+25 Bonus
The Final Ultimatum
In her room on the second floor, Alina stood behind the curtain of the window facing the back of the mansion.
From her position, she could see below–past the backyard with its swimming pool and gazebo – directly to the large window of the family room on the first floor. That window was floor–to–ceiling glass, providing a perfect view inside.
Clarissa sat on the carpet with Junior, playing with the Transformers robot. Daniel sat on the sofa right behind them, occasionally coming down to the floor to join in–teaching Junior how to transform the robot patiently.
From a distance, through that clear glass, they looked like a real family.
Father, mother, child.
Picture perfect.
Margaret sat in a chair with tea in hand, watching with a satisfied smile–finally, the Blackwood family was ” complete” again.
Alina saw Daniel laugh–a genuine laugh–when Junior successfully transformed the robot correctly. The man ruffled his son’s hair with an affection Alina rarely saw.
Daniel had never laughed like that with Alina. Never spent weekends at home with Junior and Alina. Even when Junior was seriously ill and Alina begged Daniel to come home earlier, the man still stayed at the office until nine at night.
But for Clarissa? He was willing to cancel all meetings, work from home, spend the entire day playing with Junior.
Because Clarissa was the one he loved. And Alina? Alina was just a contract wife.
Something broke in Alina’s chest–not dramatic, not loud. Just a small crack that slowly spread, like glass cracking under pressure.
A hard knock on the door made her jump.
Before Alina could answer, the door opened. Margaret entered without permission, closing the door behind her.
“You’re watching them?” Margaret walked to the window, looking down with a thin smile. “They look perfect together, don’t they? Like the family they should be.”
Alina didn’t answer, just stepped back from the window, keeping distance from Margaret.
Margaret turned, looking at Alina with sharp eyes. “I came to remind you about something, Alina. About your position in this family.”
“I know my position,” Alina said in a controlled voice though her heart was screaming. “Contract wife. Temporary.
“Good. At least you’re aware.” Margaret stepped closer, her gesture intimidating. “The contract says 10 years. But that’s the maximum duration. Not minimum.”
Alina froze. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Margaret smiled coldly, “once Junior can fully accept Clarissa as his mother, you need to be ready to leave. Anytime. Doesn’t matter if it’s been 10 years or not. You understand?”
Alina’s chest tightened.
1/3
the Frenatum
+25 Bonus
“The contract says you’re here to be a temporary mother for Junior,” Margaret continued. “Once Junior doesn’t need you anymore, you have no reason to stay.”
Alina looked at Margaret with a mixture of shock and painful realization.
Five years. Five years she thought–foolishly–that maybe this marriage could become real. That maybe Daniel would see her. That maybe she could have a real family.
But all of that was just delusion.
She was just a placeholder. A glorified babysitter. Who could be discarded whenever convenient.
“I understand,” Alina finally said in an empty voice. “When Junior doesn’t need me anymore, I’ll leave.”
Margaret’s eyebrow raised, slightly surprised by Alina’s easy acceptance. “Really? No protest? No tears?”
Alina looked at Margaret with eyes that somehow looked older, more tired. “What’s the point? You’ve already decided. Daniel’s already decided. I have no power here.”
“Finally you realize,” Margaret smiled with satisfaction. “But don’t try anything stupid, Alina. Don’t try to run away again. Because right now, Junior still wants you. He’s still attached. So you have to stay until he’s not attached anymore.”
“I understand,” Alina’s voice trembled slightly, but she controlled it. “I’m a toy that has to stay until your grandson gets bored.”
“Exactly.” Margaret had no guilt in her eyes. “You’re an expensive toy we bought to entertain Junior. And now there’s a better toy–his biological mother. So eventually, you’ll be discarded.”
Alina’s tears threatened to fall, but she refused to cry in front of Margaret. She refused to show weakness.
“One more thing,” Margaret walked to the door, stopping with her hand on the doorknob. “Keep your distance from Daniel.”
Alina looked at her confused.
“Don’t try to seduce him. Don’t try to make him feel guilty. Don’t try to manipulate his emotions.” Margaret’s voice was hard now. “Daniel only loves Clarissa. Always has. You’re just a temporary distraction. Don’t delude. yourself thinking you can become a real wife. Because for Daniel, there’s only one woman in his life. And that’s not you.”
Each word was like a stabbing knife. And Alina just stayed silent. Aware that everything Margaret said was true,
“Once Junior fully accepts his biological mother,” Margaret continued, “you’ll be kicked out of this house. And Daniel won’t care. Because he never cared. You’re just a means to an end. Don’t ever forget that.”
Margaret left, closing the door hard.
Alina stood alone in the room that suddenly felt too big, too cold.
Her legs weakened. She sank to sit on the edge of the bed, staring at her trembling hands.
Five years.
Five years loving a man who never saw her.
Five years hoping a contract marriage could become real.
2/3
The Fing Utatum
+25 Bonus
Five years living in delusion that maybe someday, Daniel would open his heart.
But all of that was just lies Alina told herself to survive.
Tears finally fell–silent, soundless. Alina covered her mouth with her hand to hold back sobs.
She loved Daniel. God, she loved that man so much. Even after all the coldness, all the rejection, all the pain–her heart was still foolishly in love with a man who never cared.
And that was her curse.
A love too big for the wrong man.
But not anymore.
Alina wiped her tears roughly, standing on trembling but determined legs.
She wouldn’t be a foolish woman anymore. Wouldn’t hope for the impossible. Wouldn’t love a man who never
loved her back.
Starting today, she would protect her heart. Lock it away. And when the time came to leave, she would leave without looking back.
P
