I Fled the Wedding and Came Back With a Contract Husband Chapter 06

I Fled the Wedding and Came Back With a Contract Husband Chapter 06

From the moment Derek appeared, Nathan hadn’t said a word. His jaw was tight. His gaze stayed fixed on

I looked away and addressed Grandfather. “I told you-my marriage is my own affair. He’s my husband. The

man I chose. You don’t have to like him. It’s done.”

Grandfather studied Derek for a long moment, then relented. “Since you’re married, we’ll shelve this. Come

inside.”

Derek didn’t move. “My wife said your marriage arrangements don’t concern you. As for other matters- how your family has treated my wife-we’ll discuss that later. Emily, let’s go see your mother.”

He took my hand, his thumb pressing gently. I didn’t pull away.

Inside the elevator, I released his hand. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned against the wall, looking at me. “How’s your mom?”

“Waiting for a donor. Yesterday was rough. She hasn’t woken up.”

“Are the specialists here?”

“Nathan’s team arrived yesterday. They’ve done their rounds. He says they’re matching donors.”

“His team is his team.” Derek lifted his chin. “I’ve brought in Dr. Michael Haynes from Mass General. He’ll be here this afternoon for a new assessment. And I’m sourcing a donor. You don’t owe any favors to the

Hartwells.”

I studied him. “You’re not afraid of making enemies?”

“What’s to fear?” He smiled. “You’re my wife-legally. If they mistreat you, I push back. That’s only fair.”

I was quiet for a moment. “Thank you.”

“For what?” He waved it off. “It’s in the contract. I’ll keep up appearances when needed. Two years and no

opportunity-until today.”

He’d always been straightforward. We’d met at a business event abroad. I needed a way to escape my family’s grasp. He needed someone to satisfy his family’s expectations. We signed an agreement, got married, and lived separate lives.

We’d spoken maybe ten times in two years-a “Happy New Year” text each December. When I called him this morning and said, “Derek, I need you,” he hadn’t asked why. He just told me his flight time.

The elevator opened on sixteen.

My mother was still asleep. Dr. Haynes would arrive at three. I sat by the bed while Derek stood by the window on his phone, quiet as a ghost.

Around ten, someone knocked. Sophia entered, Nathan behind her

“Emily, Grandfather wants you home for lunch. Don’t let things stay tense between family.” Her voice was gentle, but her gaze was fixed on Derek. “And this gentleman… should join us.”

Derek looked up from his phone. “Sure.”

Lunch was a minefield.

Grandfather took the head. On the left were my father and Sophia. On the right was Nathan. Across from us

sat Derek and me.

“So, Mr. Vance,” Grandfather began, “what industry are you in?”

“Real estate, financing, some tech investments.”

“Vance Holdings?”

“Yes.”

Grandfather paused.

Vance Holdings had been soaring recently-real estate across dozens of cities, publicly listed in Hong Kong

last year.

Derek kept a low profile, rarely appearing in media, but/insiders knew the name.

“How did you meet Emily?”

“At a business event abroad. I courted her for months. She wasn’t interested. Eventually, I got impatient,

and we just got married.” He placed a piece of food in my bowl with practiced ease. “She’s slow to warm up. I wasn’t exactly patient.”

Sophia’s smile tightened. “But you never had a wedding. The family didn’t even know.”

“She doesn’t like fuss, and I’m busy. Anyway, it’s our marriage-wedding or not, that’s for us to decide.” Derek’s tone was indifferent. “What about you and your husband? Did you have a wedding?”

Sophia’s smile flickered.

Nathan kept his head down, sipping soup.

Grandfather cleared his throat. “Mr. Vance, you’re a fine match for Emily. Still, about her mother’s surgery -we’ve already arranged for the best specialists…”

“Dr. Michael Haynes,” Derek cut in. “He arrives this afternoon. Emily invited him.”

The table went quiet for two seconds.

My father’s fork paused. “Michael Haynes? From Mass General…?”

“Yes.”

Grandfather’s face soured.