Chapter 5-Marriage Contract

Judy’s POV

My hands froze and I went into a deep thought. How can I marry someone I barely know? The question kept repeating in my head like a broken record. I sat quietly on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, my heart heavy. Marriage was not something to joke with. It was meant to be love, trust, and forever.

But my life had already gone wrong.

I remembered my mother lying weakly on the hospital bed, holding my hands and smiling like everything was fine when it was clearly not. The doctor’s words kept echoing in my head.

“$45,000. No money, no surgery.”

I swallowed hard.

If marrying a stranger was the only way to save my mother, then I had no other option. I had already lost my love. I couldn’t afford to lose my mother too.

Later in the day, around one in the afternoon, I went to the hospital to see my mother. The hospital was quiet except for the sound of machines and footsteps. My heart ached when I saw her. She looked thinner, weaker, but she still smiled when she saw me.

“My Judy,” she whispered softly.

“I’m here, Mama,” I said, holding her hand gently.

She looked at me closely. “You look worried.”

“I’m fine,” I lied.

She smiled faintly. “God will make a way.”

Those words nearly broke me.

After staying with her for a while, I left the hospital and went to the shopping mall to buy her provisions—fruits, milk, bread, and other things she would need after surgery. I moved around the mall quietly, not paying attention to anyone, my mind heavy with thoughts.

That was when I heard a voice that shattered everything.

“Baby, please be fast. We are running late to the gynaecologist!”

My heart skipped painfully.

Slowly, I turned.

There she was.

Isabella.

She looked radiant, dressed in expensive clothes, her face glowing with happiness. One hand rested proudly on her stomach. Clark stood beside her, paying for their items like the proud husband he was.

My chest tightened.

I tried to look away, but it was too late.

She had seen me.

She walked toward me slowly, her lips curved into a mocking smile.

“Hello, Miss Judy,” she said sweetly. Then she laughed. “Oh sorry, my bad. I mean ex-girlfriend.”

People around us began to stare.

“What do you want, Isabella?” I asked, trying to sound calm even though my heart was breaking.

“Oh relax, Judy,” she laughed loudly. “I was just wondering what you’re doing in an expensive mall like this.”

She looked around dramatically.

“Or are you now working as a househelp?” she added. “Because honestly, that suits your background.”

My face burned with shame.

“You really had guts,” she continued. “After everything, you still show up in places like this.”

“I’m here to shop,” I said through clenched teeth.

She laughed harder. “With what money? Clark’s money?”

That hurt.

“You know,” she said slowly, stepping closer, “five years with my husband and nothing to show for it. No ring. No marriage. No child.”

She paused and touched her stomach proudly.

“Meanwhile, I got everything in months.”

I felt my throat tighten.

“You were just a practice woman,” she continued cruelly. “Someone he dated while waiting for the real one.”

My hands trembled.

“Look at you,” she added, scanning me from head to toe. “Still poor. Still struggling. Still begging life to be fair to you.”

People were whispering now.

“You stole him,” I snapped, anger burning inside me.

She scoffed. “Stole? Judy, please. A man that can be stolen was never yours.”

Her words stabbed deep.

“He chose me,” she said proudly. “Because I’m better. Richer. Classier.”

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I don’t have time for a boyfriend snatcher who couldn’t find her own man and had to steal what belongs to someone else because she isn’t enough for herself,” I shouted. “Stupid asshole!”

Her smile disappeared instantly.

Before I could react, she grabbed my shirt aggressively.

The fabric tore loudly.

Gasps filled the air.

“Let go of me!” I yelled, trying to free myself.

Anger took over me. I raised my hand to slap her—

But a strong masculine hand held me tightly.

“How dare you, Judy?!”

I froze.

I turned slowly.

It was Clark.

My heart shattered all over again.

“Are you seriously trying to raise your filthy hands on my pregnant wife?” he shouted.

“Pregnant?” I whispered, my world spinning.

“Yes, pregnant,” Isabella said proudly. “Unlike some people who dated for years without getting pregnant.”

She smirked.

“You’re probably barren.”

Those words crushed my soul.

Clark pulled her close protectively, his hand on her waist. “Stay away from my family,” he said coldly.

Family.

Pregnant wife.

I couldn’t breathe.

Tears blurred my vision as people stared at me like I was nothing. I turned and ran out of the mall with my torn dress, my heart in pieces. I waved desperately at taxis, but none stopped.

Just when I was about to give up, a clean black Range Rover parked in front of me.

David’s brow furrowed when he saw Judy clearly trying to meet her eyes.

“Get in.”

I stood frozen.

“I said get in the car,” his voice grew more commanding. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

His tone left no room for refusal. I entered the car quietly, and we drove off.

The interior of the Range Rover was warm and luxurious. Soft leather seats and the faint scent of expensive cologne filled the space. His presence alone made me nervous.

He didn’t say a word.

We stopped at a boutique. He bought me clothes, shoes, and even a white wedding gown.

My heart raced as I followed him like a lost child.

Finally, we arrived at a law office.

He placed a document in front of me.

“Miss Judy,” he said calmly, “sign the marriage contract. I have done mine.”

My hands shook as I held the pen.

I was about to sign my fate.

And there was no turning back.