sting. Love was optional. Emotional labor was forbidden. And yet, the universe insisted that s

zed something crucial: if she wanted a husband without the inconveni

't exist-at least, n

f ice cream. She opened a private browser window and typed: "contract marria

Some explicitly for convenience and mutual benefit. One even claimed: "Marriages w

ement. That was her dream, printed in bold on a webpage wit

les, and anonymous smiling faces filled the screen. Each section promised discreet handling, fully customiza

aragraph as though it were a delicacy.

contact

-

the number on the website. A ca

ge Agency, how m

. am interested in a marriage. Temp

through the phone. "Of course. We specialize in mutu

, adding quickly, "but I

he consultant

d. "Uh... ye

We'll need some details about your

ted them

l investment, or significant ho

wealth

osable after

ect priva

clinical precision. "We have several potential candidates. You may review t

e human interaction. She didn't like surprise

-

for contract marriages. Each profile included photos, a summary of wealth, lifestyle, and personal

ringly perfect-handsome, rich, polite, but utterly uninspiring. Others were risky-eccentr

icular made

an V

e exactly, but because the surname felt... familiar. Emily shook her he

rofil

e:

EO of a globa

illion-do

demand: Ex

lute discreti

r the mouse. Wealth: check. Privac

ed "reque

-

replied wit

the contract will confirm your arrangement. A

incomprehensible labyrinth. She squinted at terms: duration, responsibilities, li

d partner under mutually agreed contractu

Dissolution. Divorce.

too carefully, s

tract finalized. Partne

sighing deeply in relief. Her

enthouse she had never seen-Adrian

ting for this m

-

mentally preparing for the eventual divorce. She tried to imagine what Adrian Vale looked like in p

olled her phone, and th

n her plan: marry, survive, d

nto a path that would make all her pre

Parker

fficiency, discretion, and legal protection.

t often does,