Hurried footsteps echoed through the grand foyer of the Reid family mansion as Theodore and Bella rushed in, their hearts pounding with a mix of worry and apprehension. The first person they encountered was Claudia, her face contorted in a sneer.
"Theodore, you’ve finally arrived," she said with disdain. Her icy gaze then flicked to Bella. "Why on earth did you bring her here?"
Theodore’s jaw clenched. "She is my wife," he growled, possessively intertwining his fingers with Bella’s. "And this is her home as well."
A cruel smile twisted Claudia’s lip. "Oh dear, so your little secret is out in the open. Your marriage is just a contract, isn’t it? She is hardly your real wife."
Bella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Theodore, sensing her distress, squeezed her hand reassuringly. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
"You think you can deceive us forever?" Claudia pressed with scorn. "A contractual marriage! Really, Theodore? All to avoid marrying Gina? You lied to your grandfather about that? He had such high hopes for you, and what did you do?"
Her venomous glare shifted to Bella. "You brought home this materialistic woman? A woman who would readily sell herself into a contractual marriage for money could never be a part of this esteemed family."
Theodore bristled. "I don’t need your approval," he retorted. "I came to see my grandfather, not to listen to your nonsense."
"Theodore!" Claudia roared, her facade of composure crumbling. "Don’t forget, I am your mother."
"You are not my mother, Claudia, and don’t you dare try to be," he shot back.
Just as the tension in the room threatened to explode, Malcolm’s booming voice cut through the heated exchange. "Enough!"
All heads turned towards the old man, who stood at the top of the staircase, his face etched with fury. His arrival sent a wave of silence crashing down upon them, momentarily halting the brewing storm.
Malcolm’s face contorted in fury. "You dare lie to me!" he bellowed as he walked over to them, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "Do you think I’m so old and feeble that you can deceive me?"
"Grandpa!" Theodore began, trying to explain himself. Before he could get a word out, Malcolm shoved a document into his chest.
"Explain!" Malcolm demanded, his voice cold and authoritative.
Theodore unfolded the document, and his heart sank. It was the marriage contract, the very document he had kept hidden. A cold fury simmered within him, and he knew exactly who was behind this – Claudia.
He was angry, but he knew he couldn’t lash out and make the situation worse. First of all, he needed to clarify the whole thing.
"Yes, this marriage is contractual," he agreed.
"You accept it." Malcolm’s face turned apoplectic. He raised his walking stick with surprising speed for his age and slammed it down across Theodore’s arm.
Theodore flinched, the sharp pain lancing through him, but he remained silent, swallowing the groan that was about to escape.
"How could you fool me?" Malcolm’s voice boomed again. "My only wish is to see you settled, to ensure the legacy of this family with an heir before I breathe my last. And you..."
His gaze flickered to Bella for a fleeting moment before returning to Theodore with renewed fury. "You bring me a... a contractual bride! You mock the very foundation of marriage, a lifelong commitment! Have you no shame?"
Claudia, perched on the edge of the scene, couldn’t help but smirk. She reveled in the growing tension, her satisfaction evident in the glint of her eyes. She was certain Malcolm would disapprove of Bella and force Theodore to end the marriage.
Theodore’s heart ached, not from the physical pain but from the disappointment in his grandfather’s eyes. He took a deep breath and stood tall, despite the throbbing in his arm.
"Let me explain," Theodore said.
"Shut up," Malcolm snapped, silencing him. Why would you do such a thing?"
Bella flinched at the old man’s thunderous voice. Her heart lurched into her stomach, fearing he would beat Theodore yet again. She desperately wanted to interject, to defend herself and Theodore, but the words wouldn’t come. She simply didn’t have the courage to break the uneasy silence.
Just then, a new voice cut through the charged atmosphere. "Yes, brother, we need an explanation for this."
Everyone’s attention turned towards the source, landing on a tall figure descending the stairs with a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Theodore’s jaw clenched in frustration – it was Franklin, his half-brother, a man he loathed with every fiber of his being.
Franklin sauntered towards them, his keen gaze landing on Bella. An unsettling leer spread across his face as he surveyed her with an appraising glint in his eyes.
"I thought you weren’t interested in women," he drawled with a hint of amusement. He couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from Bella. Bella’s beauty and innocence captivated him. Why hadn’t he found this beauty sooner?
"Why settle for a contract marriage, brother?" he continued, feigning concern. "If you were just looking for... companionship, you could have asked me. But bringing a gold digger home and presenting her as your wife – now that’s low."
"Watch your mouth!" Theodore roared, his eyes fiery. "Bella is my wife, your sister-in-law. Be respectful."
Franklin scoffed. "Sister-in-law? That’s a joke, right?"
"She can’t be a part of this family," Claudia chimed in.
Ignoring them both, Theodore turned his gaze to Malcolm, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for understanding. "Grandpa," he began, "please let me explain."
Malcolm shifted his weight, his stance unwavering. The anger was still evident in his furrowed brow and clenched jaw, but a flicker of hesitation flickered across his features. He wasn’t ready to forgive Theodore, not yet, but he wouldn’t shut him down either.
Taking his silence as permission, Theodore launched into his explanation. "I know I messed up, Grandpa, and for that, I am truly sorry. But believe me, I care for Bella deeply. I like her."
He took a bold step forward, meeting his grandfather’s gaze head-on. "Do you remember the car accident a few months ago? I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for someone pulling me from the wreckage."
Malcolm narrowed his eyes as he recalled the past. It was a terrible accident that almost killed Theodore. The car had blown up and caught fire. Luckily, Theodore had been rescued in time.
"I have been looking for the person ever since I woke up from the coma," Theodore continued. "I thought of marrying her once I found her. But with your constant pressure to settle down, I felt like I needed a temporary solution. That’s why I signed the contract with Bella."
This revelation stunned Malcolm. A flicker of remorse crossed his old gray eyes, a dull ache settling in his chest. He wondered if his relentless pressure on Theodore had inadvertently pushed him towards this desperate act.
The room was silent, tension hanging in the air. Claudia’s sneer faltered as she absorbed the new information. Franklin’s smirk disappeared, replaced by a look of confusion.
Theodore held Bella’s hand, his resolve hardening. "It definitely started with a contract marriage, but things between me and Bella had changed. I started liking her. And most importantly, I discovered something real. Bella is the one who pulled me out of that car, Grandpa. She saved my life."
This revelation shocked everyone. Claudia and Franklin exchanged wary glances, their displeasure evident. Malcolm’s stern expression wavered. He studied Bella, who stood nervously beside Theodore.
"She saved your life?" Malcolm asked, his dimmed eyes shining with anticipation. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes," Theodore affirmed. "She is my savior, Isabella. And this contract..." With a swift, decisive motion, he ripped the document in two, the pieces fluttering to the ground like fallen leaves.
"It is no longer relevant," he declared, his voice ringing with finality. "Bella is the woman I choose to spend the rest of my life with."
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