Arranged: Bound By Contract (girlxintersex)

Chapter 44

Chapter 44
Stella POV

Three months have passed rapidly. In those three months, I haven't communicated with my parents or my friends. I missed none of them. I didn't feel the need to. And I wasn't forced or indoctrinated into not missing them. I basically disregarded my phone like it was a monster. Yes, it was.

I paid close attention to who was with me, which turned out to be Mateo and Nathalie. I had recently improved my connection with Nathalie, and I understood that she was the friendship I needed in my life. She offered that encouragement. That pushed. She finds the good in everything, and it helps me see it as well.

However, there was something I couldn't ignore: my parents had to step through my door. When they did, I recalled a memory I'd almost forgotten. I almost forgot the stupid contract in the drawer.

My mother gazed down at my stomach and shook her head in dissatisfaction when she noticed that it was flat as a penny. She can't be certain that I was still going to do things her way. Mateo and I decided that I would have sex and have a kid whenever I felt like it.

I had to practically babysat my mother while my father and Mateo were in the office making additional preparations.


I felt a tightening in my gut as I sat in the wordless tension.

"Just talked already!" I snapped.

I couldn't forgive myself if I told Mateo to cancel the contract and just be with me completely. Because doing so would force my father to endure suffering. I worry my parents did not deserve it. But I am looking for something more than a contract.

"How are you doing?"

"Good,"

"Smiling and sucking."

Everything she says reminds me of being owned. I was not. For so long, I didn't feel that way. But my mother's words. They hammered that into me like a nail.

"No. I am smiling."

"You have to give her a baby."

"I don't have to do anything."

She laughed so hard that everything hilarious poured out of it, leaving it dry and brittle. Her chuckle caused me to stare at her, as if something had gone wrong with her head.

"What is it? What might it be now? What happened now? What tale must you tell to my fucking face?"

"Nothing; you seem cheerful."

"I am. And you looked inflated." I snapped. One day, she would either blow up or just blow away. Her cheeks were a bit red and inflated, like a stomach. "I am glad to see you are putting the money to good use."

"Thank you for being sold to her."

To stop myself from crying, I closed my eyes and pounded my palm on it.

"I am not sold. I'm happily married to her."

"I'm pleased to see you've progressed from fully aware to entirely gullible. Do you honestly believe you can be in this marriage and have it all love? I did not tell you to fall in love, Stella. You suck and smile. You are merely a product. So, for the love of God, stop taking whatever pills you're on."

"I am not married for you to be happy."

"I'm rather happy. There is a contract that cannot be broken. Money to spend, and business has been growing. And don't forget, it's all because of you sucking and smiling."

"It is love."

"Why are you telling this, Mom?" My palm remained pressing on my eyes.

"So, I should not thank my daughter? You are a hero. You helped your father. He's currently receiving his cheque for both us and the business. Thanks to you." Her tone gave no indication that she genuinely wanted to thank me. "I'm glad to see you're performing the likable wife role. Wife to all wives."

"I do not have to sit and accept this."

"But you are because you know the truth. You understand why you're here."
************
My parents had gone out the door, leaving me feeling disappointed. I was plastered to the sofa. Right where she left me. I felt like my brain had been rewired. All reprogrammed to hate against Mateo.

As she entered the room and the first word she spoke, I silenced her.

"Do not fucking talk to me! You fucking bitch!"

"Stella," Her call seemed like it was attempting to break me out of my trance, but I refused and stood up from the sofa.

"I am nothing but a fucking wall, aren't I? My parents will gain money, and you will always have control."

She exhaled. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

"You do not love me. There will never be love because there will always be that silly contract."

"Because it is who we are." She said quietly. "But I will not control you. I will not urge you to do anything. But at the end of the day, the contract exists. We are nothing but a contract marriage."

I do not want that! Not anymore. But why? Why should I expect more from her than a contract? We haven't even been together a year.

"But it doesn't mean emotions won't occur."

This causes my head to rise. But it still doesn't matter. We were still under contract. It's fundamentally a loveless marriage, even if we tell each other "I love you."

I assumed I could shove it away and the drawer would keep it there. It did. But the deeds are concrete. It's difficult not to think about

"It does not matter anymore. I am only a contract wife."

"We're still doing what couples do. We cook together. We—"

"Do them by yourself because we aren't a fucking pair." I said running out of her sight. My feet led me to the bedroom. As I looked at the ceiling, I couldn't stop thinking about one thing. It caused heavy pour of tears to flow from my eyes, leaving a puddle in my ears. "I definitely love her."