His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 1

Sofia’s PoV

I wiped tears from the corner of my eyes, hoping nobody saw me weep, and that the mascara didn’t run because of my unending tears. I was miserable, still in disbelief believe that the first time I was going to see my husband-to-be was when I’d walk down the aisle, and he would be waiting for me at the end of it.

At least, I hoped he would be there, and that he wouldn’t elope. Not because I wanted to particularly marry him, but because being stood up at the altar in front of the whole world would be very humiliating.

“Ms. Baker?” As I fixed the princess-y Versace wedding gown one last time, one of the three women who had followed me since the moment I had stepped into this mansion today called me, and I looked up at her.

“Yes?”

“Your grandfather is waiting for you outside. It’s time.”

It’s time. It’s time to get married to a man you don’t know.

Nodding, I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time making sure no tear stained my make up, and then left the room and walked down the stairs to the long wooden doors from which I was supposed to walk out. The dress was trailing behind, and the four inch heels I was wearing were uncomfortable.

I felt suffocated, as if I would breakdown again any moment.

“Sofie!” My grandfather’s eyes lit up when he saw me, and mine softened looking at him all decked in his blue tux. It’s all for him, I reminded myself, he needed the money.

“Grandpa,” I smiled softly at him, hurrying to reach him before he walks to me. He used to be tall and fit once, but years of chemotherapy had sucked the strength the out of him.

“Oh! You look beautiful!” Tears glistened in his eyes. “I wish your parents could see you like this.”

I gulped the lump forming at the back of my throat as I held his hand when I reached him. “Are you happy, grandpa?”

“Very.” He beamed, “You will be taken care of when I’m gone. Gabriel is a good man.”

I nodded. I wasn’t happy, but he didn’t need to know of that.

you ready?” He asked in a whisper as I wrapped my hands around his arm

ready as

doors opened. People stood on both sides of me when I stepped out

in. Deep breath

meticulously planned extravagance all around me that the Whitlock family had spent hundreds of thousands

Gabriel Whitlock.

his lopsided smile, his broad, muscular shoulders and his graceful stance, but my heart still skipped a beat

be a fairytale-come-true, not a nightmare of a marriage I was about to be

he looked up, which changed when he saw me. An emotion I couldn’t decipher

reached the end, forwarding his hand towards me in a perfectly practiced gesture, and cameras flashed more

palm was rough and large, and mine felt so small in

priest’s words, surprising myself. I hadn’t planned on doing this. My voice was so little that I wasn’t sure he heard me, but he did. His eyes flickered towards me, setting on me

and then he

still flushed with embarrassment when the dreaded words cut

turned to me, and I bit my

you, Sofia Baker, take Gabriel Whitlock

wearing costed more than my apartment.

you may kiss your bride.” The officiant announced, and the entire world faded when he stepped towards me, hovering over me despite the tall heels I was wearing. One of his

was barely

moved away as if he wasn’t supposed

* *

attend the reception of

nuptials, I was ushered back

to get to know you,” My grandfather laughed quietly, and I contemplated

Gabriel’s voice filled in from behind, a

care of my

look at me. “But I’m going to steal her

tight. “I’ll visit you tomorrow,” I promised

happened to be his friends from college. I had met them a few

we begin walking