Wife on Contract, Stepmom by Surprise

I was stunned for several seconds.

My first thought was that Shane Zimmer was really good at keeping secrets.

Then, I quickly ran through the prenuptial agreement in my mind. What was the third clause again? Oh, right. If he found his true love, I'd walk away with double the alimony.

I instantly stepped aside and said in a polite, businesslike tone, "Come on in. Shane's still at the office. Have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

My reaction clearly took the teenager by surprise. He stared blankly at me for a while before asking, "Aren't… you angry?"

Angry? Why would I be?

I'd have loved it if Shane were having an affair. He'd have to pay me tens of millions in alimony, and I could go live the high life!

I studied the teenager as he changed into a pair of indoor slippers. At 17, he was starting to fill out like an adult. His eyes resembled Shane's, but he exuded an air of innocence that Shane had never had.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Chris Zimmer."

I took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and handed it to him. "Chris," I said comfortingly, "your dad and I are in a contract marriage. We're both in it for our own gain. I have no right to be angry about his personal affairs."

Holding the bottle, Chris gulped and kept silent.

I sat on the armchair across from him, with the coffee table between us, and watched him.

Shane and Chris did look alike.

My mind revisited a moment three years ago. Before breathing his last, Dad had clutched Shane's hands as he left me in Shane's care.

The Zimmer family owed Dad their lives, so Shane had repaid the debt by agreeing to the marriage.

The night before we'd received our marriage certificate, Shane had handed me a prenup.

I'd gone through the document briefly and held up three fingers. "I have three clauses to add. One, we don't talk about love, only dividends. Two, we stay out of each other's lives. Three, if one day he finds his true love, I walk away immediately, and all I want is double the alimony."

Without hesitation, he'd lowered his head and signed the papers. "No problem."

There had never been anything romantic between us.

After the wedding, we stayed in separate rooms and had our meals separately. Every month, he spent two-thirds of his time overseas. Whatever time he had remaining, he spent it more with his secretary than with me.

Three years ago, when we went to the city hall, Shane had been the first to head into the building and sign the papers. Throughout the whole process, he hadn't glanced my way even once. He had made it seem as though he was merely delivering a business project, not getting married.

When Shane returned home, I was curled up on the couch watching a variety show.

His footsteps paused when he walked past the couch.

I turned up the volume slightly and continued watching the program.

He didn't go upstairs.

I stole a glance at him out of the corner of my eye. He was still standing there, staring at me intently.

"Who did you meet today?" he asked.

I paused the show and sat up straight.

"You sure get the news fast. A pretty good-looking teenager showed up and claimed to be your son. You did a good job keeping him a secret, Mr. Zimmer."

The room fell silent for several seconds. His face betrayed no hints of emotion. However, he didn't deny it.

Then, he said, "I'll take care of it."

I nodded and got up from the couch. As I walked past him, I paused briefly.

"Sure. Just let me know if you need my cooperation with the divorce proceedings."