Chapter 15: The Contract

Chapter 15: The Contract

“Sign it.”

‘That’s so fast.’

Eve sat across Ethan the next morning. Ethan left bed before she did and she wondered where he was at breakfast. Then he summoned her up here to his study room where she also met his lawyer.

“After signing this contract, Mrs. Anderson, you will be forever bound by it. Think again before you sign it. Mr. Anderson will not bear any consequences if any problem arises in the future.”

Eve took the printed-out document from Ethan’s hand and went through it. She read the conditions. They were the same words she uttered last night. Ethan did not leave even one word out.

“Evelyn.” Ethan held her gaze as if daring her. “Are you going to sign it?” He looked at her as if expecting her to suddenly have cold feet and back out of it.

“Of course, I’ll sign it.” Eve smiled. “But this is a contract that involves two people, my dear husband. Don’t you think you’re being partial by imposing the rule on me only?”

“Mrs. Anderson,” his lawyer said. “This contract is per your request. Do you, perhaps, want to change the rule?”

Ethan squinted his eyes, tapping his fingers on the desk.

“I’m not about to change the rule, be rest assured.” Eve’s eyes went from Ethan to his lawyer. “But I’m going to add more rules to balance it.”

She grabbed the pen and uncapped it, then added more bullet points to the contract document.

“First of all, Mr. Anderson will not avoid me, his wife, from now on. We shall eat together and sleep together, and he shall not make me unhappy.”

“The second rule is, Mr. Anderson will promptly return home on weekdays after the work hours end. Not a second late.”

“The third rule is, Mr. Anderson will not enter his study room, while at home, unless it is very urgent and important. He shall spend the whole day with me, his wife, being intimate and doing every other thing loving couples do.”

The lawyer cleared his throat while Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

“The fourth rule is, among all his priorities, Mr. Anderson must always put me, his wife, first. If I don’t want you to go anywhere, you mustn’t. If I ask you to cuddle all day, you must abide by my rule.”

Eve wrote down the last statement and scratched her head. That should be all, right?

Ethan stared at her as if she’d gone crazy and the lawyer’s face heated up as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

“But…” She added. “I might add more in the future, these are the only rules I can think of at the moment. Now, for the penalties for breaking each rule—”

“Mrs. Anderson.” The lawyer interrupted. “These rules… I don’t think these rules are necessary. You and Mr. Anderson are already married, and–”

“Believe me, they’re very necessary,” Eve reassured. “As for the penalties for breaking each rule, Mr. Anderson shall send one million into my account.”

“One million?” The lawyer exclaimed.

“Do you even know what you’re saying?” Ethan growled.

“Yes, one million.” Eve nodded with a smile. “Don’t tell me that you can’t afford one million, Ethan. Or do you plan to break many rules? In that case, you’ll be spending a lot of millions.”

“I won’t agree to these stupid rules,” Ethan said darkly. “Evelyn, I will give you whatever you need, but don’t you dare interfere with my work.”

“You see why I told you they’re very necessary.” Eve glanced at the lawyer.

The lawyer made an oh sound and slowly nodded. “These rules are a piece of cake, Mr. Anderson. I think Mrs. Anderson is just trying to strengthen the bond between you two.”

“Exactly.” Eve gave him a thumbs up and stood up. “Oh, my dear Ethan.” She circled his chair and stood behind him. “You don’t expect me to be a caring wife while you don’t reciprocate the treatment. Do you know how much it hurts me when you spend the whole night at the company?”

“But the third and fourth rules are stupid and childish.”

“Hmmm.” Eve sauntered to the desk and faced him. “There’s nothing wrong with the third and fourth rule. Aren’t those what romantic couples do? Do you want our marriage to be like a bland soup; tasteless and not spicy?”

“Evelyn–”

“Don’t even think about adjusting these conditions, Ethan. Both of us shall sign this contract and we’ll strictly abide by the rules.”

Now that Eve thought about it, even in her past life, Ethan was not the romantic type. Maybe if he had been more romantic, he would have managed to make her fall for him, and she might be saved from Mia and Cole’s treachery.

“Actually, Mr. Anderson. These rules are not so hard to follow. If you think more into it, you will realize that Mrs. Anderson is looking out for you by requesting you not to overwork yourself.” The lawyer tried to convince him, but Ethan maintained his stubborn look.

Evelyn picked the document up and signed it. “Your lawyer is right, Ethan. I don’t want to believe you’re hesitating because of the penalty. Compared to my punishment of going to jail, this is just like a needle prick instead of a smash on the head with a hammer. I don’t mind if you break many rules. If all your fortune ends up in my account someday, I’ll take very good care of you wholeheartedly, I promise.”

“Ah, you are very generous, Mrs. Anderson. Mr. Anderson should feel lucky for having such a caring while.”

“That’s right.” Eve beamed.

Ethan glared at his lawyer, his fingers curling. “Are you my lawyer or hers?”

“I am your lawyer, of course, Mr. Anderson,” the lawyer chuckled. “However, I can’t help but reason with Mrs. Anderson. She has a good point.”

“So, Ethan.” Eve extended the document to him. “I’ve put in my signature. Are you going to sign it now?”

“Dream on.”

Eve sighed helplessly. Seemed like she had to use her last bait. ‘Urgh.’

She glanced at the lawyer before looking back at Ethan. Then she leaned forward until her lips touched his ear, and she whispered, “Have you forgotten our promise to Grandpa? I told Grandpa we’re working very hard, and he should expect results soon. Take this as a sacrifice to focus well on the project. Imagine our cute tiny babies running around Grandpa, imagine the happiness on his face.”

Eve leaned away and straightened up. Apart from his ears, Ethan’s cheeks were tinged with a hint of red.

She bit her lips, suppressing a smile. Then she extended the document to him again. “Sign it.”