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Matthias

I can see my plan working. Margot’s accepting me. Accepting our life here. She doesn’t see the shift in herself, but I do.

My spitfire hesitates longer each morning before pushing me off. She leans into my touches now. She even seeks me out during the day and greets me with smiles so bright, they warm my goddamn heart.

There’s no more animosity in her eyes when they land on me. Sometimes, if I look close enough, I swear there’s something else. Something softer. Something closer to a tenderness I don’t deserve, but I’ll take it anyway.

It happens in the small moments. When we’re laughing. When I compliment her. When she watches me treat Benny sweetly.

She’s forgetting life outside of these walls. She doesn’t realize it yet, but I do. She’s comfortable here. She has everything she could ever want.

And that’s by design .

Dotty’s observing her in person. I observe her on my cameras.

Anytime she mentions she wants something, it appears.

A new book? Sitting in the library by morning.

A favorite snack? Stocked in the kitchen by the next day.

A softer blanket? One shows up in the movie room that evening.

She hasn’t noticed. Or maybe she’s choosing not to.

With every day that passes, I can feel her defenses crumbling. Soon, she’ll abandon the farce altogether. Soon she’ll give in to me. Give in to us.

I’m looking forward to that day.

Margot’s not the only one affected. I’m not immune to our newfound relationship.

I used to love my work. Now, I count down the minutes until I see her.

I used to focus. Now, I’m distracted by thoughts of her, which are only relieved by watching her on my security feed.

I never used to work from home. Now, I only leave for mandatory meetings.

My office at work has been all but abandoned.

Everything has been transferred to the one here.

Even my brothers have noticed. All three have reached out separately. My mother is concerned I’m depressed. She couldn’t be more wrong. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.

Margot’s the best part of my day. Waking up on top of her grounds me. Ending the day with our nighttime routine gives me something I never thought I’d crave: a domestic life.

A life with Margot as my wife.

Every moment I spend with her brings me closer to the edge.

And now?

I fear I’m at risk of falling for her.

It’s not about her silence. It hasn’t been for a long time.

I’m not sure it ever truly was .

It’s not even about her body, as much of a temptation as it is.

It’s her.

Margot .

All of her.

I need her to be mine. In every way a woman can belong to a man.

Margot will be Mrs. Matthias Montclair.