CHAPTER 9: See you soon, husband

CHAPTER 9

Jason’s POV

"I didn't invite you here," I said, striding toward the kitchen, my patience already wearing thin.

Diana followed me, her heels clicking against the floor. "I called you several times, but you didn’t pick up," she whined. "Since you were ignoring me, I figured I’d surprise you."

I scoffed, pulling open the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. "A surprise? Or an ambush?" I twisted off the cap and took a sip, ignoring the way she was eyeing me like we were still something.

"This place hasn't changed a bit," she murmured, running her fingers over the edge of the couch. Then her gaze settled on me, her eyes softening. "It still feels like home."

I clenched my jaw. "That’s funny, because you lost the right to call this place home a long time ago."

Her expression faltered for a second before she plastered on a smile. "Jason, come on," she purred, taking a slow step toward me. "Don’t be like that."

"Don't come closer," I warned, my voice low.

She paused, pouting. "Why are you acting like this? We used to be happy together."

I let out a sharp laugh. "Happy? You call what we had happiness?" I set my bottle down, my hands curling into fists. "You betrayed me, Diana. You betrayed us. And now you have the audacity to stand here and act like nothing happened?"

She sighed dramatically. "I heard you were back in town, so I thought I'd make things up to you." She lifted a few shopping bags, flashing me a grin. "I even bought groceries. Let me cook for you, just like old times."

I shook my head, exhaling sharply. "No, thanks. I already sorted myself out." I turned toward the door. "Now, leave."

"Jason, please," she whined, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Thank God. A distraction.

I pulled it out and answered without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Jason, it's me, Nelly," her soft voice came through the line.

Diana's expression darkened instantly, her ears practically perking up.

"Oh, um…" I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Hi, Nelly."

"I just wanted to let you know that I’ve accepted the proposal," she said.

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Good. Send me your address—I’m coming over."

"Now?" she asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes, now. I’ll be waiting."

I ended the call.

Diana folded her arms, her lips curling into a sneer. "A lady’s voice?"

I shot her a blank stare. "I'm not repeating myself. Leave."

She took a step toward me, her smirk widening. "I'm going to find her, you know," she threatened. "And if I can’t have you, Jason, then no one will."

With that, she strutted toward the door, her hips swaying as if she hadn’t just thrown a childish tantrum.

"Diana," I called after her, my voice calm but firm. She turned slightly. "You have no place in my life. So don’t bother showing up here again." I gave her a mocking smirk and slammed the door shut behind her.

A weight lifted off my shoulders. I pulled out my phone again and dialed Bryan.

"Stop the search for a contract wife," I said the moment he answered. "And send a dress to this address. I’ll text it to you. I’ve already found the one."

I hung up, a small grin forming on my lips.

---

Nelly’s POV

"How do I look?" I asked Emily, twirling in front of the mirror, trying to ignore the nerves bubbling inside me.

Silence.

I turned to find Emily staring at me with a knowing grin.

"What?" I asked, folding my arms.

"Nelly," she drawled.

I sighed. "What?"

"You’re not exactly happy about this, are you?" She raised an eyebrow.

A blush crept up my cheeks. "I don’t know what you’re talking about!" I huffed, turning away.

She burst into laughter. "Oh my God, you’re blushing!" She shook her head before growing serious. "Okay, but jokes aside—are you sure about this?"

I looked down at my hands. "Emily… I have no choice."

The hospital’s call still echoed in my mind. My grandma needed treatment. And I needed money. Jason’s contract was the only option I had left.

I had called him earlier, and now here I was—about to change my life with a single piece of paper.

Emily sighed. "I just don’t want you to get hurt again."

"I won’t," I assured her, squeezing her hand. "It’s just business. No emotions involved. My heart is perfectly safe."

Bing!

I glanced at my phone. A text from Jason.

"He’s here," I told Emily, flashing my screen at her. "See you soon."

I stepped outside and immediately spotted Jason leaning against a sleek black SUV.

"Wow," I whispered, circling the car. "Nice ride."

Jason smirked. "Thanks." His gaze traveled over me. "You look gorgeous in that dress."

My face heated. "Thanks," I murmured. "I loved the clothes you sent."

"Glad you liked them," he said smoothly. "Shall we?"

I nodded, slipping into the car.

As we drove, I stared out the window, my stomach churning with emotions I couldn't name. Was this nervousness? Excitement? Or something else?

"So, got any plans after this?" Jason asked, breaking the silence.

"I was thinking of visiting my grandma," I answered.

He nodded. "That’s good."

We reached the registry, and the process went by quickly. Before I knew it, we were standing outside, holding our marriage certificates.

"So… this is it," I breathed, staring at the document in my hands.

Jason tucked his into his pocket. "Yeah. See you soon, wife," he said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. "See you soon, husband."

This wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

A year. That’s all it was.

I flagged down a taxi and headed to the hospital.

As I walked through the sterile white hallways, the scent of antiseptic filling my nose, I slowed down at the door to my grandma’s room.

Voices.

I froze.

"You need to tell her," a voice—my aunt’s—said. "She has a right to know."

I frowned. Tell me what?

My hand tightened on the doorknob.

"It's already hard for her to settle

your bills. This is the only way"

A sick feeling settled in my stomach.

What truth?

I pushed the door open. Their heads snapped up.

"Auntie…"