His Contract Wife

Chapter 9: Father's Truth

Three days after the incident in the office parking lot, Aria felt like her life was finally calm.

Damian hadn’t been found. Adrian had sent all his people to look, but his trail was like it had been swallowed by the earth. Aria didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more scared. What was clear was that for the first time, she could sleep without nightmares.

Her relationship with Adrian had changed too. Slowly. No more harsh orders, no more threats about her father. They talked like a normal couple. Argued over dinner menus, watched movies together in the living room, and Adrian even taught Aria chess and lost badly.

But Aria knew this calm was fragile. Like thin glass that could shatter anytime.

That morning, her phone rang. Unknown number.

Aria hesitated, but finally answered.

“Hello?”

Her father’s voice came through, weak but urgent.

“Aria? Honey, can you come to the hospital now?”

Aria’s heart immediately pounded.

“What’s wrong, Dad? Are you okay?”

“It’s not me. I… I have to tell you something. Before it’s too late.”

Aria didn’t ask twice. She changed clothes and went downstairs immediately. Adrian was in his office, so she didn’t say goodbye. She just left a small note: _Going to the hospital. Promise I’ll be back soon._

The ride to the hospital felt endless. Aria’s hands were cold, her head full of worst-case scenarios. Was her father getting worse? Did Damian get to him first?

When she entered her father’s room, Richard Hartono was sitting on the bed, looking thinner than last week. But his eyes were clear.

“Dad!” Aria ran and hugged him immediately.

Richard hugged her back gently.

“Forgive me, Aria.”

Aria pulled back slightly, frowning.

“Forgive you for what, Dad?”

Richard took a long breath. He stared at Aria for a long time, like he was gathering courage.

“I lied to you about the debt.”

Aria’s world stopped spinning.

“What?”

“The debt wasn’t 2 billion,” Richard said. “It was only 800 million. I was ashamed to tell you the truth. I was afraid you’d see me as weak. So I said the number was bigger.”

Aria went silent. Her mind suddenly went blank.

“But… Adrian said it was 2 billion. He paid for everything.”

Richard nodded slowly.

“Yes. Adrian paid it. But not because he’s kind-hearted.”

Aria felt her chest tighten.

“Then why?”

Richard looked at the floor.

“Because I sold the company to Blackwood Group. At a cheap price. Far below market value. I was desperate back then. The bank was demanding payment, suppliers were suing, and I didn’t know what else to do.”

Aria stepped back a step.

“So… Adrian didn’t destroy our company? He helped?”

Richard nodded.

“He bought my debt from the bank. He paid my hospital bills. He’s the reason I can still sit here now.”

Aria sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling.

“But why did he say the debt was 2 billion? Why did he lie?”

Richard sighed.

“Because he wanted you to have no choice but to marry him.”

Aria covered her mouth with her hand.

“He… he planned this three years ago?”

Richard nodded again.

“Adrian came to me three years ago, right after I got out of the ICU. He said he could pay everything, but there was a condition. You had to marry him.”

Aria felt sick.

“So he planned this from the start?”

Richard nodded.

“I refused at first. But I saw you working three jobs just to pay for my medicine. I couldn’t stand watching you break down. So I agreed. I signed the papers without telling you.”

Tears fell from Aria’s eyes without her being able to stop them.

“Dad… why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I was afraid you’d hate me,” Richard said quietly. “But now I see the way Adrian looks at you. He wasn’t lying about that. He loves you, Aria. Maybe his way was wrong, but his feelings are real.”

Aria cried harder. Everything she’d believed for months shattered in one night.

“So this whole time I was mad at the wrong person?”

Richard rubbed her back gently.

“You were mad because you were hurt, honey. And that’s normal. But listen to your heart. Do you still hate Adrian?”

Aria couldn’t answer. She didn’t know anymore.

Adrian found Aria in the hospital garden two hours later.

He didn’t ask why she hadn’t told him. He just sat on the bench beside her, silent.

Aria stared at her hands, still damp from tears.

“Dad told me everything.”

Adrian nodded slowly.

“I knew he would.”

“Did you really plan this three years ago?” Aria asked directly. No small talk.

Adrian didn’t avoid it.

“Yes.”

Aria swallowed hard.

“Why didn’t you just tell me the truth from the start?”

“Because you wouldn’t have wanted me,” Adrian answered honestly. “You hated me. You hated the Blackwood family. If I’d told you the truth, you would’ve run.”

Aria let out a bitter laugh.

“So you chose to be the villain so I’d stay?”

Adrian looked at her deeply.

“I chose to be whatever I had to be as long as you were safe. As long as you weren’t starving, in debt, sleeping on the street like that night.”

Aria went silent. She remembered that night three years ago. Heavy rain, sleeping on a bus stop bench because she had no money for rent.

Adrian knew about that.

“I saw you that night,” Adrian said quietly. “You were sleeping with a bag of bread in your arms. I wanted to go down and help, but I knew if I showed up, you’d refuse. So I waited.”

Aria closed her eyes.

“You’re crazy.”

“Maybe,” Adrian said. “But I don’t regret it.”

Aria wiped her face.

“So what now? Dad told me everything. This contract… it doesn’t mean anything anymore.”

Adrian stared at her for a long time.

“For me, the contract was just paper. What matters is you.”

Aria looked back at him.

“So if I ask for a divorce now, you’ll give it to me?”

Adrian nodded slowly.

“Yes. I’ll give it to you.”

Aria was stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer.

“But?”

“But I’ll ask you one thing first,” Adrian said.

“Are you leaving because you hate me… or because you’re scared that if you stay, you’ll start to love me?”

Aria went silent. That question struck right through her chest.

She didn’t know the answer.

Adrian stood up.

“I won’t make you answer now. Think about it. I’ll wait in the car.”

He left, leaving Aria alone in the garden.

Aria sat there until the sun started to set. Her mind was a mess, her heart all over the place.

She hated Adrian. She was angry. She was hurt.

But…

She also remembered how Adrian held her in the office lobby. How he protected her from Damian’s men. How he bought her ugly painting and said it was valuable.

She remembered the way Adrian looked at her like she was the only person in the world.

Aria covered her face with both hands.

Damn it. She was confused.

That night, Aria got home to the penthouse later than usual.

Adrian didn’t ask anything. He just handed her a bowl of warm soup and sat across from her.

“Eat first,” he said quietly.

Aria obeyed. She ate in silence.

When she finished, she set the bowl down and looked at Adrian.

“I want to talk.”

Adrian nodded.

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t know if I still hate you or not,” Aria said honestly. “But I know I don’t want things to go back to how they were. I’m tired of being angry all the time.”

Adrian nodded slowly.

“So what do you want?”

Aria looked at him deeply.

“I want to try. To be honest. With you. With myself.”

Adrian held his breath.

“Honest how?”

“I don’t know if this is love,” Aria said quietly. “But I’m not scared when you’re close anymore. I don’t hate it when you touch me. Actually… I feel safe.”

Adrian didn’t say anything. He just held out his hand.

Aria hesitated for a second, then took it.

That was it. No kiss. No grand promise. Just a hand holding hers, saying _let’s try this together_.

Adrian squeezed back. Firmly.

“Starting tomorrow,” Adrian said quietly, “you don’t have to be Mrs. Blackwood if you don’t want to. You can just be Aria. Aria Hartono. My wife.”

Aria smiled faintly. The first smile that wasn’t forced.

“Deal.”

The next week passed quietly.

Damian still hadn’t been found. Police said he’d left the country. Adrian wasn’t satisfied, but there was nothing more he could do for now.

Aria started going out again. Not just to the hospital. She went to art galleries, to the small café she used to frequent, even to a flower shop.

Adrian didn’t follow her. He just sent guards quietly and said,

“If you need anything, call me. Anytime.”

Aria didn’t call. But she felt calm knowing Adrian was there.

Their relationship became more fluid. They had dinner together every night. Talked about childhood, dreams, stupid things.

One night, Aria found Adrian on the balcony, staring at the sky.

“Can’t sleep?” she asked.

Adrian turned.

“No. Can’t stop thinking about you.”

Aria sat beside him.

“Thinking about what?”

“Thinking about losing you tomorrow,” Adrian answered honestly. “I’m scared.”

Aria looked at him.

“You won’t lose me, Adrian. Not if you keep being honest.”

Adrian smiled faintly.

“Then I’ll keep being honest. I promise.”

They sat there until late, not saying much. Just enjoying the silence.

For the first time, Aria felt like she was home.

A week later, a letter from the court arrived.

Aria and Adrian’s divorce hearing was scheduled for two weeks from now.

Aria held the letter with trembling hands. She didn’t know why her chest hurt.

Adrian saw her expression and immediately understood.

“You want to cancel it?”

Aria shook her head slowly.

“No. I want to go through with it. But…”

“But what?”

“But I want you to come,” Aria said quietly. “As my husband. Not as cold Adrian Blackwood. Come as the Adrian I know now.”

Adrian nodded without hesitation.

“I’ll be there.”

Aria sighed in relief.

That night, for the first time, Aria slept in Adrian’s arms.

No lust. No demands. Just safety.

And Aria knew, whatever the outcome of the hearing,

she wasn’t scared anymore.

The next morning, Aria woke up earlier than usual.

Adrian was still asleep beside her, breathing steadily.

Aria stared at his face. The sharp line of his jaw, the small wrinkle on his forehead from work, the small scar on his eyebrow.

She didn’t know when, but this man had gotten into her heart.

Slowly. Without permission.

Aria touched his cheek gently. Adrian frowned in his sleep, then murmured her name.

“Aria…”

Aria smiled.

“I’m here, Adrian. I’m not going anywhere.”

Adrian opened his eyes. Seeing her, he immediately pulled Aria into his arms.

“Never leave,” he whispered.

Aria nodded against his chest.

“I won’t.”

Outside, the sun was rising.

And for the first time, the future didn’t look dark anymore.

That afternoon, Aria went to visit her father again.

Richard looked better. Stronger. Like a weight had been lifted off him.

“How are you feeling, Dad?” Aria asked, sitting beside him.

“Better now that I told you the truth,” Richard said. He took her hand. “I’m proud of you, Aria. For being strong. For not giving up on me.”

Aria squeezed his hand.

“I’m proud of you too, Dad. For telling me the truth, even when it was hard.”

Richard smiled. “What about Adrian?”

Aria looked down, a small smile forming.

“We’re… trying. To be honest with each other.”

Richard nodded, satisfied.

“Good. He’s a good man, Aria. He just doesn’t know how to show it without controlling everything.”

Aria laughed softly.

“Tell me about it.”

Richard patted her hand. “Give him time. And give yourself time too. Love doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.”

Aria nodded. She didn’t have an answer, but his words stayed with her.

That evening, Adrian came home earlier than usual.

He found Aria in the study room, painting again. The sunset painting was finished, framed and sitting on the easel.

“It’s beautiful,” Adrian said, stopping in the doorway.

Aria looked up and smiled.

“Thank you. For buying it back.”

Adrian walked in and stood beside her.

“Do you hate me less now?”

Aria considered the question seriously.

“I don’t hate you,” she said finally. “I’m still mad. But I don’t hate you.”

Adrian let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“That’s enough for me.”

Aria set her brush down and turned to face him.

“Adrian, about the divorce…”

Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Yes?”

“I don’t want to go through with it,” Aria said quietly. “Not anymore.”

Adrian stared at her, like he wasn’t sure he heard right.

“What did you say?”

“I said I don’t want a divorce,” Aria repeated. “I want to try this. For real. No contract. No lies.”

Adrian’s eyes shimmered. For a second, he looked like he might break.

“Are you sure?”

Aria nodded.

“I’m sure. I want to choose you, Adrian. Not because I have to. Because I want to.”

Adrian didn’t say anything. He just pulled her into his arms and held her like he was afraid she’d disappear.

“Thank you,” he whispered against her hair. “Thank you for choosing me.”

Aria hugged him back, tighter.

“Don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t,” Adrian promised. “I swear, Aria. I won’t.”

Later that night, they sat on the balcony again.

The city lights stretched out below them, quiet and peaceful.

Aria leaned her head on Adrian’s shoulder.

“What happens now?” she asked.

Adrian wrapped his arm around her.

“Now we start over. No contract. No secrets. Just us.”

Aria smiled.

“I like the sound of that.”

Adrian kissed the top of her head.

“Me too.”

For the first time since this all began, Aria felt hopeful.

The past couldn’t be undone. The lies had been told.

But the future… the future was theirs to build.

And she wanted to build it with him.

The next morning, Aria called her lawyer and canceled the divorce filing.

Adrian didn’t know until he got the confirmation email from the lawyer’s office.

He walked into the study room where Aria was painting and set his phone down on the table.

“You canceled it,” he said quietly.

Aria looked up and nodded.

“I did.”

Adrian didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then he walked around the table, knelt in front of her, and took her hands.

“Are you sure?” he asked again, needing to hear it.

Aria nodded, smiling.

“I’m sure, Adrian. I choose you.”

Adrian’s eyes closed for a second, like he was letting himself believe it.

“Then I choose you too, Aria. Every day. For as long as you’ll have me.”

Aria leaned forward and kissed him. Softly. Gently. No force, no anger, just love.

When they pulled apart, Adrian rested his forehead against hers.

“I love you, Aria Hartono.”

Aria smiled, tears pricking her eyes.

“I love you too, Adrian Blackwood.”

Outside, the city was waking up. Damian was still out there somewhere. The world was still messy and dangerous.

But inside this room, everything was right.

For the first time in a long time,

Aria was exactly where she wanted to be.