostly a blur.
But Dominic’s athletic build told the whole story. The man clearly had stamina to spare.
"Fine, your silence means consent."
As if afraid I’d back out, Dominic immediately flipped to the final page. "Regarding the duration of this agreement, I think we should be flexible. If you meet someone you’re interested in, you can tell me. I won’t hold you back. But right now, your grandmother’s health is the priority. Dementia doesn’t have a fixed timeline. What if her condition worsens after a year? We can’t just divorce then, can we?"
"You need a qualified husband to help stabilize your grandmother’s condition," he tilted his head, lips curving into a slight smile, "and I need you too."
[ He had a point.
Grandma was already dropping hints about grandchildren. I had to keep up this performance with Dominic.]
"Add one more clause: if either party shows signs of infidelity, this contractual marriage terminates immediately. Neither party can drag it out. Agreed?"
If Dominic cheated, I could exit cleanly.
"Agreed."
Dominic opened his laptop, made the revisions, and printed fresh copies. Within minutes, two crisp marriage agreements sat before me.
"Sign it," Dominic said.
I read through each clause carefully, terrified of missing something disadvantageous. "This second clause requires my consent too."
"If I’m not willing, you can’t force me."
Dominic’s smile turned suggestive, eyes glinting with amusement. "Of course. I’m not a complete animal."
Animal or not, I wasn’t taking chances.
I added in black pen: "Additional note: This clause requires mutual consent. When you sign, initial this section as well."
I wasn’t about to get trapped in some legal loophole by a crafty Alpha.
This new agreement now seemed airtight from my perspective.
Dominic took it and signed his name with swift efficiency.
"All right, time for bed."
He caught my wary expression and his lips twitched with barely contained amusement.
Dominic reached up and roughly tousled my hair. "It’s late tonight. I won’t try anything."
My face burned as the implication hit me.
Dominic’s low voice suddenly drew closer, his warm palm steadying against the small of my back. "Don’t look at me like that, or I might change my mind."
My heart hammered against my ribs. This was exactly what I meant about him being unpredictable. One second he was all business, the next he was...
"Let go!" I turned my face away, voice sharp with reproach.
Dominic obediently raised both hands, watching me scramble back to my room with unsteady steps. The smug satisfaction radiating from him made me want to throw something at his head.
