Chapter Seven

The Next Day

Lydia took a deep breath as the waiter led her to Scott’s table as the restaurant was elegant, with soft lighting and the quiet hum of conversations. She spotted him seated by the window, his gaze shifting up the moment she approached. He stood up, greeting her with a polite smile, and gestured for her to sit. She nodded, settling into the chair opposite him, trying to mask her nervousness.

“Thank you for coming,” Scott began, his tone serious yet warm. He gestured to a man standing discreetly nearby—his secretary, Lucas, who held a slim leather folder in his hands.

Once they were seated, Lucas placed the folder on the table in front of Lydia and stepped back respectfully. Scott leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. “I wanted to give you a clear idea of what this arrangement would look like,” he said, nodding toward the folder. “Everything is outlined here in this contract.”

Lydia glanced at the folder, hesitating before she opened it. Inside, she saw neatly typed pages, each one laid out with a level of formality she hadn’t anticipated. Scott continued speaking, his voice steady, as though trying to make her feel at ease.

“The contract covers everything we discussed,” he explained. “If you agree to this arrangement, we’ll be married for one year. We’ll live together for appearances’ sake, attend family events, and fulfill certain public expectations. But after one year, we’ll file for divorce. At that point, I’ll transfer ownership of a villa to you, along with a payment of 50 million dollars.”

Lydia’s eyes widened as she looked down at the contract, reading the details laid out in black and white. The terms were straightforward, yet the enormity of the situation made her pause. She looked back at Scott, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.

“It’s important to me that you feel comfortable with all of this,” Scott added gently. “If there’s anything you’re unsure about, we can discuss it. This arrangement will be strictly professional—nothing will be expected beyond what’s necessary for appearances. I just… need someone I trust to help me through this.”

Lydia nodded slowly, absorbing his words. Despite the surreal nature of the proposal, Scott’s tone held sincerity, almost a hint of vulnerability. She felt a small flicker of reassurance, even as her mind spun with the implications of agreeing to this contract.

“What about… personal boundaries?” she asked, searching his face.

Scott nodded, as if he’d expected the question. “Of course. I want you to feel comfortable at all times. We can set clear boundaries from the start, and if at any point you feel uneasy, I’ll respect your wishes. I don’t want you to feel trapped or obligated beyond what’s outlined in this agreement.”

She looked down at the contract again, flipping through a few more pages. Everything was meticulously thought out: financial provisions, confidentiality clauses, even clauses addressing privacy and personal space. It was surprisingly respectful.

After a long pause, she took a deep breath. “Scott… I’ll be honest. This isn’t something I ever imagined myself considering. But I can see that you’re sincere, and I appreciate the transparency.”

Scott’s expression softened. “I’m grateful, Lydia. You’re under no obligation. Take all the time you need to review the contract, and if you have any questions or if there’s anything you want to adjust, just let me know.”

She nodded, closing the folder carefully. “Alright. I’ll go over it, and I’ll let you know my decision soon.”

Scott relaxed slightly, a subtle sense of relief evident in his face. “Thank you. No matter what you decide, I appreciate that you’re even considering it.”

As they finished their lunch, Lydia couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions—curiosity, apprehension, and a small spark of possibility. There was something honest about Scott’s approach, and while the proposal seemed unusual, part of her was beginning to feel that maybe, just maybe, this could be the opportunity for a fresh start she hadn’t even known she needed.

~

Lydia sat with her friends at their favorite café, nervously stirring her coffee. She glanced at her closest friend, Betty, who was animatedly chatting about her day. Lydia felt her heart race, the weight of the contract and everything that had happened with Scott pressing down on her. She hadn’t told anyone about his proposal yet, and the secret was becoming harder to keep.

Finally, she took a deep breath. “Actually… I have some news,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Betty’s eyes lit up as she and the other friends leaned in eagerly. “What is it?” she asked with a grin, sensing something big.

Lydia hesitated, looking around at her friends’ expectant faces. “I… I’m getting married.”

The reaction was instant. Her friends’ jaws dropped, their eyes wide with shock and confusion.

“Wait, what?!” Betty nearly shouted, her voice drawing attention from nearby tables. “Married? When did this happen? And to who?”

“Yeah, you haven’t mentioned dating anyone,” another friend, Nina, added, looking at her with a mixture of surprise and excitement. “How did we not know?”

Lydia forced a small smile, her cheeks warming as she tried to think of how to explain. She stammered, “It all happened… really fast. It’s complicated.”

Betty narrowed her eyes playfully, but with an undercurrent of genuine curiosity. “Complicated? Lydia, this is huge! When did you even meet this guy? And how did he propose to you without us knowing?”

Lydia swallowed, feeling cornered. She had hoped to break the news without going into details, but seeing her friends’ excitement and confusion, she realized there was no escaping their questions.

After a long pause, she sighed, defeated. “Alright. I’ll tell you everything.”

Her friends quieted, leaning in as Lydia started to explain. She told them about the day she’d met Scott, how they had barely known each other, and how he had come to her with a proposal that had nothing to do with romance. She explained the contract, the year-long marriage arrangement, and the pressure Scott’s family had put on him to find a wife.

By the time she finished, her friends were staring at her in stunned silence.

“So… let me get this straight,” Betty finally said, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern. “This isn’t a real marriage? He’s basically asking you to pretend to be his wife for a year?”

Lydia nodded, feeling her cheeks grow warmer. “Yes. And… there’s a lot of money involved. He’s offering me financial security, a place to live. It’s like… an exchange, I guess.”

Nina shook her head, looking at Lydia with a mixture of empathy and worry. “Lydia, are you sure about this? I mean, it sounds… intense. Do you even know this guy well enough to trust him?”

Betty placed a comforting hand on Lydia’s arm. “And what about your feelings? Can you really go through a year of pretending to be married without getting attached or hurt?”

Lydia looked down, her fingers tracing patterns on her coffee cup. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice soft. “It’s a big risk. But… Scott was honest with me. He’s respectful, and he’s promised to keep things strictly professional. He just needs someone he trusts to help him through this.”

Her friends exchanged worried glances, but Betty spoke up, her tone gentle. “Lydia, I know you’ve had a tough time lately, and maybe this seems like an opportunity. But just… promise us you’ll be careful. If you decide to go through with it, don’t lose yourself in the process. Remember who you are and what you want.”

Lydia gave her a small, grateful smile, feeling the support of her friends despite their concern. “Thank you, Betty. I’ll be careful—I promise.”

Her friends nodded, still looking a bit dazed but supportive. And as they continued their coffee date, Lydia felt a strange sense of relief. She’d shared her secret, and though her path was uncertain, she knew her friends would be there for her, no matter what twists and turns lay ahead.