章節 19: Emeralds for sleepless nights 2
IMOGEN'S POV
I needed a drink. God knows I did. But I couldn't even walk into a bar. It was early. The cameras were probably watching. There were a lot of stories they could spin up with just one picture.
So I headed back home. Home? I scoffed. That husk of a building was no home. But it was going to do. I simply hoped that Elijah was done with his mistress and she was out of my hair.
I flagged down a taxi, gave me the man my address and reclined into the backseat as the driver drove to our residence.
With the time I had, I peeked into my bag and took out the business card that Isaac had given me. It was probably wise to hide this. I put it back in my bag and continued to stare at the scenery outside.
Eventually, the taxi halted in front of familiar iron wreathed gates. I handed the driver some cash and bid him to keep the change before stepping out.
The gateman was quick to open up the gates for me, and I stepped inside, surprised to see that Elijah's car was still parked inside.
It made it seem like he hadn't left the house. So I steeled myself for another interaction with his mistress.
I twisted the knob of the front door and took in a much-needed deep breath when the door cracked open in response.
I closed the door behind me and almost immediately, I was greeted by the housekeeper, Maggie.
"Good afternoon, Mistress. How was your day?"
"It was good, Maggie." I replied, sending a pleasant smile her way before I asked. "Did Elijah stay home?"
"No," she replied. "The Master and his... Master Elijah left the house shortly after you. He returned an hour ago if my memory still serves me right. He did mention that I should tell you that he has urgent business to discuss with you when you return."
I nodded. "Where is he?"
"The study." Maggie replied.
I nodded again, proceeding to find the study before I realized that my peculiar circumstances hadn't given me the time to tour the house that my father-in-law bought for us. So I had no idea where the study was.
I turned back to Maggie who was already going about her business.
"Wait, where is the study again?" I asked.
"Follow me, Mistress Imogen," Maggie said, gesturing for me to follow her down the hallway.
I trailed behind her, taking in the grandeur of the house as we walked. The hallway was adorned with expensive-looking artwork and ornate furniture. It was clear that no expense had been spared in decorating the place. I expected no less from my father-in-law.
As we turned a corner, Maggie stopped in front of a set of double doors. "Here we are, Mistress. The study."
She pushed the doors open, revealing a spacious room lined with bookshelves and filled with antique furniture. In the center of the room sat Elijah, engrossed in a stack of papers spread out on his desk.
"Mistress Imogen is here, Master Elijah," Maggie announced before excusing herself and quietly closing the door behind her.
Elijah looked up from his work, his expression unreadable as his eyes met mine. "Imogen," he said, his voice neutral.
"Elijah," I replied, trying to keep my tone even despite the tension that hung in the air between us.
He motioned for me to take a seat in one of the plush armchairs facing his desk. I obliged, sinking into the soft cushions as I waited for him to speak.
"I trust your day went well?" he asked, though it sounded more like a formality than genuine concern.
"As well as can be expected," I replied, crossing my legs and folding my hands in my lap. "And yours?"
He sighed, leaning back in his chair and running a hand through his hair. "Busy. There's always something to attend to, it seems."
I nodded, though I couldn't help but wonder what exactly kept him so occupied. His business dealings? Or perhaps his extramarital affairs?
But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the matter at hand. "You mentioned you had urgent business to discuss with me?"
Elijah nodded, his expression growing serious. "It is about our arrangement."
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of the arrangement I was forced into. "What about it?"
"I met with my lawyer and he drafted something out for us." Elijah informed, sliding a bunch of stamped up paper at me. "You can read through it to see the fine lines. But I assure you that there are no negative clauses for any of us. You just need to sign to give your consent."
I stifled a scoff. My husband actually drafted out an agreement that would force our marriage to be open season and he wanted me to consent.
I opened the document and forced myself to read because if I didn't have my head buried in the paper, it would probably be near impossible to hide how teary-eyed I had become.
As I scanned through the document, my vision blurred even more. Each word felt like a dagger piercing my heart, a reminder of the loveless charade that my marriage had become.
The terms of the agreement were as cold and calculated as Elijah himself. It outlined the rules and boundaries of our so-called "arrangement," dictating how we were expected to conduct ourselves with other partners while still maintaining the facade of a happy marriage in public.
But there was nothing happy about it. It was all a façade, a cruel illusion that we were forced to uphold for the sake of appearances.
I clenched my fists, struggling to maintain my composure as I reached the end of the document. I could see Elijah watching me intently from the corner of his eyes. Like always, his expression was unreadable as he waited for my response.
I made sure the tears forcing their way out were buried back behind my eyeballs before I finally looked up, my voice barely above a whisper. "I cannot believe we are doing this."
"I know it must be a lot for you, considering you thought we were going to be somethi—"
"I understand, Elijah."
His eyebrow raised, a hint of surprise flickering across his features. "You do?"
Did I surprise him? Did he still think this was a bluff? Did my husband want me to beg and grovel for his love like I wasn't owed it?
I nodded, forcing a smile as I stared back at the paper. "Yes. I know this is what's best for both of us."
Elijah's expression softened. It looked like a sense of relief washed over him. But the air didn't shift. He was wary. He was wary of me. A valid reaction. But my husband was just as good as me, perhaps even better when it came to wearing a mask.
"I'm glad you see it that way, Imogen."
I reached out a trembling hand, gesturing towards his mess of a desk. "Do you have a pen? I'll sign it now."
He nodded, handing me a sleek silver pen from his desk. But before he let it go, he made to speak.
"Are you sure you want to do it now and here? You can take your time."
I grabbed the pen with shaking hands, trying to steady my breathing as I poised it over the dotted line. The tears I had forced back threatened to spill over again, but I put up my best front, determined to maintain my facade.
With a deep breath, I signed my name on the document, my hand trembling slightly as I did so.
Elijah watched me silently, just itching to get back the document from me.
I handed the pen back to him, and a sense of resignation washed over me as I stared at the signed agreement. I had signed away my freedom, my dignity, my happiness— Well, I didn't have that to begin with. But still, all for the sake of maintaining appearances.
Elijah took the signed document from my hands and penned his signature in the agreement. He was smiling. So eager to be legally rid of me in a way.
I was going to stand up and take my leave before I burst into tears like some little bitch. But before I could even take a step, there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Elijah demanded.
The doors creaked open, and Maggie stepped in.
"Forgive my intrusion. I just wanted to inform the mistress of the house that something arrived for her."
"Something?" Elijah quizzed.
"A bouquet of roses and jewelry, I believe," Maggie informed.
Suddenly, that sharp pain in my chest eluded me. Roses and jewelry? That had to be Isaac. Was this him crossing the line?
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