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Sienna's POV

“I want to end the contract,” I said softly but firmly. I looked into my mother-in-law’s eyes—Mrs. Wilson—who sat across from me. Her gaze was sharp, but not angry. Just contemplative, like she was weighing something important.

“You once said that if Liam didn’t fall in love with me within five years, the contract would be void, right?” I asked to confirm.

She didn’t deny it. “I did say that, Sienna,” she replied calmly. “But now you and Liam have Noah. You love that boy deeply. Are you really willing to let him grow up and see someone else as his mother?”

I inhaled deeply, my chest tightening—but my answer was firm. “Yes. I am.”

Because the truth is, this marriage was always just a contract. Even Noah—my beloved little boy—was part of that agreement. And now, with Emily back, Liam no longer needs me. Noah doesn’t seem to either.

Five years I’ve lived this life. From the outside, it looked beautiful—perfect even. As if I was the luckiest woman to marry the heir of the Sinclair family. But on the inside? Cold. Empty. Loveless. I used to believe that my sincerity could warm Liam’s frozen heart. I was wrong.

Mrs. Wilson stood up and went to her drawer. She pulled out a brown folder and handed it to me. “There’s one week left in your contract. Here are the papers. Sign it now. Next week, you’ll be free from this family.”

Without hesitation, I took the pen and signed the last page. No trembling hand. No tears. Just exhaustion and a long-overdue resolve.

I left the Sinclair mansion—a grand place that had felt more like a prison. The autumn wind hit my face as I opened my car door. A notification popped up. A photo from Noah’s school.

My hand trembled as I opened it. Liam was smiling, his laughter radiant—something I hadn’t seen in five years. Standing beside him was Emily, holding Noah’s hand tightly like she belonged there. They were all wearing matching family sportswear. Outfits I had prepared for Noah’s school event. But I wasn’t there. I hadn’t been invited. I hadn’t even been considered.

I bit my lip to keep the tears in. Emily hadn’t just returned. She was replacing me.

Liam and Emily were once the golden couple—he, the heir to a fortune; she, a rising actress. Different worlds brought together by love. Until she left him for her career and broke him. I still remember that night. The media went wild over Liam’s near-suicide. Meanwhile, I sat in a hospital waiting room, praying my father would survive surgery. My family was drowning in medical bills.

That’s when Mrs. Wilson made her offer: “Help Liam recover. Marry him. Just for five years.”

She would pay for my father’s treatment. I said yes. I thought maybe love could grow.

But when I first met Liam, I realized—I had stepped into a frozen world.

When Mrs. Wilson asked, “Liam, will you marry Sienna?” he replied coldly, “Whatever. No one matters but Emily.”

That was the start of our marriage. A formality, nothing more.

I tried. I stayed by his side when he was drunk. I managed his schedule. I cared for him. And slowly... I fell in love.

But Liam remained distant. He never even made our marriage official.

Then came that night. He stumbled in, drunk. Looked at me with hazy eyes.

“Let’s have a child,” he said.

And foolishly, I thought things were changing.

The next morning, I saw the news: Emily had just announced a new boyfriend.

That night was nothing more than a distraction.

Still, I got pregnant. Liam didn’t oppose it. He even changed a bit—became more human. I thought maybe we could build something real.

Then Emily came back.

She left her boyfriend and slowly returned to Liam’s life. They were caught together on camera. Emily started showing up. Staying over.

And I? I became a ghost.

Liam, who once hated being photographed, now proudly printed pictures of himself, Emily, and Noah.

Even my son changed.

“Mommy Emily,” Noah said one night.

I couldn’t sleep after that.

That was the night I realized—no matter how hard I tried, Liam would never love me.

Thankfully, it was just a contract. One more week... and I’d be free.

I picked up my phone and called the publisher who had once shown interest in my manuscript. Then I booked a one-way plane ticket.

It was time to chase my dream. Time to become a writer.

When I pulled into the driveway, a car slid into my usual spot—Emily’s.

Inside were Liam and Noah.

My fingers clenched the steering wheel. I watched them from a distance.

They stepped out, laughing. Emily held Noah’s hand tightly.

They looked perfect.

Without me.

I took a deep breath. I gave them one last look.

Then I turned away.

No tears. No protests. Just silence.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to take your parking spot. You don’t mind, do you?”