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Chapter 10
Last Updated:
2025-01-05 01:54:32
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Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 11
ELENA'S POVI felt my hand make contact with Karen's cheek, the sharp sound of the slap echoing through the tense air. A stunned silence followed as Karen stared at me, her hand pressed to her reddened skin.It didn't take long for her minions to jump to her defense. "How dare you slap Karen?" one demanded, their voice filled with outrage. "You think you can get away with anything just because you're someone's mistresse?"Another chimed in, their words dripping with malice. "Yeah, you should be ashamed of yourself. Don't you have any respect for Mr Hawthorn's fiancée?"Their accusations felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head, freezing me in shock. The world seemed to slow down around me, their words repeating in my mind over and over again. 'Adrian's fiancée?'The irony of the situation was not lost on me. Here they were, accusing me of being a mistress, completely unaware that I was, in fact, Adrian's wife. Even if it was a contracted marriage, it still
Last Updated : 2025-01-06Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 12
ELENA'S POV "Elena, are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face. Without waiting for an answer, he pulled me into a warm embrace, his arms encircling me protectively.I clung to him, my tears soaking into his shirt as I tried to catch my breath.Lucas held me tight as I sobbed into his chest, my body trembling with emotion. After a few moments, he gently pulled away, his expression a mix of concern and tenderness."Elena, you have to be more careful," he scolded, his voice firm but gentle. "You almost got hit by a car! What were you thinking, crossing without looking?"His words, meant to be caring, only served to make my tears flow harder. I clung to him tighter, burying my face in his chest as I let all my pent-up emotions out.Lucas, realizing the gravity of my distress, wrapped his arms around me once again, holding me close as he stroked my hair. "It's alright, Elena. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Just take your time."Lucas, sensing that I was in no state t
Last Updated : 2025-01-07Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 13
LUCAS POVLucas took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. "Elena, I ran away because I had no choice. My father passed away, and his family was after me and my mother for our inheritance. They were willing to kill us both, so I had to make the decision to run away and protect my mother."He paused, reliving the painful memories. "It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make but I knew that if I stayed, we would both be in danger. So I left everything behind and started a new life in a different city. I couldn't risk contacting you or anyone else for fear that it would lead them straight to us."Lucas looked into Elena's tear-filled eyes, his expression sincere. "I never stopped thinking about you, Elena. I missed you every day, but I couldn't come back until I was sure it was safe. And now, I have the resources to protect myself and my mother. That's why I came back, to make things right and to try to win back your trust."I stared blankly at
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 14
ELENA'S POVElena stirred awake to the sound of a gentle knock on the door. Blinking the sleep away from her eyes, she sat up, her mind still foggy with the remnants of her dreams."Come in," she called out, her voice still thick with sleep.The maid entered with a warm smile on her face. "Good morning Miss Elena. Mr. Lucas has requested your presence for breakfast, and he would like to accompany you home after that."Elena's heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Lucas again. She nodded, "Thank you, please tell him I will be down soon."The maid nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her.Elena took a deep breath, running a hand through her dishevelled hair. She felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the thought of leaving the safety of the room and facing the world again. But she knew that she couldn't hide forever, and she was ready to take the next step.After freshening up and getting dressed, Elena made her way downstairs to the dining room where bre
Last Updated : 2025-01-08Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 15
LUCAS POV I sat at my desk, the sunlight pouring in through the windows and warming my skin. My thoughts were consumed by the financial reports in front of me, but my mind kept drifting back to last night. Elena had been captivating, her intelligence and wit shining through in every conversation. I found myself replaying our interactions in my mind, a small smile forming on my lips.As much as I wanted to focus on work, I couldn't shake the thought of her. I knew she was dealing with a difficult situation with Adrian, but I couldn't deny the connection I felt. Just as I reached for the phone to call her, my assistant's voice buzzed through the intercom."Mr. Lucas, there's someone here to see you."My heart skipped a beat at the thought that it might be Elena, but I quickly composed myself. "Send them in," I replied, setting down the phone and turning my attention to the door.Alicia burst into the room, her energy palpable as she rushed towards me. I braced myself as she wrappe
Last Updated : 2025-01-09Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 16
ELENA'S POV I woke up early, the morning sunlight filtering through my curtains. I stretched and sat up in bed, preparing myself for another day at work. After getting ready, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, making my way towards the office.I had walked away angrily from Adrian's presence last night and surprisingly he let me go.Why would he have me followed? It's enough he's ruining my life with the contract marriage!As I approached the entrance, I noticed Karen and her minions standing there, a smirk on their faces. I knew they were up to no good, and sure enough, they intentionally blocked my way, trying to make me late and lose a point."Excuse me," I said, trying to keep my tone polite as I attempted to squeeze past them.Karen stepped in front of me, her eyes glinting with malice. "Oh Elena, we didn't see you there," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You should watch where you're going. You wouldn't want to be late, would you?"I gritted my teeth, know
Last Updated : 2025-01-09Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 17
ELENA'S POV Just then, the lights in the office flickered and went out, plunging me into darkness. I felt a cold breeze blow past me, and a shiver ran down my spine.Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. I turned, my heart racing, but I couldn't see anything in the pitch blackness."Who's there?" I called out, my voice echoing off the walls.There was no response, just the sound of footsteps growing closer and closer. Fear gripped me as I realized I was not alone in the office.I took a step back, feeling for the door behind me. But as my hand closed around the knob, I felt something cold and metallic against my neck."Don't move," a voice whispered in my ear. "Or you'll regret it!"" P.pplease let me go," I stammered,trying to get the stranger to reason with me.I felt something cold press on my back, and I froze in shock and fear ran down my spine.' He was pressing a gun on my back! Fuck he has a gun!' I thought thinking of a way out for myself. " Please what
Last Updated : 2025-01-10Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 18
LUCAS POV I drove as fast as I could to Elena's office, my heart pounding with worry. As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw Adrian's car parked haphazardly near the entrance. A sense of dread washed over me as I rushed out of my car and towards the building.As I approached, I saw Adrian coming out of the office, Elena in his arms. She looked unconscious, her head lolling against his chest. Anger and fear coursed through me at the sight.Adrian looked up and noticed me, a smug smirk crossing his face. It was as if he was proud of what he had done, showing off his conquest like a trophy."What have you done to her?" I demanded, my hands balled into fists at my sides.Adrian chuckled, shaking his head. "Just a little sleeping aid, nothing to worry about. I'm taking her home with me."I took a step forward, ready to take Elena from his arms, but Adrian stepped back, out of my reach."Don't even think about it, Lucas," he warned, his voice hard. "You've had your chance with her, now
Last Updated : 2025-01-11
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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,
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 110
LUCAS' POV Things really didn't go as planned here as I ended up being in Greece a week longer but that didn't stop me from executing my plans concerning Adrian. Mr Anderson struck exactly where it hit me the most, probably expecting me to see my foolishness in holding on to something that didn't exist anymore. And he was wrong. The emotions still as clear as daytime coursing through my entire being was mostly frustration at my own incapabilities. Why couldn't I get her to feel the exact same way I did for her? Why couldn't I get her to give me a chance? With me, she didn't need to give so many chances, all I needed was just one. She couldn't deny her awareness of the lengths I'd go for her. She was mine as long as she asked it so why wasn't she asking? “Lucas Everhart, you have successfully deceived me”, Mr Anderson said, the calculating tone betrayed the softness in his voice. A small smirk hid on my lips while I raised a questioning eyebrow choosing to play innocent in my actio
