"Our marriage period will be one year from the date we register, next Friday. We'll live together in my apartnt in Lumina Spring. You can start moving your items there next week."
Ruediger smiled as he listened to Lariette narrating the clauses in the contract. She was reading the words displayed on her tablet.
Lariette compiled both her and Ruediger's suggestions in a docunt before rging the similar ones. They were having the last discussion before finalizing everything.
Drawn to the llowness of her voice, Ruediger kept sneaking a look at Lariette. Her thick and curled eyelashes fluttered with each blink, resembling a pair of hand paper fans.
Lariette continued reading the clauses.
"I'll cover the household expenses. Our personal debts will stay separate even the ones incurred after marriage. I'll give you a monthly allowance of twenty grand."
Lariette had no trouble handling all the expenses no matter how high it was. Even though she worked as a language teacher at a public school, she still ca from the upper class.
Aside from the existing properties and investnts under her na, Lariette still received a huge sum of monthly stipends from Chairman Delaney. Her maternal grandfather didn't stop giving her the money even after being told not to.
Lariette Elsher might be scorned by her parents and siblings yet, her wealth was comparable to the top heiresses in high society.
"Lettie, wait," Ruediger knocked the table, trying to catch Lariette's attention. His smile was laced with helplessness, "Can we change the clause? About the expenses and whatnot?"
"En?" Lariette looked up from the screen. Raising her brows, she uttered, "Why? Is the allowance not enough? Want to incr..."
"No, no! That's not it!"
Cackling out of amusent, Ruediger waved his right hand. His shoulder trembled slightly from his laughter, his eyes curved into crescent moons.
Lowering the tablet to the table, Lariette wondered what made Ruediger laugh so much.
"Well, can't we pay half-half for the household expenses?" asked Ruediger between fading laughter, "Whether it's utility bills, groceries or anything else. And, I don't need an allowance, Lettie."
Lariette had already ntioned this before to Ruediger but, he hadn't said anything until now. He preferred talking face-to-face with her.
"You're helping , Eddy," said Lariette, followed by a sigh, "At least, let do this. Aren't you kinda like my employee now?"
"Hehe, it's fine," Ruediger shook his head, laughter still slipping out his mouth, "I'll be having fun with this marriage plan too, not just you. Let's do half-half, okay? Also, there's really no need for the allowance."
Lariette was speechless. She didn't foresee Ruediger's willingness to bear half of the duty regarding the household expenses. He also said no to getting the monthly stipends.
"...are you certain?" asked Lariette, her voice lacing with doubt.
Ruediger softened his smile. The sunlight flickered gently in his erald eyes, "Yes, I am."
Lariette had nothing else to say. She felt bad for Ruediger although he was the one requesting this change.
Previously, Madeline told Lariette about Ruediger's financial status without being asked. Her friend said that her cousin barely received any assistance from the Alvord family even when he was still a minor.
Madeline's kindhearted mother, Felicia Walters was the one who cared for Ruediger. He followed the mother and daughter abroad after Felicia's divorce from Martin Alvord.
"My uncle only sent one-ti funds to my mom before. Well, not that she cared but, that showed how bad my uncle is even years ago."
"My mom wanted to transfer so properties to Rudy but, he gave them to instead. He works remotely under Faulkner Investnt now."
Madeline didn't ntion Ruediger's position in the billion-dollar investnt company. Lariette believed it was high enough to let him live comfortably even though far from the level of the Alvord family.
"Okay, let's do that," Lariette finally relented upon understanding Ruediger's sincerity. She planned to set up an account for the allowance he turned down.
"Thank you, Lettie."
"..."
Lariette quietly nodded. She inwardly thought Ruediger's eye smile was adorable.
Ahem.
Telling herself to focus on the important issue, Lariette read the following clause, "Next is... about physical intimacy."
Arching his brows, Ruediger recalled that particular part from their discussion through phone calls before. The clause was brought up by Lariette.
"Our contract marriage doesn't require physical intimacy or romantic relationship, but..." Lariette trailed off, feeling the heat emanating from her cheeks, "If there's any in the future, it needs to be consensual for both parties."
Lariette believed Ruediger had his fair share of lovemaking before, like her. Thinking that both of them were adults who would live in the sa place, she decided to co up with this clause.
Amused by the blush on Lariette's face, Ruediger leaned forward while supporting his chin with one hand. Smiling, he softly uttered, "Lettie, I have sothing to ask."
"...yes?"
Tilting his head, Ruediger's crimson bangs frad the left side of his face. The beaming sunlight cast a glow on his smiling countenance.
"I know ours is a contract-based marriage, but, I want to know," Ruediger lowered his tone, his voice cautious, "What happens if both of us fall in love with each other? Do you still want us to divorce?"
Lariette blinked, her eyelashes fluttering slowly. She parted her lips to answer Ruediger but, no words ca out of her mouth.
A few days ago, Madeline asked if Lariette would put a clause forbidding both parties from harboring feelings for each other. Or, would the contract be nullified if such a scenario happened?
Lariette's answer to Madeline was...
"We can't control our feelings but, we can choose whether to pursue it or not."
Lariette might appear fine on the surface from her abrupt breakup with Damien due to his betrayal. But, her heart was already shredded to pieces.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Lariette decided to end her feelings for Damien. Those emotions didn't completely vanish overnight yet, she was proud of herself for taking the first step without delaying it.
Curling up her lips, Lariette felt a sense of peace replacing her previous doubt. With her eyes on his, she firmly answered Ruediger.
"If we fall for each other, I still want us to divorce."
Ruediger's eyelids twitched. His heart sank despite already bracing for a rejection.
"I under..."
Before Ruediger could finish his words, Lariette continued, her voice calm yet firm, "I want us to start anew. I also wish to have a decent proposal and a lovely wedding."
Stunned, Ruediger stared at Lariette unblinking. The shy smile on her lips seed to bloom the flowers in his heart.
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