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CHAPTER 97
Last Updated:
2025-03-21 22:32:50
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Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 98
LUCAS' POVHer hair swayed lightly on her shoulders, tossed left and right by the cool evening breeze and even from a mile away, the disappointment still oozed strongly around her…and a bit of sadness. A sharp pain stung my rapidly beating heart as I realized the reason for her countenance was me. It was ironic how no matter how good my intentions were, she still didn't find the sight she stumbled upon justifiable. Especially after I'd mistakenly pulled the trigger but luckily didn't murder him. My shock on seeing her greatly exceeded the involuntarily shot at the judge, perharps because somewhere deep down in my heart, I already believed he deserved it. Plus my status and connections could easily hide the truth from the public but Elena's sudden prescence inside the room felt like I was draped in a huge clothe of sin and dirt. The disappointed look in her eyes was like the mirror I could barely look at each day, dismantling the perfect facade I always tried to keep on whenever I
Last Updated : 2025-03-22Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 99
ELENA'S POVAfter last night's charade with Lucas, all I wanted to do was sob bitterly in my mother's arms but my reality told me otherwise. As much as I was heartbroken at his words the previous night, a small, tiny voice in my head agreed with him. He was right. If my father really cared about his family and all his hard work, he really would have come back a long time ago. But up until now, there was still no single news of him. So why should I have cared about upholding the family's assets? Why did I let myself break to keep my family together? And where did all that effort leave me? Homeless and an orphan. The sun softly broke through the light silk curtains in my old room with a damp smell that came from the walls as it had been empty for ages now. I broke into a long yawn feeling sapped out of every sort of energy to go through the day already. To begin with, I had nowhere to go, no job and a divorcee who's been sort of famous on the news. How great could that be? My on
Last Updated : 2025-03-23Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 100
ELENA'S POV We waited outside the white doors revealing nothing but just a blinking red light as I constantly stared at it with increasing worry each minute. From her test results, it seemed she had gone into a state of shock as she was unable to resist the force of the bastard I now found out to be her father. “If she doesn't wake up,I swear I'll–”, I furiously muttered underneath my breath, slamming my fists into each other. “You knew about this and didn't think to do something?”, I faced Lucas, leaning silently on the wall and more quieter since we arrived at that scene. The more I tried to imagine what would have happened if we hadn't gotten there on time, the more my blood boiled in anger and I felt the goosebumps creep up all the way around my skin. I turned to look around my surroundings, clicking my teeth in regret as Nathan still hadn't returned from taking care of Eloise' father. He deserved to be lashed at even more. Finally, the doors opened redirecting my restless m
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 101
LUCAS POVI leaned onto my car, staring patiently at the entrance of the gate where Nathan was to walk through soon. Even though I had let him take over handling Eloise' father, it still didn't mean I would let him be as well. He had lots of chances to help Eloise but his immaturity and nonchalance had caused him this result and I knew how Elena would be hurt because of this.I never chose to meddle as I had trusted Eloise' care to him and somehow, he'd still managed to fumble this. And it all started from that night…***Flashback ***“Where have you guys been since?”, I asked, emerging from my car which was parked outside Nathan's apartment. I had found it suspicious for Eloise not to show up at the court, especially when I'd reassured Nathan about Elena that night. “And where is Eloise? Is she okay?”, I asked again, looking behind him suspiciously for any sign of Eloise just in case. As if reading through my expressions, he replied gloomily, “she’s not here Lucas. She storm
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 102
ELENA'S POVEloise remained in the hospital for about a week more with me consistently by her side as I also had nowhere to go. Lucas never came by to check on us which was beginning to make me worry but I also had to consider how busy he was as the owner of a huge, successful company. Only Nathan showed up a few times showering Eloise with different gifts but was still refused to be acknowledged by Eloise. She was still hurt and seemed to have every right to be, based on my judgement from her side of the story. Somehow, the thought of starting my life afresh with someone made me happy and eager to begin already. With just the both of us in our world, it would be a lot easier to keep my mind off Lucas for a while. Lucas. To be honest, the undeterred determination he portrayed in order to get me out of the abusive and toxic contract marriage with Adrian managed to restore some life back to my numb, aching heart. All my life, I was the protective and determined one but seeing Lucas
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 103
LUCAS POV For days, my head remained entirely stuck on nothing but the words she said that day. Was there really nothing between us anymore? It wasn't just the words she said, but the emotionless tone underneath them. I stared blankly at the numerous texts she kept sending, hearing the concern through each one. How could she act like she gave two fucks about me when she was the same person who spat out those words coldly? “Mr Lucas”, a voice broke through my wandering thoughts, jolting me back to the present and I looked up to see the shareholders giving me disappointed stares from where they sat on the other end of the round, conference table. Shit. Once again I had zoned out on another meeting. “Mr Lucas, there hasn't been much progress with this meeting for a week now. From my observations, this could be a, a medical condition and it seems to be greatly affecting your efficiency as the CEO of this company. It just might be best if you, maybe hand it over to someone else for no
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 104
ELENA'S POVNot so surprisingly, Eloise opened the door by the time I arrived at her house where we agreed to meet. “Why am I not surprised?”, I said, chuckling lowly especially at hee degree of stubbornness towards Nathan. “You shouldn't be. I keep to my word, he should keep to his…and you too”, she replied, abruptly turning behind and giving me a warning look. My face instantly scrunched into a frown at the look from earlier as I halted in my steps. “What do you mean, me too?”, I asked back, rolling my eyes in a dramatic manner while we continued down the dimly lit corridors of her house. “To be honest, I didn't think you'd come back after you drove off with him. He's your home Elena, just admit it”, she confessed, pushing the door to a room open with me following closely behind. A sad smile slowly spread on my lips with my head lowering to the ground feeling clothed with a sense of dejection. “Well, not anymore”, I whispered, swallowing hard to push down the tears clogging my th
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 105
LUCAS' POVFrom my surface knowledge, the Anderson's family had a solid, long standing relationship with my late father. Infact, Mr Anderson and my late father could pass for best friends during their college days. Unlike my family, the Anderson's were deeply submerged in generational wealth with multiple chains of businesses around the world. It was the perfect reason why Mr. Anderson himself had no establishment of his own and as the second largest shareholder after me, it was enough to believe the speculations about Mr. Anderson being a huge contributor to the start of the company. Knowing these facts was the only reason I honored his invitation to the family mansion all the way in Greece. The reluctant swallowing my expression couldn't be more obvious throughout my flight to the airport. All that occupied my mind was Elena and how I really craved to be by her side now that it was finally just us. Back to the good, old times. A nostalgic smile eventually cracked from the sides
Last Updated : 2025-03-27
Latest chapter
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 119
LUCAS' POV Twice. Twice now, I thought I'd lost her. It was like fate enjoyed making my stomach churn in regret, paying me back for the one time I broke our promise. To always be with each other. The reoccurring scene of Sofia kissing me out of the blue didn't also help matters. As I stared solemnly at Elena's pale and lifeless body, her bitter laced words and fireballs in her eyes were far more bearable than being without her. I could take all her hate just as long as she didn't disappear on me. How would she ever know my life without her in it had no meaning? “What the fuck was that?”, I raged, pushing Sofia off only to see an empty space right where Elena stood earlier. “Shit! shit! What had I just done?”, I muttered, pulling my hair forcefully. Sofia on the other hand, smirked cunningly with her back leaned comfortably against the sofa as she popped open the bottle on the table. “Relax Lucas. She's going to come around real soon. Trust me, I'm a woman”, she assured, a lazy an
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 118
ELENA'S POV It felt like four years ago when everything was back to normal again with an air of merriness and hopeful hearts. I walked around the house with surprise filling my gaze and uncertain steps. “Sweetheart”, my eyes snapped up in the direction of the voice I'd almost forgotten, freezing in place as I stared at my mother. “Mom? Is, is that you?”, I asked, my feet flying towards her and gripping her tight to my self while bursting into tears. “O my baby girl”, she said, sniffling in between and stroking my hair. “I missed you so much. How could you leave me like that?”, I sobbed in her arms, feeling like a little girl all over again as she had been my safe space since my childhood. She apologized over and over, our tears soaking each other's shoulders until we ran out of breath, finally disentangling from the hug and flashing bright smiles towards ourselves. So it was all a bad dream afterall. My mother wasn't really gone. She was right here with me. “Where's Dad by the w
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 117
ELENA'S POV The air in the bar tonight was more lively than usual, but my mood still remained dampened as I continued to stare into space, mixing shots robitically. “Elena, how come you're still moody? I already apologized”, Betty said, sliding her hand around my waist like she usually did in a playful manner. The clothes we were required to wear during our shifts were very uncomfortable for me as I've always held myself in an high sense of elegance since childhood. My closet was filled with monotonous clothes which were also, pants most of the time. As for the bright colorful clothes I owned, they were only a few I wore during high school and only on special outings with Lucas. So my night shifts here were always done in a grumpy mood, majorly because of the lust filled eyes fixed on me throughout the night and the number of times I'd been helpless even when disrespected. This job was my, no our only hope until I found another place to take on, which wasn't seeming so sure at t
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 116
LUCAS' POVBreakfast had never been my thing, at least until Elena was around as she also wasn't also one. Early in our friendship, or so she probably thought, we easily clicked because of our similarities. We could both be focused when we wanted to, had dreams bigger than the world put together and weren't vulnerable with anyone other than ourselves. Perhaps it was why our separation killed me everytime. Even though it was only metres apart. ***Flashback ***My heart continued to pound as we drove through the gates of the big mansion, I'd now come to know as the Everhart Mansion. I face palmed the windows of the car taking in every sight, trying hard not to recall the scenes of the horror movies I'd watched a lot. Rolling my eyes to the strange woman quietly sitting beside me, I couldn't help but start to believe I was stupid. What if she was wrong? What if she was a damn good liar who had only deceived me to get me here? I softly squeezed the gun I'd stolen from the stud
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 115
ELENA'S POV The night no longer went as bad as I expected mostly because of the comforting company of Dave as I opted to address him and the tons of compliments I got on my new look. Being a busy night as always, Dave and I didn't get to talk much as I was the only one taking care of everyone's orders but more importantly, our conversation as brief as it lasted was enough to lift my mood from its previous state. At some point when it was past midnight, there was no sight of him anymore like he'd chosen to retire early for the night which I envied now the luxury no longer existed - only a mere wish. And by the close of the night, I headed home feeling a lot lighter in my spirits and just when I was a few metres away from the familiar doorstep, the door slowly opened, revealing no one else but…Was that not Eloise's father? What was he doing out of prison already? And in the house! Oh my goodness! Eloise, please be alive. Please stay alive. The old bastard snuck a peek to his left
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 114
LUCAS' POV “Lucas, the clients were really pissed when you didn't show up yesterday and I'm really scared they wouldn't want to do business with us anymore”, Henry reported, his voice laced in concern and distress. My eyes remained shut with my back turned against him without moving an inch like I'd heard none of the words he said. Honestly, my plans for my arrival had crashed completely since that night with Elena. I had secluded myself in the safe corners of my room for days now without a single word to anyone.Most times, it felt like the walls were closing in on me and crushing me into pieces completely. I hadn't only lost her but myself as well. Why wouldn't she hear me out? The dead, empty gaze in my eyes as she spat those words angrily. Had my arrival for her in the first place been in vain? Blames on me for making the first mistake, walking out of everything we had without a word. And now, we both weren't the same people anymore as I seemed to have kept hurting her even whe
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 113
ELENA'S POV I had barely shut my eyes for less than a minute trying to catch some sleep before preparing for work but the scenes from earlier continued to play in my head, reliving every word we said. Pressing my face down with an extra pillow and groaning into it, the not so old encounter disappeared only to return this time with exaggerated scenes. “Aaarghhh! Damn you Lucas”, I screamed at the walls in front of me, my voice breaking slightly in frustration. Just then, the door to my room creaked open revealing Eloise's round, curious eyes peeking inside before stepping in fully. “You look troubled Elena, what's the matter?”, she asked, her voice filled with concern as she carefully dropped the tray besides me on my bed. I gently rubbed my heavy eyes, sighing tiredly and assuring her it was nothing. “Wait, you look different, I'm not sure if it's —”, she suddenly paused, hanging her mouth wide open as she circled me around the bed checking out my hair. “Elena!”, she shrieked in
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 112
ELENA'S POVBeauty sessions had always been my least favorite thing to do even as a kid which was why I'd always carried my hair in one consistent style over the years - a ponytail, imply because it was the eaisest. My shoulder length dark brown hair had always been maintained in the best way I could but, over the years as both a workaholic and lazy person, my hair began to barely be noticed by me. But the makeover today with Betty had not only been therapeutic but even, more entertaining than I thought. Loud music blasted through the tiny walls if her studio apartment while we went through different styles and colours on the internet. My head buzzed in confusion as I was soon stranded in the multitude of choices, scared to pick wrongly and live with the regret like I didn't already have enough to last a lifetime.As if seeing through my confusion, she turned off her phone reassuring me to trust her, which I frankly couldn't bring myself to but laid back anyways. After several hours
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 111
LUCAS' POVThe following days were spent taking Sofia out on dates like slipping on a mask Mr. Anderson wished to see. Even though we quarrelled on each date, we still never failed to put on a show when we noticed eyes on us. “She's not talking to you or it's the other way around?”Sofia asked on one of the dates, which turned out to be our last in Greece aas my head had been overwhelmed with the thoughts of Elena in the past few days. My hands clenched my phone tightly on my laps, itching to call her, hear even a whisper of her voice but it now seemed like an impossible task to do. My head began to drown in dozens of questions surrounding Elena, like why she still never replied to my last text on my first night here. Was she too deep in grieving the arrest of Adrian that my existence was now like a faraway thought to her? These were the questions repeatedly playing in my mind like a bad record, turning my nights to sleepless ones. “We're done for the evening”, I simply responded,
