Until Forever Wasn't Temporary

Chapter 9—A Marriage Contract

Adriana woke up feeling unease in her heart, knowing that Daniel and Elena were just like mushrooms popping out of nowhere.

She was scared to even imagine that they were everywhere.

Her biggest worry is that they might soon appear in her workplace, which she cannot allow, but she needs to head on and prepare for work.

The roses Mr. Vescari has given her are still blooming in her apartment. Every time she looked at them, her mood became happier. Also, thinking about Theo makes her delighted.

Adriana is right now on the precipice of making a decision she hopes she will not regret. At this point, being secure and safe is her top priority.

Redwood School classes have begun; every student is happily engaging.

“Ms. Adriana”

Theo called Adriana to show her drawing.

“What is that, Theo?”

Theo showed her a picture of three people.

“I drew us; this is Daddy, me, and you.”

“That is a nice drawing indeed. I like it.”

“I really wish you would become my mommy.”

Theo said that with earnestness in her eyes. Adriana smiled and ruffled his hair.

Dante is at the Vescari Capital Group office, having an intense meeting with the board.

“We hope, sir, that we can increase the initial capital to fifteen percent.”

An investor explained his proposal.

“Isn’t capital already raised by five percent in the last three months?”

“Yes, sir! But they failed to pay the interest.”

“I understand, but we cannot allow that at this time. Revisit the matter first and come back to me with a suitable action plan.”

“But sir!”

Suddenly Dante’s phone rang, and the caller ID registered Adriana’s name. He suddenly took his phone out in surprise.

“The meeting is done.”

“But Mr. Vescari, we haven’t yet discussed the proposal.”

“We are done!”

Everybody left the boardroom, and Dante answered the call.

“Hello, Ms. Hartley?”

“Ah, I hope I am calling the right person?”

Adriana said on the other end of the line.

“If you are looking for Dante Vescari, then you indeed reached the right person.”

Adriana let out a small giggle as Dante said that.

“IS Theo alright? Are you alright?”

Dante asked.

“I actually have thoughts, and I think we need to talk.”

Adriana mustered all her courage to say those words. She didn’t want to sound so eager or cryptic at the same time.

“Okay, I will have Theo be picked up later; you can come home with him.”

Dante confidently replied.

“Thank you, Mr. Vescari.”

“See you later then.”

“Yes!”

The call ended, and Dante smiled.

“Good news?”

Vincent asked while staring at Dante.

“Ms. Hartley and I will be discussing important things later.”

“Oh! I see!”

“Clear up my schedule; make sure I can go home early.”

“Understood, sir! I will inform everyone.”

Daniel and Elena got out of the hospital for their check-up.

“Look, honey, our baby is growing well.”

Elena showed him the ultrasound.

“Yes,s honey, hey, hey, do you think Adriana is living and working in this part of town?”

Elena scoffed as Daniel said those words.

“Perhaps. Why do you ask?”

Elena asked Daniel with a worried face.

“I just need to make sure, so we can avoid her. She is trouble.”

Daniel replied

“She really is ruining our plans.”

“I know. After the divorce, I cannot believe she is still making our lives miserable.”

Daniel indeed loved Adriana. Past tense, as after they got married, the passion and love had disappeared. He didn’t plan to cheat on her.

It just happened.

Elena can give him what he wants. So getting a divorce is the only option for both of them.

“Look at the camera, baby.”

Elena called Daniel, and they took a picture.

They are happy.

Adriana looked at her phone notification and saw Elena’s post.

My sweet fiancé is with me to see our baby.

The picture is of the two of them leaving the hospital.

Adriana let out a sigh as she looked at the picture. She is currently feeling uneasy, as these two really are something.

“Ms. Adriana, Uncle Vincent is here.”

Theo called Adriana as the familiar couple pulled up.

“Hello there!”

Vincent greeted them.

“Hello, Mr. Bellire.”

“Please stop being too formal with me, Ms. Hartley. Call me Vincent.”

Vincent said as he took up Theo’s and Adriana’s bags.

“Then call me Adriana. To even out.”

“I will, but it depends on what you will become.”

“What do you mean?”

Vincent smiled at Adriana.

“I cannot call you anything yet, as you might become something more than just Ms. Adriana Hartley, the teacher.”

Adriana softly bit her lip and looked away. She understood what Vincent was implying, and she could not do anything about it.

They reached the Vescari Manor in no time.

Adriana didn’t think she would be back here soon.

“Good afternoon, little master and Ms. Hartley.”

Sebastian greeted them.

“Hello again, Mr. Graves.”

Adriana greeted them as she entered the mansion. It was the first time Adriana had actually taken the time to see the entire place.

“Daddy!”

Theo called his father and hugged him.

Adriana looked in that direction and saw Dante walking towards him.

“Hello, Ms. Hartley.”

“Hello, Mr. Vescari.”

Adriana was led to Dante’s study room.

“I have asked Sebastian to bring some tea, if you're alright with that, Ms. Hartley?”

“Yes! Thank you.”

“I say I am surprised that you called.”

Dante said as he took a seat.

“I have been thinking, and I really need to tell you something before I make any decision.”

“Okay! I am all ears.”

Adriana took a deep breath; she then looked at Dante.

“I fully understand that you want an honest woman to become Theo’s mother, and I just want to let you know something about me.”

Adriana swallowed hard as she tried her best to be confident enough to say the words aloud.

“I am a former married woman, sir, and now divorced.”

Adriana let out a soft sigh as the words came out of her mouth; she looked at Mr. Vescar. She was waiting for a violent reaction, but he didn’t say a word.

Adriana braced herself for questions—for judgment, perhaps even rejection.

He just looked at her.

“Divorced? Since when?”

Dante asked.

“Just last month, my ex-husband and I were separated.”

“You were married. It ended. That’s your past.”

“You’re not bothered by it?”

“Why would I be?”

Adriana stared at him, almost unable to believe how easily he had accepted it.

Dante’s expression softened.

“I’m not interested in the woman you used to be, Adriana. I’m interested in the woman standing in front of me now.”

She lowered her gaze, a small smile appearing on her lips.

“Whatever happened before meeting us,” he said quietly, “doesn’t make you any less worthy of anything.”

Adriana was surprised at how Dante reacted and replied to her. Is this even real?

“Position about marriage is still unchanged, Mr. Vescari.”

“I know that, too.”

She looked at him sharply.

Dante remained composed, as if they were discussing a business contract.

“That’s why I’m offering you a paper marriage.”

Adriana froze.

A paper marriage?

“This isn't about me.”

Her eyes lifted.

Dante's expression hardened slightly.

“It's about Theo.”

Adriana went quiet.

“I might not understand the situation you had for you to end up getting divorced, but what I am offering you is different. Theo trusts you, and I need someone to take care of him.”

Dante explained himself to Adriana.

“Then get a real marriage, sir. I assume you are not short of women.”

Dante shook his head and stared at Adriana.

“That is easily said and done. I do not want that. I want Theo to be happy, and if that is his happiness, then getting married to you is not a bad idea for me.”

“Mr. Vescari, I don't think I'm suitable for that.”

“You already care about him.”

“That doesn't mean I should marry his father.”

“I’m not asking you to marry me because I want a wife.”

He paused.

“I’m asking because Theo needs a family structure that I can't give him alone.”

Adriana looked away from Dante as she contemplated the next words she wanted to say.

Dante approached her and held her hands.

“I promise, it would be a legal marriage. Nothing more.”

She glanced at him.

“You're making it sound like a business contract.”

“That’s exactly what it is.”

“No feelings?”

“None required.”

“No expectations?”

“None.”

“And when Theo no longer needs this arrangement?”

“We end it.”

Adriana remained silent.

Dante's voice softened slightly.

“I know you are worried with alot of things, and I know getting remarried again is something you never imagined yourself being into right now; but I am a parent coming to you in desperate need.”

His eyes settled on hers.

“Just be the woman Theo can call his stepmother.”

Adriana was silent for several seconds before finally meeting Dante's eyes.

“All right. I'll marry you.”

Dante watched her carefully. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. But there are conditions.”

“I expected that.”

“There will be no intimacy.”

His expression didn't change. “Fine.”

“No marital commitment. We're doing this for Theo, nothing more.”

“Agreed.”

“I keep my last name. I keep my job. You don't interfere with either.”

Dante nodded. “You won't have to give up anything.”

Adriana hesitated before continuing.

“And you don't cheat on me.”

That made Dante pause.

“My first marriage taught me what it's like to trust someone who doesn't deserve it. I'm not going through that again. I don't care if this is only a paper marriage. If my name is attached to yours, I won't tolerate another woman being involved.”

Dante was silent for a moment.

Then he leaned back.

“You have my word.”

“I don't want a promise you can break.”

“Then put it in the contract.”

Adriana looked at him.

Dante's voice remained firm.

“If fidelity is one of your conditions, we'll write it down. You won't have to wonder where I stand.”

She studied him carefully.

“And if you break it?”

“You walk away. The arrangement ends.”

No argument. No negotiation.

Adriana slowly nodded.

“Then we have a deal.”

Dante extended his hand.

“It's for Theo.”

She took it.

“For Theo.”

The two of them agreed and allied. At this point, they knew that this marriage of convenience was indeed beneficial for all of them.

At the end of the day, they're all gaining something from this agreement.