A Contract Written in Sand

I hailed a ride on a ride-sharing app for a few dollars, and a Rolls-Royce pulled up.

The girl in the passenger seat tilted her head and smiled at me.

What a coincidence! You just booked my boyfriend's car~

I was about to respond when my attention was caught by the handsome guy approaching.

He was dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, he exuded an aura of cool elegance as he carefully helped the girl into the car.

His assistant, standing behind him, looked at me timidly and asked,

Mrs

Where would you like to go?

I waved my hand slightly, swallowing back the words to the hospital for a prenatal check-up.

When I spoke again, I heard the faint tremor in my own voice.

The airport, please.

My voice was soft.

So soft it seemed no one heard.

The girl in the passenger seat was happily holding Ethan's hand.

See? I told you not to come pick me up specially.

You'd be silly to turn down a fare. A few bucks can buy a Starbucks drink!

Besides She suddenly turned around and grinned.

Miss, you've probably never ridden in a car like this before, right?

Think of it as a chance for regular folks to experience how the other half lives.

I smiled faintly.

Through the rearview mirror, I watched Ethan.

His handsome features were as striking as ever, his expression unreadable.

He gave a noncommittal Hmm."

His slender fingers were scrolling through his phone screen.

He looked like he was handling urgent business.

Meanwhile, my phone lit up with a series of messages from him.

[Chloe means no harm. Don't make her uncomfortable.]

[Don't worry, this won't change your position as Mrs. Hayes. So I expect Chloe's existence to remain unknown to the Hayes family.]

[Your parents' company still relies on the Hayes. You won't do anything reckless, right?]

I turned off my screen.

When I looked up, my eyes met Ethan's in the rearview mirror.

His face was impassive, his capable hands tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

His voice was cold as ice when he spoke.

Seatbelt, miss. In the back

I didn't respond.

My eyes fixed on the pink sticker on the passenger side that read: Chloe's Seat.

I let the ache in my heart spread until it completely overwhelmed me.

A few minutes later.

I calmed down.

I booked a one-way ticket to Fiji.

Throughout the ride, Chloe chattered endlessly about things that happened at work.

When she got excited, she'd playfully hit Ethan's arm.

Ethan never seemed annoyed. Instead, he smiled faintly.

I felt like an outsider watching it all.

But Ethan had always treated me with a strictly business-like attitude.

Even when we discussed our marriage arrangements.

We weren't like a couplemore like business partners.

Except

In bed.

There, he was like a fierce wolfrough, intense, demanding everything from me.

Hey, would you like some chips? Chloe's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked at her youthful, fair face, I couldn't bring myself to say the word "mistress."

No, thanks.

She pouted. Okay.

Then she offered the chips to Ethan.

Remembering he was driving, she held a chip between her lips and leaned toward him.

Ethan instinctively glanced in the rearview mirror, his grip on the wheel tightening.

But in the end, he couldn't resist.

He took the chip from her mouth with his.

I turned to look out the window.

I heard Chloe say sheepishly.

Don't mind us! We're still in that honeymoon phase, you know.

I never planned to fall in love before turning twenty-five, but he's just so good to me.

He's always looking out for me at work, secretly having my back, always available. I almost feel bad! Today, it was just period cramps, but he insisted on leaving work to take me to the hospital

That's nice, I interrupted coldly, my voice trembling slightly. I hope you're happy together.

Biting back the pain, I grabbed my phone and purse.

I'll get out here.

Chloe looked surprised,

I thought you were going to the same place? Weren't you heading to the hospital?

I forced a smile,

Plans changed. My boyfriend's picking me up here.

I didn't expect Ethan to follow me.

He stood over me, his voice low and tense. What was that supposed to mean?

I was confused. What?

'Happy together?' Ethan glanced around, grabbing my wrist, his displeasure obvious.

You know we're married. Were you trying to provoke me with that comment?

I tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip.

He grew angrier. You're lying about this boyfriend, aren't you?

If this guy actually exists

You know what I'm capable of.

I didn't understand.

What's it to you? From the beginning, you said this was just for showthat we'd leave each other alone

It's different. Ethan was on the verge of losing control. Your family's company was on the verge of collapse. In this arrangement, you were supposed to obey me completely.

Or are you so lonely that you need me to relieve that for you?

His hand slid to my waist. He leaned in close

What are you doing?! Chloe had followed him, her eyes red as she shouted,

You you two

She covered her mouth, staring at Ethan's hand on my waist.

Then she rushed forward

And slapped me across the face.

I hadn't expected it.

She put all her strength into it.

I stumbled, barely catching my balance.

Instinctively, I touched my stomach.

You shameless woman! Chloe cried, pointing at me:

No wonder your tone was so weird earlier! You have designs on my boyfriend!

She was shaking with anger, stepping between Ethan and me.

Just because you're pretty, you think you can seduce someone else's man?

Are you that desperate?

I had thought Chloe was also a victim, unaware of the truth.

But now, even after seeing Ethan initiate, she directed all her anger at me.

My expression turned cold.

Did you know the man you're calling your boyfriend is married?

I am his

While Chloe was still stunned, I stepped forward, raising my hand to return the slap.

But Ethan caught my wrist.

He rubbed his temples, irritated. Enough!

Look at yourself. Is this how a Hayes wife behaves?

In that moment,

I realized the years of love I'd felt for Ethan had vanished in minutes.