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Chapter 7
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-16 14:12:07
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Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 8
Elena barely slept that night.Scarlett’s words haunted her, twisting in her mind like a cruel echo.“He ruins people.”“He doesn’t like losing what belongs to him.”And worst of all—Alexander’s response.“Scarlett thinks she knows me. She doesn’t.”“Not yet.”Elena should have been terrified. Should have doubled down on her plan to escape.Instead, she found herself watching Alexander more closely.Looking for the truth.—The next morning, she found him in the dining room.It was a strange, quiet ritual between them. They never made plans to eat together, but somehow, they always ended up in the same space at the same time.Elena’s eyes flicked over him as she sat across from him at the long, sleek table. He was already dressed for the day—black button-up, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, wristwatch gleaming in the morning light.He didn’t look up when she sat. Didn’t acknowledge her at all.And yet, she could feel it—the way he was aware of her.The tension between them from last
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 9
Elena couldn’t stop thinking about Tristan Kane.Even after she returned to the mansion, after she changed into comfortable clothes and tried to push the encounter out of her mind, his words clung to her.“You don’t belong in his world.”“You’re looking for a way out.”She had wanted freedom since the moment she was forced into this marriage. She had dreamed of escape.So why did it feel wrong to hear those words now?Why did she feel like she wasn’t trapped anymore?Why did she think of Alexander every time she considered leaving?—She found him in his office that evening.He was sitting behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up, fingers tapping lightly against the polished wood. His eyes flicked to her as she stepped inside, but he didn’t speak.He was waiting.For her to say something.For her to choose why she was here.Elena hesitated, then crossed the room, stopping just before his desk. “I ran into someone today.”His fingers stilled. “Who?”She met his gaze. “Tristan Kane.”A sl
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-21Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 10
Elena had never felt this way before.Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, she could still feel Alexander’s touch on her skin, still taste him on her lips.She had fought against him for so long, against this pull between them, convinced it was nothing but a trick of circumstance.But tonight, that illusion shattered.Because when Alexander had kissed her, she hadn’t resisted.She had kissed him back.And she had wanted more.A part of her screamed that this was dangerous—that Alexander Calloway was dangerous.But another part of her, the part that had felt his hands on her waist, the part that had heard the quiet hitch in his breath when she pulled him closer, told her something else entirely.Maybe he wasn’t just the cold, ruthless man everyone believed him to be.Maybe, with her, he was something different.—The next morning, Elena found herself walking through the house in a daze.The staff moved around her as usual, offering polite nods, but she barely noticed them.Her mind wa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-01Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 11
Elena knew it wouldn’t be easy.Whatever was happening between her and Alexander, whatever this thing was, it wouldn’t come without consequences.And she was right.Because the next morning, Scarlett showed up.—Elena was in the library when the knock came.It wasn’t a soft, hesitant knock. It was sharp. Demanding.Before she could react, one of the house staff entered, looking uncertain.“Mrs. Calloway,” the woman said. “There’s a… guest at the door.”Elena frowned. “Who?”The woman hesitated, then sighed. “Scarlett Monroe.”Elena’s stomach dropped.She shouldn’t have been surprised.After what had happened at the gala, after Scarlett’s warnings, it was only a matter of time before she made another move.Still, Elena wasn’t prepared to come face to face with her this soon.She straightened her shoulders. “Where is she?”“The foyer.”Elena exhaled slowly. Then, without another word, she made her way there.Scarlett was waiting by the grand staircase, dressed in an elegant black coat,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-01Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 12
Elena had always known Alexander was a man of secrets.But this?This was something different.Something darker.She could see it in his eyes—the way they sharpened at her question, the way his body tensed, as if preparing for battle.Something had happened the night Scarlett left.And now, she needed to know what.“Elena,” Alexander said carefully, his voice controlled, measured. “Where is this coming from?”She hesitated for only a second. “Tristan called me.”His jaw clenched.“He said I should ask you about Scarlett.”Silence.A heavy, suffocating silence.Elena forced herself to keep her gaze steady. “So I’m asking.”Alexander exhaled slowly, setting his tie down on the dresser before turning to fully face her.“I don’t like Tristan speaking to you.”“That’s not an answer.”His lips pressed into a thin line.She could tell he was debating—choosing his words carefully.And that only made her pulse pound harder.Why did he need to choose?Why couldn’t he just tell her the truth?“E
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-01Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 13
Elena should have known something was wrong the moment she stepped into the mansion.The air inside felt off—too still, too heavy. The grand chandelier overhead cast a cold, silvery glow, illuminating the long hallway leading to Alexander’s study.Her gut twisted with unease.Alexander should have been home by now. But the house was eerily silent.She hesitated at the study door before slowly pushing it open.And then she froze.Scarlett sat perched on Alexander’s chair, legs crossed, a wine glass dangling from her fingers.Tristan stood beside her, his expression unreadable.Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs.“What… what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice coming out steadier than she felt.Scarlett’s lips curled into a smirk. “Hello to you too, darling.”Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to step inside. “Where’s Alexander?”Tristan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “He’s… occupied. Which means it’s just us.”Elena stiffened. “I don’t have time for your games.”Scar
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 14
Chapter 14The night had been long.Too long.Alexander hadn’t let go of Elena since they returned home.She sat wrapped in a blanket on the edge of their bed, fingers trembling around the cup of tea he had given her. The warmth seeped into her palms, but it did nothing to stop the chill in her bones.Alexander sat beside her, his hands tight fists on his lap.“They won’t hurt you again,” he said.There was steel in his voice. A promise.Elena turned to him. “You… you saved me.”His jaw clenched. “I should’ve been there sooner.”“You were there when it mattered.”Alexander exhaled sharply. His hand came up, hesitating for only a second before brushing over her bruised cheek. His touch was gentle, reverent.Elena’s breath caught.“Does it hurt?” he asked, voice tight.She shook her head. “Not as much as it did before.”His eyes darkened. “Tristan—”“He’s gone,” she whispered. “It’s over.”A long silence stretched between them.Then—“Elena,” Alexander said, his voice raw. “I almost los
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Epilogue
A year later…Elena stood at the balcony of their penthouse, staring out at the New York skyline as the golden hues of sunset painted the city in breathtaking shades. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh roses from the garden Alexander had built for her—a sanctuary in the midst of the chaos that had once ruled their lives.She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the small but growing swell beneath her dress. A secret she hadn’t yet told Alexander. Their child.She smiled.A year ago, she had been nothing more than a waitress trying to survive. Then she had been a wife bound by a debt she hadn’t created. But now? Now she was a woman in love. A woman loved.Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a familiar warmth. She sighed as Alexander pressed a kiss against her temple.“What are you thinking about?” he murmured.Elena turned, looking into the deep ocean blue of his eyes. The same eyes that had once been cold, guarded—now filled with warmth and devotion.“Our l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05
Bab terbaru
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Epilogue
A year later…Elena stood at the balcony of their penthouse, staring out at the New York skyline as the golden hues of sunset painted the city in breathtaking shades. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh roses from the garden Alexander had built for her—a sanctuary in the midst of the chaos that had once ruled their lives.She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the small but growing swell beneath her dress. A secret she hadn’t yet told Alexander. Their child.She smiled.A year ago, she had been nothing more than a waitress trying to survive. Then she had been a wife bound by a debt she hadn’t created. But now? Now she was a woman in love. A woman loved.Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a familiar warmth. She sighed as Alexander pressed a kiss against her temple.“What are you thinking about?” he murmured.Elena turned, looking into the deep ocean blue of his eyes. The same eyes that had once been cold, guarded—now filled with warmth and devotion.“Our l
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 14
Chapter 14The night had been long.Too long.Alexander hadn’t let go of Elena since they returned home.She sat wrapped in a blanket on the edge of their bed, fingers trembling around the cup of tea he had given her. The warmth seeped into her palms, but it did nothing to stop the chill in her bones.Alexander sat beside her, his hands tight fists on his lap.“They won’t hurt you again,” he said.There was steel in his voice. A promise.Elena turned to him. “You… you saved me.”His jaw clenched. “I should’ve been there sooner.”“You were there when it mattered.”Alexander exhaled sharply. His hand came up, hesitating for only a second before brushing over her bruised cheek. His touch was gentle, reverent.Elena’s breath caught.“Does it hurt?” he asked, voice tight.She shook her head. “Not as much as it did before.”His eyes darkened. “Tristan—”“He’s gone,” she whispered. “It’s over.”A long silence stretched between them.Then—“Elena,” Alexander said, his voice raw. “I almost los
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 13
Elena should have known something was wrong the moment she stepped into the mansion.The air inside felt off—too still, too heavy. The grand chandelier overhead cast a cold, silvery glow, illuminating the long hallway leading to Alexander’s study.Her gut twisted with unease.Alexander should have been home by now. But the house was eerily silent.She hesitated at the study door before slowly pushing it open.And then she froze.Scarlett sat perched on Alexander’s chair, legs crossed, a wine glass dangling from her fingers.Tristan stood beside her, his expression unreadable.Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs.“What… what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice coming out steadier than she felt.Scarlett’s lips curled into a smirk. “Hello to you too, darling.”Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to step inside. “Where’s Alexander?”Tristan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “He’s… occupied. Which means it’s just us.”Elena stiffened. “I don’t have time for your games.”Scar
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 12
Elena had always known Alexander was a man of secrets.But this?This was something different.Something darker.She could see it in his eyes—the way they sharpened at her question, the way his body tensed, as if preparing for battle.Something had happened the night Scarlett left.And now, she needed to know what.“Elena,” Alexander said carefully, his voice controlled, measured. “Where is this coming from?”She hesitated for only a second. “Tristan called me.”His jaw clenched.“He said I should ask you about Scarlett.”Silence.A heavy, suffocating silence.Elena forced herself to keep her gaze steady. “So I’m asking.”Alexander exhaled slowly, setting his tie down on the dresser before turning to fully face her.“I don’t like Tristan speaking to you.”“That’s not an answer.”His lips pressed into a thin line.She could tell he was debating—choosing his words carefully.And that only made her pulse pound harder.Why did he need to choose?Why couldn’t he just tell her the truth?“E
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 11
Elena knew it wouldn’t be easy.Whatever was happening between her and Alexander, whatever this thing was, it wouldn’t come without consequences.And she was right.Because the next morning, Scarlett showed up.—Elena was in the library when the knock came.It wasn’t a soft, hesitant knock. It was sharp. Demanding.Before she could react, one of the house staff entered, looking uncertain.“Mrs. Calloway,” the woman said. “There’s a… guest at the door.”Elena frowned. “Who?”The woman hesitated, then sighed. “Scarlett Monroe.”Elena’s stomach dropped.She shouldn’t have been surprised.After what had happened at the gala, after Scarlett’s warnings, it was only a matter of time before she made another move.Still, Elena wasn’t prepared to come face to face with her this soon.She straightened her shoulders. “Where is she?”“The foyer.”Elena exhaled slowly. Then, without another word, she made her way there.Scarlett was waiting by the grand staircase, dressed in an elegant black coat,
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 10
Elena had never felt this way before.Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, she could still feel Alexander’s touch on her skin, still taste him on her lips.She had fought against him for so long, against this pull between them, convinced it was nothing but a trick of circumstance.But tonight, that illusion shattered.Because when Alexander had kissed her, she hadn’t resisted.She had kissed him back.And she had wanted more.A part of her screamed that this was dangerous—that Alexander Calloway was dangerous.But another part of her, the part that had felt his hands on her waist, the part that had heard the quiet hitch in his breath when she pulled him closer, told her something else entirely.Maybe he wasn’t just the cold, ruthless man everyone believed him to be.Maybe, with her, he was something different.—The next morning, Elena found herself walking through the house in a daze.The staff moved around her as usual, offering polite nods, but she barely noticed them.Her mind wa
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 9
Elena couldn’t stop thinking about Tristan Kane.Even after she returned to the mansion, after she changed into comfortable clothes and tried to push the encounter out of her mind, his words clung to her.“You don’t belong in his world.”“You’re looking for a way out.”She had wanted freedom since the moment she was forced into this marriage. She had dreamed of escape.So why did it feel wrong to hear those words now?Why did she feel like she wasn’t trapped anymore?Why did she think of Alexander every time she considered leaving?—She found him in his office that evening.He was sitting behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up, fingers tapping lightly against the polished wood. His eyes flicked to her as she stepped inside, but he didn’t speak.He was waiting.For her to say something.For her to choose why she was here.Elena hesitated, then crossed the room, stopping just before his desk. “I ran into someone today.”His fingers stilled. “Who?”She met his gaze. “Tristan Kane.”A sl
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 8
Elena barely slept that night.Scarlett’s words haunted her, twisting in her mind like a cruel echo.“He ruins people.”“He doesn’t like losing what belongs to him.”And worst of all—Alexander’s response.“Scarlett thinks she knows me. She doesn’t.”“Not yet.”Elena should have been terrified. Should have doubled down on her plan to escape.Instead, she found herself watching Alexander more closely.Looking for the truth.—The next morning, she found him in the dining room.It was a strange, quiet ritual between them. They never made plans to eat together, but somehow, they always ended up in the same space at the same time.Elena’s eyes flicked over him as she sat across from him at the long, sleek table. He was already dressed for the day—black button-up, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, wristwatch gleaming in the morning light.He didn’t look up when she sat. Didn’t acknowledge her at all.And yet, she could feel it—the way he was aware of her.The tension between them from last
Bound by debt, Trapped by desire Chapter 7
Elena wasn’t sure how long she stood there after Alexander left.Her skin still tingled where he had touched her, and her heartbeat hadn’t slowed, no matter how many deep breaths she took.This can’t happen.She couldn’t afford to feel anything for him. He was still the man who had trapped her in this marriage. The man who controlled her life.And yet, the way he had touched her—the way he had looked at her—No.She needed space.Elena spun on her heel and walked out of the living room, heading toward the back of the house. She had discovered a small balcony the day before, one that overlooked the city. Maybe some fresh air would clear her head.But as she pushed open the glass doors and stepped outside, she froze.Someone else was already there.A woman.Tall. Stunning. With sleek blonde hair and a figure that looked like it had been sculpted by the gods themselves. She was dressed in an emerald-green silk dress that clung to her curves, her posture poised and elegant.Elena didn’t r
