Chapter 4 The proposal

I stared at Larry like he had suddenly grown two horns.

“You're gay?” I asked my eyes widening in disbelief.

“Well? What does it matter?” he shot back. His expression changed and his brows were knitted together in deep frown, and I immediately understood it wasn't an answer, he was warning me.

I stood there, completely stunned as the pieces finally began falling into place. Slowly, many things about our marriage began to make sense.

Our marriage had never been made public. No one knew about it except us, the court, and my stepfather. To everyone else, Larry and I were nothing more than friends. Being married to one of the most powerful men in the country had turned me into an untouchable woman. My stepfather couldn't reach me anymore. Not while Larry's name stood between us.

I remembered the day Larry confronted him.

I had watched from a distance as Larry beat him until his arrogance disappeared. For the first time, I'd seen my stepfather vulnerable with blood running from his nose as he swore he would never touch me again.

But even then, there had been something terrifying in his eyes. He had smirked at me.

That insane little smile he wore despite the blood on his face. It stayed with me. Because I knew my stepfather too well and I knew that if this marriage ever ended, he would come back for me. Which meant I couldn't afford to lose Larry. Not even now that I knew the truth about him.

Now that I understood I wasn't the problem, something inside me finally settled. Larry probably had never been attracted to me in the first place, and strangely, that wasn't what worried me. There was only one question I couldn't shake.

Why did he marry me? It was a contract but I didn't see anywhere in the contract that says he's benefiting anything from the marriage. He strictly said no child too.

It kept echoing through my mind, but I wasn't foolish enough to ask him… especially now, not while his patience was already hanging by a thread.

I lowered my gaze and swallowed hard.

“I'll do it,” I finally said, agreeing to his insane proposition.

He stared at me for a moment before giving a small nod.

“Okay. Good for you.”

That was it, no argument, explanation or emotions. Just those four words from my so-called husband.

“Go talk to him,” Larry added before disappearing into the bathroom.

I didn't respond. I knew I had to do it because I'd already agreed and technically I asked for it. Also part of our contract stated that I was expected to obey him at all times. I hadn't fully understood what I'd signed when I agreed to it. Back then, all I wanted was safety. And now, I have it but every good thing comes with a price in this side of the world.

I left the room in search of Matteo. Zoe would probably hate me even more after this. But maybe she knew about her brother's secret. Maybe she knew why Larry had made such an outrageous demand. The thought alone made my head spin.

This house was about to become a breeding ground for secrets and forbidden arrangements.

A man, his wife, his sister and his sister's FWB are about to be in an orgy. It would make one hell of a fictional series.

Except it wasn't fiction. It was my reality.

I heard a loud bang coming from one of the doors and quickened my pace. As I turned into the hallway, I spotted Matteo standing outside Zoe's door with his small bag in his hand. His head was lowered, and his expression was unusually solemn.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Oh, hi.” He looked up and gave me an awkward smile. “We haven't properly met. I'm Matteo Griffin.”

We shook hands, and I didn't waste any time.

“We've met more than properly,” I said, meeting his eyes. “And I'd like to continue what we started.”

“Shhh.” He immediately put a finger to his lips and glanced down the hallway.

“Let's go somewhere private and talk.”

I followed him toward the balcony. The moment we stepped outside, I mentally kicked myself. That was a rookie mistake. I'd been too eager.

That wasn't me carrying out Larry's wishes. That was me trying to satisfy the attraction I'd developed for Matteo within few hours of meeting him.

We stopped at the balcony railing. Matteo turned to me, his expression serious.

“What was that about? You're married to Mr. Larry, aren't you?”

“I have my own free will,” I replied. “And I believe in polyandry. I don't care what he thinks.”

He frowned.

“Well, I'm in a relationship with your sister in law, as you can clearly see.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “And that makes this a lot more complicated than you seem to realize.”

“But you're into this. You're not denying anything, and you're not angry.” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “You enjoyed what happened between us too. I know you did.”

I said as I smiled sheepishly.

“You know I'm better than she is. She can't give you what I can. I'll surprise you. Just tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you. Money? A car? Anything. Just name it.”

Deep down, I knew this wasn't only about attraction. I was terrified of losing my protection. But that wasn't the whole truth. I wanted him too.

“You can't give me what I want,” he said flatly, then his expression hardened.

“And you must really think very little of me if you believe I'd want your money.”

“I… I'm sorry.” I looked away. “I'm just trying to figure out what I can offer you.”

“It's okay.” He leaned against the railing and sighed.

“I'm with Zoe for a reason. And since she has decided not to give me what I need anymore, I'd like to get it from you.”

“Anything,” I said, forcing a smile. “I'll do it. And I'm sure you already know the catch.”

“Marriage?”

I nodded.

“Yeah. That's easy.” He paused, then added casually, “I guess it's God's plan. I want an heir to my empire.”

My smile disappeared.

An heir.

My heart sank.

“I… I can't have a child,” I said quietly.

.

It was hard not to remember how I'd gotten here. Every difficult situation seemed to drag me back to the same painful memories.

My stepfather's constant abuse after my mother's imprisonment had shaped me into the woman I was today.

I still remembered that day in court. I had sat there, glued to my seat, watching helplessly as my mother was escorted away to prison. Our eyes met one last time. Mine screamed the words I couldn't say aloud.

I don't want you to go. But what could she do?

Our lawyers had fought desperately to prove her innocence, but the corrupt system had favored my stepfather…. the very man who had caused all of this.

My mother hadn't attacked him without reason. She had been defending me. That day, my stepfather had attacked me, and my mother, desperate to save me, had poured boiling water over him.

She chose me, and I knew she deeply regretted the decision that had brought that man into our lives. She had married a chameleon…. a man who could change his face whenever it suited him, appearing respectable to the world while hiding the monster he truly was.

He refused to leave us alone despite all attempts to separate from him. And being a cop gave him the power and connections to get away with almost anything. He knew how to manipulate the system, how to make himself look like the victim, and how to ensure no one believed us.

My mother had only tried to protect me. Yet she was the one who paid the price.

The system punished her for defending her daughter, while the man who had ruined our lives walked away almost untouched.

After she was taken away, I was left behind with the man she had risked everything to protect me from.

That was the day my life truly changed.

And perhaps it was the reason I'd become so desperate for protection that I had been willing to sign a contract without fully understanding what it would cost me.