His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 19

“S-Sofia,” Sam greeted me when he hesitantly walked towards us his eyes only looking at me.

“Sam,” I greeted him back. Do I hug him? Do we shake hands? Awkward, I just stood there. “H- How are you?”

“I’m okay,” He replied. He was staring at me. He was staring at me as if the rest of the world disappeared for him and the guilt was so heavy on my insides it was physically hurting. “You got married.”

I tried giving him a little smile. Nothing came out. “I got married

“You look good. He said and I subconsciously fixed my coat over the long knitted dress I was wearing, hugging it tighter to me. It was so cold, but I somehow felt warm and clammy and suffocated.,

“Thanks. So do you.” I wanted to say so much but no words seemed like the right ones and I was afraid that the expression of being lost and confused was written all over my face, and my husband who’s stare I was painfully aware of could read it like it was his second language.

So I cleared my throat, taking in a deep breath. “Gabriel, this is Sam. He’s one of my closest and oldest friends from home”

“Friend, huh?” Hurt flashed across Sam’s face that he tried his best to cover when he finally stopped looking at me and turned to the man I had just introduced him to

“Gabriel, He extended his hand, one that Sam hesitantly shook. The husband.”

Sam, just the friend.”

I gulped. Gabriel’s voice was loud and dominating, almost announcing.

“Funny how Freckles never mentioned you, just Alice.

Liar. Liar. Liar. I stared at Gabriel, who wouldn’t turn his eyes back at me. What was he doing?

“Freckles, huh?” Sam scoffed.

“Sam.” I began, but nothing came out.

“Goodbye, Sofia.” He said, no emotions behind his voice. “Let’s go, Mom.”

I passed a small smile to Mrs. Riley, who just walked with her son, confused. I stared at their retreating figure for a momen too long, tears threatening to burn in my eyes.

I didn’t miss him. I didn’t have feelings for him. But he was one of my closest friends who stood like a pillar by my side every time my world shattered, and I hurt him. I knew he was in love with me, and I hurt him.

a friend, huh?” Gabriel

pissed. There

r on his face.

“What was that?”

was what?” He replied, but coldly. He walked ahead, refusing to look at

fell in line with him. “I didn’t mention either Alice

if I was, Freckles? It hurt you to

mad, not about this. So what if I had a

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Chapter 19

incomplete to be his

when he

to him five months

him

me the cold shoulder. I walked quietly by his side, not

I said his silence and coldness

drove three hours to talk to me, to get to know me and my life before you,” I finally said when we reached my house. My breath was shaky and there was a lump in my throat. He stopped walking, but he didn’t look at me. “This is me, and this is my life before you, Sam being a part of it. You don’t get to choose which parts of my

He didn’t reply.

look

straight into

sting again but I drank them away as I followed him inside. pulling

pretence of a perfect couple, and then gave my grandfather his

Gabriel had already done i So I took the disposable plates

He asked, and I wanted to ask ‘seriously

not after a round of chemo” I reply without looking

convenient.

I turned to look at him. “Are you

“No.”

“Okay.”

did you work?” He continued conversation

He was impossible.

him, “And the diner we sat at? It’s an overnight one. I

“When did you sleep?”

jobs,” I gave him half a