The Contract That Became Forever

TEN MINUTES

CHAPTER 2

The courthouse smelled like old paper and desperation.

Sophia stood in front of the judge in black slacks and a white blouse. She didn't own a dress. Ethan stood beside her in the same suit from yesterday.

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the judge asked, not looking up from his papers.

Sophia glanced sideways. Ethan's jaw was tight. He wasn't looking at her either. "I do."

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

A ring was pushed onto her finger. Platinum. Heavy. It felt like a handcuff.

"You are now husband and wife," the judge said. "You may kiss the bride."

Ethan didn't. He just nodded at the clerk. "We're done."

Ten minutes. That was their wedding.

Outside, a black SUV was waiting. The driver opened the door for Sophia. Ethan didn't get in.

"I have a meeting," he said. "Driver will take you to the house. Mrs. Hale will meet you there. Dinner is at 7."

"Will you be there?" Sophia asked.

Ethan paused. "Yes."

Then he walked away without looking back.

The Hart mansion was not a house. It was a statement.

Twelve bedrooms. Marble floors. A chandelier that probably cost more than her mom's hospital bill. Mrs. Hale, the housekeeper, was polite but distant.

"Mr. Hart prefers quiet," Mrs. Hale said as she showed Sophia to the guest room. "He doesn't have guests."

The guest room was beautiful and empty. No photos. No books. Just a bed, a dresser, and a view of a garden Sophia wasn't allowed to touch.

At 7 PM, Sophia was at the dining table. Alone. The table seated twelve.

Ethan walked in at 7:04. He'd changed into dark pants and a gray sweater. He looked less like a CEO and more like a man.

He sat at the head of the table. Three chairs between them.

They ate in silence. Salmon. Asparagus. Wine neither of them drank.

"How is your mother?" Ethan asked suddenly, staring at his plate.

"Stable," Sophia said. "Surgery is Friday. Thank you. For the check."

"Don't thank me," Ethan said. "It's in the contract. Section 4, clause 2."

Right. The contract.

After dinner, Sophia tried to carry her own plate to the kitchen. Mrs. Hale intercepted her immediately. "We have staff for that, dear."

Upstairs, Sophia lay in the king size bed and stared at the ceiling. The house was so quiet she could hear the air conditioning.

At home she could hear her mom coughing through the wall. Here, there was nothing.

She was married. And she had never felt more alone.