Page 16 of Claim Me
My father speaks up.
"Gabriel, I reached out to your cousin because I wanted to approach this from a different angle."
"I don’t really understand what he has to do with any of this," I say, finally looking up at my father’s face.
Winter raises an eyebrow slightly, a faint smile touching the corner of his mouth.
"As you know, I work at DevApp, a company owned by Jacob Lowen… Blue’s brother."
A heavy, loaded silence settles in. Winter says it like he wants the weight of it to land.
Right. I completely forgot about that, but what could it really change?
"I reached out to Jacob. We’re on very good terms, you could say we’re friends. I asked him to appeal to Blue on your behalf."
The silence deepens. I can hear breathing, the faint thud of heartbeats. My lawyer rolls a pen between his fingers, my father twists a sheet of paper in his hands and keeps his eyes down. Only Winter is looking straight at me.
"I did that last week. Jacob spoke with Blue, and we managed to find a kind of… solution. It’s controversial, but it could give you a chance to stay out of prison."
A small shiver runs down my spine. So they were actually doing something while I sat in my cell, tossing a ball at the wall and sinking into that numb, hopeless fog.
Winter tilts his head slightly. "Blue agreed that your sentence could be served in a less conventional way. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but there’s an organization called Second Chance. They offer alternative rehabilitation methods for young, first-time offenders."
"I’ve never heard of it," I mutter under my breath, though I can already feel a strange tension building in my back.
"Their approach is tied to something the state considers very important," he continues. "Encouraging people to get married."
Silence again. My father keeps staring at the paper, my lawyer keeps playing with the pen. The tension in their faces makes it clear that even to them, this sounds questionable.
"Can you just say it straight? I don’t understand any of this," I say, sounding desperate.
Winter exhales slowly. "Second Chance works with matchmaking agencies. First-time offenders who agree to participate can take part in contract marriage fairs and put their marriage contracts up for offer. After a thorough screening process, that contract can be purchased by a candidate, what they call a contract spouse. You would then live with that person under house arrest, wearing only an ankle monitor, and if you’re a student, you’re allowed to continue your education."
I just stare at him, mouth slightly open. It sounds absurd. Like I misheard something.
"Wait, hold on. Someone would buy my marriage contract? And that’s it? No other sentence?"
"Yes. You know, the state has a reproductive policy because declining birth rates threaten economic stability, blah, blah, blah. For that reason, any initiative that promotes family and children is strongly supported. Second Chance is part of that system," Winter says, his tone turning a bit dry.
"So what, I’d have to have a kid with some stranger?"
My father straightens up and sets the crumpled paper aside. "Gabriel, focus. No, you don’t have to have a child. That’s not part of the contract, and no one can force that on you, not even the state. The idea is simply that entering this kind of arrangement increases the chances that people will eventually have children, which benefits the system. No one is forcing reproduction. We are not living in a totalitarian regime."
"But how would this even work? I don’t get it," I mumble, even though something is starting to click.
Winter continues in the same calm tone. "You attend an open event called a contract fair with other Second Chance participants, along with free people offering their own contracts. Interested candidates come forward, and a special review board evaluates whether they’re suitable to enter into a contract with you."
I blink and just keep staring at him.
Winter clears his throat softly and goes on. "There’s also some good news here. As you know, my brother Storm works at a matchmaking agency that has a contract with Second Chance. We can influence the process so you’re placed with that agency. Storm will make sure everything is handled properly and that whoever buys your contract is actually a good match. He will be your safety factor."
Another wave of discomfort hits me. Like I said, it’s always worst with family. I know Storm quite well, and the idea of him overseeing something like this doesn't make me feel better.
"Do I get any say in this? Or does he just decide for me?"
Winter makes a faint attempt at a smile, though it looks out of place on his cold features. "Of course you have the main say in who you agree to. After that, there’s a second stage where, following psychological evaluation, the Second Chance team decides whether the offer is serious and whether the person poses any risk to you."
"I’ve heard about those fairs. All kinds of creeps and losers show up, people with money who just buy contracts with young alphas or omegas…"
