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You Tough? Me Too
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2024-10-06 03:08:47Related chapters
A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract A Cup of Juice on a Sour Day
“You just had to fall asleep there,” she scolded herself lightly when she returned to her room—back to the scattered mess she’d made while frantically searching for oils earlier on.She sighed and began to tidy things up. She spared the empty bottle of Neroli oil a few more seconds of a stare before upending it and catching the last pathetic drops of it in her palm without thinking. Then she rubbed the oil between her hands before massaging it into the back of her neck, also staring at her reflection in the mirror.For some reason, the scent of it transported her back to her time at the orphanage where she'd spent most of her childhood. Sister Margaret had always kept a small bottle of neroli oil in the infirmary, using it to soothe the different types of aches and pains the children had. Not that her childhood was a fairy kind of tale.St. Mary's Home for Children had played equal parts of a sanctuary and a prison. It had been her home, but it was never really “home”. Not when she st
Last Updated : 2024-10-06A 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 : 2024-10-07A 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 : 2024-10-07A 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 : 2024-10-08A 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 : 2024-10-09A 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 : 2024-10-09A 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 : 2024-10-09A 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 : 2024-10-10
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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
