Page 15 of Omega's Formula

Sara’s lips twitch. For a second, I think she might actually smile, then her professional mask slides back into place.

“We’ll need witnesses, of course. The Bureau requires at least two. Will you be bringing any guests?”

“No.”

She looks up from her tablet. “No family? Friends?”

“I’m sure Mr. Nilsson can provide the required witnesses.” I keep my voice flat, uninterested. “I don’t want anyone I care about anywhere near this circus.”

The truth is more complicated than that. Ellie still doesn’t know about any of this. She’ll be furious to learn that I’m selling myself to the man who helped destroy my career just to pay for her medical bills. And I intend to keep it that way for as long as possible.

She’d refuse. She’d insist on finding another way, even though there isn’t one. She doesn’t need that now. Her only job is getting better.

Besides, this is my choice.

“Alright.” Sara makes a note on her tablet. “Now, let’s discuss what you want out of this arrangement.”

“Ellie’s treatment. Fully covered, for life. Everything—specialists, medications, procedures, ongoing care, whatever she needs.” I lean forward, holding her gaze. “And complete confidentiality. She doesn’t know about this, and I want it to stay that way.”

“That can be arranged.” She’s typing as I speak, fingers flying over the screen. “What else?”

“Nothing else. I have no intention of living with Erik, having sex with him, or spending any more time with him than absolutely necessary. Contact must be minimal.”

Sara pauses her typing, looking at me with an expression I can’t quite read. “You understand that the Bureau has certain... expectations regarding prime matches?”

“I understand that forced cohabitation is illegal. I also understand that the Bureau can’t actually compel me to consummate anything.” I smile thinly. “I read the news.”

Something shifts in her expression and her lips turn up the corners. She’s amused by this whole thing for some godforsaken reason. “You’re referring to the Torres-Thorndike case. Yes, they can’t forcibly remove you and make you two spend time together but that doesn’t mean they’re toothless.”

I fold my arms. “I’m not living with him. I’m not having sex with him.” Even if the thought of it has been consuming my every waking moment for days.

“We’ve got a contingency plan,” she says. “Mr Nilsson is prepared to provide you with a separate apartment for the duration of the marriage. One year minimum, after which either party can file for divorce.”

“Separate?”

“The apartment lease will be in both your names and it’s where you will ‘live’ together,” she says using her fingers to make air quotes. “Technically, Erik will have the right to enter when necessary–”

A free apartment for a year doesn’t sound so bad. Nilsson being able to enter whenever he feels like it doesn’t.

“No right to enter.”

She holds up her hands. “Sorry, we need to keep that in. The Bureau is going to be watching closely. They may do spot inspections. Mr Nilsson will not enter unless it is to enable the pretense of the marriage. Otherwise, he will stay away.”

I want to argue but this is better than I was expecting. All we need to do is pretend to be unhappily married any time the Bureau checks in on us. If they never check in, I’ll never see him.

I nod slowly. “That’s fine.”

“He will also keep clothing and personal items at the apartment. You’ll be required to ensure evidence of co-habitation as far as is reasonably possible. If you have a glass of wine, make sure there are two glasses on the dish rack when you’re done. Don’t remove his toiletries from the bathroom or his clothes from the hamper. That kind of thing.”

“But he’s not going to be there.” She’s already said but I need to be sure.

“Essentially, yes.” She meets my gaze steadily. “Mr. Nilsson has no intention of interrupting you while you’re there, but the doorman will be monitoring for Bureau visitors. As soon as anyone arrives, he’ll come over and play happy families with you for the duration of their visit.”

Play happy families. I imagine us sitting together on the sofa holding hands while a Bureau official sips tea and asks us intrusive questions. I wonder if I should ask for a list of personal preferences and habits in case they ask.

Instead I just say, “That’s fine with me.”

“Upon dissolution of the marriage, you’ll receive a modest settlement contingent on signing a non-disclosure agreement.”