Contract written with tears and sorrow

Chapter 3

The morning light streamed through the sheer curtains, but it brought no warmth. My room in Jasper’s mansion felt colder than ever, a prison cloaked in luxury. I couldn’t shake the memory of his words—or lack thereof—from the previous night. His silence had been more terrifying than any direct threat.

Was he planning something? My thoughts churned as I prepared for the day, selecting for a modest top and skirt that didn’t scream for attention. Better to stay beneath his radar, at least for now.

As I stepped out of my room, I found Mrs. Darcy, the housekeeper, in the hallway. Her eyes shot toward me before swiftly lowering, as if simply acknowledging me was a risk.

“Good morning, Mrs. Darcy,” I greeted quietly, hoping for a glimmer of warmth.

She hesitated before responding, her voice a whisper. “Good morning, ma’am.”

Her reluctance stung. Was I really so untouchable? Or was it Jasper’s enormous presence that threw this smothering shade over everyone in the house?

A Chilling Breakfast

Downstairs, Jasper was already sat at the big dining table, his phone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. He hardly glanced up as I entered, his expression as chilly and uninviting as usual.

“Good morning,” I greeted, my voice timid.

“Morning,” he murmured without looking at me.

The hush that followed was stifling. I picked at my breakfast, my appetite nonexistent. Every sound—the clink of a fork against a dish, the rustle of his newspaper—seemed exaggerated in the quiet room.

The silence was finally broken by him. "Tonight, I have a business dinner. You'll come with me.

It was a demand, not a request.

I nodded and swallowed hard. "Obviously."

His gaze shifted to me, narrowing a little as though he was determining whether or not I would make him feel uncomfortable. Put on something classy. I have no time for amateur errors.

His comments instantly hurt, but I held my tongue. Retaliating will just exacerbate the situation.

The Dinner Party

By nightfall, my hair was fashioned in loose waves that framed my face, and I was wearing a sleek black gown. I could hardly recognize the polished visage that stared back at me in the mirror.

I muttered, "Perfect," trying to project a confidence I didn't have.

Jasper gave his unqualified consent right away. As I came down the stairs, his gaze swept over me, and for a brief instant I believed I saw something like satisfaction. However, it vanished just as swiftly as it had appeared.

Even the air at the fancy restaurant where the meal was hosted smelled costly. Jasper's business associates were slick and arrogant, and they used veiled praises and subtle digs in their interactions.

With an inauthentic smile, one of them remarked, "Ah, and this must be the new Mrs. Ildon."

I gave a forced smile and held out a hand. "Lila. I'm glad to have met you.

The man looked at Jasper and laughed. She is beautiful. A little quiet, though.

Unnoticeably, Jasper's hold around my waist tightened. With a cold tone, he remarked, "She knows when to speak and when to listen."

I felt like a doll—an object Jasper used to demonstrate his power. By the end of the evening, I was emotionally spent since my attempts to participate in the conversation were treated with courteous apathy.

Back at the mansion, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. My irritation boiled to the surface as soon as we entered, and I turned to Jasper.

"Why did you marry me at all?" I insisted.

With his back to me, he froze. His face was unreadable as he turned around at last. "Lila, we've gone through this. It's business.

"Business?" I said it again, raising my voice. "Are you aware of what it's like to be treated as though you are nothing at all?"

His jaw tensed, and for a split second, I believed he may say something important. Instead, he swept me aside with a dismissal that was as scathing as a slap.

He said icily, "I don't have time for your theatrics," and vanished into his study.

I was shaking with heartbreak and rage as I stood there. I was only a pawn in the eyes of the man who was in control of my life.

A Forbidden Door

I couldn't sleep that night. Each of Jasper's words pierced my mind more deeply than the one before it.

I found myself exploring the mansion's endless hallways, driven by a restless need for answers. My footsteps brought me to a solid oak door with a heavy brass handle that I had never seen before.

Desperation and curiosity drove me on. I was surprised to find that it opened when I tried the handle.

With file cabinets and document shelves lining the walls, the interior of the room was sterile and frigid. In the middle was a single desk, its surface covered in papers.

Even though I was hesitant, I had to go inside. My fingers touched the edge of a "Confidential" folder. I opened it against my better judgment.

What I saw made my blood run cold. Contracts, bank data, and—my name. My image was attached to a document describing the details of our marriage, but there was more. Notes about my father’s debts, my mother’s illness, and even the eviction notice.

He’d known everything. Every terrible part of my life had been laid naked, examined, and used to exploit me.

“Find what you were looking for?”

His voice slashed through the air, piercing and unforgiving. I whirled around, clutching the packet to my chest.

Jasper stood in the doorway, his gaze gloomy and impenetrable.

“I... I just—”

“You just what?” he demanded, coming closer. “Thought you’d dig through my private files?”

I couldn't move because of the intensity in his eyes. I was having trouble finding the right words to explain myself, and my heart was racing.

With a shaky voice, I eventually responded, "I deserve to know the truth."

Jasper's laugh sounded empty and icy. "The reality? In actuality, Lila, you're in over your head. You are unaware of the situation you have found yourself in.

I could feel the heat coming from him as he took a step closer. His eyes pierced mine with a mixture of rage and an unknown, perhaps harmful substance.

His voice was low and menacing as he muttered, "You want to play games?" "All right. However, don't even consider yourself a winner.

I was shaken and more unsure than ever after Jasper turned and walked away, his words lingering in the air. My head was full of questions as I gripped the folder. What had I really committed to? What more was Jasper concealing?