Charlotte sat in the back seat of the car, staring out of the window as the mansion slowly disappeared behind them. She still couldn't believe she was actually going through with this.
Three months.
That was what she had agreed to. Three months of being David Wilkins' wife in exchange for enough money to solve the problems waiting for her outside this car.
It sounded simple when she had first heard the offer. Now, sitting beside the man she was about to marry, it felt anything but simple.
David sat beside her with his back against the seat. His cane rested against his leg, one hand loosely holding it. He hadn't said a single word since they left the mansion.
Charlotte glanced at him, his eyes remained closed, his face completely expressionless. She wondered if he was nervous.
Probably not.
David Wilkins didn't look like a man who got nervous about anything. He looked like a man who had already decided how everything in his life would go and expected the world to obey.
Charlotte turned back toward the window, she had enough problems of her own without trying to figure him out. The car finally stopped in front of the marriage registrar.
David's lawyer stepped out first, followed by his assistant. Charlotte opened her door and got out.
The assistant immediately moved to David's side. "Sir."
David reached for his cane.
"I can manage."
His assistant hesitated before stepping back, David carefully stepped out of the car and stood straight. Charlotte watched him for a moment.
His blindness was obvious, but so was his refusal to allow it to define him, he adjusted his grip on the cane and started walking toward the building.
Charlotte followed. Inside, they were directed to a private room where the registrar was already waiting for them.
"Mr. Wilkins, Mrs. Wilkins, please have a seat."
Charlotte sat down and David took the chair beside her. The registrar opened a file containing their documents.
"Before we proceed, I need to confirm a few details with both of you." He asked them several questions about their identities and whether they were entering the marriage willingly.
Charlotte answered each question clearly, David's answers were even shorter.
"Yes."
"I understand."
"No."
Charlotte glanced at him, he didn't even sound like he was getting married. He sounded like he was approving a business transaction.
The registrar continued with the legal requirements. "This marriage will be legally binding once the documents are signed. Do both of you understand?"
"Yes," Charlotte replied.
"Yes," David answered.
The registrar nodded and placed the documents in front of them. "We can proceed with the signatures."
David's assistant stepped forward, he carefully positioned the documents in front of David and guided his hand toward the appropriate line.
Charlotte watched as his assistant guided him until his hand was positioned correctly before taking control of the pen. Then he signed.
His handwriting was steady, Charlotte's eyes lingered on him. She had expected the process to be difficult for him. Instead, he handled it with surprising confidence, he knew exactly what he needed. He didn't want anyone doing things for him simply because he couldn't see. He wanted assistance only when it was necessary.
Charlotte looked away as the documents were passed to her. She picked up the pen. For a brief moment, she stared at the empty line where her signature belonged.
Once she signed, there would be no going back, a silent sigh escaped her lips as she signed. The registrar took the documents and checked both signatures.
"Everything is in order."
Charlotte released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
The registrar looked at both of them.
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you legally married."
Charlotte's fingers tightened around the edge of her chair.
Married.
The word felt strange.
She turned slightly toward David, there was no smile on his face. No excitement. Nothing.
The registrar smiled politely. "Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you," Charlotte replied.
David said nothing, the registrar then looked toward the small box on the table.
"Now, the rings."
Charlotte picked up her ring, she turned toward David and placed it carefully in his palm. His fingers closed around it. For a second, he remained still, then he reached for her hand.
His fingers wrapped around hers, firm and careful, Charlotte watched as he slowly slid the ring onto her finger. There was no tenderness in the gesture. No warmth. It was simply another part of the agreement.
David released her hand. "Let's leave."
Charlotte stared at him.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"You're not even going to pretend to be happy?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been called worse."
Charlotte almost smiled despite herself.
Almost.
They stood and left the registrar's office, outside, David's assistant moved toward him again.
"Sir, I'll guide you to the car."
David stopped.
"I can walk."
His assistant immediately stepped aside, David took his cane and began walking toward the car alone. Charlotte followed a few steps behind, she couldn't help watching him.
His movements were careful but confident, he didn't need someone holding him. He didn't need someone constantly telling him where to go. He simply needed the freedom to do things his own way.
David suddenly stopped.
"What?"
Charlotte stopped too.
"What?"
"You're watching me."
Charlotte frowned.
"I was only watching."
"Don't watch me like I'm some tragic story."
Her expression hardened.
"I wasn't pitying you."
"Good."
His voice was cold.
"Because I don't need it."
Charlotte crossed her arms.
"Trust me, Mr. Wilkins, I have enough problems of my own. I don't have time to pity you."
David's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Good."
"That seems to be your favorite word."
He didn't answer, he simply continued toward the car. Charlotte rolled her eyes and followed. The journey back to the mansion was even quieter than the trip there.
Charlotte looked down at her hand several times, the wedding ring was still there, every time she saw it, reality settled a little deeper.
She was married, not because she was in love, not because she had dreamed of marrying David Wilkins. She had married him for her own benefits. And David had married her because he needed a wife for three months.
Nothing more.
When they arrived at the mansion, David stepped out of the car, his assistant moved toward him, but David shook his head.
He walked inside with his cane, Charlotte followed him. They had barely reached the entrance when David stopped.
"Don't think too much about this marriage."
Charlotte looked at him.
"I wasn't planning to."
"This is a contract, not a real marriage."
"I know."
"Three months."
Charlotte nodded.
"Three months."
"After that, we're done."
"Fine by me."
David's assistant began leading him toward the stairs, Charlotte watched them. She expected him to disappear without another word.
But after taking a few steps, David stopped. "One more thing."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
David didn't turn around.
"Don't fall in love with me."
For a second, Charlotte simply stared at him.
Then a small laugh escaped her.
"You don't have to worry about that."
David remained silent, he continued upstairs until he disappeared from sight. Charlotte looked down at the ring on her finger.
Three months. That was all she had to survive.
Three months under the same roof as the coldest and bitter man she'd ever met. Three months until the contract ended.
Three months until she could take the money and walk away.
It should have been simple. At least, that's what Charlotte believed. Neither she nor David knew that those three months would change everything.