Chapter 23
When Morwenna finished cooking, she found Adelaide had already left the house. Not that it mattered much because she had only prepared one portion anyway.
When placing the food on the dining table, Morwenna cheerfully said to Stuart, "Breakfast is ready, Stuart. I've got to go. See you."
With a deep look in his eyes, Stuart said again, "Wait a minute."
Morwenna furrowed her brows, wondering what sort of trouble Stuart was brewing. She had made his meal. What more could he possibly want?
Stuart handed her a document. "Take a look and sign it if everything seems fine."
Confused, Morwenna wondered what she was supposed to sign. Was he worried she wouldn’t keep her word and refuse to leave?
As Morwenna scanned the document, she realized it was another contract. But this time, it wasn’t about sending her away. It was a three-year marriage contract, including a blank check.
Stuart's voice was lazy and carefree as he said, “You like money, don’t you? You agreed to sleep with me once for a hundred thousand dollars. This contract is for three years. Fill out the check as you wish.”
Morwenna's bright eyes, full of surprise, were fixed on Stuart, searching for even a trace of respect.
Unfortunately, she only saw his lofty indifference, as cold and chilling as the deepest winter snow.
Setting down the contract, Morwenna confronted Stuart with a cold expression for the first time. “Stuart, what do you take me for?”
Marriage should be about mutual respect and support, a bond of love and reliance. Even if they couldn’t achieve that, they should at least part amicably, with some semblance of respect for one another, not with a contract that felt like a sale of her dignity.
Stuart frowned, puzzled by her resistance. “Just sign it. Isn’t it said that money can easily keep a woman? I’m offering you a great deal.”
His eyes darkened, showing his impatience. “Don’t be so greedy, kiddo. What more could you possibly want?”
Morwenna was furious enough to curse, and so she did. “Are you out of your mind, you crazy old man! You wanted me gone, and I agreed. You know Norbert has our marriage certificate, that we can’t divorce, yet you selfishly ask me to leave, bearing the title of Stuart's wife, unable to remarry. Sure, for Norbert’s sake, I can accept it. But let’s make it clear. I owe you nothing. I haven’t spent any of your money or taken anything of yours. You know, you have no right to humiliate me like this. What do I want? A person like you could never provide the things I want!”
Stuart’s face turned a shade uglier. The last person who had dared to speak to him like that had ended up bankrupt.
But Morwenna wasn’t afraid. “Let’s not see each other again unless it’s about Norbert. Let’s go our separate ways!”
With those final words, Morwenna dropped the contract, grabbed her luggage, and walked out without a backward glance, hoping never to see him again.
She was furious.
Every girl harbored her dreams about marriage, and Morwenna was no exception. She had agreed to marry Stuart as a gesture of gratitude and tried her best to make it work, to grow closer to him.
She used to light up at the sight of Stuart's good looks, and being beside him at night would make her cheeks go all rosy. She was only an ordinary girl, hoping for a marriage filled with mutual tolerance and respect, to swap genuine feelings for honest emotions.