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Chapter 18: Just A Puppet
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2024-12-19 07:24:34
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Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 19: The Truth Revealed
Isabelle stood at the front door, watching Mary Jane leave after another warm and lively meal. Mary Jane turned back, waving one last time before heading off.Isabelle sighed and turned to go back inside, her phone buzzing in her pocket. She frowned as she pulled it out, her heart sinking when she saw the sender: Ashley.---Ashley:I’ll tell you the whole truth, so let’s meet. Please, that way, we can both be free from Richard. If not for me, do it for the sake of my son who's future is at stake. ---Isabelle stared at the message, her mind racing. Ashley’s previous words when they met at the photoshoot place replayed in her head. “Don’t leave Richard. If you do, he’ll come back to me.”Isabelle was first scared that Ashley was out to get her again, but something in her wanted to talk to Ashley. What was the whole truth that Ashley wanted to tell her? Maybe it was worth taking a risk for. Isabelle stepped inside the house, where Liam was reading on the couch, the faint hum of a jaz
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 20: The Fall of Richard
Richard lounged in his lavish office, sipping whiskey as the news anchor’s voice droned on. His gaze darkened when Ashley’s face appeared on the screen, her expression resolute as she spoke into the microphone.“I stayed silent for too long,” Ashley said. “Richard was abusive—physically, emotionally, and financially. I lost three pregnancies because of him. I even became a bad person and put Isabelle into the hell I passed through and ignored it. But now, things are different. I can’t let that cycle continue. For years, I was too scared to speak out, but not anymore.”The anchor’s voice cut back in, recounting the morally degrading details of Richard’s abuse and the mounting evidence of his crimes.Richard’s hand clenched the glass in his hand so tightly that it shattered, the shards cutting into his palm. Blood dripped onto the floor, but he barely noticed, his face was twisted with rage.“That evil bitch,” he growled, standing abruptly and storming out of his office.His employees w
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 21: Drive to her past
The airport buzzed with life; families reuniting, different travelers rushing to their gates for their respective flights, and the constant sound of announcements echoing through the terminals. Ashley stood near the departure gate, holding Junior in her hands. The boy clutched a small stuffed animal, looking around curiously while his mother glanced anxiously at the clock. “Ashley!” Isabelle called, hurrying toward her.Ashley turned, her face softening when she saw Isabelle. “You came, I was worried that I'd leave without seeing you one last time.” she said, her voice filled with emotion.“Of course I did,” Isabelle replied. “I also couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye.”Ashley smiled faintly, though her eyes were a little bit laced with sadness. “I’m doing this for my son,” she said, glancing sweetly at Junior, who was now tugging at his stuffed animal’s ears. “After all that has happened, I think he deserves to grow up somewhere far away from all this madness.”“You’re do
Last Updated : 2024-12-22Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 22: The Childhood Home
The drive to her childhood home was too quiet. Isabelle gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as memories of the past surfaced with every mile closer to her childhood home. Estella sat beside her, staying quiet unlike her character, stealing glances at Isabelle as if trying to find out what she was feeling and thinking.The neighborhood had changed a little bit since Isabelle had left—old houses with chipped paint were now remodelled into finer houses, the narrow streets was littered with her memories, both fond and painful. But the house… her childhood home loomed at the end of the road, a relic of her childhood and the place where so much had gone wrong.As Isabelle slowed to a stop, flashes of her childhood came rushing back.She remembered the days when her mother was still alive, a soft and loving presence who filled the house with warmth and light. Her father had been different then—kind and attentive, always ready with a smile and an encouraging word. They’d h
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 23: The River’s Scheme
The Rivers family’s living room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to block out the midday sun. Estella sat comfortably on the couch, scrolling through her phone, while Sarah, Isabelle's stepmother paced anxiously, muttering some words to herself.The creak of a door made them look up. Mr. Rivers walked out of his room, stretching his arms and looking perfectly healthy. He glanced at them with a raised brow.“Well? Has she called yet? It's been days now, we need to get that money from her quickly.” he asked, his voice carrying an edge of impatience.Sarah scoffed, crossing her arms. “No, not yet. She's probably still thinking about it. Can you just give her some time? She's not going to throw money at us just because a father that doesn't care about her is sick.”“Still thinking about it? Why didn't you persuade her better? She thinks she's all good now and nowhere near our level, you should act lowly and get her help. That Isabelle brat! After everything I did for her.” “Look, you sh
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 24: The Truth is Out
The Rivers house was unusually quiet that afternoon. Mr. Rivers sat slumped in his chair, flipping through a newspaper, while Sarah paced the living room, muttering complaints under her breath. Estella wasn’t home, having gone out to “run the errand” of convincing Isabelle and having her give money to the family. The sharp ring of the doorbell interrupted the silence.“Get that,” Mr. Rivers said, not bothering to look up.Sarah shot him a glare. “Why don’t you get it? You’ve been sitting there all day doing nothing. You're not even sick at all. It’s probably just the delivery man with the pizza.”With a grunt, Mr. Rivers moved himself out of the chair and shuffled toward the door, he was tired of arguing with Sarah over every little thing. “Fine, fine. You were the one who wanted me to act sick, now I can't?” he muttered under his breath.Reaching the door, he opened it with a sigh. “Delivery?”The words barely left his mouth before he froze, his eyes widening in shock.Isabelle stoo
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 25: A Moment of Vulnerability
Liam arrived home later than usual, he was very tired from all the work he did today. As he stepped into the house, he immediately noticed something was off. The entire house was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the windows.“Isabelle?” he called, his voice echoing in the quietness.No response. His worry deepened. Isabelle wasn’t the type to leave the house without saying something, and she certainly wouldn’t sit in the dark, doing nothing. He set his briefcase down and walked through the living room, flipping on the lights as he went.When he reached her bedroom door, he hesitated. The faint sound of muffled crying reached his ears. His chest tightened, and he knocked gently.“Isabelle? Are you in there?”There was a rustling sound, hurried and frantic. After a moment, the door creaked open, and Isabelle stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her hair slightly disheveled. The faint scent of alcohol wafted past her, and Liam’s eyes flicked down to see her
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 26: A New Beginning?
It had been two months since Liam and Isabelle's chaotic wedding and the Richard incident, and the whispers and baseless rumors had finally died down. The tabloids and paparazzi had moved on, speculating about other power couples, and some people even believed that Liam Anderson was still a bachelor, since Isabelle's face was never revealed properly. Liam had them all taken down because people might look at her weirdly and make her feel uncomfortable, some believed that Liam chased the bride away after hearing about her past. The incomplete wedding had also left an air of mystery around Liam Anderson's marital status, much to Isabelle’s relief.For Isabelle, the past month had been one of healing and meditation. She had spent days reflecting on her life, setting goals for herself, and finally mustering the courage to take her first step toward independence.She applied to lots of PR companies but almost all of them required some years of experience, which she didn't have. Luckily, she
Last Updated : 2025-01-01
Latest chapter
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 145: Never Ever
The room was silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor and the faint hum of the air conditioning. A soft, sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of coffee. The walls were painted in a muted shade of cream, the curtains drawn just enough to allow a sliver of morning light to filter in.Isabelle lay on the hospital bed, her body was still and her face was pale against the stark whiteness of the pillow. A thick bandage was wrapped around her head, a stark contrast to her dark hair, which had lost its usual shine. Bruises stained her skin, they were faint traces of the impact she had suffered during the accident. An IV drip was attached to her arm, and a small oxygen tube rested just beneath her nose.On the couch by the window, Richard Carter sat, his posture relaxed as he sipped from a steaming cup of coffee. His black shirt was slightly unbuttoned at the top, his jacket was laying over the armrest. He looked as if he had been there for
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 144: The Plan To Get Her Back.
Liam opened the fourth bottle of wine and poured himself a glass. In one gulp, he finished it. But no matter how much he drank, he just couldn't get drunk. He couldn't wipe the image of Isabelle breaking up with him off his memory. He couldn't stop hearing the words she said to him before leaving."I regret being with you. I felt more at peace with Richard than I did with you. We shouldn't have been together." Her words rang in his ear over and over again. It was the morning of the next day and he was already tired of living. How could he go on, a week, a month, a year, without Isabelle in his life. He has already had the most drinks in his lifetime and he wasn't still drunk.Liam ran a hand through his messy hair for the umpteenth time. " I wish I could just erase all my memories. How could Isabelle suddenly leave me? No. Why would Isabelle suddenly leave me?"The doorbell rang, breaking his train of thought. He groaned knowing it was Frank. Frank had followed him home last night an
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 143: The Aftermath.
Laura slid the door open and went in. She sat in front of Laura and sighed.Richard glanced at her and laughed. "She's very different now. Very different from the last time I saw her." Laura nodded. " What did you think? That she'd be the same? I don't know how she was when she was with you, but this Isabelle is feisty and stubborn. I can't deny that she's talented too."Richard chuckled and took a sip of the drink with him. " What's going on? I thought you hated her. Why are you praising her suddenly?" Laura rolled her eyes. " My point is, we don't know what she could do or what she's planning. I know how much she and Liam love eachother, she broke up with him and she came here looking alright? No way. She might be planning something to go against our plans." " Come on, Laura. You said she loves that man, isn't it? Isabelle isn't the type to make stupid decisions that'll put those that she love in trouble. Also, Isabelle is great at hiding her feelings, it's her talent. So, don't
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 142 : A life changing accident.
Isabelle stepped out of the hall and got to her car, her heart pounding painfully with every step she took away from the hall. She had really done it. She had really broken up with Liam. She opened the door of her car and got in. As she entered and locked the door, she broke down in tears. Her heart couldn't handle the pain. Isabelle screamed, in hopes of reducing the pain her heart was feeling but it didn't work, nothing worked. She began to beat her chest strongly as she cried profusely. The ringing of her phone stopped her. Through her tear-filled eyes, she could see that it was Laura.She quickly wiped her tears and picked it up. "Yes?" " What are you still doing? The press conference is over, won't you get here? Don't tell me.... Are you explaining to Liam?" Isabelle mustered up her strength to speak like she hadn't been crying. " No way. You think I can face him to explain what happened after dumping him on national TV? I'll be there in some minutes, you can decide to wait f
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 141 : The End Of A Beautiful Thing.
Isabelle walked into the hall, her hands shaking. She glanced at the reporters sitting calmly waiting for her to reach the stage. The moment she mounted the stage, cameras began to flash and questions began to blow up at her face. "Miss Isabelle, look here." "Miss Isabelle, are you going to tell the whole truth here?" "Is this stage a medium for you to confess everything?" "Do you know that your actions have caused Anderson Corp to lose almost a billion dollar project?"That question pricked at her heart. It further gave her the courage to go ahead with the decision she made to really break up with Liam and disappear from his life. Liam from afar, signalled to the director of the program and the man got the message. He took the microphone and hit it gently, causing a loud feedback from the public address system. The director started. " Alright everyone. I understand your zeal to get answers, but we're only taking questions one at a time. Any reporter that violates this rule wi
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 140– The Release of Richard Carter.
The heavy iron doors of the correctional facility creaked open, allowing Richard Carter to step into the sunlight for the first time in two years and some months. He blinked against the brightness, momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar warmth of the sun against his skin. The stale air of his prison cell was nothing compared to the fresh breeze that greeted him outside. For a moment, he simply stood there, inhaling deeply, letting the reality of his release sink in.A prison officer handed him a small, clear plastic bag containing his few belongings—an old wristwatch, a worn leather wallet, and the clothes he had worn the day he was incarcerated. Richard took them without a word, his jaw tightening as he glanced back at the imposing prison walls one last time.His moment of reflection was interrupted by the sleek black car parked a few feet away. The driver's door swung open, and out stepped Marcus, dressed in his usual tailored suit, exuding an air of confidence and control."Well, we
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 139 – The Fight Begins
Isabelle sat in Liam’s office, her hands clenched into fists as the weight of the situation settled in. The room was silent, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner, yet the storm brewing inside her was anything but calm. The accusations against her had spread like wildfire, each headline worse than the last.Her marriage to Richard had been dug up, twisted, and thrown back at her. And worse, her relationship with Liam was now being painted as nothing but an affair. The scandal continued to spread like wildfire. Isabelle sits frozen, her hands trembling as she scrolled through countless hateful messages. Each word cuts deep—gold digger, cheater, manipulator. It feels like the walls are closing in.Liam reaches out, gently prying the phone from her hands. “Stop reading that garbage,” he says firmly. “None of it is true.”Liam’s expression darkened as he scrolled through the slanderous articles. His jaw tightened, his grip on the tablet firm enough to crack the casing. Ethan stood
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 138 : A Sudden Scandal.
The soft glow of morning sunlight seeped through the curtains as Isabelle stirred awake, the warmth of Liam’s embrace grounding her. She blinked drowsily, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her cheek. For a fleeting moment, all the chaos in her life melted away.“You’re awake,” Liam murmured, his voice still laced with sleep.“Mhm,” she hummed, not wanting to move just yet.Liam shifted, propping himself up on one elbow to look at her. “Are you really okay?” His fingers brushed against her cheek. “After everything… I mean all the things that happened after your birthday?”Isabelle nodded, but deep down, she felt uneasy. Richard was unpredictable, and with Marcus involved, she had a feeling things wouldn’t be as simple as just signing divorce papers and moving on. Still, she didn’t want to worry Liam. “I will be. As long as I have you.”Liam exhaled, seeming to relax at her words. “Good. Because I meant what I said—I’ll do everything to protect you.”He pulled her closer. “So, are y
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 137: The Reconciliation
The doorbell rang, breaking the silence in Ashley’s home. She walked over to the door, already knowing who it was. When she opened it, Liam stood there, his expression tense, worry evident in his eyes. He had rushed over the moment Isa texted him, unable to wait any longer.Ashley crossed her arms and gave him a small smile. “She’s inside. And before you start talking, I’ll be heading out. You two need to talk without me hovering around.”Liam nodded in gratitude before stepping in. Ashley grabbed her bag and made her way out, giving Isa a reassuring look before leaving.Isabelle had been sitting on the couch, hands folded on her lap, waiting. The moment Liam entered the room, she stood up. Their eyes met, and without hesitation, he walked straight to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. He buried his face in her shoulder, inhaling deeply, as if reassuring himself that she was real, that she was safe.“Don’t ever do that again. I was so worried about you,” he muttered, his voice r
