Chapter 3 “If Things Did not go Well”

Farren’s POV

When I was tussling with the thug earlier, I didn’t feel a hint of fear. Strangely enough, when I encountered my husband in our home, I felt a wave of nerves for some unknown reason. And that reason happened to be him catching me in an embarrassing position on the couch. That’s why I missed the opportunity to dig into his true identity and opted to retreat to my room instead.

But little did I anticipate him preventing me from leaving.

“Wait here for a moment,” he said.

It’s evident that he lacks any affection or attraction towards me, so he didn’t stop me because he desired more quality time together.

My curiosity was answered when he placed an envelope on the table and said, “Come back and read this. Then, put your signature.”

He needed something from me.

I picked up the envelope, asking, “What’s all this about?”

Alaric responded, “It’s a contract that outlines the things we both need to do and the timeframe we have before we finalize our DIVORCE.”

My hands shook as I clutched the envelope.

“Divorce?” I stammered.

We hadn’t been married for that long. How could he already be talking about divorce?

“Yes, you heard correctly. I had always planned on divorcing you eventually,” he explained. “Our marriage was forced upon us, so it’s only natural for us to go our separate ways in the future.”

But that wasn’t the case for me. I agreed to this marriage because I wanted to honor my Grandpa’s wish. I had envisioned a happy life with my husband.

It all felt so impossible.

“What are you doing?” he asked, raising his hand. “Sit down and read the contract. If you want to make any changes, go ahead.”

Taking a deep breath, I perched back on the couch and opened the document. Then, I started reading the contents of the contract he prepared.

Party A refers to Alaric, while Party B refers to me.

“Party A needs to support Party B financially,” I read it out loud.

“Just like what I said before, you don’t need to worry about feeling comfortable. I will give you an allowance, and you can spend as much as you want,” he explained.

I looked down again and read the other content, “Both Parties would refrain from doing their Marital responsibilities. Part A would refrain from touching Party B, and Party B would do the same. They agreed not to bear a child.”

“So, don’t expect me to give you a child,” he added.

I read again, “Both parties need to display affection only in public. But in private, they won’t bother each other lives. After a year, Party A and Party B will get their divorce. Party B will receive a huge sum of Alimony after the divorce.”

Alaric explained, “My grandfather believes that our marriage life is successful. We need to act as if we’re really in love in front of other people. But when no one is looking, I hope you won’t bother my life. We will get divorced after a year, and then, you can quit your job and enjoy spending the Alimony.”

I clutched my hands around the paper.

I knew that he didn’t have feelings for me, and neither did I. But this made me feel so little.

“If you don’t want to add more, you can sign it now,” he demanded, placing a pen on the table.

Whatever I say to him, it is clear that this man will not change his mind. And getting into a useless fight with my husband isn’t in the cup of my tea.

Without words, I got my own pen from my pocket. Then I wrote something in the contract.

[“Both Parties have to remain faithful on their marriage before the divorce.”]

After writing the clause, I showed it to him.

Alaric read it silently, and I went on explaining, “Since we are going to act as a lovely couple in public, we should refrain from getting into the affair. At least, I want to have a clean image before our divorce.”

With no hesitation, Alaric answered, “Sure.” He picked up the pen and signed the paper. Then, he placed it near my side.

I held my pen tightly and stared at the space near Alaric’s signature.

‘I am sorry, Grandfather,’ I apologized inwardly before signing the contract.

** ** **

Prior to the contract, I took one day of absence from my work just to have time to meet Alaric’s grandfather, Alex Ford.

As soon as we arrived at Alex’s big mansion, I was greeted with a warm welcome.

“Farren! Dear!” the old man hugged me.

Isa saw Alex at the wedding ceremony. Although I heard that my grandfather was friends with Alex, I felt a bit uncomfortable with the old man’s kind gesture.

Alex moved backward and stared at me. “Your grandfather is right. His granddaughter is the prettiest lady in the world.”

I could not help but chuckle at the excessive compliment. Perhaps hearing something about my grandfather made me feel at ease. “That really sounds like my grandfather.”

“Indeed. Alfonso knew nothing better than to praise his granddaughter,” Alex let out a fatherly laugh. “I was really excited to see you again. I hope I didn’t bother you that much.”

“N-No. You did not,” I replied. “When my husband told me that you wanted to see me, we were also excited to come and visit you.”

“Alaric was?” Alex asked, diverting his eyes to his cold grandson.

All of a sudden, Alaric held my hand.

My shoulders stiffened at the sudden display of affection from my husband.

“But Farren and I won’t be staying here for so long,” Alaric said. “Since we both took a day off from our work, we wanted to spend the time together. Didn’t we, honey?” Alaric stared at me.

Ahh. Right. I recalled our deal to feign affection in public. So, I responded, “Yes, honey. I really would like to go on a date with you.” I smiled like a timid teenage girl.

I saw Alaric raised his brows.

‘What? Are you surprised to see me act so well?’

“That’s good!” Alex agreed. “Alaric is always busy at work, so you should not waste time entertaining an old man like me.”

“Please don’t say that,” I disagreed. “Seeing you reminds me of my grandfather. So, it makes me feel happy.”

“Dear, you are so sweet. Next time, you should go here during the weekend,” Alex recommended.

“We will do that, Grandpa,” I said. “We also bought this for you as a gift.”

Then, I handed him a golf club.

“A golf club? Really?” Alex exclaimed.

“Yes,” I said. “I heard from Alaric that your hobby is playing golf. So, we went outside together and bought that for you.”

That was a lie.

It was Alaric who bought the golf club, and he only instructed me to make it seem like we bought the gift together – a show to fool Alex into thinking that our marriage life was harmonious.

“Wow! Thank you so much! I will use it right away.” Alaric patted my shoulders as he looked at Alaric. “Your wife is so sweet. You should take good care of her, okay?”

Alaric nodded his head. “I will try my best.”

Huh. Wow.

It did not feel good hearing Alaric’s empty promise. Still, I forced herself to smile. “Then, we need to go now, Grandpa.” I clung my arms around Alaric’s arm and said, “Shall we go now, honey?”

Alaric stared at me for long seconds. When the pause became noticeable, I was about to speak again and save the conversation. But Alaric finally responded, “Yes. Honey. Let’s go.”

Then we bid our goodbyes and left the mansion.

** **

Alex’s POV

As soon as they left, the smile on my face disappeared.

“Don Alex,” the butler called me from behind. “Your grandson and his wife were really sweet to each other. I think you don’t need to worry about their relationship.”

Contrary to the butler’s words, I said, “No. You’re wrong.”

I heaved a sigh before turning my head to the butler.

“My grandson and his wife were only pretending like a happy couple. There was no love and affection from Alaric at all.”

“Really?” my butler gasped in surprise. “Why did the young master try to fool you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” I sat on his chair with a grunt. “Alaric was merely trying to secure his share of the family wealth. I will no longer be surprised if I replace out that my grandson is manipulating his wife to pretend in his game.”

“If that is the truth, then I feel bad for Miss Farren,” the butler, who was serving me for years, commented.

I shared the sentiment.

I wanted to protect Farren, not only because she was my friend’s daughter, but also because I wanted to pay the huge debt I owed him.

“Alejandro will feel sad if he knows that his granddaughter was treated this way by my grandson,” I sighed. “I wanted to protect that young woman as much as I could.”

“Then, how about adopting her?” the butler suggested.

Intrigued by the comment, I looked back. “Adopt?”

“Yes. If Alaric and Farren’s relationship doesn’t turn out well after a year, then I think you can just legally adopt Miss Farren as your granddaughter.”

‘It wasn’t a bad idea!’ I thought.

“Unless Young master Alaric will replace it awkward to associate with his ex-wife as his new cousin,” the butler continued.

“No, no, no. You said the right thing. If Alaric can’t make Farren as happy as his wife, then I will take Farren into this family.”

MARK MY WORDS.

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