His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 10

SOFIA

When I came to my room, the intention was to switch on my series while reading more about Wales, the company I was going to work at from Monday. A little research beforehand was always good. But I was distracted, thinking about my interaction with Arthur Geller. I hadn’t told Gabriel about it, and I wasn’t sure if I should. I wasn’t sure if he would care:

Twenty minutes in, my reverie was interrupted by knocks on my room’s door.

And not the soft kind. Not Luna’s kind.

There was loud banging on the door with an angry fist, and if I hadn’t rushed to open the door, I’m sure it would have broken down

On the other side, there stood my husband. He wasn’t wearing a coat, just his white shirt tucked into black formal pants. He looked mad. He looked so mad, that I almost got scared.

But when his eyes met mine, they softened. Uninvited, he stepped into my room and shut the door behind him.

“Where did the touch you?”

“What?”

He grit his teeth, as if controlling his anger. “Where did Arthur Geller touch you?”

I blinked.

“Freckles. He paused. “Can you answer?”

“What?” I asked again, dumbfounded as if I had lost my ability to speak. “He- He didn’t.”

Gabriel relaxed. “He didn’t?”

“No. He.. He just held my wrist to stop me when I was calling your

“He held your wrist? Something darkened in his eyes.

“Yes, I agreed in a small voice.

“Show me.” He replied as if constantly putting effort in keeping his voice calm.

Gabriel confused me. Sometimes, he was the most cold hearted person I knew, who couldn’t care enough about if I lived on died. And other times, he left his work to come check on me after he got to know that one of his clients paid me an unsolicited visit

Nonetheless, I just raised my left hand, and he held it in between both of his. His eyes remained fixed at me and I shivered when his thumb slightly traced my wrist. He didn’t stop, aware of the effect his little touch had on me.

“Are you okay?” His voice was gentle, eyes flicking from my hand to me.

It was almost as if he actually cared.

I nodded.

“Okay”

“Okay?”

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Chapter 10

“Okay”

left my hand and stepped away from me so quickly, as if coming close

scowled. I asked him to not

“What? No. Sofial”

“What?”

am telling you he is an important client is to tell you that that’s the only reason I associate with a prck like him.” He seemed offended. “I had heard rumours about him, his behaviour, but I never bothered to stop working with him. because of it, because

stared at

“He’ll pay for misbehaving with

that serious. I’m okay. If you do that,

“And?”

will

if emphasising on each one, “You’re my responsibility And no man gets away with coming

he

if he hadn’t heard,

marriage isn’t real,

looking at me without

foot. “I- I noticed you don’t sleep at home some of the nights. I

He didn’t reply.

this in the contract you made me sign.

it continued, the more humiliating it felt. I was talking to Gabriel about sex.

night

I mean, the work part Not the not sleeping with other women part.

almost cracked

Almost.

work to do,” He

a busy man. He took

for

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Chapter 10

checking on me.”

me. You don’t wait for Luna to call Peter who will

I nod.

be home for lunch. He added, and turning around,

shut behind me. I wondered if he meant we would have lunch together. That’s why he said that to me,

Luna was there, talking to the driver, handing him a list. Gabriel

add some of your art supplies to

took the list from her and added the A4 canvases I needed with brush brands and sizes, and the oil paints. “I was told that you had to pick me up from the car and get me into the house last night because I slept.” I looked at the driver. I’m

vision, I could see Luna

ma’am. It

huh?” I asked, eyes flickering to Luna who wouldn’t look

I offered because Sir had a bit of backache the week before your wedding, but he

you

know.” I handed the list back to him and turned to Luna,

I feigned anger but my heart smiled as I headed to the couch. If he cares, why does he pretend so hard not

my room, which I am glad he did because I was so lost trying my new art supplies I had completely lost track

his throat. “I believe

at him, eyes narrowing. “What

him,” he replied

bit, but I didn’t push. “I want to begin working

paint on my knuckles. “If you like, I can ask somebody to clear a room besides yours for you to

Thanks.” I half smiled. He nodded. “Um… Arthur,

did?” Gabriel stopped eating. “Did he say

“No, just that.”

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“Okay.”

going