Not Just His Contract Wife

Zoe walked past them quietly, not sure what to do. Her heart pounded as she realized who the woman was. Abigail.

She kept walking, hoping to avoid a scene, but Abigail stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Abigail sneered, grabbing Zoe’s arm.

Zoe looked at Adonis, expecting him to say something. To do something. But he only bowed his head, saying nothing.

A sharp sting of disappointment hit her, but she masked it quickly. Without a word, she removed Abigail’s hand from her arm and turned to leave.

Abigail’s eyes darkened. “How dare you?” she snapped and shoved Zoe.

Zoe stumbled back, catching herself just in time. Anger flared in her chest. She had been silent for too long. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Abigail gasped, her head snapping to the side. She turned to Adonis, her eyes teary now.

Adonis finally stepped in, grabbing Zoe’s wrist before she could strike again. “Enough!"

Zoe’s chest rose and fell quickly as she stared at him. “What did I do to deserve this, Adonis?” she asked, her voice trembling with anger. “Why did you let her embarrass me like this?”

She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned and walked into the villa, her hands shaking.

Inside, she rushed up the stairs and into her room. The second she shut the door, tears spilled down her cheeks.

Why did it hurt so much?

She knew this marriage wasn’t real. She knew he didn’t love her. But standing there, watching him choose Abigail over her, still stung.

She wiped her face quickly. Enough of this.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to go downstairs. She needed fresh air.

But as she reached the hallway, she heard voices.

Abigail’s. And Adonis’s.

She stayed hidden, listening.

“You hurt me, Adonis,” Abigail’s voice was thick with emotion. “You married someone else. Do you even know how that felt?”

“You left me,” Adonis said, his tone softer than Zoe had ever heard before. “You ended things over nothing.”

Abigail let out a small, shaky laugh. “And now I regret it. But I’m back, Adonis. I want you back. And I want her out of your life.”

Zoe’s stomach twisted.

Adonis let out a slow breath. “Abigail… it’s not that simple.”

“Why not?” Abigail demanded. “You don’t even love her!”

There was silence. Then, Adonis’s voice, steady and certain. “I don’t.”

Zoe gripped the wall to steady herself.

“I only married her for my family,” he continued. “For my gran. For Ainsoft. That’s all. She doesn’t mean anything to me.”

Abigail’s voice softened. “Then let her go.”

Adonis hesitated. “The marriage won’t last forever…just eighteen months and I’m back to you my love.”

Zoe’s hands curled into fists.

Abigail didn’t say anything for a moment, then let out a scoff. “Fine. Take your time. But don’t expect me to wait forever.”

She stormed out. Adonis ran after her, calling her name, but Abigail raised a hand, stopping him. “Back off, Adonis.”

He stood there, watching as she disappeared down the driveway.

Zoe turned and went back to her room.

She didn’t cry this time.

A few minutes later, Adonis walked in. His expression was unreadable. “Zoe, I—”

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” she cut him off. Her voice was calm. Too calm. “I understand everything now.”

Adonis studied her, but she didn’t look away.

“There’s no need for us to share the same room anymore,” she added. “Move to another one.”

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a small nod, he turned and left.

Zoe sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door.

It was better this way.

At least now, she knew exactly where she stood.

She knew he was a jerk…

Yes, there were moments when he acted sweet, moments when he almost made her forget how cruel he could be. But those moments meant nothing. They didn’t change the fact that he was playing with her feelings, that he was treating this marriage like some twisted game.

And she wasn’t going to let him win.

She had known from the start what she was getting into. A contract marriage. A deal, nothing more. She had never expected love, never expected kindness. So she had no reason to be disappointed now.

But one thing was clear—she didn’t deserve this.

She didn’t deserve to feel like she was being used, to feel like some pawn in Adonis’s life. And she wouldn’t blame herself for any of it.

He had already agreed to keep a distance.

Good.

If that was what he wanted, then she would commit to it fully.

No more unnecessary conversations. No more moments of weakness. No more allowing herself to care, even for a second.

From now on, they would live like what they truly were—two strangers bound by a contract.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

The next morning, Zoe woke up to the sound of a car engine. She didn’t have to guess whose it was. That deep, smooth purr belonged to Adonis’s sports car.

They had slept in separate rooms the night before, just as she wanted.

Curious, she walked to the window and glanced outside.

Through the glass, her eyes landed on the passenger seat. There, resting neatly, was a bouquet of flowers.

She didn’t need to ask who they were for.

With a quiet sigh, she shook her head. Some people never learn.

Closing the window, she climbed back into bed, pulling the covers over herself. There was no point in caring. Not anymore.

Zoe sighed, pushing aside the thoughts that threatened to linger. She had a job—a real one. She wasn’t just Adonis Walter’s contract wife. She was Zoe Powers, a five-star therapist.

Reaching for her phone, she decided that if this so-called honeymoon was already a disaster, she might as well get back to work.

She scrolled through her messages, checking for new clients. Most were familiar—high-profile names she had worked with before or new referrals. But one stood out.

Anonymous.

No name. No details. Just a request for an appointment.

She frowned. Usually, clients didn’t hide their identity. But whoever this was had gone through the proper channels, so they weren’t just some random person.

After a moment of hesitation, she made up her mind. Work would be a good distraction.

Pushing the covers off, she got out of bed and headed to the closet. A fresh start to the day was exactly what she needed.

By the time she was dressed and ready, she felt more like herself again.

She grabbed her bag, checked her phone one last time, and walked out the door.