Contract Over, Marriage Over

Synopsis

On the day the stand-in agreement expired, Alexander Ford told me to move out of the master bedroom so his first love could have it. When the maid wheeled my suitcase out to the hallway, the wall clock had just passed ten. The master bedroom door was half open, and Charlotte Quinn stood there in my robe. The sleeves draped over her hands, like it was finally back where it belonged. She smiled and said, "Emma, don't take it the wrong way. Alex said I'm a light sleeper, so he's letting me stay in the master bedroom for a few days." Footsteps sounded upstairs. Alexander came down from the second floor. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his wrists. His face showed not a trace of hesitation. He glanced at the suitcase by my feet, then looked at Charlotte. He said in a cold voice, "Go stay in the guest room. Don't make things difficult for her." He was talking to me. Three years ago, I signed an agreement to pay for my dad's surgery. I had to play the role of his wife in front of the public and Charlotte's shadow in Ford Manor until Charlotte got divorced. For three years, I drank alcohol for him, cared for Alexander's grandmother, Sophie Ford, and acted like I never noticed any of the photos Charlotte sent him. Tonight, the agreement ended, and Charlotte had come back. She moved into the master bedroom, put on my robe, and all he wanted was for me to be reasonable. My phone lit up with a reminder that the marriage contract ended today. I took out the divorce agreement I'd prepared long ago and pushed it right in front of Alexander. "No need for the guest room. I'm leaving." Just sign the agreement."