I Fled the Wedding and Came Back With a Contract Husband Chapter 09

I Fled the Wedding and Came Back With a Contract Husband Chapter 09

“You didn’t.” I pressed her hand. “Just rest atid get better.”

She drifted off. Derek stood by the window until her breathing steadied, then said softly, “Your mother

knows.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to tell her the truth?”

“Once she’s stronger,” I said. “Let her body heal first.”

“Good. When you’re ready, I’ll be there.”

On day twelve, her vitals stabilized, and she could leave the hospital. Derek and I moved her to a rehabilitation facility with professional care, where she’d stay for observation.

He offered to pay-company expense, he said. I argued, but he insisted.

The morning of the transfer, I went to the Hartwell estate to gather her personal effects.

In the living room sat Grandfather, my father, Sophia, and Nathan. Papers were scattered across the coffee

table.

The moment I stepped in, four sets of eyes turned to me.

“Here for Mom’s things,” I said flatly, walking past.

“Hold on.” Grandfather’s voice was low and measured. “Your mother’s been moved. Who’s taking care of

her?”

“Rehab center. Nursing staff. I visit.”

“The Hartwells don’t outsource their own.” He tapped his cane. “Now that you’re back, we need to discuss

some things.”

I stopped.

“There’s nothing to discuss. Her care is arranged. I’m not using Hartwell money.”

“It’s the same if you’re using Derek Vance’s money,” my father said sharply. “You married him. That makes him part of this family. It’s only natural for him to cooperate with us on business.”

“Don’t.” I raised a hand. “We’ve been married two years, and you only found out yesterday. Family, you say?

Where was that family when I needed it?”

“Emily.” Sophia rose, her voice honeyed. “Grandfather and Dad just want what’s best. You and Mr. Vance

are family now. He has contracts, and Hartwell Industries has resources. It’s a win-win. Just put in a word. It won’t hurt.”

I stared at her.

“What else have you volunteered me for?”

Her face went white.

“Nothing-I was just saying-”

“I don’t need you to analyze.” My voice dropped. “You volunteered me for a blind date without asking-did

it not occur to you I was already married? Or do you think that because you married Nathan, I should be grateful and accept your orders?”

Sophia’s eyes welled up. She stepped back, lip trembling.

Nathan stayed frozen on the sofa, eyes on the table, unreadable.

“Enough.” Grandfather struck the floor. “We’ll table this. Emily, sit. I have something to tell you.”

“I’ll stand.”

He paused.

“We looked into the hospital records from when you were children. There’s been a mistake. Sophia is not a Hartwell by blood.”

The room went quiet.

Sophia went white. Her knuckles were pale around her dress.

“You looked into it?” I asked.

“I found the nurse who delivered her. Her memory was fuzzy, but new DNA testing confirmed it. No biological relation.” Grandfather closed his eyes. “She’s not your mother’s daughter.”

Sophia’s tears came. She dropped to her knees.

“Grandfather… Dad… I’ve been in this family my whole life. You’re the only family I know-”

“Get up.” Grandfather waved. “Even if you’re not our blood, you were raised here. That doesn’t vanish. You’re still a Hartwell.”

Sophia rose, sobbing.

Nathan glanced at her, then away, his expression blank.

I stood there. It was absurd. It took them years to look, and they’d landed on a half-truth.