7

…

“Actually, I did it yesterday,” he continued. “It doesn’t matter whether you agree to this or not. I need you here as an assistant anyway. Maybe they’ll still manage to help you somehow.”

Mishi didn’t know what to say. For a long time she only drifted inside her own thoughts. Could her condition truly improve for a little while longer?

“Th… thank you,” she stammered at last. “This is… thank you, really.”

“You don’t have to, it was obvious,” Tay stopped her. Seeing her in such a state made him uncomfortable. “As I said, I need you. And right now, I need you to pretend to be my wife for a year. Just… pretend. I’ve already planned everything for us,” he slid his gaze to the yellow folder. “He only needs to think I’m serious about starting a family. Once the contract is underway, it won’t matter anymore. Could you manage that?”

Mishi fell into serious contemplation. She was impressed by the clever solution—once she set aside the fact that he had included her in it. That part thrilled her considerably less.

“For a year?” she confirmed.

“Yes. A year is enough for me. After that, those contracts won’t just be undone.”

“And after that?”

“After that, we’ll divorce again. You’ll be free. Everything we acquire for that charade, you can keep. Naturally, even after the divorce, I’ll make sure you’re provided for. The research will continue, they’ll treat you. After that, it’s up to you.”

“Or we won’t divorce, and you’ll become a grieving widower,” Mishi laughed bitterly. “It would suit you. With that status, no one would ever pressure you into another marriage.”

“Don’t talk like that,” he frowned. “In a year you’ll be free again and enjoy life a great deal. I’ll do everything for that. You have my word.”

…

At first, Mishi didn’t believe Tay. The whole thing seemed like a strange joke. But the always distant Taris would hardly joke about something like this.

She took the clipped pages and began to leaf through the agreement. Although she had to admit he’d crafted his escape quite well, she still didn’t understand why he was making such an expensive and complicated offer. Yet she couldn’t deny how adventurous the proposal felt.

“I believe you’d easily find a cheaper wife,” she remarked.

“Maybe,” Tay muttered, watching her read the first paragraphs intently.

He let her read for a while before speaking impatiently: “You must have questions…”

“Certainly,” Mishi lifted her eyes from the text, and in them was the clear message that she had at least a million questions. “You know, teefu, I don’t actually know you at all. Don’t be upset with me, it’s just… it’s just… pretty insane, you understand… I’m not saying ‘no,’ I’d like to help you, I understand what you mean, but I’ll probably need…”

She sighed awkwardly. “I’ll need… a lot… to know… to explain… to consider…”

“I understand,” Tay nodded. “I’ll give you anything you need, but time is pressing me. I’d need the wedding by the end of autumn.”

“In four months?” The rush surprised Mishi.

“I don’t have a choice. Mario gave me a fixed date, so… either you or someone else… I need to know now, because if you agree, we have to prepare as soon as possible.”

…

Tay waited. Mishi stared at the agreement, torn between uncertainty and excitement. Voluntarily spending a year beside such an unpleasant and unpredictable man required a large dose of madness. Luckily for Tay, Mishi had that in her then. The idea of a treatment that could prolong her life was tempting—a life in which she would never again have to suffer. Forever cared for and secure. Such an opportunity in such misfortune. And all for merely one year of pretending to be Mrs. Taris. Helping one eccentric who simply couldn’t handle certain personal matters.

She smiled as she realized everyone would benefit and no one would lose anything. Her expression of agreement was a good sign for Tay.

“So…” he reminded her, “where would you like to begin?”

Mishi’s smile widened even more as she boldly suggested: “How about we start by dropping the formalities?”