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Couple Day Out
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2024-10-15 23:04:10Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Does it Hurt ?
It was like someone had taken a snow globe filled with glitter, Ritalin, and pure, unfiltered enthusiasm, and shaken the living hell out of it. And right in the center of this pint-sized tornado stood Mason and Gianna.Cameras whirred and clicked to capture every artificial smile and an awkward pat on the head for posterity (and, more importantly, the news). Because nothing said ‘we care about the community’ quite like two adults playing Santa Claus to a bunch of little kids.“….yes, it’s a heart,” Mason smiled at the shape he’d made out of paper.“And who can tell me what a heart stands for?”He would have minded boring the hell out of their little heads by talking to them about business and how dangerous you have to be to navigate the deadly waters of opposition if you wanted it to succeed, but watching Gianna play with the children like she was a kid herself somehow got him to change his mind.“Love is a great answer too…” he then clicked his fingers at another child, “I think you’
Last Updated : 2024-10-16A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Every Night & Then
Thump. Thump. Thump.Little feet pounded against the floors like a frantic percussion in the suffocating darkness. And the shadows dancing on the walls were performing a macabre ballet to the erratic beat of a terrified heart.The little girl, with short bob hair pigtails and Minnie Mouse pajamas and wide, fearful eyes darted from room to room to escape from the unseen predator. She entered the room and ran towards the closer. Never mind that it was also the first place anyone would look.She burrowed into the depths of the closet, nestling between musty coats and forgotten boxes. Her hand clamped over her mouth to stifle the sobs that might betray her location.Breathing — in, out, in, out— became a Herculean task as she tried not to scream when she heard the sound of the door opening, and then footsteps.The girl pressed herself further back, as if she could somehow melt into the wall and disappear altogether. Tears flowed freely now, silent rivers carving paths down cheeks flushed
Last Updated : 2024-10-16A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract The Party (I)
By the time evening rolled around, that spark of excitement had morphed into a full-blown case of nerves, with a side of ‘what the hell am I doing?’ for good measure. Gianna approached the party venue. The open-air setup was unexpected but admittedly charming, all twinkling fairy lights and mason jars filled with wildflowers. It was the kind of scene that would've made her former starving artist self roll her eyes so hard they'd get stuck, but now...well, it was kind of nice.As she picked her way across the grass, silently thanking whatever deity was listening that she'd opted for wedges instead of heels, a familiar prickle crawled up the back of Gianna's neck.It was that same unsettling sensation she'd had back in the city—that feeling of eyes boring into her from some unseen vantage point.She whirled around as her heart began a more aggressive drumming in her chest, half-expecting to see her stalker materializing out of the deepening twilight.But there was nothing. Just the gent
Last Updated : 2024-10-17A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract The Party (II)
The man yelped and instantly released Gianna's wrist.She stumbled back, watching in stunned silence as Mason shoved the guy away with enough force to send him staggering.“Get lost before I get you lost.”The old man, apparently possessing at least one functioning brain cell, mumbled something that might have been an apology or might have been a curse, then turned tail and stumbled off into the night.Gianna stood frozen, her mind struggling to catch up with the whirlwind of events. One minute she'd been fleeing imaginary stalkers, the next she was fending off handsy drunks, and now here was Mason.“I didn't think you'd be here.”Mason's response was a series of hard blinks. It was like he was trying to bring the world into focus. This was when the scent of alcohol wafted over her nose.“Have you been drinking?”“Came for work,” Mason grunted, his usual silver-tongued charm apparently drowning in whatever top-shelf liquor he'd been imbibing.Gianna couldn't help the snort that escape
Last Updated : 2024-10-17A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract No hurdles
The pounding rain faded to white noise as Gianna lost herself in the taste and feel of Mason. His hands rose to the back of her neck to keep her closer to himself. His other hand slipped around her waist; his touch was systematically dismantling every wall she'd ever built.Her fingers remained shy on his shirt, but when things began to heat up even further, she reached up to his neck, using the leverage to change the angle of the kiss and deepen it until she was dizzy with the need for oxygen and the intoxicating flavor of expensive scotch on Mason's tongue.Teeth clashed, noses bumped, and at one point Gianna was pretty sure she accidentally elbowed Mason in the ribs. But none of that mattered, not when he was kissing her like she was water in the desert, air in the vacuum of space, the answer to every question he'd never thought to ask.When they finally broke apart, Gianna stared into Mason's eyes with both wonder and dawning horror. What just happened? This wasn't part of the pla
Last Updated : 2024-10-18A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Illusions
The morning sun streamed through the gauzy curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden glow. Gianna woke up this morning, surprisingly happier than she’d been in a long time. She spent extra time getting dressed and dolling herself up before Mason awakened. When was the last time she genuinely wanted to feel pretty for someone?However, Mason didn’t seem to be reacting to her in the way she expected. He was acting as if nothing happened last night. He barely spared her a glance and was focused entirely on nursing his hangover and barking orders into his phone.At first, she thought he just didn’t notice and then made more l attempts at catching his eye, to the extent her antics started to feel desperate and embarrassingly obvious. She would ‘accidentally’ drop things near him or hum tunelessly as she tidied up messes that didn’t exist.She then overheard a conversation between Mason and their driver.“I drove last night?”“No, sir. I picked you and Madam up in the other car. Don't y
Last Updated : 2024-10-18A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A Feel Of the Edge
Evelyn's lip curled in instant dissatisfaction and disgust on seeing the girl. She didn’t even last as long as the others had done. The girl approached the car, her mouth already opening to give some excuse for her failure to do as asked, but Evelyn silenced her with a cold look. The power window purred down just enough for her to thrust a thick envelope through the opening.“Your services are no longer required. I’m sure you remember the terms of our agreement regarding discretion?”The girl nodded frantically, snatching the envelope and scurrying off into the night without a backward glance.Evelyn exited the car and headed into the mansion afterward. The staff greeted deferentially as she swept through the grand foyer.The annoyance Colin felt was barely invisible when she came to him where he was sitting at his home bar.“What the hell is the meaning of that?” he immediately snarled, because, of course, it was only one person who would have the audacity.“When are you going to sto
Last Updated : 2024-10-21A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract The Snail Wrangler
THE SNAIL WRANGLERIt was a young girl, she saw. Around sixteen or younger. She could have been older. It was really hard to tell with kids these days.A smile bloomed on the girl's face when she recognized Gianna."Oh—“ she exclaimed.Gianna was aware almost everyone in town knew of her arrival with Mason and so she saved the girl a couple more exclamations by smiling warmly at her.“I can’t believe I’m seeing you right now! Hear a lot,” she said excitedly.“I'm Lily,” the girl continued, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.“It’d be an honor to shake your hand but…” She then held up her hands. Her palms were caked with dark soil. “My hands are dirty.”It was then that Gianna noticed the basket hanging from Lily's arm, where there were several more snails in various states of retreat into their shells.Her curiosity must have shown on her face because Lily launched into an explanation without prompting.“It's for the snail farm,” she said, gesturing towards a distant corner of
Last Updated : 2024-10-21
Latest chapter
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Day’s Surprise
Cufflinks clicked; wristwatch secured firmly around his wrist. He turned from the mirror, grabbed his office bag, and headed out of the door. Downstairs. The scent of coffee welcomed him before reaching the door of the staircase, as well as the sound of Gianna humming from the kitchen. She stood at the counter, hair swept into a messy bun, wearing one of his t-shirts that drowned her small frame. Her hips swayed slightly as she moved between the coffee maker and stove, where something sizzled in a pan. “Don't burn whatever that is,” he teased, making her turn around.“Morning?” She sang.Gianna raised the spatula she was holding like a weapon.“I'm making that egg white omelet thing you like. Though I might have killed it.”Mason walked over to where she was, smiling warmly.“Save it for some other morning,” he said, then reached past her to turn off the burner. “I'll grab something at the office.”Gianna pouted playfully at the nearly burnt egg, then shifted her face into a grin j
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Friends In Need
Glass shattered. In Gianna's chest. It wasn’t from pain, but from joy pulsing in her body. She called Mason, and watched the phone ring, all the while thinking she was going to spill the beans too soon. A secret this big felt like trying to hold sunshine in her palms.“Hey, beautiful. Called you earlier.”Her heart did another odd little skip. “I must have missed it when I was helping Sonia at the store.”“Just called to tell you I won't be home tonight.”“No?”“Sonia's got this massive project deadline. She needs an extra pair of hands, maybe extra eyes too. So we might pull an all-nighter.”“At the store?” Mason asked.“No, we're heading to her place. She's got all the materials there.”“I could stop by on my way home. Maybe bring you both dinner?”“Aww, thank you love.”“Alright. See you soon,” he said, “I love you.”“I love you too.” Those words, at least, were pure truth.The call ended, and Gianna let out a breath that felt like she'd been holding it since the doctor first sai
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Unexpected News
Colin flicked through the portfolio on his tablet. "So, Mr. Caldwell, what are your thoughts on our talent pool?”Colin's mouth quirked a bit as he zoomed in on one particular headshot. “Let's be honest here, Morton. Half of these profiles read like badly written dating app bios.” He turned the tablet around, displaying a black-and-white photo. “This one, for instance. ‘Born to command the stage’, yet his only credited role is as Tree Number Three in a community theater production of Macbeth.”The man's smile flickered but held still. “Ah, yes, well, Marcus is still developing his portfolio, but his raw talent—“Colin slid the tablet back to himself. “It’s about as raw as sushi that's been blowtorched. Listen, I'm not here to invest in potential. I'm here to invest in proven marketability. Though I have to admit that your photography team does excellent work.”“Perhaps we could focus on some of our more established talents? Page twelve has—““Already there,” Colin interrupted Morto
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Back in the day
“Are you lost?” Gianna asked, and when the boy nodded slowly, she pursed her lips slightly.She reached out slowly, telegraphing her movement before gently patting his shoulder. “Hey, it's going to be okay. Would you like to come with me? We can go to the police station, and they'll help us find your parents.”Tommy took a half-step back with uncertainty.“Mom says not to go with strangers.”Gianna smiled, nodding approvingly. “And she's absolutely right. But right now, you're out here alone, and it's not safe.”She then pulled out her phone to show it to him. “Look, I can call the police right now, and you can talk to them yourself. Would that make you feel better?”He considered this with his small face scrunched in thought. “Can...you show me your badge first?”“My badge?”“Like the police have. To prove you're good.”Gianna stifled a chuckle. “I'm not a police officer, but I have my driver's license. That's like a badge that says I'm allowed to drive. Would you like to see it?”
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract On Darkened Streets
Click, clack, went Olivia’s heels as she approached. She was dressed in a peach colored gown whose length was barely past her ass. When she spotted Mason where he sat ahead, she smiled predatorily and twiddled her fingers in a coy wave at him. She slid into the seat opposite Mason.“Cool spot,” she purred as she crossed her legs. Now, her dark eyes swept the conspicuously deserted space which looked like some sort of cafe, but it had been emptied of anyone save them.“Without wasting my time, how much do you want?” Mason asked icily.Her eyes twitched subtly, amusement playing at the corners of her mouth. “For what?”“To shut your mouth."Oh?" She leaned forward and rested elbows on the table.“So we're going to stick to keeping secrets?” She whispered.Mason kept his srare arctic and unmoved. The muscle in his jaw ticked visibly.“Don't do that,” Olivia chided, as if scolding a child. “All cold shell on the outside, but we both know how warm you are underneath.”Her tongue darted
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Shopwork
“A tale of forbidden love and ancient curses,'" Gianna read aloud from the dust jacket as she wrinkled her nose. And then she cleaned the book before wedging it between two equally dramatic-looking tomes on the mahogany shelf:Gianna shifted her weight on the rolling ladder.The next book in her stack had a more promising premise— something about time-traveling archaeologists. “Now this seems interesting,” she murmured, adding it to her mental might-actually-read list before finding it a home in the sci-fi section.Dust motes continued to dance around in the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows, to give the whole scene a dreamy quality. The scent of old paper and leather bindings mixed with the cinnamon-apple candle Sonia had lit earlier.Speaking of Sonia... Gianna shot a glare towards her best friend's office. Sonia had called Gianna on the phone that morning, claiming she wanted to take her on a treat. Gianna was also eager for the date because she thought it woul
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Dilemma
THUD.Mason forcefully slammed his fist into the punching bag. The impact reverberated through his wrapped knuckles like an echo of the chaos in his mind.‘Tell her,’ came a voice in his head.THUD. THUD.‘Keep your mouth shut,’ said another voice.CRACK.The bag swung wildly as he continued jabbing; sweat dripped from his chin, dropping down to the rug under his feet. He could see his own reflection in the wall-length mirror, with chest heaving, muscles coiling tight and face twisting in a grimace.He looked exactly like what he was: a man being eaten alive by his own secrets. The bag took another punishment as he drove his right fist into it. The chain rattled overhead like mocking laughter.‘Don't tell her, and let Olivia hold the sword over both your heads. Let her play puppet master until she gets bored or cruel or both,’ the voice in his head warned again.“Fuck!” Mason bellowed from his lungs as he landed a last hook. The bag swung back at him like a pendulum of judgment, and h
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A Hit Near Home
“You're Martha Winters, right?”The old woman's fingers stilled on the counter, her eyes tracking Gianna's hand like a cat watching a mouse hole. “Yes…. Is there some problem?”Digging a hand into her handbag, Gianna replied, “Not exactly…”She then took out a piece of paper and placed it in front of the woman. “I received a package recently. The sender used this phone number, which, according to my sources, belongs to you.”Martha regarded Gianna more skeptically now, patting her dress pockets for her reading glasses. She wiped the glasses with her dress before putting them on. As soon as the rims were on her nose, she bent forward to examine the paper.Gianna studied the woman's face intently the whole time. Could this woman be closely related to Finn? And if not Finn, the imposter? Gianna tried grasping onto too many things at the same time.Martha straightened, pushing her glasses up into her silver hair.“I think there must be some kind of mistake. I haven't sent any packages t
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract Crazy Dealings
“You're a crazy woman, Olivia,” Mason answered with disgust. “You need psychiatric help. And this is your last warning to stay away from me.”A soft, malicious laugh trickled through the phone. "“Or what? I'll tell your precious Gianna that her dear husband spent the night at my place. How do you think she'll take that news?”Mason's hand clenched around the phone until his knuckles nearly blanched white. The pressure in his chest built until he thought his ribs might crack from containing it. His jaw worked silently as he stared straight ahead through the windshield, watching a pair of sparrows dart past the morning sky with an almost painful intensity. Seconds stretched like pulled taffy. His left eye twitched—once, twice.The silence must have made Olivia nervous because her voice came again, softer this time and almost conciliatory. “I will keep this a secret on one condition.”“Don't run from me….Don't refuse me. Let me prove my love for you. I’ll prove I'm better. I can show
