His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 4

of the interview. A flat 100,000 dollars at I swiped Gabriel’s credit card for the first time at the nearest mall on the morning of t the Hermes store, buying one bag for his mother like he’d asked me to along with a scarf 1 thought was pretty vibrant.

The next 100,000 dollars I spent was making a transfer to my Grandpa’s cancer treatment clinic, as a donation for people who couldn’t afford treatment, now that his’ was covered. The next 50,000 dollars I spent to make a donation to a fund set up to help cancer patients that had actually covered my Grandpa’s bills for a few months before I could manage by myself.

The next 100,000 dollars, I donated splitting equally between two organisations, one that fought injustice against people of colour and one that rescued children from human trafficking rings.

By noon, I was sitting in Starbucks sipping my regular order at a table alone, when my phone rang displaying an unknown.

number.

I didn’t need the number saved to know who was calling.

With almost a proud smile, I picked up feigning innocence. “Hello?”

“Sofia. Gabriel did not sound like he was smiling on the other end.

“Who’s speaking?

“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”

Hm. I snickered, “I wonder what suits me then?”

“You spent half a million dollars in an hour.” He did not sound happy. “What did you do? Buy a ticket to Mars?”

“More like 350. Don’t be dramatic.” That was six times what I earned in a year normally, and I just spent it in an hour. My heart ached.

“Have you lost it, Sofia?”

“I was just experimenting,”

“Experimenting what?”

“How much money I need to spend to get your personal phone number. Apparently, three hundred and fifty thousand is it takes,” I taunted.

“You called Peter.” He self-spoke.

“I called Peter.” I repeated.

“Why?”

“Just checking why husband dearest hasn’t come home since six days. Imagine my surprise when I dial his number and his assistant picks up.” I was not going to tell him about the interview I had today. He didn’t ask, I didn’t tell. Simple as that.

He remained silent for a moment, and then snickered, “Missing the already?”

I

you were grumpy

nudge. You could spend this much

in a low

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III

Chapter 4

be home tomorrow,” He added, “We’re supposed to have dinner

never met his parents at length, and I imagined them to be very… daunting. Especially given they raised a son like Gabriel. “I picked up the bag for

cordial conversation with him? After he forced me to sign a legal contract stating the date of termination of our

to use, but don’t make me put a

I teased. “I wasn’t even half

He said in

you come back home. Or spend hundreds of thousands to buy a bag I fancy.

could reply, I

did, I could feel a sense

disconnected the call on

forced me to

Hah

a victory dance when I stood up to leave and accidentally bumped into someone,

into instant panic. I.did not have the time to go back to the house and

to clean the coffee off my shirt and looked up at the man in a

I

The man adjusted the glasses he was wearing, looking

No. I was done

“Are you sure?”

I smiled at him politely

reached the car. Even the chauffeur frowned looking at the mess I had made. Wales was

boutique nearby to buy a new pair of clothes, but even as

was not a good

sit outside an office, and I could see another Starbucks cup

The receptionist told me firmly after a few minutes, and I felt my heart

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Chapter 4

this up. “Please could you tell him that somebody spilled coffee over me and I had to detour to change?” I requested. I’ve been really looking

The

shrugged, barely glancing up at me. “He isnt known

was just about

believe this excuse for a second, if I hadn’t

coffee on you.

My mouth dropped.

“You’re Viktor Hart?”

me a smile, “Since you didn’t let me buy you a coffee, I guess I owe you

The receptionist looked shocked.

I was shocked.