sting. Love was optional. Emotional labor was forbidden. And yet, the universe insisted that s
zed something crucial: if she wanted a husband without the inconveni
't exist-at least, n
f ice cream. She opened a private browser window and typed: "contract marria
Some explicitly for convenience and mutual benefit. One even claimed: "Marriages w
ement. That was her dream, printed in bold on a webpage wit
les, and anonymous smiling faces filled the screen. Each section promised discreet handling, fully customiza
aragraph as though it were a delicacy.
contact
-
the number on the website. A ca
ge Agency, how m
. am interested in a marriage. Temp
through the phone. "Of course. We specialize in mutu
, adding quickly, "but I
he consultant
d. "Uh... ye
We'll need some details about your
ted them
l investment, or significant ho
wealth
osable after
ect priva
clinical precision. "We have several potential candidates. You may review t
e human interaction. She didn't like surprise
-
for contract marriages. Each profile included photos, a summary of wealth, lifestyle, and personal
ringly perfect-handsome, rich, polite, but utterly uninspiring. Others were risky-eccentr
icular made
an V
e exactly, but because the surname felt... familiar. Emily shook her he
rofil
e:
EO of a globa
illion-do
demand: Ex
lute discreti
r the mouse. Wealth: check. Privac
ed "reque
-
replied wit
the contract will confirm your arrangement. A
incomprehensible labyrinth. She squinted at terms: duration, responsibilities, li
d partner under mutually agreed contractu
Dissolution. Divorce.
too carefully, s
tract finalized. Partne
sighing deeply in relief. Her
enthouse she had never seen-Adrian
ting for this m
-
mentally preparing for the eventual divorce. She tried to imagine what Adrian Vale looked like in p
olled her phone, and th
n her plan: marry, survive, d
nto a path that would make all her pre
Parker
fficiency, discretion, and legal protection.
t often does,
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