Contract written with tears and sorrow

Chapter 4

The following morning arrived like an unwelcome intruder, bringing with it an awful heaviness. My experience with Jasper the night before ran in my head in a relentless loop. His words, his gaze—everything about the situation had left me raw and shaky. I sat by the window, peering out over the wide estate that surrounding the mansion, but the beauty of the landscape brought little comfort.

I grabbed the folder tightly. I’d hidden it under my mattress after he stormed off, unable to bring myself to return it to his office. The documents within weren’t just records; they were proof of how cunning and manipulative Jasper was. It wasn’t just a commercial deal for him—it was a meticulously crafted trap.

“Why me?” I whispered to the empty room. “Why am I the one who has to endure this?”

My mother’s face flashed in my mind, fragile and pale, and I forced the tears back. I couldn’t afford to break apart. Not now.

The tension between Jasper and me had reached a boiling point, and I knew avoiding him was no longer an option. I found him in the dining room, sipping his coffee as though he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Jasper,” I began, my voice trembling despite my attempt at strength.

He looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking upon mine. “What is it, Lila?”

I hesitated, holding the edge of the chair in front of me. “I found the folder. I saw everything.”

For a moment, his expression didn’t change. Then he laid his cup down slowly, the porcelain clinking on the saucer. “And?”

“And?” I repeated, shocked. “That’s all you have to say? You twisted me, used my pain to lock me in this... this sham of a marriage!”

His eyes hardened, and he rose from his seat, towering above me. “Be careful, Lila. You’re treading on thin ice.”

“No, Jasper,” I snapped, stunning even myself with the power of my voice. “You don’t get to intimidate me anymore. I want to know why you did this. What could you possible gain from making me suffer?”

He leaned forward, his face inches from mine. “You think this is about you? Don’t flatter yourself. You were a means to an aim, nothing more.”

The comments cut deep, but I refused to let him see how much they hurt. I straightened my spine, meeting his look head-on. “You’ll regret this, Jasper. One day, you’ll look back and realize what you lost.”

He smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’ll see.”

Despite his frigid appearance, I couldn’t ignore the impression that Jasper wasn’t as impervious as he appeared to be. That night, as I walked the mansion in quest of some kind of quiet, I found myself outside his study again. This time, the door was ajar, and I could hear his voice—low and strained.

“You don’t understand,” he was saying, his tone tinged with irritation. “I had no choice.”

Who was he talking to? I glanced through the gap in the door, catching a sight of him pacing the room, his phone clamped to his ear. His typical serenity was gone, replaced by something raw and unsettling.

“Yes, I know,” he added, raking a hand through his hair. “But it’s not that simple. She’s... she’s not what I expected.”

My heart skipped a beat. Was he talking about me?

Before I could grasp what I’d heard, the floorboard cracked beneath my weight, and his head sprang up.

“Lila,” he murmured, his voice sharp. “What are you doing here?”

“I... I was just—”

“Spying?” he continued for me, his tone chilly again. He strode out of the study, closing the door firmly behind him. “You’re making a habit of this.”

“I wasn’t spying,” I protested, but the words felt hollow. “I just... I heard your voice and—”

“And you thought it was your business?” he interrupted, his blue eyes searing into mine.

I wanted to disagree, to push back, but the weight of his look hushed me. Without further word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, perplexed and shaken.

The days blurred together, each one heavier than the last. Jasper’s moods were as unpredictable as a storm, and I felt like I was constantly bracing for hit.

Then came the night of the gala—a lavish gathering held by one of Jasper’s business colleagues. He insisted I accompany him, his words tight and his demeanor unreadable.

The location was breathtaking, a large ballroom filled with crystal chandeliers and gilded accents. But the atmosphere was overpowering. The looks, the whispers—it felt as though everyone was watching, waiting for me to fail.

Jasper stayed by my side, his hand resting possessively on my lower back. To the outside world, we could have appeared like the perfect pair. But I knew better.

As the night drew on, I found myself gravitating toward the balcony, longing for fresh air. The cool breeze was a pleasant respite, and for a moment, I allowed myself to rest.

“Running away already?”

I turned to find Jasper leaning against the doorframe, a glass of champagne in his hand.

“I needed a break,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stepped closer, his gaze unreadable. “You’re not cut out for this world, are you?”

“Maybe not,” I responded, addressing his eyes. “But I didn’t have a choice, did I?”

For a minute, something flared in his expression—something nearly human. But it was gone as swiftly as it emerged.

“Stay out here too long,” he continued, his tone reverting to its customary coldness, “and people will start to talk.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me alone under the starlit sky.

The night ended in catastrophe. As we exited the gala, the whispers and side stares followed us like ghosts. Jasper’s grip on my arm was harder than normal, his jaw set in barely repressed wrath.

“What were you thinking?” he snapped as soon as we were in the car.

“What do you mean?” I questioned, my voice quivering.

“You looked pathetic out there,” he added, his words hurting like razors. “Do you know how many people were watching? Judging me because of you?”

Tears pinched at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “I’m doing the best I can, Jasper. If that’s not enough, then maybe you should have chosen someone else.”

“Maybe I should have,” he whispered, diverting his gaze to the window.

The ride home was silent, the air between us dense with anxiety.

A Dark Revelation

When we arrived at the mansion, I walked straight to my room, locked the door behind me. My chest felt tight, and my hands shook as I grasped the edge of the dresser.

I couldn’t do this anymore. I couldn’t keep living like this—trapped in a marriage that was nothing more than a cruel game.

As I paced the room, my mind racing, a tap at the door shocked me.

“Lila,” Jasper’s voice called from the other side.

I hesitated, my heart hammering. “What do you want?”

“Open the door,” he demanded.

I didn’t move.

“Lila,” he began again, his tone stronger this time. “I’m not asking.”

Reluctantly, I unlocked the door, standing back as he pushed it open.

“We need to talk,” he continued, his attitude serious.

“I have nothing to say to you,” I answered, crossing my arms.

“You might want to reconsider,” he added, stepping closer. “Because what I have to say will change everything.”

Jasper’s comments hung in the air like a thundercloud, leaving me rooted in place. Whatever he was about to tell, I knew it would shatter the fragile balance of our lives.