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A Cup of Juice on a Sour Day
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Long Lost, But Not Forgotten
Gianna blinked quickly at the flashbulbs exploding like a thousand miniature suns in her retinas as soon as she got ushered out of the car.“Mrs. Caldwell, this way,” said someone, who most likely was the one with a hand on her elbow, gently guiding her through the writhing mass of bodies and voices around her. Microphones were thrust into her face like accusing fingers and questions were flying at her from all directions.She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight, and what she would often call ‘her moment’ were merely background roles or blink-and-you'll-miss-it scenes in movies. But tonight, she was the headliner.She ran through her speech in her head for the millionth time, although she was going to be reading off a script. She was still scared she might make a mistake and mess it up.Only, she didn’t. The event she attended in Mason’s stead turned out well, and her role in it was perfect.“Look at you being all proper wife and all,” Sonia teased Gianna.“Shut up,” Gianna groaned,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract 17 Years Ago
“Go with your brother, Ninny.” The six year old stared innocently at her mother, then at her father who gave her an encouraging nod. “Where are mama and papa going?” The girl asked. “Somewhere,” her father answered as he crouched down to her eye level and ruffled her short bob fondly. He also did the same with her older brother, who was standing next to her. He was ten. The little boy looked like he had more questions to ask his parents as well, but he said nothing, making do with the vague answers their parents were giving to their queries. It had all happened suddenly that morning, when their parents had them pack their belongings and moved them to this strange house. To top it all, their parents were not going to be staying with them in the new house. Their suitcases were still in the car, meaning they were going somewhere else. “Be a good girl, okay my love?” Her mother caressed her soft, chubby cheek. “And you too, sweetheart,” she smiled at her the girl’s brother. He nodd
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Reunion
‘Finn? Finn, where are you?’ Little Ninny’s voice Gianna’s voice echoed in her head like a ghostly remnant of a long-forgotten past. She recalled that scary night she was stumbling through shadowy hallways with a torch in hand, searching for her brother and crying alone in the dark when she couldn't find him. “F-F-Finn?” she stammered into the phone. The hand with which she held the phone was starting to tremble, so she had to hold it down with her other hand. “Is it really you?” “I've missed you so much,” the voice on the other end replied, thick with emotion. “I looked everywhere…” Gianna stepped out of the way of some passersby, now standing by the side of the steps. She still couldn’t believe her ears. As much as this person on the phone claimed to be her brother, and her heart was eager for this whole thing to be true, she still couldn’t afford to throw so much caution to the wind. In a world where scams and frauds were rampant, desperate people fell victim to false promise
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Gin & Tonic
“Gin and tonic.”“Bombay, Tanqueray, or Hendrick's?” The bartender asked SoniaGoodness, when did ordering a drink become a pop quiz?“Um, Bombay?” She replied.“Lime or cucumber?”“Surprise me,” Sonia muttered, wondering if it was too late to just ask for a beer.While Tattoo Guy worked his mixology magic, Sonia looked idly around the room and then at the door, where a familiar face just walked through. It was Mr. Shirtless-and-Gorgeous from the apartment, except today, he wasn’t shirtless, but in a button down.Sonia quickly turned her face away from the door, afterwards kicking herself mentally for doing that. Can’t a grown-ass woman like herself drink in the same bar as a hot stranger she was interested in for goodness’s sake?“Anything else?” the bartender asked as he slid her drink across the bar.Sonia shook her head and picked up the drink before embarking on the journey to find a seat. Honestly, it wasn’t planned; it just so happened that she managed to fine a seat close to h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Family Dinner
A normal evening, like any other, Evelyn was playing catch with her little boy, Colin, when the front door was opened, and in walked Arthur Caldwell. He wasn't alone. Clutched in his hand was that of a little boy who looked no older than five. Evelyn's eyes darted between the child and her husband, and as soon as she saw the uncanny resemblance, she knew.This was Mason, Arthur's son from a previous relationship; a child he'd only recently discovered existed after his mother made sure to send him to his biological father before she died on her sick bed. Arthur had not only brought home his illegitimate son, but he had broken something in their family— according to his wife.For Evelyn, a new son for her to mother, and Mason, a new family was thrust on him without warning or choice.Soon enough, the Caldwells saw that Mason was different from the others. While other children laughed and played around with themselves, he would be by himself in a corner, observing. His piercing eyes woul
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Step-Brother-Hood
Beep. Beep. Beep.He sat on the visitor's chair, and all he did was stare at the figure lying dwarfed by the tubes and wires snaking all around his pale skin.Mason’s relationship with his father could be likened to a study in emotional distance. Arthur Caldwell was a man who viewed fatherhood as a series of obligations to be fulfilled and not a bond to be nurtured. So he provided amply for all his children's material needs— the best schools, luxurious vacations, every advantage money could buy, and whatnot.But when it came to emotional sustenance, Arthur's cupboard was decidedly bare.To an outside observer, Arthur seemed to treat all his children with the same cool detachment. Yet there’s always been an unspoken understanding between him and Mason. The boy was a lot like him in the sense that they both had the ability to compartmentalize their emotions in pursuit of their goals.Arthur gradually started maneuvering Mason into position, and he did possess a natural acumen for busine
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Him or Him(1)
The first thing her eyes saw the moment she awakened was Mike headed for the bathroom, and then the sound of running water followed.Olivia stretched in bed again and yawned.To begin with, it didn’t seem like a good morning, just like the previous ones had been feeling off lately. Something was going on with Mike, but she wasn’t sure what. She didn’t want to be the woman who suspected every little thing about her man, just because things didn’t feel right.She rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed, walking to the mirror to stare at herself. She then ran her hands through her hair and massaged her scalp for a bit before grabbing a tissue from the nearby box to wipe away the dried up remains from last night’s sex off her thigh.After discarding the tissue, she threw herself into a robe and began gathering their clothes that were scattered all over the ground. As she picked up Mike’s jacket, something fell out of the pocket.Olivia curiously picked up the small, transparent sachet which
Last Updated : 2024-10-29A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Him or Him (II)
Arguing was pointless, Olivia knew that. But she made up a plan to meet with the so-called Sinclair heir just to tell him to his face that she wasn't interested in the alliance. Maybe he would understand and break it off himself.She arrived at the hotel suite that day and had her speech rehearsed and determination set. But she walked into that room and saw who the man was…Mike Sinclair was not what she expected.He was extremely tall. Gorgeous. Perfectly sculpted in all the right places. He had the darkest features, but the most gentle green eyes that seemed to see right through her. The man, was her type, exactly how she would have had it on paper.“You must be Olivia,” he greeted first.Jeez, his voice.“I have to say, the pictures don't do you justice.Olivia tried not to blush or grin too wide.“Mr. Sinclair,—““Mike, please,” he interrupted, finally stepping aside to let her into the room. “I think we can dispense with the formalities, don't you?”He ushered her to sit, pouring
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Delusions
Golden morning light filtering through gossamer curtains showed Mason slowly surfacing from the arms of sleep. He huffed satisfactorily in the bed sheets as he cradled Gianna’s bare back closer to himself. He pressed his nose into the back of her head and then nuzzled his lips in the curve where her neck met her shoulder.Mason deeply inhaled her scent, which smelled like honey today, unlike the rosewater scent Gianna usually had.“Mhmmm….” Mason murmured with sleep, fingertips tracing lazy circles along her skin as she shifted closer with a pleased sigh. Mason smiled against her hair.“Morning sweetheart.”She twisted to face him and Mason’s grey eyes appraised her morning beauty, with no makeup, raven hair tumbling over creamy shoulders, full lips curved up beguilingly. He suddenly froze. Mason’s brain had just caught up to the waking world. Shock rocketed through his system, and he sprung upright….…because the woman gazing back at him was not Gianna.“Olivia?! What...how are yo
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Business & Deals (II)
Both men stopped as the gleaming doors slid open to reveal Mason's chauffeur standing by the open backseat of the car outside. Mason sighed.“Fine, I’ll branch there on my way home.”“Should I come with? ““No need. Been overworking you lately already. Why don’t head back home to SoniaPink tinged Darrell's tanned cheeks even as he smiled gratefully. “Fine then. See you tomorrow.”With an encouraging pat to Darrell's back, Mason folded himself into the backseat and soon, the vehicle pulled smoothly into downtown traffic, his stern countenance giving way to contemplative fatigue. Soon, the long drive ended in Klent’s sprawling estate. Mason stepped out as soon as the car pulled over, and smartly dressed butler greeted Mason on the mosaic tile steps. "Welcome Mr. Caldwell. Please follow me.”The man turned on his heel and led the way beneath a soaring entrance arch. Their polished oxfords sank into decadent Persian rugs lining the wide corridors as they walked deeper into the house.
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Business & Deals
***I can help you.***Olivia stared at the text message glowing from her phone screen. She frowned, sitting up in her bed. Who was this from? And what did they think they could help her with?She set the phone back down on the bed and rolled over, trying to force herself to sleep. It had been such a humiliating and unproductive day, to say the least. Even when she closed her eyes all she saw was Mason and Gianna, and it caused her to fume all over again.Olivia ground her teeth.That insipid woman had somehow gotten her claws even deeper into Mason than Olivia realized. It made her blood boil to think of Gianna smirking in victory now, wrapped safely in Mason's arms in the bed that should rightfully be Olivia's. She sat upright with a frustrated growl. Olivia fledged her fingers, wishing they were wrapped around the column of Gianna's throat. It wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Mason was hers to begin with! How could he just replace her with that gold digger? Or was he only tryi
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A NICE EVENING
She turned her face immediately to Mason in the driver's seat, whose jaw was locked as he stared beyond the windshield.Sonia released a measured breath.“I'm not trying to make a habit of getting in the middle of your personal issues—““If you're here to lecture me, save it,” Mason cut in, much to Sonia’s amusement. “I didn't exactly drag or force you down to this cozy parking lot rendezvous, now did I? Which means you wanted to hear my lecture,” Sonia eyed him pragmatically. She then smiled faintly as she met her eyes stray again towards the park. They could both hear the raucous shrieks of the children, as well as the more muted sounds of people simply enjoying the evening.“Gianna cried her eyes out for hours at my place, you know?” Sonia informed melancholically, now observing a young father energetically push his giggling son on the swings. “She's beside herself with regret over the whole thing.”She then angled herself slightly towards Mason, openly studying his stony profile
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Friend In Deed
She wouldn’t stop. The tears continued to leak down her cheeks no matter how many times she angrily swiped them away.“Tell me what’s fucking wrong!” Sonia asked for the umpteenth time, but Gianna wouldn’t give her a response, instead, she continued to cry, until it turned into coughs.“You’ve been crying since you got here,” Sonia said carefully when Gianna's sobs finally began to subside into sniffles. She looked at Gianna squarely in her puffy, reddened eyes. “You’re scaring me now. Did something happen with Mason? Did he do something to you?”The mere mention of her husband's name sent a ripple of fresh pain lancing through Gianna's heart. She shook her head vehemently and managed to squeak out a reply between hiccuping gasps.“I'm such a fool, Sonia, I'm the one who screwed everything up. I'm such an idiot!” Sonia frowned with worry as she held Gianna tighter, stroking her hair. “It’s alright, it's okay. Just take a breath and tell me what's going on.”Gianna sat up and stare
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Chaos
"You've still gotten Mason in the palm of your hands, right? Then I'd like to see you fight tooth and nail to prove it..."His eyes landed on the two women sizing each other up. Olivia's serpentine smirk witheredas their gazes met his and Gianna gasped mutely on seeing him.He slowly walked up where they stood, but without saying anything, walked past them and strode up the stairs, shrugging off his suit jacket with an eerie calm.Gianna shot Olivia a hard look before running up after Mason.Right outside the bedroom door, Gianna sighed and palmed her forehead as if that would help her squeeze out an excuse for why she'd entertained such idiocy in the first place. In the room, she watched him bang the nightstand drawer open and drop his cufflinks inside, still silent as a statue."Mason..."He still didn't make a sound, not even when he unbuckled that belt and pooled his pants on the floor before walking into the bathroom. Gianna quickly went to her to pick up his clothes from the flo
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Cutting The Deal
Packing up his things to head home after work had become one of Mason’s favorite parts of his every day. Another stressful day had come to a close. He returned the nods and greetings of others as he walked through the hallway, towards the elevators that led straight to the parking garage.When the doors opened, and he stepped in, there were already two other men in the space, talking intently. They didn’t even seem to notice him coming in because of how engrossed they were in their discussion.He stood quietly behind them as he waited for the short ride to be over.“I'm telling you, it’s been over a month ago, and she’s still pissed.” This was the younger of the two men speaking and gesticulating emphatically into the air. He looked like he was nearing his forties, by Mason's estimate. While the other one was likely pushing sixty. He shook his head disapprovingly, “Well, to be fair, your little plan was idiotic.”“It wasn’t my plan. And I’m telling you it’s not my fault, are you eve
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Reminiscing
Gianna's hands immediately began to shiver and the cardboard box trembled precariously in her grasp. She stared at those looping black words, unnerved.Ninny.There we go again. For the second time, someone else was mentioning her childhood pet name. First, it was Bernie —he was dead—, now who was it? Gianna, taking in a deep breath, proceeded to ransack the box to see if there was anything else—possibly a clue as to its sender to come tumbling out. But there was nothing besides that innocuous white lid and the stark black lettering burning itself into the forefront of her mind.She confirmed to stare hard at it, as though if she did it enough, the words would rearrange into something—anything—that didn't feel like such a punch to her gut out of the blue.Now she was aware that information about her birthday wasn’t a secret; it was all over social media; the press was constantly fixating on every single aspect of her life as the wife of business mogul Mason Caldwell.But that name, o
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Intentions (2)
He was already straightening his tie when he heard the rustling behind him that made the corner of his mouth quirk upwards. Through the mirror, Mason watched Gianna shift around sleepily on the bed with a contented murmur, before her whiskey-warm eyes fluttered open. “Morning, baby girl,”Gianna responded with a drowsy smile, gradually becoming more alert as she realized he was already preparing for his day. “You're up early,” she remarked, sitting up and yawning. She tossed the covers aside and crawled across the mattress towards him on her hands and knees.Mason felt his breath hitch ever so slightly at the overtly feline movement, his eyes darkening with appreciation as it roamed the length of her body in that flimsy thing she was wearing.She let her arms encircle his waist from behind, and she molded herself against his back with a soft hum.“What time is it?” she asked, face nuzzled against him.“Just after ten.”She let out a quiet snort of amusement as she pressed her cheek
