I wanted to cry. I wanted to weep for the girl in my past life who died without ever hearing a single word of affection. But I couldn't. Not in front of him. He might mistake my tears for being moved by his words. I took a deep breath. "Mr. Black, please go home," I said softly. "We're not from the same world." He didn't listen. In fact, he moved in. I had opened a small restaurant specializing in home-style cooking. It was in a good location, and I used quality ingredients, so business was good. I knew that resisting Donovan was futile, so I simply pretended he didn't exist. He followed me to the restaurant every day; I acted like he was invisible. He helped take orders and clear tables; I told myself I was just overtired and seeing things. This went on until a regular customer, an older woman, pulled me aside. 'Honey," she whispered, "is that man your suitor or your boyfriend? Because I was going to set you up with my nephew!" That was the last straw. I cornered Donovan in the kitchen as he was returning with a stack of dirty plates. "What the hell are you doing?" I hissed. "Our contract is over. We have nothing to do with each other. Can you please stop ruining my life?" Donovan, whose hands were made for signing billion-dollar deals and were now covered in grease, looked 10/12 13.55 1355 Chapter 2 at me with a wounded expression. "You wouldn't come back with me, so I had to stay here with you. Can't you tell? I'm courting you!" I was speechless. I had no idea what possessed a man like Donovan Black to abandon his corporate empire to work as a wait er in my tiny restaurant. My life was completely upended. The neighborhood aunties who wanted to set me up on dates now just asked me when Donovan and I were getting married. The customers loved chatting with him, impressed by his knowledge on every subject. In just two weeks, he had become a local celebrity. "Hey, boss," people would call out, "when are you and that handsome guy tying the knot?" While Donovan seemed to be thriving, looking healthier and happier than I'd ever seen him, I could barel eat. Finally, unable to take it anymore, I confronted him. "What will it take for you to go back to being a CEO?" He was eating a banana gifted to him by the owner of the fruit stand next door. "Agree to come back witl me," he said casually. "Agree to marry me. Otherwise, I'm staying right here. I kind of like it." I had considered moving to another city, but I knew as long as he was obsessed, I would never have peace After much deliberation, and after reading hundreds of online posts about husbands who change after marr iage, I agreed to go back with him. On the flight home, he asked me curiously, "What was it that made you change your mind?" I couldn't very well tell him I thought a divorce would be the fastest way to get rid of him for good. "I don't know," I said. "I guess I just thought marrying you would be the highlight of my life." He knew I was brushing him off. He tried to ask more questions, but I just closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. I don't know what Donovan was so afraid of, but he planned the wedding with terrifying speed. Before we went to get the marriage license, I hired a lawyer to draw up a prenuptial agreement. Donovan was confuse and unhappy about it, but with his parents and family looking at me with thinly veiled disapproval, he didn' protest. I had the lawyer include a specific clause: In the event the husband becomes involved with or develops romantic feelings for another woman, the marr iage is immediately terminated. There were many other clauses that bound him, but only one that really mattered for me: The husband's pre-marital assets shall remain separate and are not the property of the wife. Donovan signed it without a moment's hesitation. If he was willing to do that, then maybe I was willing to gamble one more time. 11/12 13.55 Chapter 2 Just before I found out I was pregnant, I had a dream. I was in a very dark place, and I heard voices, both strange and familiar, whispering around me. "Big sister, live a good life for all of us. And always remember to love yourself the most." "Big sister, all the bad things are over now. You have to be happy every day." "Big sister, live a long and happy life. That is all we ever wanted for you..." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!