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CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1 As the room began to spin before her eyes, Sophia couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration wash over her. Why did Madison have to pick on her yet again? Sophia thought to herself, her annoyance mounting with each passing moment. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she finally decided to reply, her voice steady despite the turmoil she felt within her. "Yes," she said, her words ringing out with a quiet resolve, "I have a boyfriend.”Madison's expression changed from a spiteful glare to one of shock. She had asked the question loudly, intending to ridicule Sophia and put her in her place. But what? Did Sophia just say yes? Madison thought to herself, frustration welling up within her. She couldn't afford to believe it."What is his name?" another guest chimed in, their curiosity piqued as they turned their attention to Sophia."Why didn't you bring him along to the reunion?" someone else questioned, their tone laced with intrigue."Well, he probably didn't have time
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 2
As Alexander and Dominic exited the boardroom, their banter continued, punctuating the air with a playful energy."That was an epic one, Mr. CEO," Dominic remarked sarcastically, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.Alexander chuckled, matching Dominic's tone. "You did a nice job as well, Mr. Vice President," he replied, the corners of his mouth quirking upwards in amusement.As they strolled down the hallway, Dominic nudged Alexander with his elbow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "On a good day like this, you should at least post our new bagged deal on your social media," he suggested, his voice laced with mock seriousness.Alexander shrugged, considering the suggestion. "The news will be out before twenty-four hours anyways, so what's the point?" he countered, his tone tinged with indifference.Dominic nodded in agreement, but his persistence remained unwavering. "That's true, but posting on your page doesn't hurt, you know," he reasoned, a playful grin tugging at his lips.A
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 3
Sophia buried her face into her pillow, her sobs muffled by the soft fabric. Emma sat at the edge of the bed, a comforting presence beside her friend. She reached out and gently stroked Sophia's hair, offering silent support as tears streamed down Sophia's cheeks."It's just... I've finally started to get my life together, you know?" Sophia's voice wavered as she spoke, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "With the promotion at my job and everything..."Emma listened quietly, her heart aching for her friend. She had seen the hateful comments online, the cruel words cutting deep into Sophia's already wounded spirit."You don't deserve any of this," Emma reassured her, her voice filled with sincerity. "Everything will be fine, I promise."As the night wore on, the darkness outside slowly gave way to the soft light of dawn, casting a gentle glow into the room. Sophia's sobs gradually subsided into quiet sniffles, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. She leaned into Emma's comfortin
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 4
As Alexander sat in his office, he couldn't shake the feeling of urgency gnawing at him. His private investigator's words cut through the silence, snapping him back to the present."I've finally found her address," the investigator announced, his voice tinged with relief.Alexander let out a frustrated sigh, his patience wearing thin. "Took you long enough," he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes in exasperation.Dominic interjected from his position in the corner of the room. "I think you should take it easy on him," he advised, his tone calm and measured.Alexander turned to face his best friend, his expression incredulous. "Take it easy? Do you know how fast the news is spreading?" he countered, his frustration boiling over.Determined to put an end to the chaos once and for all, Alexander made a snap decision. "I'm going there right now," he declared, his jaw set in determination.Dominic offered to accompany him, but Alexander shook his head. "No, you can stay back. You've
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 5
Sophia's irritation was palpable as she addressed Alexander. "What? You want me to act as your girlfriend for a while?" she questioned, the annoyance evident in her voice. "How did we get here? From you being all mean and arrogant," she added, her frustration mounting.As Sophia spoke, Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes, her frustration evident in her composure. "Okay, we get it. Yes, you're a billionaire, but that doesn't mean you can just do anything you like and order people around!" Emma exclaimed, her voice rising with every word.Jake, sensing the tension, intervened with a firm tone. "If that's all you have to say, Mr. Alexander, we would like to bid you farewell now," he stated, his voice unwavering.Sophia, maintaining her composure, addressed Alexander once more. "I've already apologized to you personally. I'll make a public apology to you in the media," she stated calmly.Alexander, rubbing his temple in frustration, responded, "I know that came off as rude, but it's the l
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 6
Sophia looked up at the high-rise building in front of her. It was Alexander's company headquarters, an imposing structure of glass and steel. She was here to sign the contract for their fake relationship, a charade she had reluctantly agreed to. She had suggested he send the contract via email, but Alexander had refused.“I left my business schedule to come over to your house. Others would have considered that an honor,” Alexander had replied to her text, his arrogance palpable even through the screen.Now, Sophia stood outside the building, a scarf draped over her head and face, hoping to avoid recognition amidst the swirling scandal that had taken over the media. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.“You must be Sophia Bennett,” a male voice said from behind her.Sophia turned to see a man with dark skin dressed in an expensive monochrome beige suit. His demeanor was calm yet authoritative.“I’m Dominic. Mr. Harrington has asked me to escort you to his offic
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 7
Sophia was relieved to return to work after the turmoil of the weekend. The uncertainty had gnawed at her, especially since she hadn’t received any calls from Elysium Grand Hotel regarding the scandal. She had spent the entire previous day at home, reflecting on her meeting with Alexander and waiting for a sign from her employer.Finally, her phone rang. “You really thought we would throw you under the bus? You've been our best employee of the year for three years in a row now,” her boss reassured her, instructing her to resume work since the hotel's reputation remained untarnished by the chaos.Dressed in her blazer, Sophia carefully pinned her "Best Employee" lapel on the left side and glanced at herself in the mirror, a smile spreading across her face. She felt a sense of pride and normalcy returning.“We’re going to be late!” Emma called out from the living room.Sophia and Emma both worked at the prestigious Elysium Grand Hotel. Emma, as the head of the marketing department, rare
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 8
Sophia sighed deeply as she slipped off her kitten heels, the weight of the day's events pressing heavily on her. She had just returned from work, exhausted and frazzled. Emma, who had arrived home earlier, handed her a chilled bottle of water."Welcome home, darling," Emma said, patting Sophia on the back with a comforting smile."I had a really rough day," Sophia said, collapsing into one of the living room sofas with a weary thud. "Mr. Blackwell almost made me lose my mind. Who asks for a bubble bath after just taking a shower? That man was out to get me.""Did you do anything to upset him at any point?" Emma asked, her brow furrowing with concern."No, I didn't. But he smugly mentioned me being Alexander's girlfriend," Sophia replied, her frustration evident."Oh, that makes sense. I heard he and Alexander are rivals, and Alexander just took a big step ahead of him yet again. Maybe that’s what caused all the rudeness. I'm so sorry, love," Emma said, rising to her feet."I'll order
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CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 20
*********************Bridget strolled into Victor's opulent office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. She moved with an air of confidence, her designer dress hugging her figure perfectly. She approached the large mahogany desk and elegantly seated herself in the chair opposite Victor, crossing her legs with a smug smile.Victor glanced up from his papers, a look of mild curiosity crossing his sharp features. "Bridget," he greeted, leaning back in his chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"Bridget’s smile widened. "I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed our little scheme. The whole amulet plan worked out beautifully."Victor raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "So fast? What happened?"Bridget leaned back, savoring the moment. "I received a package from Alexander. And guess what? It was a dress. He’s invited me to dinner."Victor’s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise. "What? Are you serious?""I told you the necklace holds a
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 19
******************Sophia sat anxiously on her couch, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. She had sent Alexander the picture of the package as proof, but hours had passed, and still, there was no response. Doubt gnawed at her. Did he still not believe her despite the evidence?She tried to distract herself, but her thoughts kept circling back to the events of the past few days. Emma had been a great support, but it was Jake who had provided the context that made Alexander’s reaction more comprehensible.Jake, Emma’s boyfriend, had come over the previous night after hearing the full story. He was the Editor-in-chief of Elite Chronicles, one of the most reputable magazine companies in the city. When he arrived, his face had a look of concern mixed with curiosity.“Sophia, I think I can shed some light on why Alexander reacted the way he did,” Jake had said, settling into an armchair across from her.Sophia had looked at him, hopeful and desperate for any explanation that could make s
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 18
******************Sophia dried her hair with a towel as she walked out of her bathroom, the cool air of the apartment a stark contrast to the steamy warmth she had just left. Her phone dinged, indicating a new text message. She picked it up, a flicker of hope sparking inside her. Alexander had finally replied to her message.She had called him several times, each unanswered ring deepening her anxiety. Frustrated, she had resorted to sending him a long text, explaining everything about the mysterious parcel and the necklace. Now, she anxiously opened his message, her heart pounding.‘I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore, Miss Bennett. Our contract will be broken off. I will send the legal paperwork to your mail.’ Sophia’s heart sank. She would have been relieved to end the tumultuous relationship if it weren't for the money she desperately needed. She had just sent almost all of her savings to Camelia
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 17
****************Alexander settled into his bed, having rushed through his nightly routine and skipped dinner altogether. Frustration from the evening’s events weighed heavily on him. As he lay in the dimly lit room, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts churned relentlessly.‘Was this really Sophia's plan from the beginning?’ he mused, his mind racing with doubts and suspicions. He wondered if she had been paid to sabotage him, and if that was the case, how had her mysterious benefactor known about his plan to propose the contract? The thought gnawed at him, making sleep an elusive prospect.The necklace Sophia had worn that evening was an amulet his mother had once owned, a family heirloom imbued with sentimental value. He had given it to the first and only girlfriend he had ever dated, Bridget, during their brief but intense relationship. His father had arranged the relationship, a strategic move in the world of hig
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 16
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Madison Pierce? Are you certain?”“Yes,” Ethan replied. “I traced the payment to a shell company connected to her. The gang members also admitted, under pressure, that they were paid to send a message to Sophia.”Alexander slammed the folder shut, his anger boiling over. “Why would Madison do this?”Ethan sighed. “It appears she’s jealous and feels threatened by Sophia. Madison has been trying to force her way into your life, and when she saw Sophia as a potential obstacle, she decided to act.”Alexander clenched his fists. “This is unacceptable. She put Sophia in danger.”Ethan nodded. “I suggest you take action quickly, Alex. Madison won’t stop unless she’s confronted and dealt with.”Alexander stood up, his mind racing. “I’ll handle it. Thank you, Ethan.”Ethan gave a curt nod. “I’ll keep monitoring the situation. If anything changes, I’ll let you know immediately.” ***************Sophia called in sick at work, grateful
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 15
“Stop it!” Sophia shouted, her voice muffled by the flour coating her face. She tried to shield herself with her hands, but the assault continued, relentless and humiliating.The leader stepped forward, his sneer turning into a menacing grin. “You think you can just walk into the limelight and not face any consequences? Think again.”Sophia’s mind raced. She had to get out of there. She turned to run, but the group blocked her path, closing in like a pack of wolves.“I told you we have a message to deliver to you, don't just scurry off without hearing it” The leader said.Sophia squared her shoulders, trying to muster any semblance of courage she had left. “What message? Why are you doing this?”The leader smirked, taking another step closer. “We want to remind you of your place. You might think you’ve hit the jackpot with Alexander, but people like you don’t belong in our world. Stay out of the spotlight, or things will get worse.” Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest. She realized t
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 14
Sophia woke up to a barrage of emails from unknown addresses. It was an unusual sight; the only emails she typically received were work-related. She sat up in bed, her curiosity piqued, and opened the first one. It was from a well-known cosmetics company, offering to send her free products in exchange for a review. She quickly skimmed through the next few emails, which turned out to be similar offers from other beauty brands.“I don’t even have a functional social media account,” Sophia muttered to herself, bewildered by the sudden influx of attention. As she pondered the emails, she went about her morning routine, her mind buzzing with questions.Descending the stairs, she was still deep in thought, wondering why these companies would reach out to her. Emma, who was already dressed for work, noticed the perplexed expression on Sophia’s face.“Is everything alright?” Emma asked, concern lacing her voice as she sipped her morning coffee.Sophia sighed, running a hand through her hair.
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 13
Sophia watched Dominic's car until it disappeared around the corner, then turned her attention back to Camelia, who was now looking directly at her. She squared her shoulders and walked toward the porch, her steps measured and deliberate. As she approached, Camelia’s expression shifted from curiosity to a sly smile. “Sophia, there you are. I’ve been waiting for you.”“What are you doing here, Camelia?” Sophia asked, keeping her voice steady.Camelia’s smile widened. “I just wanted to talk. There’s so much going on, and I thought we should clear the air.”Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Clear the air? About what?”“Oh, you know, all the recent excitement. Your sudden rise to fame, your new... relationship,” Camelia said, her tone dripping with insincerity.Sophia clenched her fists, her patience wearing thin. “If you have something to say, Camelia, just say it.”“Oh, so now you have the boldness to talk back to me?” Camelia said, moving closer to Sophia, her eyes glinting with malice.“Wha
CONTRACTED HEARTS Chapter 12
Alexander dropped Sophia off, and she still felt elated by their conversation during the ride back. They had talked about her high school days, especially the whole Madison Pierce saga. Alex had offered plenty of witty remarks and playful suggestions that made her laugh.“You should have secretly cut her jersey into pieces with a pair of scissors,” Alexander had said when she recounted how Madison always aimed the volleyball at her head during practice.Sophia chuckled at the memory as she stood on the doorstep. She knocked and waited for Emma to answer.“What? I must say this billionaire’s girlfriend role suits you,” Emma teased as she opened the door and let Sophia in.“You don’t even want to know all the activities I had today,” Sophia replied, sinking into one of the sofas.“Honey, you now leave home in a concierge uniform and come back in a dinner dress all glammed up. That’s an activity I’d like to engage in,” Emma said with enthusiasm.Sophia leaned back, a smile playing on her
