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39: closer than ever
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 40: Discoveries..
Anne's pov I couldn’t sleep. Not after everything that happened last night. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying every word, every look, every touch that passed between Luke and me. I’d been so scared, so uncertain of where we stood, but hearing him say those words… that he cared about me, that he wanted to be with me… it was like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I turned over, hugging my pillow as a smile crept onto my lips. It had been such a long time since I’d felt this way—happy, hopeful. I’d spent so much of my life bracing for the worst, expecting things to go wrong, that I didn’t know how to just… be in the moment. But with Luke, it was different. He made me feel safe, like maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay. The hours ticked by, but sleep wouldn’t come. My mind was too full of thoughts, of what he’d said about Megan, about how the baby wasn’t his. That had been a shock, but in a good way. It meant there was nothing holding him back, nothing st
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 41: Dinner disappointment
Anne's pov The day passed in a blur of quiet activity as I moved around the mansion, trying to keep myself busy. Luke had left early, and with him gone, the house felt emptier than ever. His absence was like a shadow that loomed over everything, making the quiet feel almost oppressive. I tried to distract myself, but the hours seemed to stretch endlessly. I wandered through the rooms, admiring the grand architecture and luxurious furnishings, but it was hard to appreciate any of it when my mind was so preoccupied. My thoughts kept drifting back to the night before, to the way Luke had held me and the way he’d looked at me, as if I was the only person in the world who mattered. It was a dangerous thought, one that I knew I shouldn’t dwell on, but I couldn’t help it. By mid-afternoon, I decided I needed to do something more productive with my time. I wanted to show Luke how much I appreciated everything he had done for me, to make him feel special in return. So, I made a decision:
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 42: "Drink this, my little naughty wife..."
Anne's pov The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as I slowly opened my eyes. My head throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, and I groaned as I tried to sit up, the events of the previous night a hazy blur. What… what had happened? I looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. This was Luke’s mansion, my bedroom, the place I had slept every night since we returned from the funeral. But something felt off, like a piece of the puzzle was missing, just beyond my grasp. And then it hit me—the wine. The dinner. The waiting. “Oh no,” I muttered, squeezing my eyes shut as bits and pieces of the night before started to trickle back. I remembered cooking, setting the table, and then… drinking. A lot of drinking. But after that, everything was fuzzy. I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the fragments of memory. I vaguely remembered Luke coming home, the look of concern on his face, and then… what? Did I kiss hi
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 43: pillow talk
Anne's pov I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to piece together what Luke had said. His cryptic responses only left me more confused, and the knot of frustration in my chest tightened. What did he mean by "affectionate"? And what else had I done? My mind was spinning with possibilities, each one more embarrassing than the last. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Luke stepped inside. He leaned casually against the doorframe, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Still trying to figure it out, huh?" he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. I sat up quickly, my heart racing again. "Luke, seriously, what happened? I feel like I'm losing my mind!" He chuckled, clearly enjoying this far too much. "Relax, Anne. I'm just messing with you." I frowned, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" He shrugged, his grin widening. "Maybe a little. You get all fluster
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 44: a new beginning
Anne I stirred from sleep, a soft smile tugging at my lips as the memories of last night drifted through my mind. The passion, the connection, the way Luke had held me close, the kisses on my body and the way he made love to me—it was everything I hadn’t realized I wanted, yet everything I had come to need. I stretched lazily in bed, but when I reached for Luke, my hand met cool sheets. Confusion flickered through me for a moment before I heard the soft clink of dishes coming from the doorway. I sat up just as Luke appeared, carrying a tray laden with breakfast. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” he teased, his eyes twinkling as he placed the tray on my lap. I smiled up at him, feeling a warmth spread through me at the sight of his tousled hair and relaxed expression. “What’s all this?” “Breakfast in bed for my beautiful wife,” he said with a grin, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. “I figured after last night, you deserved a little pampering.” My heart fluttered at his word
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 45: I should have seen what you were going through
WRITERS POV Jason sat at the head of the long conference table, his gaze fixed on Megan as she stood before the room. Her voice carried over the quiet murmur of the office, clear and professional as she presented her latest project, the project that had been chosen by their international investors. But his mind wasn’t focused on her words. No, he was far too distracted by the sight of her. She looked thinner than before, her cheeks slightly hollowed, and there were dark circles under her eyes that hadn't been there weeks ago. It wasn’t until now, sitting here watching her, that he realized how much weight she had lost. Megan had been working so hard to regain his trust, to prove herself to him, and Jason couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for how distant he had been. He had forgiven her within the first week of her return—though he hadn’t told her. Instead, he had reveled in the attention she lavished on him: the thoughtful little gifts, the playful texts, the way she seemed
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 46: New promises
JASON'S POV I sat there for hours, holding Megan’s hand as she slept, my heart heavy with guilt and regret. Her breathing was steady now, the rise and fall of her chest calming me in a way I didn’t expect. But underneath that calm was a storm—a torrent of emotions I hadn’t let myself fully feel until this moment. She was carrying my child, and I hadn’t even known. How had I missed it? How had I been so consumed by my own pride and anger that I didn’t see the signs? All the while, she had been trying—working tirelessly to make things right between us. And what had I done? Nothing but stand by, waiting for her to prove herself, while she bore the weight of everything on her own. Despite the regret I felt I felt, a small part of me wondered why she had not told me about the pregnancy. I couldn't stop thinking, what if it was Luke's? Megan stirred beside me, her fingers twitching in my hand. I straightened up, wiping the tears from my face as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment,
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 47: I want this Megan, I want us...
Jason's pov I stayed by Megan’s side for the rest of the night, refusing to leave her alone for even a second. She needed me, and after everything we had been through, I wasn’t going to let her down again. We talked, softly at first, about the baby, about what our lives would look like moving forward. There were still so many questions, so many uncertainties, but for the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. The next morning, as the early light filtered through the hospital blinds, Megan stirred beside me. She blinked her eyes open, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. There was something different in her gaze—something lighter. She wasn’t carrying that same burden she had been before, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her. “Good morning,” I whispered, my thumb brushing gently across the back of her hand. “Good morning,” she whispered back, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Feeling better?” I asked. She nodded slightly. “Tired, but better. Thank you,
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A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 57: The power of Family
Luke's pov The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the mansion, but the atmosphere was still thick with the tension from the days before. Anne hadn’t said much since her mother’s press conference. Her emotions were a tangled mess of relief, anxiety, and anticipation. As I sat across from her at the breakfast table, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. She looked up at me, offering a small, tired smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “What happens next?” she asked softly, her fingers playing absentmindedly with the edge of her mug. “We fight,” I said firmly. “We fight Sinclair, and we protect our family.” The weight of the situation hung heavy over both of us, but before we could delve deeper into the conversation, the sound of the doorbell interrupted us. I frowned, glancing at Anne, who shrugged. “I’ll get it,” I said, standing up and heading to the door. When I opened it, I was greeted by a group of impeccably dressed individuals, their pre
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 56: Rising from the Ashes
Luke's pov The next morning was quiet. The calm before the inevitable storm. Anne hadn’t left the house since the news broke, and I could feel the weight of everything crushing her. She was barely holding it together, and despite my best efforts to reassure her, I knew that every headline, every comment, every call was slowly chipping away at her strength. I couldn’t take it anymore. As much as I wanted to protect her, I felt helpless. The media wasn’t letting up. My parents were still furious, and Sinclair’s threats lingered like a shadow over us. But then, something happened that I hadn’t expected—something that would change the course of everything. The doorbell rang late in the morning, and I got up to answer it, expecting it to be another delivery of hateful letters or packages. Instead, when I opened the door, I found myself face-to-face with Anne’s mother, Margaret Devlin, the celebrity idol whose face was known worldwide. Today, though, she wasn’t the radiant, glamo
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 55: exposed
Luke's pov The world as I knew it crumbled overnight.I woke up to my phone vibrating relentlessly on the nightstand. It was still dark outside, and Anne was sound asleep beside me. When I grabbed the phone and glanced at the screen, I saw dozens of missed calls and messages, all from people I hadn’t heard from in years, along with the names of close friends, business associates, and—most concerningly—my parents.My stomach twisted as I opened one of the messages from Calla.**Calla:** *We have a problem. Check the news. Stay calm.*The words made my heart race, and I immediately swiped over to my news app. The first headline I saw hit me like a punch to the gut.**BREAKING NEWS: LUKE MAXWELL’S SECRET CONTRACT MARRIAGE EXPOSED! WIFE ACCUSED OF BEING A GOLDDIGGER.**I blinked, trying to process what I was seeing. It couldn’t be real. But it was. Below the headline was a photo of Anne and me, walking out of the courthouse on the day we signed the marriage papers. The article went into
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 54: A war on two fronts
Luke's pov I didn’t sleep much after the call from Sinclair. How could I? His words echoed in my mind, a sinister taunt that made my blood run cold. The way he so casually threatened Anne—and the baby—was a reminder that I was dealing with someone who had no moral lines. Someone who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy everything I cared about. By the time the sun rose, I was still sitting at my desk, staring at the half-empty glass of scotch in front of me. My head was pounding, and every muscle in my body was tense, ready to spring into action. But what action? That was the problem. I had no idea what Sinclair’s next move would be. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t let Anne find out about the call. Not yet. She had enough on her plate—dealing with her mother’s secrets, mourning her father, and now, the pregnancy. She didn’t need the added stress of knowing that Sinclair was threatening her life. I was going to have to handle this alone. --- Later that morning, after
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 53: protecting what matters
Luke's pov I’ve faced plenty of high-stakes situations in my life. Boardroom battles, complex negotiations, moments where millions of dollars rested on a single decision. But nothing, not even the pressure of running Maxwell Industries, and the Blue eagle companies compared to what I was facing now. Anne is pregnant. It’s a fact that hasn’t fully sunk in, no matter how many times I’ve turned it over in my mind. My wife—no, my partner—is carrying our child. A life we created together, in the middle of all this chaos. I never thought fatherhood would come to me like this. Hell, I never thought about fatherhood at all. But now it’s happening, and I have no choice but to figure it out. The moment Anne showed me that pregnancy test, something inside me shifted. A primal need to protect her, to protect our unborn child, kicked in. It was like every other concern I’d had before—the company, the threats we were facing, Sinclair—became secondary. The most important thing in the world was
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 52: unexpected News
Anne's pov The days that followed our encounter with Victor Harlan were a blur of covert meetings, endless strategy sessions, and moments stolen away in quiet corners with Luke, where the tension between us was always just below the surface. But beneath all the chaos, something was changing in me—something I couldn’t ignore any longer. I had been feeling off for days now: an unexplained exhaustion that lingered no matter how much I slept, a queasiness that came in waves, especially in the mornings. At first, I chalked it up to stress. After all, my life had been nothing but a whirlwind of danger and revelations lately. It made sense that my body would react to the overwhelming tension. But then came the missed period. I tried not to think too much about it at first, brushing off the realization as just another sign of stress. But the days continued to pass, and the nagging suspicion wouldn’t leave me. Something inside me was changing, something more profound than just the weight
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 51: Shadows in the dark
The name Charles Sinclair weighed heavily on my mind in the days that followed. It was like a puzzle piece that had always been missing, the key to the labyrinth of my past. But knowing who he was didn’t bring relief—it only deepened the sense of dread that had been building inside me. Luke was more vigilant than ever, and our home felt like a fortress. Security cameras, guards, and encrypted communications—he had spared no expense in keeping us safe. But even with all the precautions, the knowledge that a man like Sinclair was out there, possibly plotting his next move, made it hard to breathe easy. We kept in close contact with Calla, who continued digging deeper into Sinclair’s history. She uncovered that he was a man of influence, with ties to both legitimate businesses and underworld dealings. He was known for his ruthlessness—anyone who got in his way tended to disappear, either through financial ruin or far darker means. One evening, as the sun set behind the horizon, Luke
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 50: Reality sets in
Anne's pov The locket felt cool against my skin as I fastened it around my neck. It was a weight I didn’t know I needed—a piece of the past I was now willing to carry. It didn’t absolve my mother of all the years of silence, but it was a start. A fragile bridge between us. As I stood in front of the mirror, staring at the small silver pendant resting above my heart, I wondered what came next. My life had been a series of unpredictable events ever since I signed that contract with Luke. What had started as a desperate deal to save my father had led me to uncovering the hidden legacy I never asked for. And now, it seemed I wasn’t just navigating the complexity of love—I was also running from shadows. A knock on the bedroom door pulled me from my thoughts. Luke stepped inside, his eyes catching on the locket immediately. He walked over and gently lifted it between his fingers, examining the delicate piece. “It looks good on you,” he said quietly. I smiled, though it didn’t quite re
A YEAR'S CONTRACT : Mr billionaire's wedding 49: unraveling the past
Days passed since the envelope had arrived. I couldn’t shake the feeling that my entire life had been built on lies and shadows, but at least now, I had a semblance of understanding. My mother had sacrificed everything to keep me safe, but the safety had come at a cost—a lifetime of absence, of missed moments that could never be reclaimed.I stared at the letter again, its edges already worn from the number of times I’d read it. Luke had caught me with it more than once, but he hadn’t pressed me to talk. He had always been good at giving me space when I needed it, even though I could tell he was worried. Finally, one evening as we sat together in the quiet of our home, I broke the silence.“She didn’t have to disappear,” I murmured, more to myself than to him. “She didn’t have to let me go like that.” Luke looked over at me, his expression gentle but filled with understanding. “She thought it was the only way to protect you.”I nodded, my fingers tracing the outline of the wax s
