Chapter 4 - THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT
I read the document three times.
My name appeared beside Alexander's, followed by a paragraph explaining that our marriage would establish a legal connection between two family holdings.
I didn't understand all the financial language.
I understood enough.
Our marriage hadn't been entirely private because Alexander feared for my safety.
It had also been designed to secure something.
“What is this?” I asked.
Nathan looked uncomfortable.
“Your father owned a small property development company before he died.”
I stared at him.
“My father went bankrupt.”
“That's what you were told.”
My throat tightened.
Nathan continued.
“Your father had a controlling interest in a company that owned several valuable properties. When he died, those assets became entangled in a legal dispute.”
“And Alexander?”
“He purchased the outstanding interests through a holding company. Your marriage gave him access to the remaining shares.”
I felt sick.
“Are you telling me he married me for money?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then explain it.”
Nathan looked down.
“Alexander had already fallen in love with you before the agreement was signed. But the family pressured him to make the marriage serve a purpose.”
I laughed without humor.
“So he married me because he loved me and because I was useful.”
“Claire—”
“Don't.”
I pushed the document back toward him.
For five years, I had defended Alexander.
When his relatives called me an outsider, I told myself they didn't understand him.
When he disappeared for days, I told myself his work was dangerous.
When he refused to introduce me as his wife, I believed he was protecting me.
Now I wondered whether I had simply been convenient.
That afternoon, I went to see my attorney, Rebecca Hayes.
She was a sharp, practical woman in her forties who had handled my divorce filing.
After reviewing the document, she looked at me.
“Did you sign this?”
“No.”
“Did you know about it?”
“No.”
“Then we need to investigate whether your name was used without your consent.”
She began making notes.
“Claire, there may be another issue. Your marriage certificate is valid, but the divorce hasn't been finalized.”
“I know.”
“And because you're pregnant, you should understand that the child's legal parentage will need to be addressed.”
I looked at her.
“Can Alexander take my baby?”
“Not simply because he wants to. But given his resources, we should prepare carefully.”
I left her office feeling as though the floor had shifted beneath me.
When I returned home, a black car was parked outside.
Alexander stood beside it.
He had come alone.
“I know you met Nathan,” he said.
“Do you also know I saw the contract?”
His expression changed.
“Where did you get it?”
“Does that matter?”
“Claire, there are things about my family's business you don't understand.”
“Then explain them.”
He looked toward the apartment building.
“Not here.”
“I'm tired of being told where and when I can hear the truth.”
He exhaled.
“Your father was in serious financial trouble. His company was about to be taken by people who would have destroyed everything he built.”
“So you bought it?”
“I protected it.”
“By marrying me?”
“I was already planning to marry you.”
“But you signed that agreement before the wedding.”
He said nothing.
I felt something inside me break.
“You knew.”
“I knew the family wanted the marriage formalized for business reasons. I didn't know every detail of the agreement.”
“You never told me.”
“I didn't want you dragged into it.”
“Yet you dragged me into it anyway.”
He stepped closer.
“I loved you, Claire.”
I looked at him for a long moment.
“Maybe you did. But you loved having me where you could reach me more.”
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
I caught the name.
Sophia.
“Go,” I said.
He didn't move.
“Claire—”
“Your first love is calling. Don't keep her waiting.”
He finally put the phone away.
“I ended things with Sophia.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“She came back because she wanted to restore an old arrangement between our families. I told her it was over.”
I should have felt relieved.
Instead, I felt nothing.
“That's between you and her.”
I walked inside.
An hour later, Rebecca called.
“Claire, I found something in the corporate records.”
“What?”
“The property agreement wasn't the only document signed before your wedding.”
She paused.
“There's a second agreement. One that names you as the beneficiary of a trust.”
I sat down.
“What trust?”
“Your father established it before he died.”
My heart began pounding.
Rebecca continued.
“And there's something strange about the date. The trust was amended three days before his reported death.”
I whispered, “Who amended it?”
Rebecca took a breath.
May you like
“Alexander Moretti.”
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