1 - THREE YEARS LATER

THREE YEARS LATER

MORGANA FOSTER

On that morning, everything seemed quiet as I arrived at the mansion. After two years, I returned, feeling a shiver run down my spine as I gazed at that enormous door. I took a few deep breaths before turning the handle, pondering if this was truly a good decision.

I had inherited this house from Grandpa Burke when I married his grandson in that crazy contract, but I never wanted to stay here. Living on campus during college and maintaining minimal contact with my paper husband never sparked the desire to dwell within these white walls.

I only wore my wedding ring at family gatherings and events where I had to accompany him, keeping up appearances of a happy and stable couple. I never considered the possibility of living with him, and he never approached me about it.

We even tried to make the fake marriage seem real in the first year to appease the family, which led to me staying in the city apartment during the initial months. That didn't work out.

Our marriage was merely nominal. We had discussed and agreed to live our lives separately from this contract. It was a colossal mistake. I fell in love with him. He had his girlfriend, Elena. The woman he loved was her, but his family didn't want her around, and I never really understood why.

From what I gathered in our brief interactions, Elena was the love of his life. The renowned model, Elena Kyle. Blonde, tall, slim, and delicate. A face that was refined and elegant.

That woman was my husband's true love, not me. And that kept me from forming expectations, but not enough to prevent me from falling completely at the mercy of his scraps of affection.

I knew he didn't love me; he always treated me coldly, forced to be with me when he actually wanted to marry Elena. I had encountered her a few times, but we never spoke directly.

However, she was always by Ryan's side when we had to meet, exchanging unnecessary affection in front of me, like a dog marking its territory. Yes, that's the right term.

The only times I was spared this discomfort were during visits to Grandpa Burke. I was always grateful for that, as my paper husband didn't care much about how I felt about it. His mere presence made me uneasy, anxious.

But my paper husband always made sure to stay as far away from me as possible. I preferred it that way. I didn't want to be hurt by seeing my husband with another woman. I know, it's a contract.

After three years married to the eccentric Mr. Ryan Burke, this would be the first time I'd see him since finishing college and having to leave the campus.

Two long years of making excuses to avoid seeing him. Starting my internship at a hospital helped a lot in that regard. Last-minute shifts, college exams—always avoiding him as much as I could. Those first months here were enough.

I loved him. And seeing him with Elena, even though I knew he would never be mine, hurt.

I avoided him like hell. Although this marriage was prompted by a contract to save my father's life, he didn't survive chemotherapy and passed away a few months ago. So now, I should return to finish this. Detach myself from this marriage. And move on.

I sat on the white sofa in the living room, tossing the keys onto the coffee table.

The house was impeccable; someone probably cleaned it regularly. It was truly gigantic, decorated with luxury and elegance.

I picked up my phone to check the time and noticed an email from my husband.

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From: Ryan J. Burke II

Date: February 10, 2017 10:00 AM

To: Morgana M. Foster

Subject: Divorce

We need to talk about divorce, when will you be available? Please get back to me as soon as possible.

Please find attached the documents listed and evaluated by my lawyer.

Sincerely,

Ryan J. Burke II

CEO, JBR ENTERPRISES LTDA.

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A pang burned in my chest. Even though I was already expecting it, a bit of hope still lingered in his heart. That, like me, he had developed some affection for me. I knew it was pathetic considering Ryan never showed any signs of it, and well, that hurt a lot.

A feeble hope that I could come here, and he would change his mind about ending this contract.

With my father no longer among us, the debt to the hospital was settled, and the mourning had passed. Is this all I would receive? An email asking for a divorce? After years enduring his humiliations, living with Elena here and there, not caring how humiliating it sounded when I loved him.

He could terminate the contract and go his way since my husband never touched me and never consummated this marriage.

As I thought, he was waiting for the mourning period to pass to do so. Two months after my father's passing, he finally did it.

The hope that lingered in me was just an illusion.

I fell so in love with him at the beginning of this. I genuinely thought I could win him over. And those first months were just a failed attempt.

Tears filled my eyes as I processed the coldness of that email. All the illusion I had built around the possibility of a change of heart crumbled at that moment. I knew our marriage was just an agreement, but the part of me yearning for something more, for a real connection, was still alive.

I took a deep breath, trying to contain the tears threatening to escape. It was time to face reality and move forward. I grabbed my phone and started drafting a response to the email.

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From: Morgana M. Foster

Date: February 10, 2017 10:15 AM

To: Ryan J. Burke II

Subject: Re: Divorce

Mr. Burke,

I received your email. I am available to discuss the divorce. We can schedule a time that is convenient for both of us.

Sincerely,

Morgana M. Foster

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Sent.

I looked around the room, trying to absorb every detail as if it were the last time I would be there.

"How foolish I was, huh!" I spoke to the walls, staring at my reflection in the golden mirror in front of the sofa. "To think that he would actually love me."

Then, sighing deeply, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I was very tired.

Tired of all of this.