His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 44

SOFIA

Alice was right, the night really was like old times, Mrs. Riley and my grandfather brought up stories of the st*pidity we had. done as kids while I prepared dinner. Alice only pretended to help but she played with cutting one capsicum till the end of the dish, Sam had volunteered but I refused. He used to be the designated helper earlier, but that was more because of our own inside jokes and giggles, and less because I needed help. We could be friends him and 1, but I had no interest in taking back the friendship to what it used to be. I couldn’t, not when my heart was crying for a certain someone who was absent from my life.

I looked at the door every little time with eyes that were obviously of longing if Alice noticed it, hoping and wishing that Gabriel walked through it.

I thought I came here for space, but now I’m realising I came here to see if he would care about my absence. I thought I invited Sam over for old’s sake- and I did, but also because I wanted to see if it would tick him off like it did last time. A crazy part of me wondered if the driver I had brought with me would let him know of my shenanigans- but that thought was just like the rest of me- delusional.

He did not care.

So, everything was like old times except for me faking a smile and my thoughts and attention often focused at my phone. and door, and then being met with disappointment.

Sam and Mrs. Riley both left a little past midnight, and after freshening up, I and Alice sat in my room with a sappy movie. At some point, the tub of ice cream was shut and the bottle of wine opened. Alice shed tears, cursed her ex boyfriend, and I hugged her till the rage overthrew the sadness and she was convinced she’s better off. Then, I opened up about my situation. with Gabriel, the honeymoon, Arthur, and even Lily. By the end of the story, Alice even wanted to call Gabriel and curse him out, and I had stop her wine-drunk self.

Wes

slept just before the sun came up.

Alice still went to work the next morning, albeit groaning and complaining about it, waking me up in the process.

“Why don’t you come stay with me and Gabriel for some time, Grandpa?” I offered while stirring the pot of soup and my grandfather sat on a chair, passing me the condiments as we prepared lunch together.

“I like living here, Sofie,” he replied. “I’ve lived here all my life. I want to die here, not in a city”

I turned around with lips parted to glare at him. “You’re not dying!”

have been calling me every other day trying

be hurt, clutching my heart. “Over your own

don’t want to interrupt

My

we come from Venice wrapped in the same bubble. But unfortunately, it

He asks, almost carefully. “Are you

the smile. “Of course I’m

used to share everything with me. Sofie.” He says, motioning with his hands for me to come closer, and I do after switching off the gas. “Do you

1/3

Chapter 44

hands in his as I kneel in

found out I had cancer. Every penny you earned went to my treatment. I only

eye. He didn’t know about why Gabriel agreed to get married to me, and the six month contract

who could take care of you before

faintly. “Thank

if she was here and found out I arranged your marriage and didn’t give you a chance

my eyes slightly. “I miss Nana. I miss Mom

you, Sofie. They’re so proud of their little gir being

tear that slipped off, getting up. “Come” I help him up. “It’s time

out to companies, again. I remembered Gabriel asking me to come work with him and

met with Alice

being offered a job in the city” Alice slurped on her almost-over strawberry milkshake, making unnecessary noise

time she was offered a job in the city and if she said no, it wouldn’t be the

you know.” She pouts, “We need to protect

small smile. “I, for one, would