The next day.
The clock showed 9 AM. Emma and Marcus were in Mr. Thomas's office, their lawyer.
The room was large and felt formal. The walls were gray. The desk was neat. Law books lined from floor to ceiling.
Mr. Thomas sat behind his desk. He looked at Emma and Marcus who sat next to each other but didn't touch. Two people who would follow this crazy contract.
"Well," said Mr. Thomas. "Before we sign, I want to make sure you both really understand what you're doing."
Emma and Marcus nodded.
"This marriage is legal in the eyes of state law," continued Mr. Thomas. "This means Emma and Marcus officially become a married couple. They will receive a marriage certificate from the state registry office."
"However," Mr. Thomas continued, "there is a separate contract that I prepared. This contract explains that this marriage is a business contract. Duration 1 year. After 1 year, they can divorce easily."
Emma felt her heart beating fast.
This was really going to happen.
"The contract also regulates payment," said Mr. Thomas while pointing to the document. "Marcus will give 150 thousand dollars to Emma when the marriage is legal. Then another 100 thousand dollars when they divorce. Total 250 thousand dollars."
"Additionally," Mr. Thomas continued, "all medical costs for Lily, Emma's sister, will be fully covered by Marcus. Including heart surgery."
"This is the first time I've seen a contract like this," said Mr. Thomas with a slight smile. "But the law allows it. Nothing violates the law."
Marcus nodded. He had already talked about this with Mr. Thomas before.
But Emma felt she was only now fully understanding what was about to happen.
"Now," said Mr. Thomas, "I want you both to read the contract one more time. Every page. Make sure you agree with every sentence."
Emma and Marcus read.
Emma read with full concentration. Every line. Every word.
"Article 1: Both parties agree to marry legally according to state law."
"Article 2: The duration of the marriage is 1 year from the date of legal marriage."
"Article 3: After the duration ends, both parties agree to divorce through a smooth legal process."
"Article 4: The first party (Marcus) will provide financial payment to the second party (Emma) of 150 thousand dollars at the time of legal marriage, and 100 thousand dollars when the divorce process is completed."
"Article 5: The first party (Marcus) will cover all costs for heart surgery for Lily (Emma's sister) conducted at the hospital."
"Article 6: Both parties are committed to keeping this contract confidential. They may not inform anyone about the nature of this contract to any third party without mutual consent."
"Article 7: During the marriage, both parties do not need to perform the duties of husband and wife like a real marriage. They can live in separate rooms."
"Article 8: Any changes to the contract must be done with written approval from both parties and witnessed by a lawyer."
Emma read Article 8 over and over.
This article meant that both of them could change the contract if there was agreement. But the agreement had to be written and formal.
Emma raised her head.
"I've read everything," said Emma.
"Marcus?" asked Mr. Thomas.
"Done," answered Marcus briefly.
"Is there anything you want to ask before signing?"
Emma wanted to ask. But she didn't know what to ask.
She thought for a moment.
"Mr. Thomas," said Emma. "If I or Marcus change our mind before 1 year is finished, what will happen?"
Mr. Thomas smiled. "This contract cannot be canceled easily. If one party wants to cancel, then that party must pay a penalty of 25 thousand dollars."
Emma nodded. The penalty was quite large. This meant Marcus and Emma were really serious about this contract.
"But," Mr. Thomas continued, "if both parties agree to cancel, then there is no penalty. They can agree to cancel the contract."
"Okay," said Emma. "I understand."
"Now," said Mr. Thomas, "we are ready to sign."
Mr. Thomas took out three copies of the contract. Everything was ready.
He gave one copy to Emma, one copy to Marcus, and one copy for himself.
"Emma, you sign here," pointed Mr. Thomas. He pointed to the bottom of the first page.
Emma took a pen. Her hand trembled slightly.
She pressed the pen to the paper.
Emma signed on all pages that needed a signature. Page 1, page 3, page 5.
Every page she signed felt like one step taking her further from her old life.
Then, Marcus signed.
Marcus also signed on every page.
When Marcus finished signing the last page, Mr. Thomas took all the documents.
"Done," said Mr. Thomas. "The contract is now valid. You both are now bound by this contract."
Emma felt her life had just changed. But she wasn't yet officially married to Marcus. Signing the contract wasn't marriage. The marriage would happen tomorrow at the state registry office.
But this signature meant Emma was already committed.
Emma couldn't go back now.
After leaving Mr. Thomas's office, Marcus and Emma walked toward the elevator.
The atmosphere between them felt awkward. Awkward like two strangers who had just made a business agreement.
"Tomorrow at 10 AM we go to the state registry office," said Marcus. "Do you need anyone to be a witness?"
"Huh?" asked Emma.
"A witness. For the marriage. Usually there are two witnesses from the groom's side, and two witnesses from the bride's side."
Emma hadn't thought about this.
She couldn't tell her friends. Because they would ask why Emma was marrying the cold Marcus.
She couldn't tell her neighbor. Because her neighbor loved to gossip.
Emma only had one family member. Lily. And Lily was a child. Lily couldn't be a witness for a marriage.
"I... I don't know," said Emma.
"Just ask Mr. Thomas and his secretary. They can be witnesses," suggested Marcus. "Lawyers usually act as witnesses for cases like this."
"Okay," said Emma. "I will contact Mr. Thomas."
They reached the elevator. The elevator was empty.
They entered. The door closed.
"Marcus," said Emma. She dared to ask because they were in the elevator. Alone. No one could hear.
"Yes?" answered Marcus.
"Are you serious about this contract?"
Marcus looked at Emma. "What do you mean?"
"I mean are you really willing to pay 250 thousand dollars? Really willing to cover all of Lily's surgery costs?"
Marcus was silent. He looked at the elevator door.
"Yes," Marcus finally answered. "I'm serious."
"But why, Marcus? What's this about?"
Marcus didn't answer directly. He waited until the elevator reached the first floor.
The elevator opened.
"That's not your concern," said Marcus. His voice sounded cold again. "What matters, Emma, is that I will keep my promise. And you must keep yours too."
Emma nodded.
"We will get married tomorrow. Officially. In the eyes of the law. That means we will live together. We will pretend to be happy in front of others. But at home, we can be ourselves. Okay?"
"Okay," said Emma.
They left the elevator.
Marcus went to his car. Emma went toward the station.
Emma arrived home at 1 PM.
Lily was still at home. Lily hadn't gone to school because Emma had already told the school that Lily would be frequently absent due to surgery preparation.
"Sister!" Lily shouted from the room.
Emma went into Lily's room.
Lily was lying on the bed reading a comic.
"Sister is home?" asked Lily.
"Yes, sweetie," answered Emma while sitting on the edge of the bed.
"What news from the hospital?" asked Lily with worry.
Emma smiled. "Everything is arranged. Lily's surgery will be next week."
"Really, Sister?" asked Lily with shining eyes.
"Yes. Everything is ready."
"Sister got money, Sister?"
"Yes. Sister got money."
Lily immediately hugged Emma.
Emma felt happy. But also sad.
Because Emma knew that starting tomorrow, her life would change. Her life would become complicated. Her life would be full of lies.
But all of this was for Lily. Everything was for Lily.