A Contract Marriage For The CEO’s Daughter

It was a typical day at the kindergarten Emily worked at. The sun was still pretty high up in the sky, and it warmed the air. She was just wrapping up the last of the days activities when the bell rang, signalling the end of the school day. The reaction was instant. The kids yelled at the top of lungs, all focus on whatever Emily had been saying lost, as the spring to different sections of the classroom to entertain themselves until they were picked up. Emily watched them with a soft wishful smile on her face. Many thoughts ran through her mind at the same time, and her reverie was only broken when her teacher’s aid Ethan, chuckled. “It’s so funny that they can’t tell the time yet, but everyday without fail they get agitated and restless around this time, don’t you think?” He asked, nudging Emily a bit as her moved to settle a little squabble between two boys, over at the corner of the classroom. “Well, their minds know that they should be dismissed by now, that’s why.” Emily replied, stacking up what was left of her incomplete lesson and dumping it in her files cabinet. She took a long glance around the classroom, taking in the smell of crayons and child friendly soap. Noticing that Ethan was having issues with calming the very hyper children on his own, she made her decision. “Alright guys, let’s go out to the playground and burn some of that energy!” She called out to the children, trying to sound as excited as they were, but silently dreading having to keep up with them outside. Ethan gave her a very wide, grateful smile. “I’ll clean up in here while you take these little guys out to play?” He questioned, a mischievous look on his face. Emily knew how much he disliked being outside with the kids. Honestly, she could relate to him. Having twenty children all between ages four to six outside, was torture, but this was her life, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. With a nod in response to Ethan’s question, she led the kids out, taking a position that will allow her keep an eye on everyone of them, and still be on the lookout for their parents or guardians. For a while, she watched the children run wild in the playground, the playground still golden in the late afternoon sun, laughter still ringing through the air as one by one the children’s parents came to get them. Emily stood near the gate, waving and exchanging quick smiles with mothers, fathers, and nannies alike, after all Bloomsbury was a school for the elite. By now the playground was nearly empty. Just one swing still creaked rhythmically. It was Lily. The little girl sat alone, pushing herself back and forth, her ponytail bouncing with every swing. Emily felt a familiar pang in her chest. Lily had always been quiet, shy. But she was kind, with big brown eyes that seemed to hold more than her five years should. Emily walked over, with a small fond smile on her face. “Hi there, Bug,” she said gently, crouching beside the swing. Lily looked up, startled at first, then gave a timid smile. “Hi, Miss Emily.” “Having fun?” Emily asked, settling on the swing next to her. Lily shrugged, still moving her legs slightly. “It’s okay.” Emily tilted her head, studying the little girl. “You like swinging, huh? You’re pretty good at it. I’ve seen you on the swing a couple of times.” This time, Lily’s smile grew just a little. “I like it when it’s quiet.” Emily nodded. She could understand that. “Yeah. Me too.” One by one, the last of the children’s laughter faded as they were whisked away. Even Ethan, her assistant, waved goodbye and disappeared. Soon it was just Emily and Lily on the empty playground. Emily glanced at her watch. Nearly an hour past pick-up. She pulled out her phone, just to double-check, but there were no missed calls, no messages from Lily’s parents stating that they would be late or something. Her heart sank a little. “Well,” she said softly, standing up. “I guess it’s just you and me now, huh?” Lily stopped swinging, her small hands clutching the chains. “They forgot again,” she whispered, looking down at her shoes. Emily felt her chest tighten. Again. She reached out, brushing a stray hair from Lily’s cheek. “Tell you what,” she said. “How about I take you home? Would you like that?” Lily looked up at her, eyes wide. Then she nodded, a wide smile taking over her face, showing off her small pearly white teeth. “Okay,” Emily said, trying to sound cheerful. “Let’s go grab your backpack.” Inside, she found Lily’s emergency contact card in her file, memorized the address, and took Lily’s small hand in hers. They walked to Emily’s car, Lily climbing into the booster seat she had in the trunk for emergencies. The drive was quiet at first, until Emily asked, “So, what’s your favourite thing about school, Lily?” Lily thought for a long moment. Then, with a nod of finality like she had been checking off a mental list, she said, “You.” Emily’s throat caught. She reached over and squeezed Lily’s hand. “That’s my favourite thing about school, too.” When they finally pulled up to the address, Emily took a minute to just take in the view in front of her. She knew that the people who brought their children to her place of work, consisted of wealthy business people or big actors and such, but it was always overwhelming to see their homes in person. Emily had to blink a few times when she turned into the driveway. The address on Lily’s emergency contact card was unmistakable, yet what stood before her was nothing like she’d imagined. She knew that the clients they worked with were rich people, but it was always baffling to see how rich people were. A sleek, modern mansion rose against the dusky sky — all glass and clean lines, lights glowing warmly from inside. Emily parked at the curb, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel as she took it all in. She couldn’t help but whisper to herself, “Wow… this is where she lives?” Shaking herself from her daze, she got out and moved to unbuckle Lily from the booster seat. “All right, sweetheart,” she said, her voice light though her mind still couldn’t process the view in front of her. “We’re here.” Lily just nodded shyly, clutching her backpack as Emily helped her down. Out of the corner of her eye, Emily caught sight of a car parked a few feet down the driveway. A silver coupe. Her heart skipped. It was the same make, model, even the same dent in the rear end as Jack’s car. Her husband’s car. Emily’s breath caught in her throat. But she quickly forced a smile back on her face. “Don’t be silly, Em!” she murmured under her breath, giving herself a mental shake. “It’s just a car. Lots of people drive those.” With Lily’s hand in hers, she climbed the steps to the wide front door and rang the bell. Once. Twice. She could hear faint music coming from inside but no footsteps. She rang again. Then knocked loudly for good measure. No response. She crouched beside Lily, brushing her bangs back gently. “Just wait here for me, okay? I’ll see what’s going on.” Lily nodded silently, leaning against the doorframe, and scuffing her shoe on the porch floor. Emily walked around the side of the house, her heels crunching softly on the gravel path. She glanced at each window as she passed, hoping to catch sight of someone — anyone — to help her hand Lily off safely. Then she stopped dead in her tracks. Through a floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, she saw him. Jack. Her husband. He was leaning into a woman on the couch — Sophie, Lily’s mother, unmistakable in her tailored dress and flawless hair — and their mouths were locked in a heated kiss. His hands tangled in her hair, hers gripping his collar as though they couldn’t get enough of each other. Emily froze, her blood running cold. She wanted to scream. To pound the glass until they both turned in shame. Instead, she swallowed hard, straightened, and schooled her face into polite indifference. Then she walked back to the front door, her steps deliberately loud on the gravel. She waited just long enough before ringing the bell again. This time, the door opened. Sophie stood there, a little breathless but perfectly composed. “Miss Emily,” Sophie said smoothly, flashing a dazzling smile. “Thank you so much for bringing Lily home. I’m so sorry for the trouble — we were… busy.” Emily kept her expression calm, pleasant even. “Not at all,” she said lightly, handing Lily’s backpack to her mother. “She was no trouble. A perfect little angel, as always.” From behind Sophie, Jack appeared, trying to look casual as he straightened his shirt. Emily’s gaze flicked to him — just for a second — then back to Sophie without a hint of recognition. “I’ll… let you two get back to your stuff,” she said, giving Lily’s head a gentle pat. “See you tomorrow, sweetheart.” Lily smiled faintly. “Goodnight, Miss Emily.” Without another word, Emily turned and walked back to her car, the front door clicking shut behind her. She drove home on autopilot, the same words running through her mind over and over like a broken record. My marriage is failing. The lights of the city blurred past her windshield. She gripped the wheel tighter and tighter, her knuckles white. Not a single tear fell. But inside of her, something broke.