Chapter 7

Madison’s POV

After we were finally able to escape Michael’s speculations, Ethan explained that it was best I came over to his place as there was a contract to be signed on which I disagreed with him.

I mean sue me!! Everything was happening so fast, before I could fully process a scenario another was being added on top. I just wanted to go to my apartment, have a long shower and lie under comfy, clean sheets on my own bed. I’d take any resemblance of normality right about now.

“Explain to me again, why can’t you give me one of your bodyguards to stay with me in case of any paparazzi in front of my building, and I’ll get back to you later when I’m more put together?” I demanded.

“Trust me, even five bodyguards won’t be able to tackle what I’m sure is waiting for you at your apartment. My place is more secure, majorly because it would be seen illegal if they stepped even a foot in my establishment. Not to talk of how it would show we are maintaining a united front as happy, newly weds” Ethan countered.

  ‘Uggh,’ sometimes I truly despise how easy it was for me to rationalize situations. I wish I could just say, ‘Fuck it’ and do whatever pleases me.

Accepting defeat, I walked towards where Tom was standing and entered the SUV and off we went.

  The elevator opened directly into the foyer of Ethan’s penthouse. It was a monument of glass and white marble. Everything was pristine, screaming ‘grandeur.’

Ethan tossed his keys onto a marble console and headed in the direction of what I presumed was the kitchen.

“Want an espresso?”he shouted over.

“Sure,”I responded.

In the absence of Ethan, I decided to do some exploring of his abode. The first thing that came to mind was that this place could comfortably fit my apartment three times over. It had a wonderful view overlooking Central Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the entire room, ‘This place would be gorgeous at night.’ I thought to myself.

 There was a singular magnificent painting on the wall of water poured over burning flames, that I could only imagine the cost of. The floors were polished white marbles, that I could see my reflection through at my feet.

There was a set of Italian leather sofas, definitely not made for comfort placed in front of a gigantic television. 

  Just as I was about to move in the direction of the rooms Ethan made an appearance with large cups of espressos, barefooted.

“For you my lady,” he said while slightly bending at the waist. Lightly chuckling, I accepted the beverage and sat opposite him.

“I noticed the absence of any family portraits,”I wondered out loud. 

“You’ll soon get to know that I don’t have the usual kind of family as time goes on, my mother believes she knows what best for everybody; even when you don’t agree and my father—believes things should still be done a certain way, ‘the proper way’.”he concluded.

  For a moment I thought I saw a hint of sadness, but the next moment he was back to his jovial persona. “I had a contract drawn,” he said as he went over to a side table;coming back with my second envelope of the day.

"You had your lawyers draft this on the flight?"

"I had them draft it while you were sleeping in the cabin," my husband corrected, smiling.

Unsealing the envelope, the contract was concise and brutal:

Article 1: Duration. The marriage will remain legally binding for exactly six months.

Article 2: Public Conduct. Public Displays of Affection (PDA) are required in the presence of family, press, and employees. "High-intensity" chemistry is expected.

Article 3: Private Conduct. Physical intimacy is not necessary. Separate bedrooms. Interference in each other’s personal lives is optional.

Article 4: Compensation. Upon successful completion of the contract, Mrs. Madison would receive a sum that would ensure she’d never have to work again.

It was a business deal, nothing else could be said about this absurdity, it looked like I walked into a trap with this one. This is a business transaction at this point and I’m not an item to be bought. I sat quiet looking through the contract over and over, thinking of what I could do, when my phone buzzed. ‘Mum,’ it signaled.

“Excuse me,” I said to Ethan stepping into an alcove to receive the call.

“Hello, mum, I’m in the middle of something can I—” 

Voice sounding like paper tearing, “Maddie, baby, I’ve been trying to reach you for a while, the response from the doctor just came in. It’s Stage III, the specialist in Houston... he says there’s a chance, but the money alone is more than we have. The treatment plan starts at six figures. I’m so sorry baby, I know you have a lot on your table."

At that moment the world shifted, then tilted. I looked back towards the contracts I left on the sofa and Ethan scrolling through his phone, oblivious to the fact my world was collapsing.

“Don’t worry about the amount mum…do you hear me? Just breath, I’ve recently come into some resources—I’ll sign the papers now. Everything is going to be fine.”

“What do you mean, Maddison? Don’t do anything reckless for me baby.” She said while trying to regulate her emotions through her voice.

“It’s not reckless, it’s business, a type of smart business deal. I’ll come over later, bye mum.”

“Bye baby.” 

As soon as she hung up, I took a moment to settle myself, knowing what I had to do—the realization settled, I wasn’t only selling my freedom for the next six months, I was also buying my mother’s life and that’s the most important thing to me. Rubbing my sweaty palms on my dress,I headed back in Ethan’s direction.