As the evening sun bathed Cara's snug apartment in a comforting glow, she settled onto her bed with her laptop, eager to unwind after a taxing day spent at the hospital with her mother. Thoughts swirled in her mind about recent events in her life, leaving Cara feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Contemplating her future after marrying Dom, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.
The idea of entering a family of great wealth seemed like a dream come true on the surface, but Cara couldn't shake off her reservations. The intrusive nature of the media and loss of privacy weighed heavily on her mind. Determined to escape these thoughts, Cara decided to shift her focus and engage in something more relaxing: eating pizza and watching her favorite movies to distract herself from the worries swirling in her head.
After ordering a box of mushroom and spinach pizza and a bottle of sparkling water, Cara indulged in a warm bath and dressed in cozy attire before settling on the sofa. Opening the pizza box, she couldn't help but think;
"Now that I'm pregnant, perhaps I shouldn't be consuming indulgent food like this..."
However, upon further contemplation, she decided to disregard her initial concern and simply enjoy her meal in peace. After all, she hadn't anticipated or signed up for any of the current drama in her life, so she brushed it off and took a bite from a slice.
Just as she was about to unwind with her favorite TV show, a notification flashed on her laptop screen, alerting her to a new email. Quickly, she clicked on the message, and her heart skipped a beat upon seeing the subject line: "Review of Marriage Contract Document."
She couldn't suppress a chuckle at Dom's eagerness to rush through the process. It baffled her how a wealthy, independent adult like him could allow his mother to wield such influence over him. Letting out a heavy sigh, Cara opened the attachment and began to meticulously review the contents of the contract.
The document outlined the terms and conditions of a proposed marriage agreement between her and Dom. The idea of a contract marriage was unconventional to Cara, although not entirely unfamiliar in Dom's social circle.
She carefully pondered each clause, weighing the pros and cons of such an arrangement. Despite her initial reservations, Cara found herself drawn to the possibilities it offered. After much contemplation, she made a firm decision and reached for the digital pen on her bedside table. With a deep breath, she electronically signed the document, confirming her acceptance of the terms outlined within.
After sending the signed contract back to Dom's email address, Cara felt a wave of anxiety washing over her. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her mind as she considered the implications of this new phase in her life. Suddenly, she remembered her one true friend, Isabell. Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and dialed Isabell's number, anxiously waiting for her to answer.
"Hey, it's me," Cara started as soon as Isabell picked up the call.
"Cara. How are you? Is everything okay?" Isabell inquired with concern.
Cara let out a tired sigh. "I guess... Dom approached me a few days back."
"Really? What's going on? Did you talk to him about your situation?" Isabell's curious voice echoed from the other end.
"I met his mother, and well... I told her everything, so she informed Dom."
"And…?"
"He suggested a contract marriage,"
There was a brief pause.
"A what?"
"You see... He's proposing a pretend scenario. He suggested that I marry him for just a year so that his mother can have a grandchild, in exchange for covering my mother's medical expenses and some other things..." She sighed, massaging her forehead.
"I understand. But Cara, is this something you truly want? It's nice that he wants to assist you, but what happens to you once the contract is up?" Isabell inquired.
"We go our separate ways. It's as simple as that," Cara shrugged.
"Hmm... this is risky. How will his mother react when she learns about this? Mrs. Everly is quite influential, you know," Isabell expressed her concern to the frustrated Cara.
"When the time comes, we'll figure it out. At least now I don't have to stress about my mum's health, right?"
Despite Cara's attempts to stay optimistic, she couldn't shake off the nerves and fear of the unknown.
"Well, that's understandable. I won't push you to change your mind or anything... It's your life after all. Just stay cautious, alright? Dealing with a powerful businessman can be tricky," Isabell advised.
Cara simply chuckled.
"I'll be okay, Isabell. With a supportive best friend like you, I feel safe and reassured. So, I... I got the email with the marriage contract proposal from Dom, and I agreed to sign it."
"What can I say? Best of luck, Cara."
Cara took a deep breath and smiled.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I'm willing to give this a shot. Plus, it's not like I could afford to care for a billionaire's child on my own." She uttered in a sarcastic tone and they both laughed.
"Well, that is true. But remember, marriage is a big commitment, even if it's a contract. Don't rush into anything you're not fully comfortable with."
Cara nodded, even though her friend couldn't see her.
"I know, and I appreciate your concern. This is uncharted territory for me, but I feel like I need to take this chance, to see where it leads."
Her friend sighed softly. "Well, I trust your judgment, Cara. Just promise me you'll keep me updated on everything. I'm here for you, no matter what."
With a sense of relief washing over her, Cara smiled. "Thank you, that means a lot to me. I'll keep you in the loop. You're my rock, always."
The call ended, and Cara tossed her phone on the sofa, sighing. Looking down at her pizza, she realized it was getting cold and decided to put it in the microwave again.
"I guess this baby doesn't like cold pizza." She chuckled, rubbing her tummy slightly. Without even realizing it, Cara had already begun to have a motherly connection with her unborn child.