Stuck in The Marriage Pact
Chapter 27: they are angry

Chapter 27: they are angry

Loraine sat comfortably on the sofa with Kate, waiting for Hunter and Isabella, who still hadn’t shown up. The man had his arm around his lover, with his legs resting on his left knee.

"Why are they taking so long? I’m starting to feel uneasy," Kate asked, frowning.

"Maybe they’re getting ready... I mean, maybe they’re taking a bath or something... Because earlier, they looked like they had just woken up," Loraine explained with a pout, then rested his head on Kate’s shoulder, kissing below her ear. "Don’t worry, everything will be fine..."

Kate remained silent, leaning her head against Loraine’s.

"Ahem..."

The sound of someone clearing their throat startled them. They quickly turned to the side and saw Hunter sitting in a wheelchair, with Isabella pushing from behind.

"Oh... They’re here," Loraine said with a smile, standing to greet Hunter, as did Kate.

They shook hands and hugged before returning to the sofa while Hunter stayed in his wheelchair. He stared at Kate, who looked innocent in her oversized black T-shirt, blue jeans, and a small white crossbody bag, with her hair left loose.

"She’s my girlfriend," Loraine said, smiling and wrapping his arm around Kate.

Hunter nodded with a flat expression. "You said we need to talk. Maybe we should talk in my office," he said.

"But why not here?" Loraine asked, her smile fading. "I mean, we could all talk together... I’d like to talk to my sister too." he glanced at Isabella briefly.

"I’m not in the mood for chit-chat... Let’s just get to the point. I’ll be waiting in my office," Hunter said before pressing a button on his wheelchair, which automatically moved, heading toward his office about 10 meters away.

Loraine took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, then glanced at her sister.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Isabella asked.

"I just want to make sure my sister isn’t standing in my way of making life easier," Loraine replied before standing and walking toward Hunter’s office, leaving Kate on the sofa.

Silence fell between Kate and Isabella until Carol suddenly arrived, carrying four glasses of juice and a large plate of neatly arranged fruit slices.

"Thank you, Carol," Isabella said warmly.

"I hope you’re feeling better now," Carol replied with a smile before heading back to the kitchen.

Isabella immediately took a glass of orange juice but kept her eyes on Kate, who seemed hesitant to talk to her.

"What are your plans with Loraine?" she asked.

"Um..." Kate looked at Isabella nervously, swallowing. "Actually, I don’t know. At first, he just said he wanted to introduce me to your husband."

"I thought you knew this was just a contract marriage, so there’s no need to introduce the family too deeply," Isabella replied before sipping her juice.

"Oh... I thought it wasn’t just a contract marriage because you two look so perfect together, and it seems like you’re well-matched."

"That’s what you see."

"Yes... And I’m sure he’d be interested in you because you’re so beautiful!" Kate assured her with a forced smile.

"I don’t like him," Isabella said, setting her juice back on the table. "He’s disabled... You know that, right? Joe was always the best!" she added, crossing her arms, and staring at Kate, who seemed shocked by her words.

’What? Does she think I didn’t know about her disabled husband? And... Why does she still want Joe? Why isn’t this going as Loraine planned?’ Kate wondered to herself.

"What?" Isabella asked.

"Nothing..." Kate smiled, shaking her head. "I just... I just admire you. I thought you would grow to love your husband and forget about Joe."

"That’s not going to happen!" Isabella snapped.

"But he’s never been beneficial to you, while your husband brings you wealth and even helps Loraine..."

"So, do you think my love is based on who benefits me more?" Isabella asked before Kate could finish.

"No... Not like that..."

"Or are you taking advantage of this contract marriage? Taking advantage of Hunter’s kindness to Loraine?" Isabella pressed, her sharp gaze intimidating Kate. "How could you do that? I’m not happy here... Not at all. He’s kind, but he’s not who I want... I had to leave Joe for a while... Even though it’s temporary, it feels awful. I’m afraid he’ll forget about me, or worse, hate me... Feelings can change anytime!" she continued sternly, her breathing quickening.

Kate remained silent, shocked by Isabella’s harsh response, feeling disappointed and losing hope for happiness with Loraine.

"It’s not as simple as you think!" Isabella shouted, turning her face away. ’I have to keep pretending that I’m suffering here, so neither she nor Loraine will take advantage of Hunter,’ she thought.

"I know this is hard for you, and honestly, I didn’t mean to take advantage, not at all," Kate said, frowning. "Loraine invited me to stay with him at the apartment. If he hadn’t offered that, I wouldn’t have wanted it. Besides, my father might not even allow it," she added.

Isabella exhaled sharply, glaring at Kate with irritation.

"If you’re not sure your father would agree, then why did you follow Loraine’s suggestion? Do you want your father to punish him?" she asked.

"Of course not."

"But you did it... Agreeing to a plan without considering the consequences. You’re crazy, you just want to have fun... You don’t know how I feel as his sister. I don’t want my brother to go too far with you, while you... You don’t care what happens if your parents don’t accept it!" Isabella continued, her breathing heavy with anger, unable to hide her frustration any longer. "How can you both have fun under my protection while I suffer? That’s so selfish!" she added, standing up and walking toward the office.

...

"Sorry, I don’t mean to be a bad brother-in-law, but the situation goes against my principles," Hunter said, looking at Loraine, who sat sulking. "I don’t like young couples living together... Especially when you’re both without jobs... You have to understand... Life isn’t always easy; the wheel of life turns... You never know when you’ll stop living in my apartment," he continued.

Loraine raised his head, frowning at Hunter.

"My marriage to your sister is temporary... Even though I like her, I’m not sure she’ll choose me over her ex. So, I can’t promise that you can stay in my apartment. That’s why I don’t want you bringing your girlfriend to live there. I’m worried that once you become too intimate there, or if something bad happens... A baby arrives unexpectedly, then you’ll have to leave if Isabella doesn’t want to be my wife for long... That would be very difficult for you... This is your life... You can’t just take advantage of your sister..." Hunter lectured Loraine, who was stunned.

"And don’t be angry with your sister about this... Whatever her decision is, it’ll be for her happiness... You have to respect that," he added.

Loraine swallowed hard, slowly nodding and giving a thin smile.

"I don’t understand... I was just... I was just asking for permission, but you’re lecturing me," he said, standing up. "But from what you’ve said, I think things are no longer the same. I’ll leave your apartment today," he added, disappointed, and stood up.

"Loraine..." Hunter frowned.

"It’s okay... I’d rather live in a rental than in a luxury apartment that doesn’t feel like home to me... You got my sister, but you only gave her money to pay off debts... Do you think she’s cheap...? If this wasn’t a desperate situation, I wouldn’t have let her marry a stingy man like you!" Loraine snapped.

"It’s not what you think!" Hunter responded.

Loraine stayed silent, walking toward the door until he met Isabella, who had just entered. he stopped, glaring at his sister, gritting his teeth, clenching his fists, as if holding back his anger.