I Married A Stranger To Escape My Mother
Chapter 4
Laura stared at the contract on the table, her signature still fresh. For a few seconds, she wondered if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.
Fred sat across from her, looking completely calm. “You can still change your mind,” he said.
Laura looked up. “Are you hoping I will?”
“No.”
“Then why say it?”
“Because once you sign, this becomes real.”
Laura glanced down at the document again. “One year,” she murmured.
“One year,” Fred confirmed.
“And after that, we walk away.”
“Yes.”
“No feelings.”
Fred's expression barely changed. “That shouldn't be difficult.”
Laura almost laughed. Of course. For a man like Fred, feelings probably were not part of the plan.
She picked up the contract. “There is something I want changed.”
Fred raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“I don't want you controlling my life.”
“I have no interest in controlling your life.”
“I want to keep working.”
“Fine.”
“I don't want your money.”
“You will receive your agreed allowance.”
“I said I don't want your money.”
Fred leaned back. “Then don't spend it.”
Laura narrowed her eyes. “You're annoying.”
“I've heard that before.”
“I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
Laura looked at him for a moment. There was something strange about the man. He was arrogant, yes. Cold, definitely. But he did not seem interested in humiliating her or making her feel small. That surprised her.
Fred picked up the contract. “One more thing.”
Laura waited.
“You will move into my house.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“My family needs to believe this marriage is real.”
“You never mentioned living together.”
“I assumed it was obvious.”
“It wasn't obvious to me.”
Fred sighed. “Laura, if we are going to convince everyone that we are married, we cannot live in different houses.”
She folded her arms. “And what exactly happens when we get there?”
“We live like normal married people.”
Laura stared at him. “Normal?”
“As normal as possible.”
“I don't even know you.”
“That makes two of us.”
The room became quiet. For the first time, the seriousness of what they were doing settled between them. Laura was about to live with a stranger. A man she had met only recently. A man whose real life she barely understood. Yet somehow, this stranger was about to become her husband.
Fred stood. “Daniel will take you home.”
“I can go myself.”
“I know.”
“Then why send someone?”
“Because it's late.”
Laura looked at him suspiciously. “Are you always this controlling?”
Fred paused. “No.”
“Then?”
“I just don't like unnecessary risks.”
She looked away. “Fine.”
As Laura stood, Fred added, “Your mother must not know about the contract.”
Laura froze. She turned slowly. “Of course.”
“If Margaret finds out, she may try to interfere.”
“She won't find out.”
“And Frank?”
Laura's face hardened. “I don't care about Frank.”
Fred studied her expression. “You're sure?”
“Yes.” Laura picked up her bag. “I didn't agree to this because I wanted a rich husband. I agreed because I wanted my freedom.”
Something changed in Fred's expression—very slightly. “I know.”
Laura walked toward the door, then stopped. “Fred.”
“Yes?”
“If this marriage becomes difficult, I will not beg you to keep me.”
Fred looked directly at her. “You won't have to.”
Laura nodded and walked out.
Fred remained in the room, looking at the contract again. For a man who had spent years avoiding marriage, he had just signed an agreement that would put a stranger into his home and into his life. He should have felt relieved. Instead, he felt strangely uneasy.
The next morning, Laura packed her belongings. There wasn't much: a few clothes, her documents, some books, and one old photograph of Mr. Sam.
She held the photograph for a long moment. “If you were here, Dad,” she whispered, “you would probably tell me to think carefully.” Her eyes became wet. “But I don't have anywhere else to go.”
She carefully placed the photograph inside her bag.
A knock came at the door. Laura wiped her eyes. “Who is it?”
“It's me.”
Evelyn.
Laura opened the door. Evelyn looked at the bags, her eyes widening. “So it's happening?”
Laura nodded.
“You're really marrying him?”
“Yes.”
“A man you barely know?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn stared at her. “Laura, this sounds completely crazy.”
“I know.”
“And you're moving into his house?”
“Yes.”
Evelyn put both hands on her head. “This is not a marriage. This is a movie.”
Laura laughed despite herself. “Maybe.”
Evelyn's expression softened. “But are you sure about this?”
Laura looked at her friend. “No.”
Evelyn blinked. “At least you're honest.”
Laura smiled faintly. “But I know one thing.”
“What?”
“I would rather take a chance on a stranger than let Margaret decide the rest of my life.”
Evelyn pulled her into a hug. “Then promise me something.”
“What?”
“If that man ever treats you badly, you leave.”
Laura nodded. “I promise.”
Outside, a car horn sounded. Laura looked through the window; a black car was waiting. Fred's driver had arrived.
Her stomach tightened.
Evelyn squeezed her hand. “Your stranger is here.”
Laura picked up her bag and took one last look around the small room. Then she walked outside.
Waiting in the car was the man she had just agreed to marry. Fred looked at her through the window. Their eyes met. Neither smiled. Neither knew what was waiting for them.
Laura opened the car door and stepped into the life of a stranger.
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