Contract marriage: broken vow

Rain drizzled softly against the expansive windows of Lily Tang's penthouse suite, casting a silvery glow across the dark cityscape of Shanghai. She stood there, hands resting lightly on the cool glass, staring out at the blurred neon lights of the city below. But her mind wasn't on the busy streets, nor on the empire she was now helping run. Instead, it drifted back, back to the moment that had changed her life forever.

Three years ago.

The day she married Daniel Zhang.

It had been the wedding of the year-a blend of elegance and opulence befitting two of the wealthiest families in the city. She could still see the grand chandeliers, hear the soft murmur of guests congratulating her, and feel the weight of Daniel's indifferent gaze as they exchanged vows. He had worn a mask of polite charm for the guests, but she had seen the coldness in his eyes, felt the chill of his detachment. For him, their marriage was simply a business deal, nothing more.

Yet for Lily, it had been so much more. She'd harbored a quiet love for him since childhood, a love she thought could withstand anything-even his indifference. She had walked down that aisle with hope in her heart, a hope that had withered with every dismissive look, every silent dinner, every reminder that his heart was somewhere else.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her reverie. Lily turned, smoothing the crease of her blouse, regaining her composure. She didn't have time for memories tonight.

"Come in," she called out.

Her assistant, Mei, slipped into the room, her steps quick and precise. "Miss Tang, Mr. Zhang has arrived."

Lily's heart gave a reluctant lurch. She hadn't seen him in almost a year-not since she had signed the divorce papers, leaving behind the life she had fought so hard to hold onto. Yet, here he was, back in her world, summoned by the unbreakable ties of business. Tonight, their families would meet to discuss a new venture, one that could determine the future of both companies.

"Thank you, Mei," Lily said, keeping her voice steady. "I'll be right there."

Mei hesitated. "Are you all right, Miss Tang?"

Lily offered a small smile. "I'm fine."

But as she walked down the hall to the private dining room, she knew that nothing about this night would be easy.

The room was warm and filled with the aroma of gourmet food, a stark contrast to the chill settling in her bones as she entered. Her family's executives were seated on one side, while Daniel's entourage took the other. At the head of the table, Daniel sat, looking as impeccable as ever in a tailored black suit, his dark eyes scanning the room with a practiced detachment that sent a shiver through her.

He looked up as she entered, and for a brief second, their eyes met. She felt a flicker of something in his gaze, something that might have been surprise or even admiration, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"Lily," he said, inclining his head slightly in a formal greeting.

"Daniel." She nodded, matching his impersonal tone.

She took her seat across from him, folding her hands in her lap, willing herself to stay calm. She was here for business, nothing more. The past was a closed chapter, a wound that had healed-mostly.

As the meeting progressed, discussions of stocks and revenue projections floated around her, but her focus was on Daniel. He spoke with his usual confidence, his voice smooth and unyielding as he outlined his plans for the merger. She watched him, noting the way he commanded the room, the way others hung on his every word. This was the Daniel she had fallen for-the powerful, ambitious man who knew what he wanted and how to get it.

But he had never wanted her.

"Lily, what do you think?"

Her father's voice jolted her from her thoughts. She blinked, realizing that everyone was looking at her, waiting for her input.

She cleared her throat, gathering her thoughts. "I think it's a solid plan," she said smoothly. "However, I'd recommend a gradual integration. Rushing could destabilize both companies."

Daniel's gaze flickered with interest. "An interesting perspective," he said, his tone cool but respectful. "And why do you think that?"

She met his eyes, refusing to let him see the unease simmering beneath her calm exterior. "Because merging two giants isn't just about numbers. It's about people. And people need time to adjust."

A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Wise words, as always."

The meeting continued, but now, there was a subtle tension between them, an unspoken awareness of their shared past that seemed to hang in the air. Lily felt the weight of it, a silent reminder of the years they had spent as strangers in each other's lives.

When the meeting finally ended, the executives filed out, leaving her and Daniel alone. She stood, gathering her things, hoping to slip away before he could approach her.

But he was faster.

"Lily," he said, his voice low and unexpectedly gentle. "Can we talk?"

She hesitated, her heart beating a little faster. "There's nothing to talk about, Daniel."

"Please." His tone softened, a hint of vulnerability seeping through. "Just a few minutes."

She clenched her jaw, weighing her options. Part of her wanted to walk away, to leave him standing there with the words unsaid. But another part, the part that still held onto a faint trace of the girl who had loved him, needed closure.

"All right," she said finally.

They walked out onto the terrace, the night air cool and tinged with the scent of rain. He stood beside her, his gaze fixed on the city below.

"You've changed," he murmured, almost to himself.

She glanced at him, surprised. "Have I?"

He nodded. "You're... different. Stronger."

She swallowed, fighting back a wave of emotions she didn't want to feel. "I had to be," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

A silence stretched between them, heavy and charged.

"Lily..." His voice was rough, as though he were struggling to find the right words. "I know I hurt you."

She looked away, her eyes stinging. "That's an understatement."

He reached out, hesitating before placing a hand on her arm. "I'm sorry."

She laughed softly, a hollow sound. "Sorry? After everything, that's all you have to say?"

He flinched, but his gaze remained steady. "I made mistakes. I see that now."

She pulled her arm free, stepping back. "Mistakes? You think bringing another woman into our home was a mistake? You think handing me divorce papers while I was carrying your child was a mistake?"

He froze, his face paling. "You... were pregnant?"

The words hung in the air, a truth she had kept buried for years.

"Yes," she said, her voice trembling. "I was. And I lost him because of the stress, because I was alone, because I meant nothing to you."

He stared at her, shock and regret etched across his face. "Lily, I... I didn't know."

"You didn't care," she snapped, the pain of that memory sharp and fresh. "You were too busy with Vivian, too busy with your perfect life to notice that your wife was breaking."

He reached for her, but she stepped back, shaking her head. "Don't."

"Lily, please," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I was blind. I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn't realize..."

She laughed bitterly. "Didn't realize what, Daniel? That your wife might actually have feelings? That I might have loved you?"

He fell silent, his gaze dropping. "I was a fool."

"Yes," she agreed, her voice steady. "You were. And now, it's too late."

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

"Lily, give me a chance to make it right."

She paused, her heart twisting painfully. She wanted to believe him, wanted to think that maybe, just maybe, he had changed. But the scars he had left ran too deep.

"I don't think you can," she whispered, without looking back. And then, with a final glance at the man she had once loved, she walked away, leaving him alone on the terrace, a shadow among the city lights.