Episod.20
614 Words
Chapter 20: The Hidden Clause
Rose and Alexander sat at the dining table, the wedding contract spread between them.
Neither spoke for several seconds.
“The missing page is in the contract,” Rose said.
Alexander nodded.
“I don't remember seeing anything unusual.”
“Then let's read every word.”
They went through the pages carefully.
Most of the contract contained the same rules they had already discussed.
One year.
Separate rooms.
No public arguments.
No discussing the private terms of the agreement.
And the first rule:
No falling in love.
Rose open to the next page.
“Wait.”
Alexander leaned closer.
“What?”
“There are two pages numbered twelve.”
He took the contract from her.
The first page twelve looked normal.
The second was slightly thicker.
Alexander held it toward the light.
“There's something underneath.”
Rose looked at him.
“What?”
He carefully separated the pages.
A thin sheet had been hidden inside.
Rose's eyes widened.
“The missing page.”
Alexander pulled it out.
At the top was a heading:
CONFIDENTIAL ADDENDUM
Rose began reading.
The document explained that the marriage between Alexander and Rose had another purpose.
It was meant to bring two families connected by an old business dispute back into contact.
Rose looked at Alexander.
“So our marriage was planned.”
“Yes.”
“But by whom?”
Alexander continued reading.
At the bottom of the page was a signature.
His father's.
Rose's expression changed.
“Your father planned all of this.”
Alexander stared at the signature.
“I didn't know.”
Rose shook her head.
“But there is something else.”
She pointed to another paragraph.
Alexander read it.
His face went pale.
The addendum stated that if Rose and Alexander discovered the truth about the missing company records, they were to take the documents to a specific lawyer.
“Why would my father want us to find this?” Alexander asked.
Rose looked at the final line.
“Maybe he wanted us to finish what our fathers started.”
Suddenly, the front door opened.
Both of them stopped
“Alexander?”
It was his father's voice.
Alexander stood.
“Dad?”
His father walked into the room.
His eyes immediately went to the contract.
“You found it.”
Rose stood beside Alexander.
“You knew.”
His father sighed.
“Yes.”
Alexander's voice hardened.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I wasn't sure who could be trusted.”
Rose stepped forward.
“And my father?”
His father looked at her.
“Your father was trying to protect you.”
“Then why did he disappear?”
Silence filled the room.
Finally, Alexander's father answered.
“He didn't disappear.”
Rose's eyes widened.
“What?”
“He left the city voluntarily.”
Alexander stared at his father.
“Why?”
“Because someone threatened him.”
Rose's voice trembled.
“Who?”
His father looked at the contract.
“That's what your fathers were trying to discover.”
Before anyone could say another word, a loud knock came from the front door.
Alexander looked toward the hallway.
His father whispered,
“Don't open it.”
Another knock came.
Then a voice called from outside.
“Alexander, it's Daniel.”
Alexander's father immediately looked worried.
“Whatever you do, don't let him inside.”
Rose looked at Alexander.
“Why?”
His father answered quietly.
“Because Daniel isn't the person you should be afraid of.”
The ligh
ts suddenly went out.
And in the darkness, Rose heard someone whisper behind her:
“Your father is alive.”
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