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.

just a friend, huh?” Gabriel said, and

was pissed. There

r on his face.

“What was that?”

He replied, but coldly. He walked ahead, refusing

line with him. “I didn’t mention either Alice or him to you. You were just trying

what if I was, Freckles? It hurt you to see just

to be mad, not about this. So what if I had a past, so what if I had feelings for someone else, and so what if

1/3

Chapter 19

incomplete to be his

when he

to him five months from today w places the divorce papers in front of me. When

before or after him

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

I’d be lying if I said his silence and coldness didn’t hurt, just after I thought we were

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

He didn’t reply.

didn’t look at

straight

tears sting again but I drank them away as I followed him

and then gave my grandfather his

outside to clear the table. Gabriel had already done i So I took the disposable plates and threw them

do you use these?” He asked, and

strength to wash the dishes, especially not after a round of chemo” I reply without looking at him while stuffing

convenient.

I turned to look at

“No.”

“Okay.”

did you work?”

He was impossible.

9-5 job at a private company here,” I tell him, “And the diner we sat at? It’s an overnight one. I

“When did you sleep?”

gave him half a smile.