After their discussion, Olivia went downstairs to the dining room, where dinner was already in progress. The table was set to the taste of everyone. Nathaniel and his parents, Robert and Margaret, were seated at the table, and they greeted her with warm smiles as she took her seat close to Nathaniel.As the meal started, Olivia couldn't help but feel that unspoken questions lingered in the air. She was acutely aware that Nathaniel's mother, Margaret, had a curiosity about their marriage that she couldn't easily dismiss it.Margaret, with her refined manners and polite attitude, began the conversation. "Olivia, dear, we're very excited to have you join us for dinner. Nathaniel speaks highly of your accomplishments and your collaboration on various projects."Olivia nodded graciously, offering a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Margaret. It's been a pleasure to work with Nathaniel, and I'm grateful for the opportunities he's provided."Margaret's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she conti
After the breakfast, Olivia was exhausted. The combination of the early morning gym session, the nature of maintaining pretence in front of Nathaniel's parents, and the ongoing complexities of their contract marriage had taken a toll on her. She decided to stay inher room for some much-needed rest.Nathaniel, on the other hand, excused himself from the table, expressing his intention to have a private conversation with his parents. He watched Olivia as she made her way upstairs, a silent acknowledgment of the effort she had put into accommodating his family's visit.Once Olivia had disappeared from view, Nathaniel rejoined his parents in the living room, where they had settled with cups of tea. Margaret, Nathaniel's mother, looked at her son with an affectionate smile. "Nathaniel, dear, we're so glad you welcomed us to stay. It's been wonderful getting to know Olivia. She's a remarkable woman."Nathaniel nodded, a sense of pride in his voice as he replied, "I'm glad you think so, Moth
Olivia couldn't contain the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped her. She paced back and forth, her footsteps echoing like the restless beat of her heart. The revelation from Nathaniel about his family's expectations had shaken her to her bone, and her anger and frustration had reached a boiling point.As she moved about the room, her voice echoed in the air, a torrent of thoughts and emotions pouring out like a stream."This is insane," she muttered, her words filled with disbelief. "How could Nathaniel's family expect us to just come up an emotional connection out of thin air? We agreed to a contract marriage, for heaven's sake!"Olivia's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she continued her pacing. Her anger was reflecting in every word she uttered."I won't be a prey in their game. I won't be forced into some pretense of love just to satisfy their archaic traditions. It's not fair to either of us!"With each step she took, Olivia's thoughts grew more tensed. Her feeling
Nathaniel realized that he needed to inform Olivia about the discussion they had just had with his mother. He didn't want any misunderstandings or awkward moments at the dining table, especially considering the state of their contract marriage and what both of them has gone through lately.He made his way to Olivia's room and knocked lightly on the door, hoping she was in a more receptive mood than during their earlier argument. After a moment, Olivia opened the door, her expression guarded."Nathaniel," she greeted him, her tone cautious. "What brings you here again?"Nathaniel gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I wanted to talk to you about something, Olivia, especially in light of what my mother just asked me."Olivia's was curious as her shoulders fell, she stepped aside to let him enter her room. "Alright, go ahead. What has she asked again and What's on your mind?"Nathaniel took a seat, his eyes meeting hers as he began, "My mother asked me about our living arrangements, and
Nathaniel and Olivia stood there without the intention to move or Know whether to, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over them, as Nathaniel had just assured Olivia that he would support her through their complex situation. Just as they were about to part ways and return to their respective rooms, the door to Olivia's room swung open suddenly.In the doorway stood Margaret, Nathaniel's mother, dressed in a satin robe with a concerned expression written on her face. She had apparently heard the voices and had decided to check on her son and his wife."Nathaniel, Olivia, what's going on in here?" Margaret inquired, her eyes moving from Nathaniel to Olivia. Olivia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as she met Margaret's gaze.Nathaniel stepped forward, trying to maintain composure. "Mother, it's nothing. Olivia couldn't sleep, and we were just having a conversation. That's all."Margaret's eyes remained fixed on Olivia as she slowly entered the room, her motherly instincts on
Nathaniel had awakened with a sense of anticipation, knowing that his parents were to depart that day. The news of their departure filled him with happiness. "At least, we'll breath in this house!" He said as he pull the dulvet from his body.As Nathaniel got out of bed and began to prepare for the day, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of having the mansion to himself and Olivia once again. He had missed the peace of their private moments and the freedom to be themselves without the watchful eye of his parents.Just as Nathaniel was doing a finishing touch to his dressing, there was a knock at his bedroom door. He called out, "Come in," and the door swung open to reveal his father, Robert Blackwood, standing there with a cheerful expression."Nathaniel, my boy, good morning!" Robert exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I trust you slept well?"Nathaniel returned his father's greeting with a nod and a smile. "Good morning, Father. Yes, I had a restful night. It's go
Olivia expected the conversation with Margaret to end but rather, she continued to talk on and this made Olivia's initial apprehension to gradually transform into a sense of weariness. While she was happy about Margaret's interest in her life and art, she couldn't help but feel that tougher conversations were lingering in the air. The constant need to tread carefully in the conversation and to maintain an unsuspicious appearance took its toll on her.Olivia looked at the big clock on the wall, realizing that she had been engaged in conversation with Margaret for quite some time. She knew she needed an excuse to gracefully have freedom from the situation without offending Nathaniel's mother.With a polite smile, Olivia interupted, "Mum, it's been a pleasure getting to know you better and having this conversation, infact I'd really love us to continue since I'm enjoying every bit of the shared moment we're having, but I have some work to attend to in my art studio. I hope you understand
In the quietness of the night, Nathaniel found himself lost in thought. He sat on his bed, his mind racing with the challenge that had been laid before him by his father. The need to get his fortune without having an emotional entanglements with Olivia.Nathaniel was well aware of his father's intentions. Robert Blackwood had always been a calculated businessman, and his actions were rarely without a strategic motive. The revelation about Nathaniel's inheritance had been a calculated move, meant to test his son's resolve and ability to navigate the complexities of their family dynamics.As Nathaniel pondered on the situation, he concluded that he needed to approach this delicate matter with care and diplomacy. His father was not one to be toiled with, and Nathaniel couldn't afford to jeopardize his own financial independence or the fragile balance of his contract marriage with Olivia.Firstly, Nathaniel thought of engaging in a private conversation with his father, away from prying ey
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy, tension clouded the air as Nathaniel's father, the family lawyer, and other attendees gathered for the signing of the inheritance deal. They were awaiting the presence of Nathaniel's wife. Nathaniel himself was there, his heart pounding with anxiety and a sense of impending doom. He had been honest with James and had tried to find solutions, but now the moment had arrived when he would have to reveal the truth to his family. Nathaniel's father, an imposing figure, looked at his watch impatiently. "Where is she?" he again, irritation evident in his voice. "We cannot wait any longer." Nathaniel lowered his head, his hands and feet trembling. He knew that there was no way out of this situation. With a deep breath, he stood up and faced his family and the lawyer. "Father," he began, his voice strained, "there's something I need to tell you all." His father's eyes focused on him, a mixture of curiosity and impatience. "You can go ahead, Nathaniel. W
As the morning sun shined through the curtains of Olivia's room, she sat at her dressing table, contemplating on the decisions she had made in the past few days. The room was filled with a quiet stillness, a contrast to the turmoil that had unfolded in her life.With a deep sigh, Olivia picked up her phone as she debated on whether to follow through with the plan she had set in motion. She had been resolute in her determination to shut herself off from any external influences or complications, and that included Nathaniel's family, who might be seeking contact for reasons she could only guess.Taking a deep breath, she unlocked her phone and began the process of shutting down various modes of communication. Her decision was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provided her with a sense of control over her own life and from external pressures. On the other hand, it carried an underlying sense of isolation, of self-imposed seperation from the world outside.Her first action was to switc
The atmosphere in Nathaniel's parents' home was tinged with an air of luxury and tradition. The grand entrance path was adorned with his taste of delicate paintings and luxurious furniture, an evidence of the family's long-standing legacy. As Nathaniel walked through the grand stairs, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. The people here, were the people he had grown with, where he had learned the values and expectations that came with his prestigious lineage.His mother, a beautiful woman in her early sixties, stood waiting for him. Dressed in an elegant gown of burgundy and pearls, her attire making her look sophisticated a true blends that was befitting for their family's stature. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she walked towards Nathaniel. She was eager to see Olivia, who had become a significant presence in their lives, despite the unconventional circumstances of their relationship."Nathaniel, dear," she greeted him warmly, a gentle smile gracing her face. "It's b
Nathaniel sat in his spacious office, staring at the busy city streets through the window. It had been a few days since he had last spoken with Olivia, and the weight of his inheritance had continued to bear down on him. He had known for quite some time that the deadline was fast approaching, and he couldn't ignore it any longer.His phone rang, distracting his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID – it was James, his confidant, and friend. Nathaniel answered the call, but with a wearied voice "James, how's everything?"James, on the other end of the line, was typically jovial, but he picked up on the somber tone in Nathaniel's voice. "Nathaniel, my friend, what's eating at you? You sound as if you're carring the weight of the world on your shoulders."Nathaniel leaned back on his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. "James, it's about the inheritance deal."James knew what Nathaniel was referring to. The pending inheritance that required a wife's signature was a topic that had been
Nathaniel's life had taken an unexpected turn, and he was now on the table of making a final decision. With the deadline for signing the inheritance deal looming, he had to take action, and action meant making plans to travel alone.As he sat in his dimly lit home office, surrounded by shelves filled with business books and memories of of how he started his career, he couldn't escape the weight of his impending inheritance. The gravity of the situation lay heavily on his shoulders, and it was a responsibility he couldn't share with anyone, not even Olivia."Olivia," he sighed, thinking of the woman who had played a significant role in his life. Their contract marriage had served its purpose, but now it had reached its end. The days of companionship, of shared laughter and challenges, were over. The distance between them had grown, and he was unsure if it could ever be bridge it like it were before.Nathaniel knew that he couldn't lean on Olivia's support or understanding. Their relati
Since James had encounter with Olivia the time he visited her at the mansion, he has always been a steady presence in Olivia's life, offering support and encouragement when she needed it most. As the day of her art exhibition drew nearer, she felt grateful for his unwavering friendship and knew that she could count on him. They had shared many conversations about the event and her passion for it, making her anticipate his presence even more.With the exhibition only a day away, Olivia decided to call James to again to confirm whether he would be able to attend. She was eager to share this significant moment with a dear friend who had consistently shown interest in her artistic journey.As the phone rang on the other end, James answered with his usual warmth, "Hey Olivia, how's everything going?""James, I'm really looking forward to the exhibition tomorrow," Olivia began, her voice filled with excitement. "I called to confirm whether you'll be able to make it. Your presence would mea
The persistent ring of Olivia's phone startled her from the depths of her slumber. She searched for the phone with her hands on the nightstand. "Who could that be?" She murmured, opening her eyes to see the caller ID displaying the name "Mrs. Margaret." Made her heart skipped a beat; the prospect of talking to Nathaniel's mother was disturbing. What could his mother want to discuss with her now, after their contract had officially ended? Did Nathaniel tell her anything? Why was she suddenly remembered today?.Dropping her uncertainty, Olivia answered the call, her voice a mixture of surprise and fear. "Hello, Mrs. Margaret," she greeted, trying to sound as composed as possible."Good morning, Olivia, dear," Mrs. Margaret's voice was warm and inviting. "I hope I didn't disturb your sleep."Olivia sat up in bed, putting aside her initial anxiety. "Not at all, Mrs. Margaret. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. How can I be of help you today?"The conversation took an unexpected tur
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, gently making Nathaniel to wake up from his sleep. As he opened his eyes, he was met with the stark reality that their contract was no more. Olivia had departed without farewells or goodbyes, leaving him to face the solitude he had known before her arrival.For a moment, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. He recalled the moments they had shared, the laughter, the challenges, and the unexpected friendship that had blossomed during their year together. But he couldn't dwell on those thoughts for long.Nathaniel stretched and rose from his bed, his mind quickly shifting to the matters that awaited him. He knew he had used the contract to sign a lifetime deal and secured other advantages along the way. His life was set on a path that he had meticulously planned, and he was content with the results of it.However, the absence of Olivia in the grand mansion seemed to have created a kind of emptiness in the space that had been shared. He mov
The car moved through the city streets, and the rhythm of the road seemed to echo the wordings and sounds of their thoughts. Nathaniel's attention was fixed on the road ahead, but he could feel Olivia's emotions as well as if they were his own. The silence hung heavy in the air, coupled with unspoken words and the weight of the impending farewell.Olivia's tears began to fall, and she made no effort to hide them. The silvery trails that ran through her cheeks came down in drops as if counting the number of months they've spent together.Nathaniel's heart was pained to see her cry, and he wanted to reach out and hold her, but he remained focused on driving safely. Instead, he turned to her and offered her words of comfort. "Olivia, please don't cry. It's not a goodbye forever. You can visit whenever you want. You're always welcome in my life."His words held sincerity and warmth, and they did little to stop the flow of her tears. Olivia's voice wavered as she responded, "I know, Nathan