The Cold Heir's Contract Wife

005

In the guest room, Harper sat on the edge of the bed, watching Jesslyn, who had fallen asleep. The little girl still clutched the hem of Harper's clothes tightly, even in her sleep. It was as if she were plagued by a profound fear that Harper would simply vanish the moment her eyes opened again.

Harper gently stroked Jesslyn’s hair, then let out a long breath. Today felt excessively exhausting; within a matter of hours, the wheels of fate in their lives had turned completely.

Jesslyn had found her biological father, but Harper could not yet be sure if this reality would bring happiness or serve as a gateway to new problems. A soft knock on the door broke Harper's reverie. She turned and found Darian standing in the doorway.

"Am I disturbing you?" the man asked in a low voice.

Harper hesitated for a moment before giving a small shake of her head. "No."

Darian stepped inside with slow movements, then stopped right near the bed. His gaze fell instantly onto Jesslyn’s tiny fingers, which were still gripping Harper’s clothes. The child didn't even realize that her grip tightened automatically every time Harper moved even slightly.

"She is truly afraid of losing you," Darian said softly.

Harper offered a thin smile laden with sorrow. "Jesslyn has felt alone for far too long in her life."

Silence crept between them for a few moments.

"There is something I want to talk about," Darian said then.

Harper glanced at Jesslyn for a second before standing up very carefully, trying to release the small fingers holding her shirt. Jesslyn had moved restlessly in her sleep, causing Harper to reflexively freeze. After ensuring the little girl was calm and asleep again, Harper finally stepped out of the room, following behind Darian.

They stopped on a small balcony located at the end of the upper-floor corridor. The night breeze that blew instantly bit into their skin, carrying a thick, icy chill.

Several seconds passed without anyone speaking.

Harper finally chose to open the conversation first. "I have thought about everything."

Darian looked at her straight on, waiting for the continuation of that sentence in silence.

"After all the business here is finished... I am going to take Jesslyn and leave."

Darian’s rebuttal came too quickly, cutting off Harper’s sentence without hesitation. "No."

Harper instantly stared at him with a flash of evident annoyance. "I haven't finished speaking, Darian."

"And I haven't finished being her father."

The atmosphere on the balcony suddenly tightened. Darian rubbed the back of his neck gently, trying to suppress his own emotions before speaking again with a lower intonation.

"I just found her now. I don't even know what her favorite food is."

That honest admission instantly silenced Harper. For the first time, Darian did not sound like the powerful man who always held complete control over every situation around him.

"I have not the slightest intention of keeping Jesslyn away from you," Harper said in a softening tone. "You can see her whenever you want."

"That is not the kind of relationship I want."

"Then what?" Harper began to be overcome by frustration. "Jesslyn has lived with me for these past five years. I cannot suddenly pack my bags and leave her just like that with a stranger."

Darian locked his gaze onto Harper’s eyes for a few seconds before responding, "I never asked you to leave, either."

Harper was stunned again. She actually understood the direction of Darian’s conversation, and it was precisely that understanding that made this entire situation feel many times more complicated for her.

"I just don't want to see Jesslyn hurt again," Harper whispered softly, averting her eyes to the balcony floor. "Your mother... clearly does not like my presence here."

Darian leaned his back against the balcony railing casually. "Mother is just not yet accustomed to this sudden situation."

Harper let out a short, humorless laugh. "From where I hear it, that means the same thing."

Darian offered no rebuttal, for he knew Harper was not wrong in assessing the situation. Rosalie would indeed not accept their presence with open arms just like that. As long as Harper’s status within this mansion remained unclear, the pressure coming from the great Vane family would only grow larger and more cornering.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, Jesslyn couldn't even close her eyes in peace without Harper’s presence by her side.

Darian exhaled slowly before finally saying, "There is one way that can make all of this much easier."

Harper raised one eyebrow, suspicious. "What?"

Darian was silent for a few seconds, as if re-weighing the gravity of the sentence he was about to utter. Until finally, he spoke—"Marry me."

Harper’s body instantly froze. "What?"

"A contract marriage," Darian kept his tone sounding calm and rational. "At least until our entire situation and position are stable."

Harper looked at the man before her in disbelief. "Are you crazy? Are you serious?"

"Mother thinks you are Jesslyn’s biological mother," Darian met Harper’s gaze with a firm intensity in his eyes. "And for now, it is far safer if everyone out there continues to believe that assumption."

Harper shook her head quickly. "No. I do not want to be involved any further in the whirlpool of the Vane family’s problems."

"You have been involved since Jesslyn’s feet stepped into this house."

Harper instantly lost the words to refute him.

Darian stepped one step closer, continuing his argument. "If we are legally married, there will not be a single person who has the legal power to separate you from Jesslyn." Silence descended between them once more. "I know... Jesslyn will definitely always choose you," he added in a low voice.

That sentence struck hard, making Harper’s chest feel tight, because she knew exactly the truth behind it.

"Marriage is not a game that you can arrange however you like," Harper whispered with a trembling voice.

"I know."

"But to you, all of this sounds like a cold business decision."

Darian was silent for a few moments, looking straight into the distance. "Perhaps because I am indeed not accustomed to explaining things in a way like this."

Harper was slightly surprised to hear the honest confession that slipped from the man’s lips.

"I just..." Darian paused for a moment, "I don't want Jesslyn to feel like she has lost a home and a place to belong for the umpteenth time."

The night breeze blew gently again, fluttering the edges of their clothes. For the first time, Harper learned something about Darian that was different from the rumors circulating in society—cold, firm, frightening. Harper understood that Darian would act as necessary, depending on the atmosphere.

"I will never be willing to be a Vane family puppet," Harper stated finally, setting a firm boundary.

"You will never become that."

"And I also refuse to see Jesslyn treated like a burden or a disgrace to your family."

"That will never happen, as long as I am still here."

"And your mother—"

"I will take care of and deal with Mother." Darian’s answer this time sounded absolute, without a gap.

Harper looked at Darian for quite a while, trying to read the remaining traces of doubt on the man’s face. Darian was indeed still a figure who was too difficult to predict, but at least now Harper held one certainty—Darian was deeply serious about Jesslyn’s future.

"I need time to think," Harper said softly, trying to be rational.

Darian nodded understandingly. "I am not asking you to give an answer this very second."

The man had just been about to turn his body to walk away when a small, familiar voice sounded from the balcony door.

"Harper... Mom...?"

Harper turned her body quickly. Jesslyn stood in the doorway clutching her teddy bear. Her hair looked a bit messy, typical of someone who had just woken up. Her eyes radiated evident panic upon finding her side of the bed empty.

Harper hurriedly stepped over and crouched before her. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm here."

"Mom...?" Darian thought confusedly.

Jesslyn immediately rushed forward, wrapping her tiny arms tightly around Harper’s neck. A few seconds later, the little girl looked up slowly, glancing toward Darian who stood not far from them.

"Uncle..." her voice sounded hoarse and raspy from sleepiness. "we... we aren't leaving, are we? Harper won't leave Jesslyn, she is my mom now."

The atmosphere on the balcony suddenly fell dead silent.

Harper closed her eyes tightly for one second. All her lumps of worry about the Vane family, Rosalie’s intimidation, and the uncertainty of the future suddenly evaporated, dwarfed by the immense fear implied in her niece’s innocent question.

Jesslyn was terrified of being abandoned, and Harper would never be able to bear seeing those tears fall again.

Harper gently stroked the little girl’s hair with affection, then slowly turned her head, looking straight at Darian.

"I will do it."

Darian looked stunned for a moment, not expecting that decision would be made this quickly.

Harper took a long breath, steadying her heart before continuing. "That contract marriage... I agree to it."