He Mourned a Ghost, He Fell for Me

I was deep in a cheesy drama, you know, the kind with a ridiculously rich CEO. Except, this time, I'd accidentally brought a prop from set home - a fake cancer report.

During dinner, my "husband," Finn Hawthorne, who was more like a stranger with a shared address, suddenly asked, “How many months do you have left?”

I figured he was talking about our one-year marriage contract. “Almost done. Probably two months, tops.”

Finn went silent.

Later, I took off to Europe for a low-key three-month acting intensive. When I got back, I heard Finn had gone completely nuts looking for his "dead wife" all over the country. He wanted to see a body if she was gone, alive or otherwise.

1

I had just ordered a mountain of takeout, ready to dive in, when Finn, whom I hadn’t seen in months, suddenly sat down across from me.

I looked up at him, surprised. In the year or so we'd been married, Finn and I barely saw each other. He was usually cold. We almost never ate together. His assistant had made it crystal clear:

"This is a contract marriage, two years, don't get any ideas. When the time's up, get your money and go. You're not going to get a better deal. Someone like Mr. Hawthorne is way out of your league."

Finn, as always, had this "I’m better than you" vibe from head to toe. Guys like him were born on third base, thinking they hit a triple. People like me? We have to grind for ten years to even touch his shadow. So, I played by the rules. Money and connections? Yes, please. But I wasn’t about to go asking about things that weren't my business.

Finn looked like he’d come straight from the office. Still in his suit, he sat there, watching me attack my Kung Pao Chicken. I almost splashed some sauce on him and he just froze. Then he said, “So, how many months do you have left?”

I gave him a confused look. Finn was a busy guy; time was money to him. He came all this way just to ask how long until our marriage contract was over? He probably thought my presence was embarrassing and wanted me out.

I did a quick mental check. “Soon, probably just two months. Don’t worry, Finn, I’ll be gone before then, no fuss.”

He just went quiet. After a beat, his voice had this strange, low tone. "So, for the last little bit, is there anything you want?"

With the contract, I’d gotten so many resources. “Nah, I’m good. No other wishes.”

It might’ve been my imagination, but I swear his eyelashes did a little flutter when I said that.

2

Finn’s been acting weird lately. Before, I’d see him every few weeks. Now? He’s been around the house every day. I was just finishing up with my agent after waking up, when I saw him sitting in the living room just staring at me.

It gave me the creeps.

I smiled at him. “Not at the office today?”

He shook his head. “Work’s not important right now.”

I remembered my agent telling me that his ex, Sarah You, was back in town. I glanced at the wine bottles on the table and suddenly it made sense.

His assistant had told me the only reason Fi...