“You're just a contract wife!” Harry Anderson's words cut deep. Trapped in a loveless marriage to save her family, Arabella fights for warmth from a scarred CEO who despises her. Can love bloom in a prison of pain?
View MoreThe night air carried with it the scent of damp earth and rain-soaked leaves. Upstairs, the room on the second floor seemed to absorb the gloom of the weather—its lights dimmed to a somber glow. The mingled smell of balm and rubbing alcohol hung gently in the air, a soft reminder of how fragile the human body could be.Arabella lay weak beneath the blanket. Her body shivered despite the layers wrapped tightly around her. Cold sweat traced down her temples, leaving wet trails across a face as pale as the sky before a storm. Her breaths came short and heavy, like her body was fighting to stay tethered to life.By the edge of the bed, Harry sat rigid and silent. He didn’t speak, only watched her face as if trying to memorize every line, every subtle twitch that might signal a change. In his hand, a damp towel—he gently dabbed her forehead with it, movements slow and cautious, like he was afraid he might hurt her.The door creaked open, and light from the hallway seeped into the room. Dr.
“Next time, don’t make me worry like that again,” Harry said, his voice unusually gentle, laced with a tenderness Arabella rarely heard from him.Arabella glanced at him, her gaze slightly hazy, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. Instead of replying to his concern, she dropped a comment that instantly made him stiffen.“Jealous, huh?”Harry let out a long breath. “I just... hate seeing him next to you. The same way you hated seeing Celine by my side—well, I can’t stand your ex being anywhere near you. Not after what he did to you.”“He’s the doctor treating me, Harry,” Arabella grumbled softly, blinking a few times. “How do you even know so much about my love life?”Thump.Harry froze like a schoolboy caught cheating.“You’re the one who told me, remember? That your fiancé cheated on you with your own sister?” Harry shot back, unwilling to lose ground. His pride was far too high to admit he'd been secretly having someone tail Arabella and report everything about her life.Arabella
The sky hung heavy with gray clouds as Arabella’s weary steps dragged her out of the construction site. Her eyelids drooped. Her breath came short. The world around her spun slowly—like a bad movie being played in slow motion. Her body was drenched in sweat, despite the cool air. A gust of wind blew, hinting at the rain that would soon fall. She clutched her burning forehead, vision blurring.“I need to get home…” she whispered faintly. But her body was no longer listening. Within seconds, she staggered.“Mrs. Arabella, are you alright?” called Jimmy, who had been walking a few steps behind her. Harry had instructed him to escort her home.Arabella never answered. Her body collapsed onto the paving stones.Jimmy rushed forward, stunned to see the boss’s wife unconscious. Without wasting a second, he carried her to the boss’s car and immediately called Harry. Following his instructions, Jimmy headed straight for the best hospital in the city.One Hour LaterThe rhythmic beeping of a mo
The scorching midday heat pressed down on Arabella as she stood before the gate of the construction site, cold sweat starting to bead on her temple. Clutched tightly in her hand was a brown folder containing crucial documents that had to reach Harry—urgently. The project approval deadline was just hours away. If those papers didn’t get to him in time, everything could fall apart.But two burly security guards blocked her way, their broad chests forming an immovable wall at the entrance.“Sorry, Miss. You can’t enter without a project ID,” one of them said firmly.“I’m Mr. Harry’s wife!” Arabella burst out, her breath heavy as she tried to speak while keeping her rising emotions at bay. “I just need to deliver these documents. They’re really important!”The two guards exchanged looks. One seemed slightly more sympathetic, but the other stood his ground.“Rules are rules. We’ve had plenty of women claiming to be the boss’s wife. Especially now with the headquarters doing inspections, we
The second floor of the grand mansion was unusually quiet that night. The only sounds that broke the stillness were the cooing of doves in the courtyard and the steady ticking of the clock on the desk.Inside the study, Harry sat in his wheelchair, eyes fixed on his laptop screen, his expression focused and composed, as always. An hour ago, he had just wrapped up a virtual meeting with an international client regarding a potential partnership with a foreign firm.A soft knock on the door broke the silence.Harry glanced toward it, his voice calm. “Come in.”The door creaked open slowly. Arabella stepped in, carrying a tray with a cup of warm tea and a small plate of freshly baked peanut cookies.“I figured you haven’t had anything to drink yet,” she said gently as she walked over. Her steps were hesitant, but she wore a warm, almost shy smile.Harry looked slightly surprised but nodded. “Thank you... Just set it on the side table.”Arabella placed the tray on the small table next to h
In the CEO’s office of Anderson CorporationHarry sat behind his large, elegant desk, his posture straight in the custom wheelchair adjusted perfectly to match the desk’s height. The digital tablet beside him displayed parts of a business proposal brought in by Celine yesterday—an old flame, now possibly a new business ally.He was deep in thought, scanning through the offer, weighing every word, every chart.Jimmy, who had recently been promoted from bodyguard to personal secretary, entered the room holding two cups of coffee. He placed one carefully beside his boss and took a seat across the desk.After the accident that paralyzed him from the waist down, Harry had become extremely cautious about whom he trusted. Firing his former secretary had been one of his first decisions post-recovery. Jimmy had earned his trust—and now held one of the most important positions beside him.Harry’s sharp eyes remained fixed on the screen. “The proposal is solid. Strong design, experienced team. I
That afternoon, the sky hung low and grey, and a damp breeze drifted in from the garden. Harry sat in the living room, nursing a steaming cup of coffee. An open book lay on his lap, though his mind had wandered far from the pages.Arabella still hadn’t replied to his message. Was she really that busy?The front door suddenly swung open without warning. A woman appeared on the threshold, clad in a beige coat with her golden waves tumbling gracefully over her shoulders.“Celine?” Harry’s brows furrowed. “What are you doing here again?”Celine stood still for a few seconds, as if holding her breath. Then she stepped inside slowly, clutching a brown folder in her hands. “I know you probably hate surprise visits. But… I didn’t know where else to go.”Harry let out a sigh, gesturing with his chin toward the seat across from him. “Sit down. Say what you need to say—and then leave.”“Harry, I came to apologize.” Her voice trembled as she slowly lowered herself into the chair.Harry drew a dee
As usual, the Lovely Boutique welcomed her with the soft scent of perfume and gentle background music playing from the tiny speakers in the corner of the room. Arabella stepped in with light strides, trying her best to push away the thoughts of Harry—who had so dramatically forbidden her from getting close to any other man. That guy was impossible. But by now, Arabella was starting to get used to his mood swings.She wore a simple white dress, paired with a beige blazer. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail. Nothing flashy, but still elegant. And as always, the wedding ring sparkled sweetly on her left ring finger.The moment she entered, a few employees who had been tidying up the racks glanced at each other. Their hushed whispers slowly grew clearer to Arabella’s sharp ears, even though she pretended not to care and headed straight for the cashier's desk to check inventory.“There she is.”“I didn’t even know she was married.”“Yeah, look at that ring. But who’s the husband? Never see
After that strange dinner, Arabella planned to head back to her room. She was already tired of Harry’s rollercoaster behavior—sometimes warm, sometimes cold, and suddenly a storm that could erupt at any moment.However, just as she was about to step out of the dining room, Harry’s deep voice stopped her.“Arabella, there’s one thing you need to remember.”Arabella sighed inwardly, but turned back to face him. “What now?”Harry looked at her from his wheelchair, folding his arms across his chest. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes.“As long as you’re my wife, you can’t associate with any other man.”Arabella blinked, trying to make sure she hadn’t misheard. Then she chuckled. “Wait, what do you mean? Are you serious?”Harry nodded casually. “Of course. I don’t want my wife to be bothered by other men. I know how men’s minds work.”Arabella stared at him for a moment, then laughed harder. “Harry, you do realize we’re not married because of love, ri
The civil registry office was quiet that morning, filled only with the sound of footsteps echoing against the cold marble floor and the occasional murmur of officials speaking in a formal tone. The air smelled of paper, ink, and aged wood, mixed with faint traces of perfume from those who had come to settle important matters of their lives.The registrar, a middle-aged man with thick glasses, opened his official record book. He looked at the couple before him with a professional smile, seemingly oblivious to the tension between them.“Mr. Harry and Miss Arabella, before we proceed, I will explain the steps we will take together. This ceremony is brief, but its meaning is profound,” he spoke calmly but firmly.Arabella swallowed hard, her hands clasped tightly together. She stole a quick glance at Harry, who remained staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched.“First, I will read the legal articles regarding marriage. It is important that you both understand your rights and responsibilit...
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