Chapter 14 - THE MARRIAGE WITHOUT A CONTRACT
One month before my due date, Luca brought me into his study.
The same room where he'd told me he couldn't father children.
The same room where our marriage began as a business arrangement.
He placed a folder on the desk.
I stared.
“What's that?”
“Our contract.”
My stomach tightened.
“Luca.”
He opened it.
Then removed the original agreement.
He looked at me.
“I want to end it.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
He stepped closer.
“Not our marriage.”
I exhaled.
He smiled faintly.
“The arrangement.”
I stared.
Luca continued.
“I don't want you here because of your mother's medical bills.”
My eyes filled.
“I don't want you here because of an agreement we signed eleven weeks after meeting.”
He swallowed.
“I want you here because you love me.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
“And if you don't,” he continued, “I'll still make sure you and our child are safe.”
I looked at him.
Then laughed through tears.
“Luca.”
He waited.
“I love you.”
His expression collapsed.
I stepped closer.
“I've loved you for months.”
He closed his eyes.
Then kissed me.
Not because of a contract.
May you like
Not because of an obligation.
But because we had finally chosen each other.
