The Husband With many Identities

Ch 11 - Shared Property

Akeel said nothing.

Danaya reached toward the contract.

"Give it to me."

He passed it across the table.

She read every clause.

The contract contained a private settlement seal at the bottom. Once both parties placed their energy signatures into the seal, the agreement would become binding.

Danaya pressed her finger against the first side of the seal.

A thread of silver energy entered the parchment.

The contract recognized her signature.

She pushed it toward Akeel.

He placed his finger against the opposite side.

The seal glowed.

The agreement became permanent.

Danaya immediately opened her Energy Bank account.

A crystal panel appeared above the table.

She entered the amount.

Five million.

One hundred thousand.

Five thousand.

The total appeared in glowing numbers.

Akeel watched the transfer.

Danaya confirmed it.

The Valcrest Energy Bank sent the payment through the city's secured energy network.

A moment later, Akeel's Crystal Link communicator vibrated inside his coat.

He checked the screen.

The funds had arrived.

The transaction was complete.

Akeel placed the device away.

"Thank you."

Danaya raised an eyebrow.

"You are welcome."

Akeel picked up another sheet of parchment.

Danaya watched him.

"What is that?"

"A second agreement."

He placed it before her.

Danaya looked at the title.

Her expression changed.

"Marriage Dissolution."

Akeel nodded.

"You know this marriage cannot continue."

Danaya looked at him.

"I know."

"I am not the man you were supposed to marry. You cannot be legally bound to someone you never intended to marry."

Danaya looked down at the document.

The terms were simple.

The marriage would be dissolved.

Neither party would claim the other's personal property.

Neither party would interfere with the other's business.

Neither party would demand future support.

Neither party would claim the other's Energy Bank accounts.

The agreement also contained a clause concerning property acquired during the period of the marriage.

Danaya read it once.

Then again.

Her lips slowly curved.

A quiet laugh escaped her.

Akeel looked at her.

"What?"

Danaya tapped the parchment.

"This clause."

Akeel glanced at the section she indicated.

It stated that any assets acquired during the marriage would be considered shared marital property unless separately registered under an existing family or business seal.

Danaya looked at him.

"You included shared property?" She asked.

"Yes." 

"You realize who you are married to?" She asked again.

"I did not marry you." Akeel replied.

"Legally, you are." 

Akeel looked at the document again.

For the first time, he seemed to notice the problem.

Danaya leaned back.

"You are a Level One relic repairman."

Akeel remained silent.

"I am the head of House Valcrest."

She tapped the contract again.

"If this agreement is accepted before the marriage is dissolved, anything acquired during that period could become shared property. The marriage dissolution will take time to be processed."

Akeel looked at the clause.

Then he looked at Danaya.

"I can remove it."

Danaya laughed again.

"No."

Akeel frowned.

"You just said it was a problem."

"It is."

"Then why keep it?" He asked.

Danaya folded her arms.

"Because I want to see how you intend to divide the property."

Akeel stared at her.

Danaya smiled.

For the first time since he had entered the Valcrest estate, the tension between them eased.

Neither of them knew how important that small clause would become.

Akeel believed he had nothing worth dividing.

Danaya believed the same.

She had no idea that the man sitting across from her was hiding abilities and identities that could one day place his wealth beyond the reach of entire noble houses. Even above her wealth.

And Akeel had no idea that this woman, who had once mistaken him for another man, would eventually become the person closest to his hidden life.

For now, they were simply two strangers sitting across from each other.

One wanted the marriage ended.

The other wanted his freedom.

Neither understood what the contract had just placed between them.