Chapter 10
I was a husband on paper.”
Before I married Eleanor, I signed a marriage contract stating that all my children would follow their mother’s family instead of mine. The contract clearly stated that I had no status in the household. The only difference between me and the servants was that I had to share a bed with my wife.
When my wife’s many suitors pursued her, I laughed it off. When my brother–in–law andrew and sister–in–law, Marianne, slapped me, I turned the other cheek and told them, “Good things come in pairs.“W
I didn’t even budge when my father–in–law, Mr. Hubert Carney and mother–in–law, Mrs. Dolores Carney, humiliated me. Instead, I showed them what it meant to be submissive. That was the life of a son–in–law. Well, at least as long as they paid me. But later, I suddenly realized that, without even meaning to, I was slowly rising above this wealthy family.
–8
When I returned home that night, I saw Eleanor and Francis Henderson standing by the entrance.
Eleanor was my wife, known as the most beautiful socialite in the elite society of Toronto. As she was a beautiful and powerful woman, she still had many admirers even after her marriage with me. One of them was Francis, who was her childhood sweetheart.}
Their families had been friends for generations. It was known that he had loved her since they were young. But she never loved him back.”
At least, that was what I thought.
Ever since our wedding, Eleanor and Francis had stayed in close contact. And now, as I looked at them, something felt off. It made me realize something that I had never thought before.”
Eleanor’s long hair was loose, while the straps of her nightgown had slipped off her shoulders. Not to mention, her face was flushed. I could only imagine what they had been doing before my arrival interrupted them.”
If I had known, I would have come back later.”
Eleanor looked flustered. She didn’t even glance at me. Francis, on the other hand, glared at me and gritted his teeth.” “You came back at a bad time.“}
I smiled and stretched out my hand as I told him, “Then pay up. The usual rule. It’s $100,000 per minute.“\
That was the rule I had set.\
This wasn’t the first time I’d come home at the ‘wrong‘ moment. Every time, Francis had demanded that I leave and Eleanor had never objected. So, I started charging them $100,000 per minute.
Although Francis never paid me the full million I aimed for, he usually handed over $300,000 to $500,000 before leaving. But I always felt a little bad for Eleanor. I could last at least half an hour, while Francis barely managed three to five minutes. Francis‘ expression twisted, but he snorted and turned to leave. I sighed. No money tonight.”
Then, at the doorway, Francis suddenly stopped.”
“Name your price. How much for a divorce?”
I perked up for a second but quickly forced myself to look disappointed as I answered him, “When I married Eleanor, I signed a contract selling myself for $400,000. If I break the contract, I owe $10 billion in penalty fees. Are you willing to pay that much of a money for me?“}
Francis froze. His eyes flickered to Eleanor. Eleanor sighed, nodded and said nothing.”
Not long after that, Francis left. This wasn’t some fairy tale. Not everyone had $10 billion to throw around.
I closed the door and turned to Eleanor with a smile and asked, “Darling, do you want me to sleep with you tonight? If not, I’ll take the study.“%
Eleanor stared at me for a long moment before turning and walking away.”
My wife was truly a beautiful woman. She was nearly thirty, yet she still had a youthful face. Yet, her body had the amazing curves of a mature woman that made her elegant.
I changed my shoes and was about to head to the study when I noticed Eleanor had stopped at the stairs. “What’s wrong?” I asked.”
She hesitated before speaking, “He tried to force himself on me. I was resisting. It’s not what you think.“”
I was stunned. This was the first time she had ever explained herself to me. But… did she even need to?”
I raised an eyebrow and said to her, “Before we got married, you told me not to interfere in your private life. So you don’t need to explain anything to me.“%
Eleanor stiffened. Then, she let out a bitter chuckle.
