Chapter 8 - What the Contract Could Not Buy
Three months later, Daniel signed divorce papers.
Then placed them in front of Emilia.
She stared.
—What are these?
—Exactly what they look like.
They were sitting in the same bedroom where their marriage had begun.
Daniel no longer wore the prosthetic inside the house.
Publicly, he had also revealed the truth.
The headlines had been merciless.
BILLIONAIRE FAKED DISFIGUREMENT FOR TWELVE YEARS.
THE BEAUMONT FAMILY’S SECRET EMPIRE.
But the criminal investigation overshadowed the scandal.
Adrian accepted a plea agreement for financial crimes and became a major witness.
Jonathan Beaumont’s reputation collapsed.
Marcus faced multiple charges.
Thomas recovered slowly.
And Daniel lost a significant portion of his fortune when illegal assets were frozen.
He seemed strangely relieved.
Now Emilia held the divorce agreement.
—You want me to leave?
Daniel’s expression tightened.
“No.”
—Then why?
“Because the reason you married me no longer exists.”
Her father was safe.
The debt was gone.
Daniel had fulfilled every financial promise regardless of marriage.
—You deserve the choice you didn’t have the first time.
Emilia looked at the signature line.
—And if I sign?
“You’re free.”
—And if I don’t?
Daniel looked at her.
For once, the billionaire who could negotiate billion-dollar contracts seemed unable to speak.
Finally:
“Then I would ask whether you want to try again.”
—Again?
He nodded.
“Not as the woman who needed money.”
A pause.
“Not as the man who needed a wife.”
Emilia felt her heartbeat change.
“As what?”
Daniel smiled slightly.
“Two people who met under terrible circumstances and somehow still enjoy arguing in underground tunnels.”
She laughed.
Then became serious.
—Daniel.
—Yes?
—Our wedding night, I screamed because I thought you were going to touch me.
“I remember.”
“I was afraid of your face.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“I’m ashamed of that.”
“You shouldn’t be.”
“Yes, I should.”
Emilia looked directly at him.
“I judged you before you said a word.”
Daniel considered this.
“Most people did.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“No.”
She appreciated that he did not comfort her with a lie.
She looked at the divorce papers again.
Then tore them in half.
Daniel froze.
—Emilia.
—Don’t misunderstand.
She pointed at him.
“I’m not saying I love you.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“You were about to look hopeful.”
“I have very poor facial control now that I’m not wearing three layers of silicone.”
She laughed.
Then held out her hand.
Daniel stared at it.
—What?
—You tried to touch my shoulder once.
His expression changed.
Emilia kept her hand extended.
“This time I’m saying yes.”
Daniel slowly took it.
Nothing dramatic happened.
No orchestra.
No fireworks.
No billion-dollar revelation.
May you like
Just two hands touching because both people wanted them to.
And Emilia realized that was more romantic than anything money had bought.
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