THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

CHAPTER 69 – Zara’s POV

We headed straight to Dr. Brown’s clinic. Once we parked the car in the parking lot, we got out. The clinic was a three-story building. As soon as we entered, my husband immediately caught everyone’s attention. Ever since I had known him, Lucas had always been like that.

He effortlessly captured anyone’s attention. His presence was enough to command respect and admiration at the same time. He was tall, with a perfect face, and he epitomized the idea of a handsome man.

I felt so lucky among all the women in the world that he chose me. There was nothing particularly special about me, but he still chose me, even though I had disappeared for three years like a bubble.

I wasn’t a girl with self-confidence. I could barely stand up for myself. I didn’t know how to be the best, and yet I was lucky to have someone like him. He had fallen in love with me deeply.

It was back in college when we had met. He had been like a star I couldn’t reach. He had been like the moon, yes, really. He had been like a long shot, to think that he would choose me as his life partner.

Lucas was not perfect. He had flaws, he was human, and he made mistakes. But what I appreciated about him was that he never lied to me. He was honest. That’s why I had accepted that I wasn’t the one for him. Because he honestly loved Giselle back then… But now, the tables had turned. And this time, it wasn’t just me who loved. We both had been struck by Cupid’s arrow.

As we walked in, my husband immediately caught the attention of everyone. He had that effect on people. He was used to it. He could make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Of course, it was normal to feel irritated. But I wasn’t going to cause a scene here. I wasn’t that kind of person.

But it was like I was possessed, and Lucas grabbed me around my waist. He held me like he was protecting me. He sent signals, telling me to trust him and focus only on him.

After all, how could I not feel this way? We had been through so much. We had been tested by time, and here we were, a better version of ourselves. More trusting and stronger.

Because trust and respect were the foundation of a relationship. Without them, there was doubt, one might give up and leave. And without respect, you didn’t consider your partner’s well-being.

So I believed that people who cheated didn’t really respect their partners. If they didn’t love them, what was the point of holding on? What was the point of staying in a loveless relationship?

But it wasn’t always like that, I guess. Just like me, who had endured for a long time before he saw my worth in his life. I had to make him love me. And I had succeeded, though I had almost given up.

We approached the female secretary of Dr. Brown. She shot a suggestive look at my husband. Of course, it was natural for me to be annoyed. But I wasn’t going to make a scene here. That would be unprofessional. “Hello! Your wife is here,” I snapped at the secretary. She got annoyed, but I didn’t care!

“Jealous?” he asked, even though the answer was obvious. Of course! It was written all over my face.

I had never imagined myself being jealous, irrational, or this sensitive. I had never thought I’d be the possessive girl I had read about.

I rolled my eyes at him for teasing me. “I might as well give you away, Lucas,” I said.

He pouted in response.

Without warning, he stole a kiss from me. I could see the secretary glancing at us again, the one who was eyeing my husband earlier. Sorry, but the crown is mine.

We headed straight to Dr. Brown’s clinic. Once we parked the car in the parking lot, we got out. The clinic was a three-story building. As soon as we entered, my husband immediately caught everyone’s attention. Ever since I had known him, Lucas had always been like that.

He effortlessly captured anyone’s attention. His presence was enough to command respect and admiration at the same time. He was tall, with a perfect face, and he epitomized the idea of a handsome man.

I felt so lucky among all the women in the world that he chose me. There was nothing particularly special about me, but he still chose me, even though I had disappeared for three years like a bubble.

I wasn’t a girl with self-confidence. I could barely stand up for myself. I didn’t know how to be the best, and yet I was lucky to have someone like him. He had fallen in love with me deeply.

It was back in college when we had met. He had been like a star I couldn’t reach. He had been like the moon, yes, really. He had been like a long shot, to think that he would choose me as his life partner.

Lucas was not perfect. He had flaws, he was human, and he made mistakes. But what I appreciated about him was that he never lied to me. He was honest. That’s why I had accepted that I wasn’t the one for him. Because he honestly loved Giselle back then… But now, the tables had turned. And this time, it wasn’t just me who loved. We both had been struck by Cupid’s arrow.

As we walked in, my husband immediately caught the attention of everyone. He had that effect on people. He was used to it. He could make anyone’s heart skip a beat. Of course, it was normal to feel irritated. But I wasn’t going to cause a scene here. I wasn’t that kind of person.

But it was like I was possessed, and Lucas grabbed me around my waist. He held me like he was protecting me. He sent signals, telling me to trust him and focus only on him.

After all, how could I not feel this way? We had been through so much. We had been tested by time, and here we were, a better version of ourselves. More trusting and stronger.

Because trust and respect were the foundation of a relationship. Without them, there was doubt, one might give up and leave. And without respect, you didn’t consider your partner’s well-being.

So I believed that people who cheated didn’t really respect their partners. If they didn’t love them, what was the point of holding on? What was the point of staying in a loveless relationship?

But it wasn’t always like that, I guess. Just like me, who had endured for a long time before he saw my worth in his life. I had to make him love me. And I had succeeded, though I had almost given up.

We approached the female secretary of Dr. Brown. She shot a suggestive look at my husband. Of course, it was natural for me to be annoyed. But I wasn’t going to make a scene here. That would be unprofessional. “Hello! Your wife is here,” I snapped at the secretary. She got annoyed, but I didn’t care!

“Jealous?” he asked, even though the answer was obvious. Of course! It was written all over my face.

I had never imagined myself being jealous, irrational, or this sensitive. I had never thought I’d be the possessive girl I had read about.

I’m not usually one for public displays of affection, but in this moment, I let Lucas take the lead. I can’t deny that I feel a thrill as well. There’s something different when it’s him flirting with me. It makes me feel valued and cherished, effortlessly brightening my mood.

We entered the doctor’s office, where Stephanie, who appeared to be around the same age as us, greeted us. She was a stunning woman, her beauty only enhanced by her pregnancy. She seemed to radiate a perpetual glow.

Stephanie guided us to our seats and informed us that she had already been briefed on the purpose of our visit by her friend. She came across as kind and professional, putting us at ease before the session began.

My son, on the other hand, seemed more fascinated than nervous. He couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful doctor. It was a sign that he was growing up and starting to develop crushes.

Lucas and I exchanged glances, silently wondering what was going on in each other’s minds. It seemed that our son was entering that stage of adolescence, where guidance becomes crucial for navigating social interactions and friendships.

I consider myself fortunate to have had a mother who imparted valuable teachings to me. She instilled in me the importance of self-care and not allowing others to diminish my worth. While I may not have been the most independent woman, I carried the belief that I should never let anyone belittle me.

True winners know their own value. They can triumph without uttering a single word.

Dr. Brown proved to be not only professional but also genuinely kind. Her interactions with my son and her willingness to answer his questions demonstrated her expertise in her field. My son felt comfortable in her presence, and the session concluded swiftly. Dr. Brown then requested a private conversation with me.

“Enrique may seem fine for now, but expect some nightmares and slight trauma as a result of the recent event,” Dr. Brown shared. “Being a mother is an incredibly challenging role in a woman’s life. Your emotions are intertwined with your child’s. Their pain becomes yours as well. There will be moments when you witness your child struggling. But my advice is to stay strong. That’s what your child needs most right now.”

Her words prepared me for the challenges that lay ahead. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I understood that as a mother, I needed to be resilient for my child.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

It was evident that my son felt at ease with Dr. Brown. He was quiet and reserved, only truly lively and joyful when surrounded by a select few, including Nick.

Nick played the role of a father figure for Enrique, and I couldn’t change that. It was already a part of our dynamic, especially for my child.

He was a great man whom I used to know, but things had changed. Perhaps I couldn’t reciprocate the love he had for me, or maybe I hadn’t even noticed it was there.

After our visit to the doctor, we decided to take a break and enjoy ourselves at the mall. We had been through so much, and it was important to give ourselves a moment of respite. We had endured hardships, and a little break wouldn’t hurt.

Lucas even took a day off work to make it a family day, a day to express gratitude that we were all doing okay. No one had been hurt, and we were still together.

After enduring countless challenges, we decided to visit the church to offer our prayers and gratitude to God for keeping us together. It had been a difficult journey, filled with moments where we almost lost hope, but here we were, still standing strong as a family. However, deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

We entrusted our son to the care of his uncles, knowing that they would watch over him while we attended to our main agenda for the day. I knew that I had to see him, to have a conversation and finally find closure. There were unanswered questions that needed to be addressed for me to find peace. The thought of this conversation filled me with uncertainty and doubt, but I took solace in the fact that Lucas was by my side, ready to support me.

For far too long, I had been weak and manipulated, falling into a deep slumber as my precious memories were erased. But not this time. A small part of me hoped that he would feel regret by now, that he would repent for all that he had done.

As we entered the waiting area to speak with Nick, the man who had been both my ally and my enemy, we saw him with tearful eyes. He appeared tired and sleep-deprived. The moment he caught sight of me, he attempted to run and embrace me, but he was held back, warned that any outburst would result in his return to prison and our conversation being cut short. Nick sat down in front of us, his hands cuffed, and a police officer standing by his side. His glare was directed at my husband.

“Why are you here? To show me that I’m the loser? Then fuck off! Laugh like you love to do. I don’t fucking care anymore!” Nick’s words burned with anger and resentment.

Before my husband could respond, I gently stopped him and took the opportunity to speak. “We’re not here to fight, Nick. We’re here to ask you why. I want to know why you did all of this!” My voice carried a mix of resentment and pain.

“Nick, I trusted you. I trusted you so much as an older friend. Nick, you’ve taken so much from me. You’ve stolen from me, wasted what was mine. And now you’re the one angry?” I was stopped by Lucas, who held me back, understanding the depth of my anger and the need to release it all at once. The betrayal felt like a knife in my back.

“I loved you, Zara. You were the only one I had,” Nick pleaded. “You were the only one who understood me. I can’t bear losing you too.”

“God, Nick! You didn’t love me, and you’re not alone in this. You only thought you did because you blinded yourself! Now, Nick, how will you repay everything you took from me? Even the child I’m carrying, who doesn’t even know what’s happening,” I said, breaking into sobs.

I didn’t know if I could continue this conversation. It felt like it was leading nowhere, and we were about to leave, accepting that closure might never come.

“I know you can’t forgive me, Zara. I’m not even hoping for your mercy. But please, ask for forgiveness from Enrique. I loved in the wrong way, blindly. I’m so sorry. Please go to St. Lucas Orphanage. Your daughter is there. She’s alive.”