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Until the Marriage Contract Ends
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Three years ago, on the day I married Luca Moretti, he personally handed me a marriage contract with a fixed term of three years. His tone was casual, indifferent, as if he were discussing an ordinary business deal. "This marriage exists solely to serve the alliance of interests between the Morettis and the Vitales. Sign this agreement. After three years, the marriage will automatically dissolve. When that time comes, you can go and pursue your true love." I barely hesitated before signing. Ten years earlier, at an inter-family business gala, when I was ten and Luca was sixteen, I had already fallen hopelessly in love with him. What looked like a strategic alliance was, in truth, the outcome of my decade-long unrequited love. During the three years of our marriage, Luca was attentive and gentle toward me. Over time, I began to believe I was loved. I sank into that illusion, unable to pull myself out, forgetting entirely about the agreement. That illusion was shattered completely on the night of our third wedding anniversary. That evening, Luca arrived with Elena, who had just returned to New York, and attended what was supposed to be our third anniversary celebration together. She stood beside him with ease and composure, smoothly engaging with business partners. People praised her, saying she looked more like the Donna of the Moretti family. In that moment, even though Luca never mentioned the agreement again, I understood clearly that it was time for me to step aside. After breaking free from his control, crossing an ocean to rebuild myself, and becoming a brilliant leader in my industry, I would no longer wait for his love.
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Chapter 1
“It would be better if the two of you got a divorce… just for a while.”
The words shot out of Efendi’s mouth—Anna’s adoptive father—like lightning cracking straight across her chest. Anna froze. The world seemed to stall mid-spin. She stared at Efendi, waiting for him to take it back, to laugh, to say it was all some twisted joke. But he didn’t. He was serious. Dead serious. “Dad… don’t joke like that,” Anna whispered, her voice trembling, barely audible. “I’m not joking, Anna. Lusi is pregnant. And you know what that means—she’s a model.” Efendi’s gaze was sharp, immovable. “Rendy has to marry her. It’s the only way to keep our family from being disgraced.” Anna blinked at him, horrified. “She got pregnant by another man—why should my husband be the one to marry her?” Her voice rose in disbelief; none of this made sense. “Lusi’s boyfriend refuses to take responsibility. So please, Anna, listen to us,” Renata murmured softly, almost in a whisper. “We’ve raised you like our own daughter for years. Now we need your help. Think of it as… repayment.” Repayment? The word cut deeper than any blade. Rendy sat beside her, silent. Too silent. Anna turned to her husband—still clinging to the wild hope that he would refuse, defend her, say anything. But his lips stayed sealed. Lusi began to cry softly. “Anna… please. I don’t want my career ruined. I’m begging you…” And finally, Rendy spoke. “For now… we need to separate. Once everything calms down, I promise… I’ll come back to you.” A sharp, painful crack tore through Anna’s chest. Her breath caught. He had actually said it. “Ren, what are you talking about?” Anna’s voice spiked, raw with hurt. “Our marriage is fine! Why are you agreeing to this?!” “Because our marriage is fine, sweetheart,” Rendy said, reaching for her hand. “That’s why we’ll come back together later.” “No!” Anna’s voice broke. “I will never agree to a divorce!” “Don’t be selfish, Anna!” Efendi snapped, as if she were the one destroying the room. Before Anna could answer, Lusi’s body suddenly collapsed. “LUSI!” Renata screamed, frantically grabbing her daughter. Rendy jumped to his feet, his hand slipping from Anna’s like it had never mattered at all. Anna called out softly, “Ren…” but he didn’t look back. Not even once. “Anna, check on her! Quickly!” Rendy barked as he lifted Lusi toward the bedroom. “Anna! Why are you just standing there?!” he shouted—his voice cutting toward her for the first time. And all of it… for another woman. Another woman. A blade twisted through her chest. “Stop acting like a child, Anna! You’re a doctor!” Efendi snapped so harshly that Anna flinched, her body locking up. With unsteady steps, Anna examined Lusi. The room buzzed with panic—but the sharpest, deepest worry came from Rendy. The way he watched Lusi made Anna want to scream. “How is she?” Rendy asked, breathless, desperate. “She’s… just exhausted,” Anna murmured. A moment later, Lusi’s eyes fluttered open—and she burst into hysterical sobs. “I don’t want to live anymore! I want to die!” she cried. Rendy lunged toward her. His arm struck Anna hard, knocking her off balance. Whether it was intentional or not—the pain was real. “Lusi, calm down… we’ll get married. I promise,” Rendy whispered to her, his voice gentler than any tone he had used with Anna in weeks. Anna stared at him, wide-eyed. “Ren?!” “Don’t be selfish, Anna! Lusi’s unstable!” Rendy barked again. “Rendy’s right, Anna. Please understand her condition,” Efendi added without sparing a glance in her direction. Anna held her breath. Her throat burned. “Why… why is it always me who has to understand her? Why won’t any of you try to understand me?” Lusi screamed again. “You’re right! We’re all selfish! Fine, let me die then!” She grabbed a fruit knife from the bedside table. “Lusi! Stop! Stop!” Rendy pulled her into his arms—so tightly, so protectively—as if she were someone he couldn’t bear to lose. Anna stepped back, slowly, her body numb. The tears she’d been holding finally broke free. She watched her husband… holding another woman. Protecting another woman. Fighting for another woman. “You all should leave,” Rendy said without looking at her, still clinging to Lusi. “I’ll calm her down.” “Anna, come on…” Renata tugged gently on her hand. But Anna didn’t move. She couldn’t. Rendy turned his head just enough to shoot her a sharp look. “Don’t be childish, Anna!”Latest chapter
Until the Marriage Contract Ends Chapter 8
[Clara’s POV]I forced myself to stay calm and quickly directed everyone to evacuate in an orderly manner. Then, without hesitation, I rushed toward the lab."Don’t panic! Exit one by one!" I shouted as I put on a protective mask and slammed my shoulder into the door already engulfed in flames.A wave of heat rushed toward me. I narrowed my eyes and called out the students’ names at the top of my lungs."Clara, over here!" A student stumbled out, his face drained of color. "Someone’s leg is pinned under a cabinet. She can’t get out!"My heart clenched. I helped him move to a safe area, then gritted my teeth and charged back into the fire.Thick smoke rolled through the room. I could barely see anything ahead and had to grope my way forward by instinct.At last, I found the trapped girl. A heavy cabinet had crushed her leg, leaving her unable to move. I forced the cabinet aside, cleared a narrow escape path, and scooped her up in my arms."Don’t be afraid. I’m here," I told her,
Until the Marriage Contract Ends Chapter 7
[Clara’s POV]The next day, Dad insisted on driving me to medical school. I couldn’t argue with him, so I agreed.Outside the car window, a familiar figure flashed past. Instinctively, I turned my head, but all I caught was a hurried retreating silhouette."What are you looking at?" Dad asked, following my gaze, but he saw nothing.I shook my head without answering, yet a ripple stirred in my heart.Luca…He hadn’t left?When we arrived at the academy, I headed straight for the office.To my surprise, Luca was already sitting inside. The moment he saw me, he stood up immediately. Nervousness and anticipation flickered in his eyes."Clara…" he called softly.I frowned and looked toward the instructor beside him, Professor Julian Hartwell.Professor Hartwell smiled and explained, "This is our new visiting lecturer, Mr. Moretti. He’s willing to invest a hundred million into the academy for the development of specialty pharmaceuticals."I froze, both angry and helpless.This m
Until the Marriage Contract Ends Chapter 6
[Clara’s POV]Returning to my family felt like finding shelter again.The moment my parents saw me, they pulled me into their arms, hearts aching for me.My mom, Isabella Calderon, stroked my hair gently and said, "If you’re unhappy, come home. Your father and I will never let you suffer."My nose burned, and the tears spilled over. Three years of grievance burst free all at once. I cried until I had nothing left.The marriage was over. I was no longer Luca’s contractual partner. I was simply my parents' daughter again.I picked up my books and applied to medical school.Back then, to manage Luca’s allergies and stomach problems, I had learned many medicinal formulations. I never expected that to become the starting point of a remarkable talent.At medical school, I thrived. Before long, I was able to independently develop new compounds.My professors often held up my work and praised it. "Clara, you’re a natural pharmacologist."I smiled in response, but I knew the truth. Al
Until the Marriage Contract Ends Chapter 5
[Luca’s POV]When I learned from Zoe that Clara had returned to her family in France, it felt like a bolt of lightning struck me. I stood there, stunned.I had never intended to terminate the agreement or be with Elena.And I had clearly tampered with that contract. The text on it was supposed to be blurred beyond recognition.Then it hit me.The night of our anniversary, when Clara asked me to sign something. That had been the divorce agreement. I had ignored something so important because of work.Regret crashed over me in an instant.I pulled up every surveillance recording and finally pieced together the truth of those days.Clara had believed the agreement proved I was in love with Elena. She believed the agreement meant I loved someone else.For three years, what I gave Clara was responsibility, not love."Clara, how could you be this foolish? You're the one I love. I was afraid you didn’t love me, so I suggested signing the agreement."I stumbled back to the villa.W
Until the Marriage Contract Ends Chapter 4
[Third-Person’s POV]Inside the gala hall, crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow as the music drifted smoothly through the air.Elena clung tightly to Luca’s arm, pouting as she complained, "Luca, you didn’t reply to my messages at all yesterday. I was so worried about you."Luca frowned slightly,
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