THE CONTRACT WIFE: A ONE NIGHT STAND BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

Zara’s POV

As the days passed, life settled into a comfortable routine. My son, Enrique, continued to grow and thrive, and my friendship with Nick deepened. We spent time together often, enjoying each other’s company and sharing laughter.

One afternoon, Nick surprised me with a small picnic in the park. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we lounged on the grass, sharing stories and indulging in delicious treats.

“You know, Zara, you’re an incredible mother,” Nick said, gazing at me with admiration. “Enrique is lucky to have you.”

I blushed at his compliment. “Thank you, Nick. That means a lot to me. Being a mother is the most important role in my life.”

“And you’re doing a fantastic job at it,” he replied sincerely.

We continued talking, and the conversation eventually turned to Nick’s family. He spoke fondly of his parents and siblings, sharing anecdotes and memories from his childhood. It was evident that family meant a great deal to him.

“I wish I had a big, loving family like yours,” I admitted wistfully. “Enrique deserves to have grandparents and cousins to play with.”

Nick smiled warmly. “You never know, Zara. Maybe one day you’ll have that big, loving family too.”

I chuckled, not daring to entertain such thoughts. “Well, let’s focus on the present. We should plan more outings like this. Enrique loves spending time with you, and I enjoy your company too.”

“I’d love that,” he replied with a grin. “You know, I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Oh? What is it?” I asked curiously.

“Well, you mentioned that you’re not ready for a romantic relationship, and I completely understand that,” Nick began. “But what if we tried being more than just friends? Not in a romantic sense, but like a support system for each other. We could be there for each other, go on adventures together, and just be a constant presence in each other’s lives.”

I considered his proposal. Nick had always been a dependable and caring friend, and the idea of having him as a support system appealed to me. He had a way of making even the most mundane moments fun and exciting.

“I think that could work,” I said, smiling at him. “We’ll be adventure buddies, cheering each other on in life.”

Nick’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Adventure buddies it is, then!”

And just like that, we solidified our newfound bond as adventure buddies. Over the next few weeks, we went on hikes, explored new cafes, attended concerts, and even tried our hand at painting classes. Our friendship deepened, and I found solace in his company.

Meanwhile, my interactions with Lucas were limited to co-parenting matters. We maintained a respectful distance, both aware that our marriage had run its course. He continued to be present in Enrique’s life, and I appreciated the effort he put into being a father figure to our son.

One day, as I sat in the park with Nick and Enrique, my mind drifted back to the past-the mistakes, the heartaches, and the pain that had once consumed me. But as I looked at my son and my dear friend, I realized that I had come a long way. I had overcome so much and had found love and support in unexpected places.

“Zara, are you okay?” Nick asked, concern evident in his eyes.

I smiled at him, grateful for his presence in my life. “I’m more than okay, Nick. I’m happy.”

Nick returned my smile, and we shared a moment of understanding without the need for words. Sometimes, the best relationships were the ones that didn’t follow a conventional path.

One afternoon, as we sat on the rooftop of his penthouse, watching the sunset, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much my life had changed. The painful past was now just a distant memory, and I had found contentment and joy in the present.

“Thank you, Nick,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

He turned to me, his eyes gentle and kind. “For what?”

“For being there for me, for being my adventure buddy, for reminding me that life can be beautiful despite the hardships,” I replied.

Nick placed a hand on mine, his touch warm and reassuring. “You don’t have to thank me, Zara. I’m grateful to have you in my life,” he declared emotionally as he lowered his mouth toward mine.

“What are you trying to do, Nicholas Rutherford?” I asked while trying to distance myself from him.

“I was just about to look closely into your eyes,” he explained.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Whatever, Nick, but for now, we have to go and eat,” I told him and as if on cue, my stomach grumbled for food.

Nick chuckled as he led me toward the dining area. I smiled as soon as his maid started to set the table with appetizing dishes. Unlike Lucas, Nick was extravagant with his money. He has a personal chef in his place, and several maids to cater to his need.

After spending time with Nick, Enrique and I went home. When we didn’t see Lucas at our home, we were not surprised.

My gaze fell upon the table in my room, where a framed wedding photo of me and Lucas was placed. I was smiling in the picture, wearing semi-casual clothes. We had gotten married in Clayland, a town that was five hours away from the city.

I knew that his family was influential in Claybourne but I was surprised to discover that his kin technically owned the town. His cousin, Logan Lopez owned a large ranch and farm in the area, and almost every acre in Clayland belonged to them.

Sighing, I turned the picture upside down, reflecting my feeling that would soon be buried in my past. I saw no reason to hold on to it when all my memories with him were filled with pure bitterness and agony.

When Enrique expressed his wishes to remain in the living room, I decided to continue packing our things. After letting him watch his favorite cartoon show, I went upstairs.

I opened my closet and tidied it up a bit. I also swept the floor before taking a refreshing shower. When I came down the stairs, I saw my son sitting on his dad’s lap, both of them engrossed in a show, radiating happiness.

I watched them silently, not wanting to disrupt this picture-perfect moment. Just like me, my child longed for this kind of love and connection. I wasn’t blind to the fact that my son also yearned for his father’s affection.

I was overjoyed to see my son happy in that moment. Even if Lucas was only acting for the sake of our agreement and the promise of a legal separation, I went to the kitchen and prepared something to eat.

Our fridge was empty, but I remembered the bags of groceries I had left in the car’s compartment. I retrieved them from the garage and got back to the kitchen to prepare our food. I chose something simple and hassle-free-fried chicken with sautéed vegetables as a side dish.

When everything was ready on the table, I called them over. Enrique had a big smile on his face as he sat on his dad’s lap. It was evident that Lucas was making an effort to honor our agreement, and I appreciated that.

Seeing both of them enjoy their meal filled my heart with joy. It was easy to tell they were father and son with just one glance. Enrique was a mini-Lucas, bearing a striking resemblance to his father.

I was delighted to see Lucas enjoying the meal I had cooked. Whether he was truly enjoying it or simply putting on an act didn’t matter anymore. This was all for the sake of my son, nothing else. It was like putting on a good show.

After they finished eating, Lucas suggested that they go swimming, which got our son excited. The pure happiness on his face brought me joy as well.

While they enjoyed the pool, I took care of washing the dishes in the kitchen and cleaned the other rooms. As I swept the floor, my phone rang.