Chapter 1 Got married

After a prolonged solitary journey lasting seven years, Nadine Howard decided to take the plunge into marriage.

A mere month prior, Denis Wells, the spouse of her closest friend, laid bare his affection for her.

"Nadine, my heart has harbored feelings for you for as long as I can remember. Apart from managing the household and requesting financial assistance, Margot idles away her days. She doesn't possess the allure and capability that you have. My feelings are sincere. I want you!"

Following this candid confession, Denis made advances, expressing a desire for intimacy with Nadine.

Overwhelmed by fear, Nadine summoned the courage to confront the situation, seizing an object to repel his move.

Though she didn't do anything wrong, a lingering sense of guilt gnawed at her conscience.

Several times, Nadine contemplated divulging this distressing truth to Margot. Yet, the fear of shattering her friend's world held her back, and the words remained unspoken.

Nadine eventually decided to marry someone, aspiring to deter Denis by presenting herself as married.

Nadine arrived at the City Hall a few minutes earlier than the scheduled time. A tall, handsome man called her from behind when she arrived.

"Nadine Howard?"

Turning around, she beheld a striking man.

She wasn't sure it was him. "Mr. Carsten Fletcher?"

Carsten nodded.

They were introduced to one another by Carsten's father, Alfred Fletcher.

In fact, she had been in touch with him online for three months.

But their interactions were minimal.

Contrary to Nadine's expectations, Carsten was very handsome.

He embodied the quintessential prince charming, surpassing even the most celebrated actors in allure.

A noble aura enveloped him.

Immune to the charms of handsome men, Nadine regarded him with indifference.

To her surprise, Carsten, raising his head, expressed his reservations. "You know what? I disagree with this marriage, and I don't want to get married. At least not now."

Nadine was disconcerted by his words.

Did he just say that he didn't want to marry her?

So, she would still be single?

She quickly said to Carsten, "Mr. Fletcher, I understand you may be apprehensive. Your father told me you possess two residences in Faysage, engage in small-scale business, and have accrued savings. To assuage any concerns, I've prepared a prenuptial agreement. I want no share of your properties or savings."

She continued, "I run a small company with someone, ensuring a steady income. Should you require financial assistance in the future, I am amenable. Any reasonable request, barring illegal activities, is acceptable."

Carsten, unmoved, did not accept the agreement.

His gaze, inscrutable, hinted at deeper thoughts. "Wouldn't this be a loss for you?" he asked.

Undeterred, Nadine affirmed, "I have no interest in your prenuptial property. I have never considered living off of a guy or using him in any way. A good spouse provides support without being a hindrance."

Independence defined her.

She had Carsten a little thrown off.

When he looked at her, there was a subtle sense of admiration in his deep eyes.

Prior to coming here, he delved into meticulous research.

Nadine and his father, Alfred, had been acquainted for an extended span. Their paths first crossed serendipitously in Aldcourt seven years ago, a fateful encounter marked by a skirmish with wild wolves. Having emerged unscathed from the ordeal, their camaraderie blossomed.

The formidable stature of the Fletcher family eluded Nadine's awareness.

She hadn't deliberately forged a connection with Alfred, as she had shown no interest in exploiting the Fletcher Group's resources.

Carsten had no grounds for concern now.

While Nadine was still worried that Carsten wouldn't agree to marry her, Carsten decisively said, "I consent to marry you. Nevertheless, there's a matter I must broach beforehand."

"What is it?" Nadine listened attentively.

Carsten asked, "Do you require me to cater to your carnal desires?"

"What?" Nadine, though having comprehended his query, found herself momentarily confounded and bashful.

Faced with such a direct question, she struggled to formulate an answer.

What the heck was he thinking?

To elaborate, Carsten added, "As adults, our needs, particularly those of a carnal nature, are undeniable. Yet, I cannot engage intimately with a woman devoid of my affection. Therefore, I regret to inform you that I cannot fulfill that aspect of our relationship. Ponder this before deciding on our union."

Nadine's initial embarrassment waned, replaced by a sense of assurance.

Being adults, the bluntness of his approach resonated with her.

Even though she was twenty-eight years old, she had no intense yearning for physical intimacy.

Her face betrayed a surge of indignation. "Mr. Fletcher, I, too, cannot engage in intimate relations without love. Rest assured, our union will be devoid of such expectations. As for your question, my answer is negative."

"Well, that simplifies matters," Carsten responded contentedly. "Come on. Let's proceed and obtain our marriage license."

"Hold on!" Nadine stopped him, stuffing the prenuptial agreement into his hand. "You'd better take this, sparing us potential problems."

Looking through the agreement, Carsten seemed decided.

In any case, he would divorce her within a year.

He was the owner of several homes as well as other assets.

Nadine's proactive prenuptial agreement, he reckoned, would indeed alleviate the complexities of their separation.

Together, they made their way to the office.

Nadine walked alongside Carsten, her frame appearing petite beside his towering stature, fostering a sense of discomfort in her.

Nadine found comfort only when she deliberately distanced herself from him.

Their marriage license swiftly danced its way into official records, a legal waltz completed in under ten minutes.

Now adorned with the title of a married woman, she didn't feel anything particular.

All she yearned for was to spill the news of her marriage to Margot as fast as possible.

"I've got pressing matters, Mr. Fletcher. I'll be in touch later," she swiftly declared, putting a few paces between them.

In the blink of an eye, she vanished into the bustling crowd.

Carsten, observing her rapid departure, knit his brows, his gaze lingering in her direction.

Did she just leave like that?

Quite a departure from the socialite sirens who ardently pursued him.

It appeared Nadine had entered matrimony solely for the sake of the marriage license.

This realization brought Carsten an odd sense of relief. At least he wouldn't be haunted by her persistent presence.

After that, he returned home to apprise his father of the development.

Alfred seemed to have foreseen their retreat to their homes after the hasty union.

After all, Nadine and Carsten just met face-to-face on that day.

It was Alfred who orchestrated their union.

Seeing the grin on Alfred's face when he got the news, Carsten realized he hadn't seen his father genuinely joyful in ages. Not since his mother's demise seven years prior. It was a rare occurrence.

Perhaps Alfred genuinely liked his daughter-in-law.

"Father, I've married the woman of your choosing," Carsten said, always eager to see Alfred happy.

Alfred responded, "Carsten, recall our agreement. You need to move to Nadine's residence tonight."

"Rest assured," Carsten affirmed, standing before his father. "Remember our pact. There's one year for me to fall in love with Nadine. If unsuccessful, I reserve the right to end the union, and you won't advocate for another marriage."

Alfred chuckled. "Let's make a wager. You'll fall in love with Nadine within three months. Care to bet?"

"Three months?" Carsten sneered. "She's just an ordinary woman. You've bestowed her with undue regard."

With a knowing smile, Alfred said, "Time will tell."

Carsten retorted, "I hope your confidence remains intact when divorce looms. Brace yourself for that."

Alfred laughed. "A year from now, you will thank me for finding you a worthy wife."

Carsten opted not to prolong the exchange of words.

He ascended the stairs.

The lunch break was well underway upon Nadine's return to the company.

Margot was nowhere to be found, but Denis intercepted her in the office.

She found herself alone with him for the first time in a month.

Denis, guilt evident in his gaze, couldn't mask his affection for her.

"I'm sorry, Nadine. I acted on impulse that day. But my feelings for you are genuine. I can't deny them."

Nadine, cautious of eavesdroppers, suppressed her anger and asked, "Denis, what do you like about me?"

Without hesitation, Denis replied, "You're capable, independent, well-dressed, and charming. You're anything but mediocre. Always learning, always progressing, and becoming more remarkable by the day. Margot, on the other hand, neglects makeup and spends no effort on her appearance. She lacks ambition and is out of touch with societal developments. I've lost interest in her. I haven't touched her in ages. You're the one I desire."

Outside the office door, Margot caught every word her husband said.