Rules are Rules

Nora's POV

"You are not in any circumstance to let your hand touch me." He blurted out.

I could work with that. I nodded in agreement.

He narrowed his eyes at me, his gaze trained down like a sniper's target. "Don't touch my hand. Don't try to hug me. Don't help me even if I'm falling off a staircase. Don't try to be an affectionate wife." He clarified.

"I won't." I promised.

"You are going to have your bedroom and under no circumstances should you enter my bedroom."

"I won't."

"You are not to be curious about me. Don't ask what I'm up to. Don't try to figure me out. Don't poke your nose into my business. If I don't talk to you, don't talk to me."

"I have enough worries to add you to the list."

He ignored my sarcastic tone and continued talking. "Don't expect empathy from me for any reason. I don't want to know if your sister gets injured, your father is sick or your brother is getting married."

"Not a problem for me. I'm the last person my family will call should that ever happen."

His eyes filled with curiosity and pity for a while at my flippant response but the look was quickly gone before I wondered if he had empathy in him.

"You are to be available anytime I need you. You are to accompany me to events and parties. You are to be a good host whenever I need to invite my business partners home. Don't worry, the maids will help you out with the preparation but you have to be at your best as a host."

I was part of the planning committee for the last end-of-the-year party of the company I worked for but most of the planning was done by me. The party was a blast and the CEO applauded the committee leader even though she didn't do anything except bark orders at me, trash out my suggestions and burden me with the work load.

"I can do that."

He looked impressed with my response and I ignored the warm feeling spreading through my belly. Why would I care if he was impressed with me? I blamed my adoptive parents for my self-esteem issues.

"You are to avoid me. Don't ever stay in the same room with me. If I'm anywhere in the house, avoid me. If I'm in the living room, go back to your bedroom. If I'm in the dining room having breakfast, ask that your breakfast be moved to your bedroom."

"I hope you will return the energy if I'm somewhere in the house first."

He pinned me down with a glare, his nostrils flaring at the challenge. "I own the house."

"Not anymore. I'm your wife."

"A fake wife." He corrected.

"Are you going to tell anyone that?" I snorted. "As far as everyone is concerned, I'm your wife. I should have rights to our house as much as you do."

"Should," he pointed out.

I blushed, realizing that he was winning the argument with my words. Just when I thought he was going to rub his win in my face, he threw his hands up in surrender and exhaled loudly.

"Fine. I will return the energy and avoid you if you are in a place."

"Good." I said, smiling widely in victory.

"That reminds me." He began. I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to groan as I wondered just how many rules I needed to live with him. "You are never to tell anyone about this fake marriage. You are married to me as Sasha so no one in your reality should know of me. Nora doesn't know me at all and I don't know her."

"I don't have anyone to talk to about you anyway."

"Is your life that sad?" He blurted out. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. It's none of my business."

I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable at the reminder of how bleak my life was. "What is the next rule?"

"That would be all. Do you understand everything?"

"Pretend as if I don't exist unless you need me to host dinners or attend parties with you. I perfectly understand."

"Good. Let me show you to your bedroom. If we meet any of the maids, greet them as if you know them. No one knows Sasha ran away."

I nodded as I followed him out of the room, thinking of his numerous rules. What a pleasant marriage I'm about to have, I thought with sarcasm.