Chapter 20 The Unread Contract
Evelyn climbed into the car, her mind spinning. "Please take me back to the mansion, James. I'm done for the day."
During the drive, she clutched the mysterious red necklace, staring at the gemstone that seemed to glow. Richard had genuinely looked confused when she'd shown it to him. But Claire... Claire's face had gone white with shock. She knew something about this necklace, but Evelyn doubted her stepmother was the sender. If not her family, then who?
Lost in thought, Evelyn barely noticed arriving at Rosewood Mansion. James carried her belongings inside, and she was halfway up the grand staircase when a familiar voice stopped her.
"Long day?"
She turned to find Roman sitting in the living room, watching her with those intense eyes that seemed to see everything.
"Aren't you supposed to be at the office?" she asked, descending slowly.
One eyebrow arched. "Is that how you greet your husband after a long day at work?"
Heat flushed her cheeks at the gentle rebuke. The day's frustrations bubbled over. "Speaking of husband," she said, sharper than intended, "we signed the marriage certificate, but we haven't signed the actual contract yet. We should handle that now."
Roman studied her face, as if reading the tension written there. After a long moment, he stood. "Alright. Let's go."
His hand settled possessively on her lower back as he guided her to his study. She tried to step away, but he leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Next time, try kissing your husband hello when he comes home from work."
Heat shot through her at his low tone, but she remained silent, unwilling to admit her mistake of not welcoming him properly.
—
In his study, Roman opened an elegant briefcase. "I had everything moved here today." He withdrew a thick stack of papers, signed the first page with a swift stroke, then offered her the pen.
Evelyn scanned the top page. The main clause was simple, as he'd promised—a two-year trial period with the option to leave if things didn't work out.
"Why are there so many pages?" She flipped through the substantial document.
"Additional terms," he said smoothly. "If we were to separate—which might likely not happen—you'd be entitled to my assets. Full custody of any children, of we had any. Complete financial security."
She frowned. This was backwards from what she'd expected. Weren't wealthy men supposed to protect their fortunes with ironclad prenups?
"Lyn?" Roman's voice brought her back. He snapped his fingers gently in front of her face, bringing her back from her thoughts. "Are you alright?"
She blinked. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
His eyes narrowed. "Did something happen today?"
No,” she said too quickly. “Why do you ask?”
He didn't press, instead continuing his explanation. "You'd have considerable assets, actually. The only condition would be that you couldn't remarry or give our children a stepfather."
Ah, there it is. The catch. Evelyn thought as she scoffed internally, she knew it was too good to be true.
"And if I did?" she challenged with one eyebrow raised.
“Then you'd be in violation of the agreement. You'd forfeit everything—assets, custody, the whole thing.”
"What about your restrictions?" She replied rolling her eyes. "These terms seem rather one-sided. Aren't you a little biased?"
"Just sign, Evelyn," he said impatiently. "I have a conference call in ten minutes."
Emotionally drained and feeling pressured, Evelyn stopped trying to read through the dense legal language. She flipped to each marked tab, signing page after page without reading the fine print.
She had no idea that her choice to sign without properly reading through the documents, would later become an inescapable trap.
Roman watched intently as Evelyn signed the documents without reading through them, a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He stared quietly making sure she didn't notice anything unusual in the contract.
But then his gaze dropped to her neck. The slight smile on his face vanished completely, replaced with a chilling coldness.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.
Evelyn trembled slightly, as she rubbed her skin feeling her goosebumps rise, wondering why the temperature in the room suddenly got colder
Roman stared intensely at her, his vision turning red. He reached out for her neck, his fingers brushing gently against the red, swollen finger-shaped bruises marring her delicate skin there.
Evelyn flinched and hissed at the touch as she jerked backward, straightening her posture in defense.
"Evelyn," he breathed, his voice deadly quiet. "Who did this to you?"
She shook her head quickly. “No one. It's nothing”
"I'm asking for the last time." Each word was ice-cold steel. "Who. Did. This?"
"What's it to you?" She snapped. The day's pain exploded out of her. “Why are you so worked up?”
“Worked up?” Roman repeated, his control snapping for a second. "Evelyn, I am your husband. I have every right to know who dared lay a hand on my wife." He closed his eyes, visibly trying to fight for calm when he saw her eyes glisten with tears. When he opened them, his voice was much softer. "I didn't mean to shout."
He cupped her face gently, tilting it until her tear-bright eyes met his. "Look at me, sweetheart. The only 'contract' in this marriage is the promise that if things don't work out, I'll let you go. Everything else—my protection, my care, my feelings for you—that's real. The sooner you realize that, the better. And I need you to trust me. You can tell me what happened”
His thumb brushed away a tear that had escaped as he searched her eyes. “Okay?” He whispered softly.
In his pocket, his free hand was clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.
Evelyn, who had been betrayed by everyone who should have loved her, felt her walls crumble. This man—practically a stranger—was showing her more genuine concern than her own father ever had.
A hot tear spilled over, then another, clouding her vision. She bowed her head, and he felt the warm drops fall on his hand, her shoulders beginning to shake as she sobbed against his chest. The emotions were overwhelming for her right now.
Roman's jaw tightened as murderous rage filled him. He had a good idea who'd done this. James had reported her visit to the Hayes house. He had told him not to interfere, to let her have her moment. Now he regretted that decision with every fiber of his being.
He pulled her closer, one hand stroking her hair. "It's okay," he murmured. "I'm here. You'll be alright."
Inside, he was seething. ‘If I had known they would lay a hand on her… If I had known my nephew would treat her badly like this… I would never have let her go at that time.’ The thoughts tormented him. He held her closer, vowing silently to himself that no one would ever hurt her again. Ever.
He wanted her to tell him everything. He needed her to choose to trust him. When her sobs quieted to shaky breaths, he spoke softly. "Lyn? Are you ready to tell me what happened?"
She sniffled, then gave a small, hesitant nod against his chest.
He smiled faintly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Good girl," he whispered.