THIRTY

ELLEN

Thoughts of Oliver kept nagging at me, but I tried to push them to the back of my mind. Surprisingly, Tony had not called or texted me since that day. It was almost like he did not exist, and my anxiety was gradually fading away. But now Oliver popped up with this unexpected proposal.

I was dying to know why he wanted me to marry him. From the tone of the letter, it was all business, a contract marriage, but why me? I was dying to know why, and I also needed the money; Sophie needed it too, but my resentment for him was beclouding my senses.

“Hi, I am here!” Lily announced as she came into the apartment.

We have agreed to go shopping when she returns from work. Sophie was already dressed and was in the living room, while I struggled through my closet to get a perfect outfit. I needed a change of wardrobe, but that was a luxury I could not afford now because there were other important things I could use the money for. The more reason I should get married