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Sifting through the pages he starts reading. “We both agree to enter into this marriage and behave as a married couple. As soon as possible, I’ll adopt Ray. I’ll support him financially and emotionally as a father.” He looks at me and I nod.
What else can I do anyways? He’s offering the world for my son, and most importantly, his love.
Zach continues, “I would also take care of Gigi’s medical expenses.”
“Zach! I can’t ask you to do that.” I’m surprised he even mentioned it. “This marriage is for Ray to stay with me, with us. Mom is not your responsibility.”
“Hope, after today, you will be my wife. I share your responsibilities as well as your joys.”
I’m stunned for a second. After taking a deep breath, I remind him, “This is not a real marriage.”
“This is as real as possible for me. I told you what I can’t bring into this marriage. But these words here”—he holds the contract up in the air—“are my vows to you and I promise to fulfill them.”
My throat closes and tears fill my eyes. My chest clenches at his gesture and knowing he possibly cares about everyone…but me.
Why does he have to be this sweet?
“I thought it would make you happy.” He rubs his chin and the confusion etched on his face makes him look so much like my son.
“It does,” I say in a brittle voice.
“I love Gigi. I want to do this for her. Dr. Gupta thinks she would be best looked after in the care facility.” He carefully speaks the last sentence.
“When…did you…talk to him?”
“Few days back, he approached me and said that he already spoke to you about it. He was curious to know what we’ve decided. I told him we would do everything that Gigi needs.” Zach places his hand over mine on the table. “She’s happy at the hospital.”
My pulse quickens under his warm hand. I take a deep, controlled breath, my heart fluttering like a caged bird in my chest.
“She is happier than I’ve seen her in many years,” I whisper.
“I even asked if Nurse Colleen can be her primary caretaker.”
Wow, Nurse Colleen has become like Mom’s best friend.
“That’s wonderful.” Tears race down my cheeks. Zach is giving me so much, some might say that this is the best marriage for me. Then why does my heart hurt this bad? With every promise he makes, the pain increases more and more.
“I don’t like you crying, Hopper.” He smiles and with the pad of his thumb wipes my tears, causing the tingles to run down my body from head to toe.
Oblivious to my state, he continues reading the document and reaches the point we discussed last night.
“If you ever feel you cannot be in this marriage, we can come to a mutual agreement on divorce. In such case, I’ll never fight you for Ray’s custody. He’s your son and I would never take him away from you. But I will continue to support Ray and you financially.”
“What about you? What happens if you feel the same? What happens when you feel you were cheated in this marriage deal?”
His eyes widen in shock as if I’m foolish to even say something like this.
“Hope, I could never feel that way. Marrying you is the best fucking deal of my life. I get you and Ray out of it.” I feel tingles coursing through me as he whispers, “You don’t know what it means to me.” Before I can make out the meaning of his words, he places all the papers neatly in a stack. “If you agree, we can sign it today.”
“What’s that?” I notice another set of papers on his desk.
“That’s my will.” He grabs the pages and holds them out for me, pointing at something. “It’s a simple document stating that in the event something happens to me, my wealth will be divided into two parts, to you and Ray.”
I shake my head furiously. My chest tightens to a point that I feel dizzy. “Zach! I can’t… What do your brothers think about all this?”
He drops his gaze.
Shit!
