Chapter 5: The First Day as Mrs. Trystan
1224 Words
Layla’s heart was pounding as she made her way to Trystan’s luxurious penthouse, which would soon become her new home. By her side, Patrick stood loyally by her side after picking her up from her home in Boston.
“Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Trystan,” Patrick said as he opened the door. Layla merely smiled faintly. She entered awkwardly.
Inside, Trystan was already seated in the living room, his legs stretched out on the marble table, twirling a pen in his hand.
“Finally, Mrs. Trystan has arrived,” he said casually, tossing a document onto the table in front of Layla.
“What is this?” Layla picked up the document and examined its contents. “A marriage agreement,” Layla exclaimed in surprise.
“Yup. Just a precaution. To ensure this fake relationship runs smoothly.”
Layla snorted in annoyance, then glanced at the first page. There were several rules listed there, such as no sharing a room, no bringing strangers home, no intimate activities except for publication purposes, no interfering with each other’s personal schedules, and a bold red prohibition against falling in love.
Layla blinked. “Wow. This is what it’s like dealing with a businessman. There’s nothing better than cooperation.”
Trystan raised an eyebrow. “Just making sure there’s no unnecessary drama between us. Everything must be done professionally. I need your status as my wife and your family to receive money from my father. Just enough!”
Without saying much, Layla took a pen. She wrote one sentence below the contract. Then she signed it before handing it back to Trystan.
“After three years, this marriage must end amicably. You may divorce me to maintain your reputation. The reason doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”
Trystan immediately glared at her sharply.
“Divorce?” Trystan had suspected this from the start, but for some reason, his heart ached upon hearing it now.
Layla nodded firmly.
“Yes. I’ll leave after that. Because I still want to marry someday. With someone who truly loves me, of course.”
Trystan laughed briefly. One eyebrow raised high.
“Good luck with that. A sincere guy is like a unicorn. Not real.
And even if there is one… trust me, he’s not as rich as me.”
Layla looked at him. Straight and calm.
“Trystan, I don’t need wealth. I can start everything from scratch… as long as he can love me and accept all my circumstances.”
Trystan stopped laughing.
His expression changed instantly. His face was curious. But as well... like something was piercing his heart.
“Circumstances? Do you mean... you have an illness or a problem–?”
Layla only smiled faintly, then stood up and straightened her clothes.
“I’ll only tell someone who loves me. Not someone who just needs me to fix their reputation.”
Trystan froze. There was a strange feeling of disappointment within him. A sadness he didn’t understand. Soon Patrick emerged from the guest room.
“Your room is ready, Madam.”
“Thank you,” Layla replied briefly. Then she pulled her small suitcase into the room. Meanwhile, Trystan could only glare at Layla’s back in frustration.
“Look at her! She’s only been my wife for a few moments, but her attitude is already over the top.”
“Women are stubborn, sir. But if you want to, you can soften her heart.” Patrick stammered when he saw Trystan’s annoyed expression at his words. “Sir. The documents you requested are ready in your office.” He quickly changed the subject.
“Good. I’ll check them soon.” Trystan walked away. His face looked calmer than before, so Patrick could breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, in the room, Layla felt awkward yet relieved. She placed her suitcase down carelessly. This place is nice, very nice even. But it feels foreign and empty.
“I always wanted to leave Meghan’s house. But now that I’ve succeeded, I can’t take Eliza with me,” Layla murmured sadly. Then she took her phone out of her jacket pocket.
“Eliza. Forgive me, mommy.” Layla wiped the image of her child on the phone screen.
****
Layla slowly opened her eyes. Still half-conscious, she reflexively rubbed her eyes, trying to piece together her memories of what had happened earlier. But before her mind could fully recall anything, her heart jumped in surprise.
Standing before her was a woman in a super neat black-and-white uniform. Her hair was neatly tied back, her face calm, and her expression suggested she had been waiting for Layla to wake up all along.
“Good morning, Miss Layla,” the woman said in a soft yet firm voice. “I am Elena, your personal attendant. I will assist you with all your needs during your stay in this penthouse.”
Layla could only stare blankly for a moment, torn between admiration and confusion. Oh my gosh, a personal assistant? She wasn’t a celebrity or an important person. Was this necessary? Layla wondered to herself.
“Oh… um… good morning too?” Layla finally replied, still half-hesitant. Sitting slowly on the soft bed, she looked around awkwardly. She wasn’t used to the spacious room, which was almost four times the size of her old room.
“Elena,” Layla repeated her name softly. “Do you work for Trystan?”
Elena nodded politely. “Yes, Mr. Trystan left early this morning for a business trip abroad. He’ll be back in three days.”
“Oh…” Layla nodded softly and took a breath.
Hearing that, she felt somewhat relieved. There was no sense of loss or disappointment. Perhaps because she simply didn’t care much. As they had agreed in their marriage contract yesterday, they were not supposed to interfere in each other’s affairs. And fortunately, this opportunity could be used by Layla to visit Eliza.
She was just about to get out of bed when Elena handed her a small, elegant black card that shone.
“And one more thing, Miss. Mr. Trystan left this. An unlimited credit card that you can use to buy anything you want. He said, ‘so you can have a little fun.’”
Layla was speechless.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“An unlimited card?”
Elena just smiled slightly. “Yes. This card is only given to certain people. Including Mr. Trystan.”
Layla remained silent. Her hands automatically held the card, but her mind couldn’t process it. This… this wasn’t an ordinary card. It was a card only owned by people whose money was like beach sand—uncountable.
She could buy branded bags, shoes, diamonds, even a private island. Just name it, and it could be granted. But Layla only smiled slightly. She wasn’t the type of girl who liked to waste money on unnecessary things.
Because of all the luxurious items she could buy, she suddenly remembered one thing. Something Eliza had wanted for a long time.
She clenched the card gently, a smile still lingering on her lips.
“I think I know what I want to buy first,” she whispered. “I’ll spend this money on myself. Stay here until I return.”
“But… Miss–” Layla had already left before Elena could finish her sentence.
- Writer
