Chapter 24
*TESSA
I took a deep calming breath. “Why would you want us to get married?For me,marriage is for people who are in love.”
“Tessa,if you’re keeping this baby which happens to be my baby.I wouldn’t want people to see it as an illegitimate child. That is why I want us to get married….to provide a proper home for him or her.”
What he said really made sense and touched me.
I could remember the early years of my life…I had been so happy having both parents but when my dad turned his back on us…my life changed….even if it wasn’ all that bad but it was different.
I would really want this child to have a mom and a dad.
I looked up at Declan and dread filled me.
He’s not some ordinary man.
He was successful and wealthy.
The female employees were all over him… Hell,even Anna seems to want him.
It would be really stressful to be with a man like him.
The two of us do not fit.
He stood up and moved around the table then he suddenly held my hand.
His hand were warm and I suddenly felt the need to lean into him…..to find solace in his arms.
I felt he would be able to protect this baby and me.
“I know this is happening so fast. Hell, it’s also so fucking fast to me but I swore that if I ever had a child,I would give him the very best of life. And I know you want that for the child too. But also, I need to ask. Do you want to have an abortion?”
I stared at his eyes.”If I say yes,wouldn’t you be mad?”
Tessa,it’s your body. The baby would be growing inside of you so keeping it is your choice. If you chose to have an abortion, I would provide enough medical bills and nutrition fees….but you have to make the choice now.”
‘I don’t want an abortion, “I announced.
He let go of me and I felt a bit disappointed.
‘I like everything I do to be organized so if you are saying yes to getting married to me…this is the contract. “He reached out and placed a file on the table.
‘Go through it….and if you’re okay with everything…you should sign and then by tomorrow…we can visit a marriage registrar. “He said.
I swallowed.
Everything was happening so fast….too fast.
I opened the file and read through the contract.
1)Declan will be responsible for all of the expenses of the members of the family.
2)If Tessa continues to work in Hudson’s Group,she can chose to reveal that she’s married to the boss.
Tessa must not interfere with Declan’s private life.
1 frowned.
Married couples should know everything about each other.
4)Tessa is not allowed to have any relationship with the opposite sex.
5)If divorced,the child would be solely raised by Declan.
Now it was really cleared that he didn’t give a shit about me.
I felt hurt…
I’ve never imagine…not even in my wildest dream did I think of getting into a practical marriage.
I shut the file.
“This is absurd and unacceptable.”
He crossed his arms over his formidable chest.
“Your father left your mother when you were very young and it had been hard ever since. You had to work part time to go to college and now…you pretty much take care of your mother and sister with the latter,a high schooler.Tessa, are you going to add a baby to that? Can you take care of a baby right now?”
My self esteem dropped.
I blinked back my tears.”I can see you did a background check on me.”
‘I had to.I had to know everything about the woman who’s pregnant with my child.”
I didn’t know what to say anymore.
‘I really hope you can come to a decision as soon as possible. “He said.
I sighed…
Maybe…just maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
Even if I do not want to admit to it…I do find him attractive.
Maybe we could fall in love after marriage.
I’ve read a lot of books about contract marriages and some of them ended up in an happily ever after.
Maybe my happily ever after was with Declan.
I know I might be sounding unrealistic right now.
I don’t even know what he feels for me.
Would he even see me as his wife?
Then I imagined what life would be for this child.
He or she would never lack anything.
I guess I could give this a shot.
“I do not agree with number 5,in any case we get divorced in the future,I want to be a part of his or her life.”I said really hoping he would change his mind.
Fine I would draft up another contract by tomorrow which number 5 would be that we both have equal rights.Is that okay?”
I smiled and nodded.
so you agree to marry me,right?”
I bit my bottom lip.
This isn’t how I wanted to get married and this is certainly far from how I wanted to get proposed to but then I nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.Tomorrow,we would see a marriage registrar.I do not want a public marriage yet so let’s get started with registering the papers.”
Feeling like I had no other choice,I nodded.
I have always wanted a wedding with so many people around but now getting married in this weird and stressful circumstances.
I also didn’t mind simply registering our marriage for now.
The following day,he took me to a courthouse and after I signed the marriage contract…we got our marriage registered as well.
We had his driver,Brad as our witness.
By the time Brad was driving me home with my new husband,I still couldn’t believe I was married now and my husband was Declan Hudson.
We sat at the back seat and my mind was in turmoil.
What was he thinking about?
How are things going to be for us now?
Are we going to act like real married couples?
Am I going to move in with him?
How are things going to be in his house?
“Tessa,we’re here.”His voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked out the window and realized that I was at the front of my house already.
‘I’ll give you a call later.”He said as I got down.
I nodded and watched his car speed off.
My life just got more and more complicated.
I’m married but there was no wedding ceremony…no wedding dress….no ring….just a marriage certificate.
I reached into my bag to feel if the certificate was indeed real and it was.
When I walked into the house,I found my mom on the couch in the living room.
How am I supposed to break it to her that I just got married to someone I don’t love?
