LOGINShare
Chapter 31
Last Updated:
2025-04-23 21:27:25
Related chapters
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 32
Arabella"Why did you have to ask him to stay?" I sighed, turning away from the door where I watched Adrian speaking to Gabriel. He was giving the man some serious instructions while lounging comfortably on the couch."This is the least we can do to appreciate his help," Ruth murmured, twisting open a can of tomatoes. She was preparing her special recipe for pasta and meatball sauce. Simple, but always delicious."The help being what I'd earned," I emphasized the word earned. "The money I earned for being his fake wife, in case you've forgotten." Muttering under my breath, I reluctantly moved toward the boiling pot on the stove. Ruth paused for a moment, her lips curling into a lopsided smile."You weren't thinking this way when you were weeping in his arms," she teased, sighing dramatically. "Ah... I used to have strong arms for myself too, back in the day."A sharp gasp left my lips."What are you saying?" Heat burned my neck. For some reason, Adrian's scent — trapped in my memory —
Last Updated : 2025-04-26Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 1
ArabellaThe last thing I expected as I arrived at Nathan's apartment was the sound of moans that filled the air. The living room was messed up with a woman's bag and shoes tossed carelessly; used wine glasses lying on the couch with an empty bottle of wine on the floor.My pulse raced as I stood frozen in the middle of the room with multiple thoughts crossing my mind about who was in. I'd come over to set up a romantic atmosphere for Nathan, my fiance's birthday. He had no idea that I'd be here, but then, he was currently on a plane back home after a one-week business trip. It couldn't be him.It couldn't be him...the thought brought me momentary relief.Perhaps, a friend of his brought a woman over. Nathan had friends who could do something like this. I just wondered why whoever it was didn't caution the woman about her loud voice or why he didn't take her somewhere else in the first place.Should I call them out?... I contemplated, rolling my eyes at the mess they made.The moans o
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 2
Arabella( A Month Later...)"Will you marry my grandson?" Hallie asked as I adjusted the bed to her preference. Her words were playful but they had thrown me off. My eyes swiftly met hers in confusion.Despite the playfulness that laced her words, her eyes held a glimmer of hope that made me reluctant to respond."Uh... only if he is good-looking," I said trying to mask my unease. I took a step back when a nurse walked into the room."Trust the genes, Bella. I mean, look at me, I'm seventy-six, but I could be mistaken for those sexy models, couldn't I?" Hallie asked, the corner of her eyes crinkling as she smiled at me.I couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't lying. She was stunning, aged just like fine wine. Her agility at such an age was commendable. I envied her strength and the heck of a core she had. I'd seen her sit up for an hour and not slouch.If I could look half as good and strong at her age, I'd consider myself blessed.The nurse proceeded to check her vitals."Um, I'll get
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 3
ArabellaMeeting an eviction notice hanging on the door of my apartment after leaving the hospital was not what I expected after learning that my Mom needed surgery and the cost was ridiculously high. But it was there.Honestly, I had forgotten about my pending rent. My landlord had gotten tired of my excuses and this time, he was clear about his decision.I had promised him a month ago that I would pay but things didn't turn out as planned. I had no savings. All I had saved had been channeled to Mom's treatment and stay in the hospital for the past year. There was pretty much nothing left of our insurance.Now, instead of half a million, I had to realize about a million if not completely, but from where would I get that amount? The bank? I owed them as well.What do I do?what could I do within two weeks?The clattering sound of my penholder falling from my desk snapped me out of my thoughts. Yes, I was back at work. It was a terrible move after pulling an all-nighter, but that was n
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 4
AdrianAra.Out of all the people I could've run into tonight, it had to be her.She stared at me, her eyes wide with shock, and then narrowed, laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief she was trying to rein in.I dragged in a breath, watching her contain herself. I was five years away from this city, and the first person I ran into was her. Fate has a twisted sense of humor.The loud music blurred into the background as we stood there, frozen in place. My eyes unintentionally dropped as I looked her up and, for some reason, lingered longer on the way the jeans she wore hugged her curves.She hadn't changed. Well, no, that wasn't true. She was still Ara, but... more. There was more confidence in the way she carried herself; the way her eyes were boring into mine, unyielding proved this. She used to be timid back then. I'd thought that wouldn't change but I guess I was wrong.My eyes returned to her face, which still held the same look of confusion, anger, and hatred that had just a
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 5
ArabellaI thought I had imagined it. That Adrian was just a fragment from my imagination, that he couldn't possibly be there but that swift punch to the man's face was too vivid for any hint of a doubt.It was him.I couldn't stop picturing him even with the loud blaring of car horns trapped in the heavy traffic.He had used me; he had taken my virginity and tossed me aside, saying the most hurtful things that broke my entire being which eventually sent me to therapy. Still, after five years, I couldn't bring myself to ignore him. I should've left the moment I saw that he was the one, but for some reason, my feet remained glued to the floor, and I kept staring at him.The way he had been looking at me brought back all the memories of his hurt and betrayal. No matter how I tried shaking the look away, it was burned into my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about him.My day had gone from worse to terrible. I mean, I met him, and all of a sudden, I was stuck in traffic that wasn't here
Last Updated : 2025-01-14Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 6
ArabellaToday was Wednesday, and I couldn't stop smiling. Why? Less work. Less work meant fewer headaches, and fewer headaches meant a day free of Steph's unending demands.Wednesdays were different, though. I worked in the showroom on the ground floor, a part-time gig within the same company. No reports, no endless coffee runs, no Celia– just assisting customers and earning generous bonuses from the customers who had come to love me.Steph, surprisingly, had no objections when I informed her of my schedule. I'd expected her to throw a fit but she'd just shrugged and waved me off. Since then, she'd respected my Wednesday reprieve, never calling or demanding updates.She'd also never spoken of hiring a second assistant. So, I chose to believe that she trusted only me to get the job done.The driver handed me my change as I got out of the taxi. He sped off a moment later and I was faced with the imposing structure of the hospital. Today's lighter workload granted me a chance to pay my
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 7
AdrianThe elevator ride was supposed to be uneventful. Quiet. Maybe even boring. But with Ara, silence never lasted long.She'd been seething ever since I stopped her from falling earlier, and I couldn't help but smirk at her sharp words. The fire in her eyes was…half-expected but I found it amusing. I could tell last night that she wasn't the same timid girl I walked away from five years ago, but now, my assumption was strengthened.She seemed stronger, bolder, and far more unpredictable.I chose not to respond to her biting remark, mostly because something else had caught my attention. A faint creak echoed through the elevator, almost imperceptible, but enough to set my nerves on edge.I shifted my weight slightly, my eyes narrowing as I scanned the ceiling and walls. Something was off.The sound came again, louder this time, just as the elevator gave a subtle shudder. My jaw tightened.Before I could react, Ara, oblivious to the warning signs, took a step forward only to stumble t
Last Updated : 2025-01-23
Latest chapter
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 32
Arabella"Why did you have to ask him to stay?" I sighed, turning away from the door where I watched Adrian speaking to Gabriel. He was giving the man some serious instructions while lounging comfortably on the couch."This is the least we can do to appreciate his help," Ruth murmured, twisting open a can of tomatoes. She was preparing her special recipe for pasta and meatball sauce. Simple, but always delicious."The help being what I'd earned," I emphasized the word earned. "The money I earned for being his fake wife, in case you've forgotten." Muttering under my breath, I reluctantly moved toward the boiling pot on the stove. Ruth paused for a moment, her lips curling into a lopsided smile."You weren't thinking this way when you were weeping in his arms," she teased, sighing dramatically. "Ah... I used to have strong arms for myself too, back in the day."A sharp gasp left my lips."What are you saying?" Heat burned my neck. For some reason, Adrian's scent — trapped in my memory —
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 31
Arabella"No! Don't touch her!" Ruth's voice cracked with panic, stepping between me and the man moving forward.But he didn't stop. None of them did.The largest of them grabbed my arm roughly, yanking me forward like I weighed nothing. My cry of protest got swallowed in the chaos — Ruth yelling, me struggling, his fingers digging in so hard I was sure they'd bruise."I said let go!" I shouted, jerking away, but the other man stepped in, grabbing my other arm."Stop it! Please!" Ruth's voice was shaking now. "Give us more time, please!"The man only smirked. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I was tossed forward. Pain stung my skin from the men's harsh grip, my eyes welling with unshed tears. Had Adrian even seen my text?It was funny. After all my efforts, I was still going to end up caged by this monster. My heartbeat was erratic, and a lump formed in my throat. The urge to let it loose was a tick away. I couldn't take this anymore.Just as they were about opening the door
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 30
AdrianA minute. That's all it took.One minute of silence. One call cut too quickly. One word — Amor.My fingers tightened around the phone. Something was wrong. The way her voice had dropped, the rushed tone, the way she snapped. And then that voice in the background."Sir, the call was traced to her apartment" Lana reported, walking into my office. My jaw tightened as I stood up slowly, the chair scraping against the floor. I barely noticed it."Ask Lennon to take over the meeting," I told her and she nodded, stepping aside as I headed to the door. My steps were fast and deliberate. I had to get to Ara as soon as possible.She said she wasn't in trouble. She lied.My heart pounded in a rhythm I hadn't felt in years. Not fear. I didn't do fear. But rage? That was second nature. And right now, it was clawing its way up my throat.The elevator ride was fast. Gabriel was ready with the car when I arrived at the underground parking lot. Lana must've informed him of where I was headed so
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 29
ArabellaI was anxious as I paced about, my phone against my ear. This was the third time I was dialing Adrian's number.I needed his help. No, I needed my money.From the corner of my eyes, I caught Javier smirking at Ruth, who had taken a seat on a stool in the corner of the room. She was glaring back, unimpressed that he was smoking right in her living room.He was perched on one of the armchairs, his legs in the air like he owned the world. It had taken a lot of pleas for him to give me some time. He had come prepared to forcefully take me with him.My stomach sank at the thought that that might happen if Adrian didn't...Adrian's voice cut through my thoughts, calm and amused. "Didn't think you'd ever call me. That too three times"Relief washed over me. I never thought hearing his voice would make me feel this way but here I was."Adrian, can you send the money we'd spoken about, now?" I said in a low voice into the phone, glancing back cautiously only to spot one of the hefty m
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 28
ArabellaI forwarded the last slide of the audit Steph had asked me to work on and slumped back on my chair, breathing out in exhaustion. It had taken me three whole hours to complete.My hand went to my back, massaging it to ease the ache. There was a dull throb forming in my temples. Damn. I needed a break.Speaking of break, I was the only one in the workspace. Celia had been gone for almost an hour to get lunch and I couldn't leave until she was back. Knowing how mean she could be, she was intentionally stalling.Grabbing my phone from my bag, I turned it on and there were three missed calls from Sky. Also, a text from her asking if I would be free for coffee.My eyes lit up.Sky and I hadn't spoken in two days. She'd not taken my call when I dialed her a day ago to tell her about the dinner at Adrian's place.I assumed she was still furious and so, avoiding me so I chose not to push it.Quickly, I texted back, saying I was available, and in a minute, she sent the address of the c
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 27
Adrian"Sit down, Adrian," Grandma said as the door clicked shut. She strolled from her desk to the cabinet where she poured herself a glass of water.For a second, I didn't move. I watched her, keenly, trying to make out what was going on in her head.She had been acting unlike herself since Bella and I walked into the house. As much as I didn't want to care, her reaction unsettled me. Hallie Davidson, despite being a cautious woman, should've been thrown off seeing Bella with me.But she wasn't, and it was strange, dreadful, yet interesting.I shifted and sat on the chair where Bella had sat.Grandma turned to me, watching me over the rim of the glass. "I asked your uncle to drop the Valencia deal since he and Stefan are bent on screwing things up"My brows shot up briefly. I didn't expect her to start speaking about business right away — more reason I had to be cautious."So?""I want you to handle it. The deal will benefit us greatly" She said, walking back to the desk. "Find a wa
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 26
ArabellaThe clink of silverware was the loudest sound in the room.No one said a word, but their eyes said plenty. Especially Tiffany's, who sat directly across from me, stabbing her salad like it had personally wronged her.Honestly, I wasn't bothered by her attitude at all, but by Hallie's silence even after Adrian confirmed that I was indeed his wife. After that, she asked everyone to move to the dining table and here we were.Adrian was seated beside me, eating, but I knew he was on edge, too, with the way his eyes were narrowed.I guess, like me, he was expecting more of a reaction from Hallie."Mom, are we really going to act like Adrian didn't just walk in here with some random woman and called her his wife?" His aunt —Bianca, I'd learned — asked, her voice dripping with condescension."You're right. But keep in mind, he's been away for years. And if that's his wife, then there shouldn't be a problem," Hallie said, smiling as she stared at me.I swallowed a lump, trying to for
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 25
ArabellaHallie's house was exactly how I'd imagined it would be. Warm and cozy. It had a homely feel that could make anyone forget themselves once inside. "Look who's here!" Gabby announced behind us, startling me a bit. I glanced at Adrian who was already staring down at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes.I quickly looked away, eyes falling on the heads that turned our way. My breath caught. Three pairs of eyes were glued to us, each staring from Adrian to me, inquisitively.Gabby strolled past us and dropped on one of the chairs while another lady, petite, pretty, and around my age or less, rose from hers with a grin."Adrian! Oh my goodness!" She squealed, hurrying toward us. As she got closer, I felt a sharp nudge, her shoulder bumping into mine a little too forcefully as she threw herself into his arms.Oh...I took a small step back, blinking.Adrian, however, hadn't missed the shove. He steadied me with a hand on the small of my back before returning her hug with a distant
Contract Marriage With My Billionaire-Ex Chapter 24
Arabella I'd been tensed since I got back from work. All I had been doing was pacing around, trying to perfect the love story I came up with while taking a bath earlier.We met at a park.It was a simple plot and seemed harmless enough. Romantic, even. Until I remembered the bastard hadn't even been in the city for five years. So which damn park were we supposed to have met at?I groaned, flopping onto the bed. Even though I was worried, my dress was on and I tried making myself look presentable. Everything was set except for the part where I had to actually go through with this dinner. The only thing missing was Adrian.He wasn't back yet. Not not like I cared, but it would be nice to know if there had been a change in plans as I hoped.A knock on the door cut through my thoughts, followed by Lana's polished voice."Miss Bella, are you ready? Mr. Davidson is waiting for you" I sat up instantly, my heart slamming against my ribs.So much for canceled plans."I'll be down in a minute
