Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Tara POV

I wandered back to my apartment, feeling a strange numbness. The contract papers felt heavy in my bag, a reminder of the surreal conversation with Ryan. As soon as I shut the door behind me, I sank onto the sofa, my mind racing.

A contract marriage? It was the stuff of bad romance novels, yet here I was, tangled in one. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe deeply, but my thoughts kept circling back to the same question: How long had Ryan known? And why did he act like it was just another business deal?

Days passed in a blur. I went through the motions at work, avoiding Ryan as much as possible. The few times our paths crossed, he was as cool and composed as ever, as if our bizarre arrangement didn't faze him in the slightest. It infuriated me.

Becca was my only solace. We met at our favorite café one evening, and as soon as I saw her, the tears I'd been holding back burst forth.

"Tara, oh my God, what's wrong?" She rushed to my side, wrapping me in a comforting hug.

I tried to speak, but my voice was caught in my throat. Finally, I managed, "I signed a contract marriage with Ryan."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What? Why would you do that?"

"I didn't feel like I had a choice. He knew about the pregnancy, and he...he had everything ready. It's like he planned it all."

Becca was silent for a moment, then she said, "Tara, you need to be careful. Ryan is not just your boss now; he's controlling your life."

I nodded, knowing she was right. But what choice did I have? I felt trapped, with no way out.

That night, as I lay in bed, my mind drifted back to Dammy. How had he known where to find me that day at the hospital? And why did he seem so disappointed? The questions gnawed at me, but I had no answers.

The next morning, I was getting ready for work when my phone buzzed with a text from Ryan. "We need to talk. Meet me in my office at 10."

I stared at the message, a sense of dread washing over me. What now? I arrived at his office promptly, my heart pounding. Ryan looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable.

"Sit down, Tara." His tone was softer than usual, almost...gentle? It threw me off balance.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I've arranged for us to have a dinner with my parents this weekend. They need to believe this marriage is real."

I blinked in surprise. "Your parents?"

"Yes, and I expect you to be on your best behavior. This is important."

His words stung, but I nodded. "I understand."

As I left his office, my mind whirled with new anxieties. Meeting his parents? Pretending to be a happy couple? How was I going to pull this off?

Saturday arrived far too quickly. I stood in front of my closet, agonizing over what to wear. Finally, I chose a simple yet elegant dress, hoping it would be good enough. Becca had insisted on doing my makeup, trying to lift my spirits.

"You look stunning," she said, stepping back to admire her work. "Ryan's parents will be impressed."

"Thanks, Becca. I just hope I can get through this evening without falling apart."

She gave me a reassuring smile. "You will. Just remember, I'm here for you."

Ryan picked me up at seven sharp. He looked impeccable as always, his eyes briefly scanning my outfit with approval. The drive to his parents' house was silent, tension crackling between us.

We arrived at a grand mansion, and I took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. Ryan took my hand, a gesture that felt both comforting and confining.

"Ready?" he murmured.

I nodded, even though I wasn't sure if I was. We walked up the steps, and the door opened to reveal a distinguished couple. Ryan's parents. They greeted us warmly, but there was an air of scrutiny beneath their smiles.

As the evening progressed, I played my role, smiling and laughing at the right moments. Ryan's parents seemed pleased, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they were watching me closely, looking for cracks in our façade.

Halfway through dinner, Ryan's mother turned to me, her gaze piercing. "Tara, how did you and Ryan meet?"

I hesitated, my mind racing for the right answer. "We...met at work. It started off professionally, but we quickly realized there was something more."

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I see. Well, it's clear you care for each other very much."

I forced a smile, glancing at Ryan. He was watching me intently, his expression inscrutable. The rest of the evening passed in a blur, and soon we were on our way back.

"You did well tonight," Ryan said quietly.

"Thanks," I replied, my voice flat. "Is this how it's going to be, pretending for everyone?"

"For now, yes. It's necessary."

I looked out the window, feeling more trapped than ever. The puzzle of my life had grown more complex, with pieces that didn't seem to fit. And as much as I tried to see the whole picture, it remained frustratingly out of reach.