MARRIAGE CONTRACT

CHAPTER 2

Brooklyn’s POV

“This is your room, ma’am,” Jane said softly as she opened the door for me.

“Alright… thank you,” I replied calmly, even though my eyes were still filled with tears.

“In case you need anything, you can call me anytime,” she added with a smile.

“Yeah… sure,” I said, forcing a small smile back at her.

She quietly closed the door behind her.

The moment I was alone, I sat on the bed and burst into tears again.

“In just one day, this already feels like hell,” I whispered, looking around the room.

The room was beautiful, modern, classy, perfectly arranged. Everything looked expensive.

All my life, I had never stepped into a room this luxurious before.

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

Then my phone started ringing.

Dad.

I quickly wiped my face and answered.

“Hello, Dad,” I said, trying to sound steady.

“Hello, my dear,” he replied softly. “Your mom wants to speak with you.”

Immediately, I heard my mom’s weak voice from the other end.

“Hello, Brooklyn.”

“Mom,” I said quickly, sitting up straight. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” she replied calmly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… yeah, of course,” I stammered, wiping more tears from my face.

There was a brief silence before she spoke again.

“Thank you so much for the sacrifice you’ve made for this family. We’re grateful.”

My chest tightened instantly.

“It’s nothing, Mom,” I said softly. “Anything for you and Dad.”

“Alright… bye for now.”

“Bye.”

The call ended.

And immediately, the emotions hit me again.

I laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as tears slipped silently into my hair.

At some point…I fell asleep.

Minutes later, I found myself inside a huge conference room.

Everyone around the table stood respectfully as I walked in.

I was seated at the head of the table, as the boss.

People presented projects one after another while I listened confidently, dressed in a crisp white designer suit.

I looked powerful, successful, and important.

Some presentations, I approved with a nod.

Others, I rejected without hesitation.

The meeting finally ended, and I stood up confidently before walking out of the room.

Security guards surrounded me immediately.

Then I saw Brian.

He smiled at me as he walked closer.

And somehow… I smiled back.

He pulled me into a hug, and just as we were about to kiss…

I suddenly jerked awake.

I sat up immediately, breathing hard.

It was just a dream.

For some strange reason, I found myself smiling a little.

Then I noticed sunlight pouring into the room, it was morning already.

I still felt slightly dizzy when a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” I said.

The door opened, and Jane stepped inside.

“Good morning, ma’am,” she said politely. “What would you like for breakfast?”

“Um… anything is fine,” I replied.

“No, ma’am,” she said with a light smile. “You have to choose something. I can give you options.”

“Okay,” I said quietly. “What are the options?”

“Well, we have pancakes with maple syrup, waffles and eggs, bacon and toast, bagels with cream cheese, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit parfait, and coffee or orange juice.”

I stared at her for a moment.

“I’ll go with pancakes and coffee.”

“Alright, ma’am,” she said with a smile before turning and leaving the room.

I stood up from the bed and walked into the bathroom.

The bathroom was huge, cozy, and beautifully designed. A classy bathtub sat at the center, making the entire place feel like something out of a luxury magazine.

I slowly took off my clothes and stepped into the bath.

A few minutes later, I was done. I brushed my teeth, wrapped a towel around my body, and stepped out.

Boom!, The door suddenly opened.

Brian stepped in.

Since yesterday, I hadn’t set my eyes on him again.

“Good morning,” I said immediately.

He walked in dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, looking as calm and untouchable as ever.

After a long silence, he finally responded.

“Morning.”

Then he threw a small book toward me.

I caught it quickly.

“That contains the rules and regulations you’re expected to follow in this house,” he said coldly. “Read it and make sure you understand.”

And just like that, he walked out without even waiting for me to say a word.

“What?” I muttered, staring at the book.

I opened it immediately.

The first line made my eyes widen.

Do not leave your room without any valid reason. Do not leave the mansion without a valid reason and approval from Mr. Brian Damson.

“Is this some kind of cage or something?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

I sat on the bed, still staring at the book.

He couldn’t possibly be serious.

Right?

A knock sounded on the door.

“Ma’am, your food is ready,” Jane’s voice came from outside.

“Oh… okay. I’m coming downstairs,” I replied.

I dropped the book and walked toward the large wardrobe.

The moment I opened it, my eyes widened.

It was filled with clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, wigs, everything.

I scanned through them carefully, searching for something simple to wear.

Finally, I picked out a simple green dress.

After getting dressed, I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress fit perfectly.

My hair still looked messy, so I quickly combed it and packed it up.

Then I headed downstairs.

Mrs. Helen Damson was already seated at the dining table eating breakfast.

I pulled out a chair gently.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I greeted politely.

She looked at me without saying a word.

Just as I was about to sit…

“Hey!”

I froze immediately.

“What exactly are you wearing?” she asked, staring at me in disgust.

“A dress,” I answered calmly.

She let out a dry chuckle.

“Oh please. Why would you wear something like that?” Her expression darkened. “Wait… did you actually bring any cheap clothes into this house?”

“No, I…”

“Shut your mouth.”

I immediately went quiet.

“Now go upstairs and change into something presentable. We don’t dress like paupers here.”

She returned to her food like I wasn’t even standing there.

Without saying another word, I turned around and went back upstairs.

The moment I entered my room, I sat down on the bed, exhausted.

I already knew this place was a cage.

The worst part was that I couldn't leave, I had nowhere else to go.

The room telephone suddenly rang.

“Ma’am, I can bring your food upstairs if you don’t mind,” Jane said softly.

“I’m not hungry,” I replied coldly.

“But ma’am…”

“Bye.”

I hung up and laid back on the bed.

***

I slept almost the entire day.

I refused to eat anything until evening, when Jane practically forced me to have dinner after bringing the food to my room.

“Thank you,” I said quietly after eating.

She smiled warmly before carrying the tray away.

A few minutes later, there was another knock on the door.

“That must be Jane,” I murmured.

I quickly walked over and opened it.

But it wasn’t Jane.

It was Brian.

He stood outside shirtless, wearing only a pair of black pants.

Without waiting for permission, he stepped into the room.

“Hey, wifey,” he said with a dangerous smile.

Then he locked the door himself.

My heart skipped instantly.

“Let’s have some fun,” he said, grabbing my waist.

I quickly pushed him away.

“No… not today.”

I looked away nervously.

“What?” He frowned slightly. “You’re joking, right?”

He stepped closer.

“I gave you time to enjoy yourself yesterday. Today, you start doing exactly what you came here for.” His voice dropped. “Let’s start making babies.”

“No, I don’t…”

“Shh.”

He covered my mouth gently.

“You’ll enjoy it,” he said with a small smile.

I quickly pulled his hand away.

“No… please leave.” My voice shook slightly. “I can’t see myself sleeping with a man I don’t love. This isn’t what I want. This isn’t the life I planned for myself.”

“And who said I loved you?” he shot back coldly. “I only married you to help your pathetic family. Besides, you were the best option my mother suggested.”

His jaw tightened.

“If you think about it, you’re gaining from this too.” He looked around the room. “You get to live in luxury your parents could never provide for you.”

“You should be grateful.”

Before I could respond, he pushed me hard onto the bed.

My heart pounded wildly.

“Now,” he said firmly, “I want you. So I’ll have you.”

“No!” I screamed as he grabbed at my clothes.