Chapter Three

Paige

The contract looked harmless at first, twelve pages. Yet somehow it felt heavier than any object I had ever held.

My name stared back at me from the first page. PAIGE HARPER

Seeing it typed beneath the words Marriage Agreement made something tighten inside my chest, this was real. 

I drew in a slow breath and forced myself to read.

The opening pages were exactly what I had expected, legal definitions, confidentiality, public representation and duration. 

One line caught my attention though, 

Terms of Agreement: Twenty four (24) months.

The contract was only valid for two years an that somehow made me breathe, Atleast it was not forever. 

Then I turned the page.

Upon execution of this agreement, Ms. Harper shall relocate to Mr. De Luca's primary residence within twenty four hours. Both parties will reside together for the duration of the contract.

"You want me to move in with you?" I blurted out, 

"That's how marriages work Paige and I don't presume you want us to live in your one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn do you?" 

He had a point, I just had not thought it all through.

Both parties agree to present themselves as a happily married couple at all times when in public. Mrs. De Luca will accompany Mr. De Luca to all business functions, charity galas, family gatherings, interviews, and social engagements deemed necessary.

During the term of this agreement, Paige shall not engage in romantic, emotional, or sexual relationships with any individual outside this marriage.

I read the sentence again it only mentioned my name, not his. I was not supposed to date or be with anyone for two years. But since his name was not on the lease meant he could. 

The words settled like stones in my stomach not because I had someone else, I was not interested in dating either, all I cared about was Kayla but him taking the choice away from me did not sit well with me. 

"What about you?" I asked and he looked at me amused 

"What do you mean?" 

"It only mentions my name, are you allowed to date?" 

"Ofcourse I am," 

"That seems unfair, you can date but I can't?"

"How will it look like to have my wife seeing another man?"

"How will it look to have my husband out there with another woman?" 

"I am engaged Paige, a fact you did not consider before you told those people I was your fiancee, but I assume you on the other hand have no boyfriend otherwise you would have mentioned him as your fiancee, I will be married to you on paper but behind closed doors I still am engaged to my fiancee, besides you have a newborn to take care of, you can date when the two years are up. "

I hated that he was right. 

Outside the residence, both parties shall maintain the appearance of a loving marriage. Reasonable public displays of affection, including hand holding, physical proximity, dancing, and kissing, may be required whenever necessary to preserve the credibility of the arrangement.

My cheeks turned pink at the thought of kissing a man who was pretending to be in love with me. 

Outside required public appearances, both parties shall live separate personal lives within the residence. Emotional companionship shall not be expected or required. Neither party owes the other affection beyond what is contractually necessary.

I blinked at that, in public we were husband and wife but behind closed doors we were strangers.

The sentence should have comforted me, Instead, it felt strangely lonely. 

I reached the final page that was titled compensation

Upon successful completion of the twenty four month term, both parties agree to file for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Upon dissolution of the marriage, Mr. Dante De Luca agrees to provide Mrs. Paige De Luca with financial compensation sufficient to establish independent housing and provide for the child known as Kayla Harper.

My eyes stopped moving at the mention of her name, Kayla the reason I was sitting here willing to go through with this. 

"I will help you secure the adoption," Dante said quietly. His voice pulled me from the contract.

"Everything required financially, legally and socially. You will have the stability the courts want and enough financial freedom to take care of her."

"And after two years?" I asked.

"We divorce."

"Just like that?"

He nodded once "I file under irreconcilable differences. The marriage ends. You keep the settlement. You start over with Kayla."

His tone was almost clinical.

Like he was discussing a merger instead of a marriage, I looked back at the papers.

"What about the baby? Will you be a part of her life?" 

He looked at me studying me for a few seconds. 

"I never wanted kids and that still has not changed, I will provide you and her with everything you need, but that's all." 

"I understand." i said quietly 

"This contract gives us a solution to our problems, you get custody of Kayla and I get my parents and public out of my back and personal life, all you have to do is sign." 

"We both get what we want huh?" 

"You can think it through, but I will require an answer soon." 

Before I can answer him, my phone rings and it's ms Carter from foster calling me. 

"I have to take this." i say before answering 

"Ms. Harper?" the social worker says softly.

"Yes."

"There has been an update regarding Baby Kayla."

My fingers tighten around the phone.

"The approved family has completed their final assessments and are scheduled to take her home tomorrow."

The room suddenly blurred.

"No" I whispered "I just need more time."

"I'm sorry," the woman said gently. "Without significant changes to your circumstances, we can't delay placement,"

I look up at the man I am about to sign my life to for the next two years, 

"My circumstances have changed," I find myself say. "I'm married and the paperwork is being finalized as we speak."

"I understand," the woman replied. "We will place the adoption file on hold pending verification."

Relief hit so hard my knees almost buckled "Thank you."

I stared at the empty signature line, picked up the pen and signed the papers before sliding them over to him. 

For the first time, something flickered across Dante's face, satisfaction like he had just closed a deal and just like that I became Mrs. Dante De Luca.