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Chapter 18
Last Updated:
2024-11-01 22:59:10
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CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 19
Returning to Chicago from the conference felt like coming down from a dream. The sunny coastal air and the charged intimacy of the resort had been replaced by the gray, towering buildings and chilly winds of the city. But more than the scenery, it was the shift in Liam’s behavior that made Izzy feel like something important had been left behind on that beach.Liam had barely spoken to her on the flight home. He’d buried himself in his laptop, responding to emails and drafting plans for upcoming projects, his focus entirely elsewhere. Any attempt she’d made to start a conversation had been met with curt, polite responses that quickly fizzled into silence. He seemed wrapped in a protective shell, one she hadn’t seen in him before, and it left her feeling strangely abandoned, like a part of their connection had been severed.When they finally returned to the penthouse, he mumbled something about heading to the office and disappeared almost immediately, leaving her standing alone in the g
Last Updated : 2024-11-02CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 20
Liam’s life had always been about control. Control over his business, over his emotions, over the delicate threads that held his world together. But lately, everything seemed to be slipping through his fingers. The day he returned from the conference with Izzy, he could feel the balance of his world shifting, tipping dangerously between his responsibilities to the company and the feelings he’d promised himself he wouldn’t let develop.But he didn’t have the luxury of time to sort through his emotions. Trouble was brewing within Stone Enterprises, and he could feel it—like a storm gathering on the horizon. His uncle, Victor, had been circling for months, dropping subtle hints about “business stability” and the importance of a “strong, single leader” at the helm. And now, with the board becoming restless and Liam’s own focus splintered, Victor seemed poised to strike.It all came to a head during a high-stakes board meeting a week after they returned from the conference. Liam sat at the
Last Updated : 2024-11-02CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 21
The days following the board meeting were tense and complicated. Izzy found herself in a state of emotional turmoil, caught between the attraction that had been simmering between her and Liam and the painful reminder that their marriage was, ultimately, just a business arrangement.She had stood beside him in that boardroom, defended him in front of his uncle and the entire board, and had felt more like his true partner in that moment than she’d ever felt before. For a few minutes, it was as if they were fighting for something together, something real. But then, later, when they were alone, his distance returned, reminding her that maybe she was just a convenient pawn in this complicated game he was playing with his family.Each time she saw him around the penthouse, his focus buried in work or his mind somewhere she couldn’t follow, the sting of their limitations pressed deeper. He was charming, confident, strong—everything she could’ve wanted in a partner. But she couldn’t ignore th
Last Updated : 2024-11-03CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 22
Izzy lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions, memories, and unanswered questions, all centering around one person. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Liam—his intense gaze, his lingering touch, his presence that filled the room even when he wasn’t there. It was as if he had taken root in her heart, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake him loose.She heard a soft knock on her bedroom door, pulling her from her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat as she realized who it must be."Liam?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.The door opened, and he stepped into the room, his face shadowed in the dim light. His gaze met hers, dark and intense, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence between them thick with everything they hadn’t said."Izzy," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep pretending that
Last Updated : 2024-11-04CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 23
Liam was in his office at Stone Enterprises, seated behind his large mahogany desk, his fingers steepled as he stared at a pile of documents. The board meeting earlier that morning had been tense, with whispers of uncertainty about his leadership and veiled suggestions that he might consider bringing in "additional support." He knew it was his uncle Victor’s doing, stirring up doubt and unease within the board, but he hadn’t expected his uncle to be quite this relentless.With a sigh, he leaned back, rubbing a hand over his face. He couldn’t afford any distractions—not now, when the company was at a critical juncture and he was juggling so many pieces at once. And yet, even as he tried to focus on the business, his mind kept drifting back to Izzy. The night they’d shared had left him feeling raw, open, and deeply unsettled, but in a way that was also thrilling. For the first time in his life, he felt like he’d truly let someone in, let them see him without the armor he’d always worn.
Last Updated : 2024-11-05CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 24
It had been a tense few days since Noah’s unexpected return. The air in the penthouse felt heavier, like a storm was about to break, and Izzy couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Liam had been even more distant than usual, his brow constantly furrowed, his jaw set in a way that told her he was carrying a weight he hadn’t shared with her. But despite her efforts to get him to open up, he remained closed off, his usual walls reinforced.Late one night, unable to sleep, Izzy found herself wandering into the hallway near Liam’s office. She was about to turn back when she heard voices drifting from the room—low, intense, and unmistakably Liam’s. Curiosity piqued, she stepped closer, hiding just out of view, pressing herself against the wall as she listened.“Noah, you can’t keep doing this,” Liam’s voice was sharp, controlled but edged with anger. “You come back after all these years, stirring up trouble, aligning yourself with Victor, and you think I’m just going
Last Updated : 2024-11-06CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 25
It was late in the evening, and the elegant, dimly lit lounge buzzed with quiet chatter and the clinking of glasses. Sabrina West sat in a corner booth, her back straight, perfectly manicured fingers wrapped around a glass of red wine. Her expression was one of cool confidence, her eyes scanning the room as she waited for her latest guest to arrive.She didn’t have to wait long. The doors to the lounge swung open, and in walked Noah Stone, wearing his usual half-smirk, a sharp navy suit that looked tailored to perfection, and an air of careless charm that he wielded as effectively as a weapon. He spotted Sabrina immediately, his gaze glinting with a hint of amusement as he approached her table.“Sabrina,” he greeted smoothly, sliding into the seat across from her. “It’s been too long.”She lifted her glass in a mock toast, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Indeed, Noah. Though I must say, I’m surprised you actually came.”“Why wouldn’t I?” he replied, his tone
Last Updated : 2024-11-07CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 26
Izzy sat on the edge of her bed, lost in her thoughts, when she heard the soft knock at her door. Her heart skipped a beat, knowing who it was before she even answered. She took a deep breath, calling out, “Come in.”The door opened, and Liam stepped inside, his gaze intense, his expression unreadable. He looked as if he’d been wrestling with something, his usual composure replaced by an almost vulnerable look in his eyes. They held each other’s gaze in silence, the air between them charged with unspoken words, with all the emotions they had been holding back.Slowly, he closed the door behind him and took a step closer. “Izzy,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, with something raw and almost desperate. “I can’t keep pretending…”She stood up, crossing the room to him, her own emotions mirroring his. “Then don’t,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She reached up, placing her hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin, the subtle roughness of his stubble under her
Last Updated : 2024-11-08
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CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 67
The late afternoon sun streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of Izzy’s office, casting warm golden light onto the drafting table where she worked. The space was a perfect blend of creativity and professionalism, with sleek modern furniture, open shelving filled with architectural models, and a massive whiteboard covered in sketches and ideas for her latest project.Izzy stood at the table, pencil in hand, her brow furrowed in concentration as she sketched out the final details of a sleek, contemporary home design for a new client. A soft breeze drifted in through the open window, carrying with it the distant hum of the city below.She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her engagement and wedding rings catching the sunlight as she worked. It was a small detail, but one that made her heart swell every time she noticed it.The door to her office creaked open, and a familiar voice broke the quiet.“Still at it, I see.”Izzy looked up, a smile breaking across her face as
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 66
The hum of the private jet’s engines filled the cabin, but Izzy barely noticed it. She sat by the window, her head resting against Liam’s shoulder as she gazed out at the clouds stretching endlessly across the sky. The week on the island had been a dream—a blur of white sands, turquoise waters, and tender moments—but now, as they returned to Chicago, reality was waiting for them.And for the first time in her life, Izzy didn’t feel anxious about it.Liam’s hand rested over hers, his thumb tracing slow circles against her skin. “You’re quiet,” he murmured, glancing down at her.“I’m just thinking,” she said softly.“About what?”Izzy smiled, tilting her head to look up at him. “About everything. The future, mostly. It feels like… like we finally get to start living. No contracts, no scheming uncles, no dark secrets hanging over us. Just us.”Liam’s lips curved into a small smile, his blue eyes softening. “It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?”She nodded, leaning into him. “The best.”When th
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 65
The warm, salty breeze of the Caribbean washed over them as Liam and Izzy stepped off the private plane. The island was like something out of a postcard—white sand beaches stretching endlessly, turquoise waters sparkling under the sun, and lush palm trees swaying gently in the wind. It was paradise, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Izzy could breathe deeply, unburdened by worry or stress.“This is unreal,” she said, her voice full of awe as she looked around.Liam placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the waiting car that would take them to their villa. “I wanted it to be special,” he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “After everything we’ve been through, you deserve nothing less than perfection.”Izzy glanced up at him, her heart fluttering. He was dressed casually in linen pants and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his usual commanding presence softened by the relaxed atmosphere. This was a side of Liam she r
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 64
The morning was perfect. The crisp, early autumn air carried the scent of freshly fallen leaves, and the soft sunlight filtering through the trees made the garden venue glow. The space had been transformed into a dreamscape of white roses, twinkling fairy lights, and flowing ivory drapery. Everything looked exactly as Izzy had imagined it—the perfect blend of elegance and intimacy.In the bridal suite, Izzy stood in front of a full-length mirror, her heart pounding in her chest. The dress she had chosen—a classic ballgown with a sweetheart neckline and delicate lace detailing—fit her like a dream. The soft tulle skirt pooled at her feet, and the intricate beadwork on the bodice sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Her hair was swept into an elegant chignon, a few loose curls framing her face, and her makeup was soft and romantic.Sarah fussed with the hem of the dress, her face glowing with excitement. “You look like a literal princess, Izzy,” she said, stepping bac
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 63
The week leading up to the wedding had been a whirlwind of preparations, meetings, and final adjustments. Yet amid the chaos, there was one tradition that Izzy and Liam’s friends refused to let slide—the bachelor and bachelorette parties. After everything they had been through, it was time to celebrate, to laugh, and to allow themselves a moment to breathe before the big day.Izzy glanced at herself in the mirror, laughing softly as she adjusted the sparkly “BRIDE” sash Sarah had insisted she wear. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, turning to her best friend, who was grinning ear to ear.“Ridiculous? No,” Sarah said with mock offense, hands on her hips. “It’s tradition. You are the bride, and we are going to celebrate like it’s our job.”Izzy rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. Dressed in a sleek white cocktail dress and heels that Sarah had forced her into, she felt radiant—something she hadn’t had much time to think about in the chaos of the weddi
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 62
The morning sunlight poured into the penthouse kitchen, flooding the space with a warm golden glow. Izzy stood at the counter, surrounded by swatches of fabric, invitation samples, and color-coded to-do lists spread haphazardly across the marble countertop. A cup of coffee sat untouched beside her, forgotten in the chaos as she flipped through her wedding planner for what felt like the hundredth time that week.“This might actually drive me insane,” she muttered under her breath, biting the end of her pen as she tried to finalize the seating arrangements.Liam walked in, dressed casually in dark jeans and a crisp white shirt, his hair still slightly damp from his morning shower. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of the counter, his brow raising at the sheer volume of wedding-related material. “Am I interrupting a battlefield strategy session, or is this still about the wedding?” he teased, leaning against the doorframe.Izzy shot him a mock glare. “You laugh now, but you’ll feel m
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 61
The boardroom of Stone Enterprises was filled with an air of quiet tension. The long, polished mahogany table gleamed under the overhead lights, and the room was full of powerful people dressed in sleek suits, their faces carefully neutral. It was a defining moment for the company—one that would either mark the end of months of chaos or plunge it into another chapter of instability.At the head of the table, Liam Stone stood tall, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. He was dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, his posture confident, and his piercing blue eyes swept over the room with quiet authority. At his side sat Izzy, her presence as steadying to him as his resolve. Though she wasn’t technically a part of the company, she had insisted on being there for him during this final showdown with his uncle, Charles Stone.Across the table, Charles sat slouched in his chair, his smug demeanor barely masking his growing unease. He had been so certain that Maxwell’s arrest and Noah
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 60
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fresh linens, but for once, the atmosphere was light, almost celebratory. Izzy sat on the edge of Ethan’s bed, her heart swelling with gratitude as she watched him chat animatedly with his doctor. His cheeks were full of color now, his energy vibrant in a way she hadn’t seen in years.“Mom always said I’d grow up to be the toughest kid on the block,” Ethan said proudly, crossing his arms over his chest as if to show off imaginary muscles. “And I guess I proved her right!”Dr. Patel laughed, flipping through the last of his notes on Ethan’s chart. “You sure did, champ. You’ve been through a lot, but I’m happy to officially tell you that you’re in full remission. Your body’s healed completely.”Izzy’s breath caught at the word—remission. She hadn’t dared to hope for it, not fully, not after the long, terrifying months of treatments, surgeries, and setbacks. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached for Ethan’s hand, squeezing it tightly.“Did you hea
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 59
The courthouse loomed before them, its gray stone walls towering over the bustling city streets. The air was cold that morning, a sharp wind whipping through the crowd of reporters and onlookers gathered outside the building. Cameras flashed, and voices shouted questions as Liam and Izzy stepped out of the sleek black car that had brought them there.“Mr. Stone, do you think Maxwell Stone will be convicted?”“Is it true you’re testifying today?”“Mrs. Stone, how does it feel to face the man who killed your parents?”Izzy flinched at the question, but Liam’s hand found hers, steady and grounding, as they walked up the courthouse steps. He glanced at her, his blue eyes filled with quiet reassurance. She gave him a small nod, gripping his hand tightly as they pushed through the crowd and entered the building.Inside, the noise of the outside world faded, replaced by the low murmur of voices and the echo of footsteps on polished floors. The weight of the moment pressed down on Izzy as the
