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Bound by debt; Freed by love
Last Updated : 2025-03-07
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She thought she could endure a loveless marriage to repay her family’s debt—but she didn’t count on the cost of her heart. Once the proud daughter of a wealthy businessman, ELENA BRADFORD watched her life crumble when her father’s betrayal left her and her mother drowning in debt. Desperate to protect her family, she reluctantly agreed to a marriage contract with her father’s former business partner’s reckless son, ADRIAN HAWTHORNE—a man who once loved her during their university days but now only mocks her fall from grace. Trapped in a cold marriage filled with scorn and humiliation, Elena finds herself suffocating under the weight of Adrian’s cruelty. But everything changes at a high-profile dinner when she locks eyes with the one person she never thought she’d see again—LUCAS EVERHART, her childhood best friend, who once confessed his love before vanishing from her life. Now a powerful CEO, Lucas is stunned to see the woman he loved trapped in a toxic marriage. Learning of her misery, he vows to free her from the chains of her past—even if it means clashing with Adrian who refuses to let her go. As old feelings reignite and secrets unravel, Elena must decide: will she fight for the love she once believed in, or will her past mistakes keep her from the future she deserves?
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Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 83
LUCAS' POV The blue rays of my eyes burned with fury as they stayed glued to my television screen hanging on the sparkling white walls of my office. Just as before, my gaze solely focused on Elena- how dazzling she looked in her white dress with her dark brown hair let down covering a decent part of the opening on her back. I knew it was all a scheme by the fucker who dropped on one knee in front of her and just like everyone including me, his eyes shone with expectancy to her response. This deeply bothered me more than I was willing to admit. Those eyes, although arrogant and entitled, held a flowing current of obsession for Elena. Perhaps Adrian was just an ill trained guy who had no idea how to love correctly but, it still didn't change the fact that he possessed something special for Elena. Only it was killing her instead of freeing her. Elena's gaze shifted between the crowd and Adrian with her lips widely parted while she slowly backed away in shock. It killed me to know wh
Last Updated : 2025-03-07Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 82
ELENA'S POVThe morning arrived in its usual cheerful air with a group of birds chirping endlessly while I yawned tiredly, stretching out my long legs on the couch. It was super relieving to know I didn't wake up in Adrian's bed this time. At least he finally had the good sense to leave me alone last night. “Miss Elena”, the housekeeper's voice resounded merrily in my ears as she stretched a hot cup of coffee towards me. Ever since my mother's death, she had naturally taken it upon herself to be like my second mother despite my initial resistance. Living in Adrian's house again made me realize how lonely I was and her constant words of encouragement always brought me to tears as I heard my mother's voice through her everytime. “Thank you Miss Edith”, I said, relishing the taste of the coffee on my tongue then dropping the cup down to let it cool off. She hummed in response with her eyes shining affectionately towards me and gently stroking my chin before turning around to leave.
Last Updated : 2025-03-06Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 81
ELENA'S POVMy arrival back to Adrian's house was going smoother than I expected but I'd already learnt not to get used to it, even for a millisecond. The house had become much quieter and almost empty as the maids were all gone, leaving just Adrian, I and Miss Edith. As for the bedroom arrangement, I usually stayed up watching the television as an excuse to fall asleep on the couch even though I'd woken up a few times in Adrian's bed which had me scrubbing vigorously in the shower everytime. In the past few days however, Adrian had seized every chance to put on a show in public, even at the company. Not only did he make me have lunch with him at the cafeteria surrounded by intrigued and blushing gazes, he also spoon fed me and waited on me hand and foot under the prying eyes of the workers. I collapsed on the couch again tonight, eagerly grabbing my bowl of popcorn ready to watch a show I'd begun to love. Just then, the couch seemed to sink a little lower as Adrian occupied the sp
Last Updated : 2025-03-05Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 80
LUCAS' POVThe chilly night breeze brushed past my face as I strolled down the city's bustling streets yet unable to find the beauty in anything. My gaze swept through everything around me with disinterest and a tiny bit of irritation. This wasn't me, I told myself. My sudden elevation in status had somehow erased the humane side of me. Right now, the only person that kept some of the broken pieces inside me together, was Elena. She might not know it but the beautiful memories I had with her gave me a reason to keep fighting for her. All those promises our teenage mind thought impossible and stupid but we said it out loud anyways, it was time to.make her see she could live those dreams. My shoulders bumped into someone instantly disrupting my thoughts and I swiftly twisted my head to the direction if the person who'd bumped into me with a cold glint shining through my eyes. “Is it so hard to watch where you're going?”, I growled out, a few veins popping out from my neck. “I'm rea
Last Updated : 2025-03-04Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 79
ELENA'S POV The day had finally come for me to be discharged from the hospital and I dreaded it more than I anticipated it. The scars still stuck to my skin but no longer painful to feel and stare at unlike before. Although three weeks wasn't enough to get over the terrible changes in my physical appearance, I was determined to get through this as something more important occupied my mind. Eloise, Lucas and Nathan sat around my bed munching on a quick breakfast as we engaged in a light hearted conversation. “I think the public has really grown interested in your marriage ever since the first scandal”, Nathan said, his tone keen and observant. My eyebrows subconsciously raised in amusement with my spoon of food pausing in mid air. “What do you mean? That was such a long time ago and I barely remember it. Besides, even if they still do, they probably hate me more”, I countered, my spoon dropping back to the bowl of food as I suddenly recalled my traumatic experience after the scanda
Last Updated : 2025-03-03Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 78
ELENA'S POVIt had been three days since I stopped Lucas and Adrian from exploding in the hallway and a few hours after that since he left the divorce papers on the table, barely looking at me as he spoke to me while offering words of reassurance and coldly recounting the vengeance he was going to shower on the Hawthornes family. At the time, my entire face was wrapped in gauze leaving only space for my eyes and mouth but still painful to use so I could only stare wordlessly at him, yelling for him to stop. Although it still amazed me how he managed to get Adrian's father’s agreement to the divorce but the large pit inside my stomach bleeding out heart wrenching tears only made nothing matter anymore. The divorce. Lucas. Even myself. “Miss Elena?”, I blinked back to the present, slightly turning my head to meet Eloise's round, blue eyes filled with concern and sympathy. “Sorry, got lost in my thoughts again”, my eyes lit up a little with an apologetic smile. She frowned deeply at
Last Updated : 2025-03-02Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 77
ELENA'S POVMy dry, eyed gaze rested on the ceiling above me, entertaining the numbness inside me. My hands laid motionlessly by my side as I vividly listened to the commotion outside my ward. “Let me in or I'll bring this hospital down and make you all loose your jobs”, Adrian yelled desperately from outside, the sound of his fists on the door resounding loudly in my ears. “I'm sorry sir but the patient doesn't want to see you now”, my doctor said, her tone firm and unafraid. I should say something…just like the last time, I thought but every part of my body only felt too heavy to move an inch. Anger, hurt and above all the pain that came with everything seemed to paralyze me and it summed up my uncertainty of what to say if I saw Adrian's face. My expectations from him during my pregnancy crumbled to pieces the moment he denied the baby after what he put me through just to conceive. “Elena, can you hear me? Let me in now”, he yelled continuously, fiercely banging on the door c
Last Updated : 2025-03-01Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 76
LUCAS'S POVThe pungent smell of antiseptic and sanitizer filled the hallway as I paced up and down, constantly regulating my breaths. It was the third day and Elena was yet to awaken from her unconscious state. Adrian sat on a bench in the corner with his nails digging deep into his hair. All the time, I hardly resisted the urge to tear him apart and put him in her shoes instead. Only then would the world be a better place. A doctor soon approached us wearing a stoic look on her face making it impossible to know what to expect but I drew close anyway, my eyes shining with anticipation. “Which of you is related to the patient?”, she asked, a strict and firm tone in her voice. “I am”, “I am”, Adrian and I simultaneously answered, inching closer to her with heavy breaths pounding in determination. “okay, which of you brought her here?”, she asked, squinting her eyes in confusion. “I did”, I hastily replied, turning my head to meet Adrian with a light smirk in my gaze. Somehow I'd f
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 75
ELENA'S POV Resuming my job at the Hawthornes company made me more busier than expected as I was no longer under Karen but back to my former position as a senior team lead of the interior design department. “Miss Elena, it's so nice to have you back”, Eloise squealed once she saw me, also congratulating me on my pregnancy as it was beginning to show a bit. Although I seemed content on the surface at being back on track and having a little space from Adrian, I wasn't fooled by his showers of affection and pretentious care as it was all just a way of keeping his eyes on me. As for Lucas, he hadn't come around much as I instructed but he'd been busy doing some investigations concerning the tape I sent him on the night of my mother's death. Something just wasn't right about it. From everything I knew about my parents especially my mother, she was always the first to apologize to anyone as she valued her relationships dearly. I had to find out what it was and I couldn't let Adrian's
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
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Chapter 1: A Betrayal Among Friends
Elena's POV I had grown up surrounded by luxury, security, and the warmth of family friends like the Hawthornes. My father, Charles Bradford, often spoke of Victor Hawthorne with admiration, calling him his closest ally, a partner both in business and life. Our families spent countless evenings dining together, laughing over shared successes. We shared vacations and milestones, and I never imagined that Victor Hawthorne would one day stand in my home, dismantling everything I held dear without a second thought for our family friendship.The day began like any other. I had been working tirelessly, managing my budding interior design business. I returned home later than usual to have dinner with my parents, a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of documents in the other. But the sight that greeted me in the driveway made me freeze. Lawyers and men in dark suits streamed in and out of the house, carrying paintings, vases—anything of value.I dropped my coffee, its contents spilling ac...
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