Chapter 5

• A knock from one of the housekeepers roused Clara from her peaceful slumber. She felt cozy in the king-sized bed, which was incredibly comfortable. The previous night had been quite stressful for her as she organized her belongings in her new room. She couldn’t shake the thought of whether accepting the marriage was the right choice, which led to her sleeping late and waking up even later.
• “Next time, please don’t wake me just for cleaning. The cleaning can wait, but sleep can’t,” she said, yearning yet calm.
• "Yes, ma'am," the young lady replied, and Clara smiled to convey that she wasn't upset.
• She got up from the bed, ready to prepare for the day ahead. Clara intended to visit her parents and update them on what had been happening in her life before they learned about it through the trending news online.
• She went to the bathroom, recalling that the last time she had been in such an exquisite space was years ago, before the calamity that struck her family, forcing them to sell their properties, including their homes.
• As the water poured over her face, it helped calm her nerves while she sobbed silently, praying that her parents would understand her decision to enter into a contract marriage.
• She slipped into her favorite dress, a gift from her father on her last birthday. The blue knee-length gown accentuated her figure beautifully, making her hips stand out more. She paired it with a set of black heels. After adding a touch of makeup, she admired her reflection and picked up her bag, feeling satisfied with her appearance.
• As Clara descended in the elevator, she silently prayed not to encounter Dylan, hoping to leave the house without having to face him. It seemed that her confidence had vanished after the marriage, leaving her feeling timid and anxious in his presence.
• Unfortunately for Clara, Dylan was sitting in the living room, his legs crossed as he watched his favorite show.
• “Good morning,” Clara said, keeping her eyes on the ground and avoiding his gaze.
• “Where are you going?” Dylan asked, his attention still on the TV.
• “I thought we agreed not to meddle in each other's business,” Clara wondered. “Why does he seem to care about me going out?”
• “You know I don’t like repeating myself,” Dylan said, his voice slightly raised, making Clara shiver, but she fought to calm herself and reply.
• “I want to visit my parents,” she said, her voice low and shaky.
• Dylan shifted his gaze from the TV, looking her over from head to toe before calling one of his bodyguards to prepare to accompany her, which surprised Clara.
• “That’s not necessary, I’ve already ordered a ride,” she replied.
• “It’s like you’ve forgotten who you are now. The news is already out, it would be an insult to me if people saw my so-called wife in an Uber or whatever transport you ordered.”
• “Did he just say ‘my wife’?” Clara wondered, a small smile forming on her lips. She had never imagined he would use those words.
• She reluctantly agreed to ride in one of his cars with a bodyguard, knowing there was really no way to refuse him. However, she felt anxious that arriving in his expensive vehicle might complicate the conversation she was going to have with her family.
• The car drove up to the old, rundown house in the neighborhood, and Clara's mom was the first to notice it as it entered her yard. She paused her laundry to get a better look at who might be in the expensive vehicle and what they were doing at her house.
• As she saw her daughter step out of the car with a bodyguard behind her, her mouth dropped open in disbelief. She took a small step back, rubbed her face with her palm to make sure she was seeing clearly and not dreaming.
• “Clara,” she called, her voice filled with confusion. Clara walked slowly toward her, telling the bodyguard to stay in the car and wait for her, as she needed some privacy. Her mother yelled for her father to come out and see what was happening - Clara arriving in an elite, expensive car with a bodyguard.
• Mr. Trust was also at a loss for words as he watched his daughter. He continued to stare, with various thoughts racing through his mind, wondering if she had gotten involved in some shady business to afford that car.
• “I don’t understand what’s happening, Clara,” Mrs. Trust said as they settled into their old, worn sitting room with tattered chairs and a rough table. The walls looked so aged that they seemed like they might collapse at any moment.
• “Mummy, I need to tell you something, and I really want you to understand me,” Clara began as her parents leaned in closer.
• “I work as a secretary at Ethan and Son company.” Mr. Trust’s eyes widened in surprise as the name rang a bell, but he remained calm and signaled for Clara to continue. He knew his daughter worked at a company and that was how she was able to help her younger siblings with school, but he had never asked her the name of the company.
• “I… accepted a contract marriage with my CEO,” Clara finally revealed the shocking news. Her father stood up abruptly in anger.
• “Contract marriage?” he shouted, his face flushed with rage as his wife tried to calm him down.
• “Daddy, the amount involved is a substantial - one hundred million,” she said. Upon hearing this, her father gently sat down. Although he still felt anger about a marriage without love, the money represented many possibilities for them.
• “I’ve received thirty million upfront, and I will transfer twenty-five million to your account so you can find a better place and pay for Carla and Carolyn’s school fees,” Clara explained. Tears streamed down her mother’s face, and her father held his head in his hands, they had never anticipated such blessings. Suddenly, Mr. Trust lifted his head, realizing he hadn’t asked about Clara’s contract husband.
• “Who is he?” he finally asked.
• “He is Dylan Ethan, the only son of the late Wyatt Ethan and the CEO of Ethan…” She hadn’t finished her explanation when her father screamed in shock.
• “His father is the betrayal that turned me into what I am today, the one who ca
• used my downfall,” he said, collapsing helplessly to the ground.