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Chapter 39
Last Updated:
2025-02-02 00:35:41
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Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 40
LUCAS' POV“What the fuck is taking so long James?”, I yelled through my phone, pulling my hair in frustration as the words Elena said replayed in my head every second. But why didn't she call me to save her? Did she not think I was reliable enough?FLASHBACK***I just unwrapped my sandwich about to eat it when a hand swatted it away while I watched as each corner rolled until every part of it was coated in the sand. My eyes instantly brimmed with tears as I looked up to face Adrian and his gang laughing at my pathetic state with their fingers pointed at me as they mimicked and made fun of me. Suddenly, a familiar sharp voice scolded them from afar. “Leave him alone you losers!”, said Elena, the same girl who defends me in class, always catching me off guard. If guardian angels were real then she was mine. Her honey brown hair swayed care freely as she stormed over with green eyes that seemed to be set ablaze. “What are you, his momma?”, Said Robert, one of Adrian's gang then the
Last Updated : 2025-02-02Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 41
LUCAS' POVI groggily flutter my eyes open to the direct sun rays penetrating through he tinted glasses of car in my eyes and the harsh, hissing sound from the engine gradually becomes clearer. My hand instantly goes to my forehead for any sign of injury but all I can feel is a bump- a huge one so, I instinctively stare at the deflated airbag in front of me, instantly realizing the reason I'm not being rushed to the hospital by now. “Fuck”, I groan in frustration, rubbing the back of my head to ease the throbbing pain there as I attempt to get out of the car. My eyes quickly adjust to the scorching afternoon sun providing me the answer to how long I'd been unconscious. But who was the fucker that hit me? My eyes quickly spotted the white, sleek BMW with a damaged bumper few metres away from me. My senses instantly heightened as I slowly tiptoed to the car, praying to get my hands on the bastard and make him die a second death. Although I readily awaited the attack from my father's
Last Updated : 2025-02-03Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 42
Elena's POVMy chin trembles in anger and my eyes well up with tears but I refuse to let them out and give Mrs Hawthorne the satisfaction she wants. A harsh sting flows through my hands as they heavily land on my desk but I don't care in that moment. “You will not talk about my mother that way, Mrs Hawthorne”, I warn, still trembling from anger and my resolve to not cry slowly crumbles when a lone tear slides down my cheek. “You can call me names all you want but, my mother is out of this. Out of your lips!”, I continue, fighting the temptation to tear that victorious smirk off her face, openly mocking my outburst. “Why are you so worked up about it Elena?”, says Mrs Hawthorne in a much gentle tone, a pleased smile tugging the corner of her lips as she advances closer until her hands rest on my desk returning my challenging glares with a look of disdain. “I didn't ask your hero of a father to be a theif and a coward at the same time, letting his precious daughter pay for his crimes”
Last Updated : 2025-02-04Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 43
ELENA'S POVI would be lying to myself if I said I wasn't shocked at the realization because my entire world crumbled right before my eyes. Even though I never acknowledged his ‘caring’ actions in the past few days since the incident, a small part of me wished he'd really changed and maybe we could coexist peacefully after all. “What are you saying Elena?”, Adrian asked, a hint of confusion in his eyes but I could still see the menace behind them. I refused to retreat backwards as he took slow steps towards me, his usual attempt to intimidate me. “You stay right there Adrian!”, I command harshly, my forefinger pointed at him, trying to steady my shaky tone underneath. To my delight, he actually stops but his gaze still pierces me from afar. “I have tried to be nice towards you all this time Elena, yet you still find a way to always make me look bad huh?”, says Adrian quietly, a mixture of unknown emotions rush through his voice making m raise an eyebrow in confusion. “Tried to be
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 44
ELENA'S POVThe golden sunset covered the sky in all it's glory as I walked home in slumped shoulders and a depressed aura. Heavy beads of sweat clings to my pores while I tiredly drag my feet home, too exhausted to think anymore. I couldn't deny the facts any longer. Alicia was right. Perhaps Lucas and I once had something together but, things were never going to be the same again. At least not for us. I pushed the gate open, stepping inside the familiar villa now known as my home. Releasing a long sigh of exasperation to my usual reality behind those doors, I instantly plan to sneak up to my room peacefully. Just for tonight. As usual, the maids begin to whisper at the sight of my arrival and most do not bother to hide the contempt on their faces when they see me. Thankfully, I'm a grown ass independent woman who gladly loves to do things by herself. While my classmates and colleagues always called me a “spoiled princess”, I was a normal, average hardworking girl indoors. My mot
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 45
ELENA'S POVI was always a stranger in this house but tonight, as I sprawled on the couch shifting in different positions, it dawned on me that I was like a beggar in my own home, who ate the crumbs from whatever he was offered. Adrian remained adamant about us sharing a room and seeing that Miss Campbell, the Hawthorne's family housekeeper was suddenly assigned here, it was pretty clear whose idea this was. Although that didn't stop the troop of ladies waltzing in and out of the house like bees in a swamp. I groaned into a pillow beside me as the moans from upstairs were getting unbearable every passing day. Oh God! Another heavy makeup tomorrow! This had become a routine in the last week. “She's like the mistress”, a voice whispered past me in a mocking tone making me instantly shut my eyes tightly like I was sound asleep. “God, I hope he responds to my advances soon. I can't wait to bring this house down with my screams”, another said, giggling in between until their voices comp
Last Updated : 2025-02-06Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 46
ELENA'S POVKaren wouldn't tell anyone in the company right? She would be smart enough to think about Adrian's reputation since she's his supposed fiancee. Damn Adrian! Damn him! My usual sharp tongue couldn't utter a single word in front of her. How could I deny my smudged lipstick and glistening eyes which was actually due to anger. But someone like Karen would gladly take it the wrong way. My heart raced faster than my legs as I tried to foretell the lengths Karen would go just to hurt me with the information she found out about Adrian and I. Sure enough, there were more eyes on me today than usual but, I returned each one with a shaky wave and an awkward smile, subtly gritting my teeth in annoyance. Karen did it. Everyone knew. Great! I rushed straight to my office, sighing in relief as I settled down alone, away from the judgemental stares of everyone out there. Turning on my computer and going straight to my emails as I always did every morning, the first email instantly cau
Last Updated : 2025-02-07Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 47
ELENA'S POV I stretched painfully on the sofa, rubbing my lower back to ease the pain caused by sleeping in one position for weeks now. Today was the first time I wasn't rushing out of the house since I started working at my father's company, now known as the Hawthorne's Corporation, which made it very easy to use my one out of ten sick leaves for this week. At least, a week was more than enough time for the rumors at work to fade out, and for me to secure another job elsewhere. All I needed was just to work there for a year and I could begin clearing my father's debt and finally tell Adrian to suck it. I groggily climbed up the stairs to my room, which was unfortunately Adrian's room to get ready for the day's business. “You look well for someone who's sick”, Adrian commented, his gaze following my movements around the room. My mouth remained shut as I carefully picked my things and entered the bathroom, slamming the door without a single word. Adrian and I had not shared a word
Last Updated : 2025-02-08
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,
