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Chapter 44
Last Updated:
2025-02-05 01:49:04
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Bound 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 : 2025-02-08Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 48
ELENA'S POV My eyes startled in surprise on seeing Adrian at the foot of the staircase with hands glued in his pockets as he coldly threw out the question “Where have you been?”. I quickly regained my composure, walking past him like he was thin air up to the room we now shared. “I'm asking you for the last time, Elena”, he said, striding towards me and catching up in no time as he slammed the door heavily behind him. “Nowhere that's any of your business to start with”, I said, taking off my simple jewelries and preparing to take a shower. “You're my wife Elena. So start talking”, he ordered, crossing his legs in an arrogant manner. “I doubt you know the difference between a wife and a slave Adrian”, I reply, meeting his cold glares with a challenge in my eyes. “And take a good look at me Adrian, I am not the latter”. “Is that so Elena?”, Adrian asked rhetorically, advancing towards me like a predator about to pince on its prey. “Because from what I know, you are my wife and also
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 49
I was out in the streets again. Except it was dark and quiet. The lonely neighborhood with a defenseless girl roaming around in torn pajamas was the perfect setting for an horror movie. But that wasn't what I was bothered about. Despite the soft night breeze resting on my body, my heart couldn't stop pounding thinking about the last few seconds. Wielding my hairpin against Adrian's neck was a bold move even for me, but the flicker of panic in his eyes confirmed that he would never pull that stunt again. Adrian finally let me go but drove me out into the cold tonight. The bastard didn't even let me take my phone. Taking a deep sigh, I crouched down underneath a tree leaning my head on the trunk as the memories of my father and I came flooding into my head. Although I had tried hard not to think about him since the accusation that currently out me in this situation but somewhere inside me, I still believed he was too good of a person and he couldn't do that. But if not, why did he
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 50
LUCAS POV My grip tightened around the glass in my hand as I raised it to my lips, watching Elena and Adrian on the television with bright smiles on their faces. Elena wore a turtleneck sweater hiding the bruises on her neck from last night while her pale face was plastered in heavy makeup as she acted all loving with Adrian. The hate grew stronger in my eyes as I glared at Adrian planting a light kiss on her lips. How dare he even touch her after his display of wickedness last night? He didn't deserve to be even a breath close to her after last night. I was going to make him pay dearly for it. Even if Elena gave up on herself, I would die before I gave up on her. However, the thought of Elena never coming back to me gave me a burning sensation in my chest, slowly spreading to every part of my body.The look in her face when she left my place gave me reason to believe I had totally let her down. My eyes burned as I replayed the turn of events that led to the ugly situation ea
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 51
ELENA'S POV It wasn't suprising for anyone to think I was stupid. Even I knew how foolish it was to succumb to being treated like a piece of trash in the hands of the Hawthornes.But if giving the media and my colleagues a big, happy smile about being married to their evil and irresponsible boss would keep my family out of the streets, then I was left with no other choice. “How was last night with your lover?”, Adrian whispered into my ears as he pretended to plant a kiss on my cheek while we faced the flashlights from the camera. Mr. Hawthorne had decided to make his son trend again by using this announcement as a freaking excuse. “It's none of your business dog. When are we getting out of here? The fake smiles are making me sick”, I whispered back, forcing out a smile towards Karen who stared at me with murderous eyes.“Careful Elena, don't think I can't do anything to you just because we're in public”, replied Adrian, biting the lobe of my ear so hard until I was forced to apolo
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 52
LUCAS' POV My forefinger continuously tapped the table in front of me as my cold eyes pierced at my step brother, Henry Everhart. Apparently the son of my step mother, who I have also come to see as a mother to me. “Do you care to explain the reason for your display of tantrum today?”, I calmly asked, leaning back into my chair despite the urge to choke him to death. “Tantrum?”, he scoffed, flashing a wide grin towards me. “More than half of the board is already on my side Lucas. Father's stupid will doesn't count”, he fumed, shooting up from his chair and panting hardly. This was his weakness. Although I hadn't been in the same space with Henry for longer than five seconds but, his irrationality was one of his major weaknesses. It was also the reason I could easily figure there was a mastermind behind this. He wasn't alone. He wasn't smart enough to pull of this stunt all by himself. “Do you think I care?”, I asked in return, leisurely folding my arms across my chest. “Henry, a
Last Updated : 2025-02-12
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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,
