âOnce you sign this agreement, you wonât have to return to your small apartment.
Iâll arrange for your belongings to be moved to the Shaw family residence.
Additionally, if you prefer not to work, Iâll provide a monthly allowance of $100, 000 for your expenses.
Your role will be to appear affectionate at appropriate times.
Regarding the divorce settlement after a year, you can specify your preferences.
Aside from shares in the Shaw Group, I can offer you any of my properties, shares in subsidiaries, gold, or cash.
â
The room was filled with the faint scent of tobacco.
Kysonâs expression remained detached and cold amid the haze of smoke.
Dulcie looked at him, her eyes beginning to well up.
She had once imagined having many romantic dates with him and even having a happy marriage.
Now, it seemed she had been overly optimistic.
A contract marriage for a year.
Followed by a divorce that would leave them as strangers.
She gazed at the space designated for the divorce settlement and asked, âIf I write here that I only want you, your body, and your heart, would you give those to me too?â
Kysonâs expression turned serious, radiating natural authority.
âFeelings are the most fleeting things in this world.
I canât promise you that.
â
He spoke with unwavering certainty as if the idea of falling in love with her was inconceivable.
Dulcie bit her lip, the sting bringing her back to reality.
She pushed the document away.
âIâm sorry, Mr.
Shaw.
I canât sign this.
Youâll have to find someone else for your contract wife.
â
Kyson studied her with a sarcastic smile, showing he had anticipated her response.
He said, âVery well, I wonât insist.
If you wonât sign, thatâs your decision.
â
He checked his watch.
âItâs late.
Iâll have the bodyguard escort you home.
You can pretend tonight never happened.
â
Dulcie shook her head.
âNo, thank you.
I have money.
Iâll take a taxi home.
â
âThe Shaw estate is in the suburbs.
There are no taxis for miles.
How do you plan to get there?â
âThatâs not your concern, Mr.
Shaw.
Iâll manage.
â
Dulcie smoothed her dress, stood up, and bowed politely.
âThank you for looking after me tonight.
I appreciated our date today.
â
She spoke lightly, a hint of sadness in her smile.
Kyson noticed this and felt an inexplicable irritation.
Dulcie said, âGoodbye, Mr.
Shaw.
â
She then headed for the door.
Kyson sat up, tapping his cigarette against the glass ashtray.
His bony fingers paused, and then he stubbed out the cigarette with irritation.
âYou claim to like me and say youâd do anything, yet you wonât agree to a simple contract marriage.
Have I mistreated you with the compensation and monthly allowance?â