From Contract Wife To His Everything

Synopsis

The divorce papers lay on the coffee table. My hand shook as I held the pen. "Madge, sign it," Marty said. He sat across from me in a tailored suit, his expression cold and distant. It felt like our three years of marriage meant nothing to him, like it had been nothing more than a business deal that had now come to an end. And in truth, it had been a deal. Three years ago, my father's company went bankrupt and owed the Oliver family 100 million dollars. Marty offered to marry me in exchange for clearing the debt. I agreed, hoping that if I gave it time, I might be able to win his heart. Three years passed, and I had barely even stepped into his bedroom. "Mr. Oliver, look at the property division here," I said, pointing to a line in the papers. "Are you sure you want to give me this house?" "Is it not enough?" Marty asked. "No," I said, biting my lip. "I just mean, is there really no chance for us to fix this?" Marty looked up at me, his eyes cold and steady. "Madge, we both know this marriage was a mistake from the very start." I did not want to give up. "But..." "Just sign it," he said. I took a slow breath and wrote my name on the paper. Three years of my youth, three years of waiting, and three years of loving someone who never loved me back all came to an end in that moment. "We will go to the city hall tomorrow," Marty said as he stood and picked up his coat. "The house is yours. I will also transfer 1.5 million dollars into your account." "I do not want it," I said, looking up at him and trying to keep my voice steady. "The debt is paid. I do not want the house either. Mr. Oliver, we are even now." Marty stopped. He turned and looked back at me. I forced a small smile. "I hope you and Miss Burke will be very happy together." Scarlett Burke was his childhood friend. She was the only woman he had kept close throughout our marriage. I had always known he married me to satisfy his family and to clear the path for her. Now that everything was settled, I was nothing more than a stepping stone he no longer needed. Marty looked at me for a long moment. In the end, he said nothing and walked out. The door shut behind him with a hard sound. I sank onto the sofa, and the tears finally fell. In three years of marriage, I had gained almost nothing. I lowered my gaze and rested a hand on my stomach. This child was the only thing I truly had.