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Chapter 60: The Flame Rekindled
Last Updated:
2025-01-25 01:22:45
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Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 61: Shadows and Sparks
The soft golden sunlight shone brightly into Isabelle’s room, warming her cheeks and coaxing her awake. She blinked slowly, the events of the previous night rushing back to her as she turned her head, she blushed hard as she watched the shirtless Liam sleeping peacefully by her side, his features softened in slumber.Careful not to wake him, she attempted to slip out of bed quietly, pulling the blanket aside. But as her feet hit the floor, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into the warmth of the bed.“Where do you think you’re going? It's still very early” Liam’s voice was thick with sleep, but the teasing tone was unmistakable.“Liam,” she whispered, laughing softly. “You’re going to be late for work.”“So will you,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her shoulder. “And I don’t mind, I'm the CEO, nobody would give me a query for coming late.”Her cheeks heated as she tried to wiggle free, but he held her tighter, burying his face in her hair and neck. “Stay
Last Updated : 2025-01-26Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 62: Public Betrayal
Isabelle leaned against the cold sink in the restroom, Allison’s parting words playing over and over in her head. “It’s only a matter of time.” What did she mean? Isabelle shook her head, frustrated and confused. Why couldn’t Allison just move on? If their relationship ended years ago, why was she still so invested in ruining them? Did she love Liam that much and what was their story?Despite her swirling thoughts, Isabelle felt a strange relief knowing she had been the reason for their breakup. It meant Liam had loved her all along, even when they were apart. The thought warmed her, but her stomach churned at the thought of Allison still being in the picture.Straightening her shoulders, Isabelle pushed her doubts aside. She had to ask Liam about their story, about the time he spent with Allison. She wanted to hear it directly from him.As Isabelle stepped out of the restroom to the restaurant, her eyes darted toward their table. She froze mid-step, her heart sinking to her stomach.
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 1:Shattered Trust
Isabelle Rivers ran her fingers over the edge of the glossy wedding photo sitting on the table. She stared at the couple in the frame, their smiles frozen in time. The woman in the photo looked like a stranger—red-head, bright-eyed, radiant, and full of hope. Hope that had drained away, a long time ago. The reflection in the mirror beside the photo told a different story. She was the same woman in the picture but this time, she looked totally different. She was pale, she had dark circles around her eyes, and her lips were pressed into a thin, resigned line.The house around her was silent, except for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Richard hadn’t come home last night. It wasn't the first night that he had done this, but it hurt her every night. More so, when he didn't apologize or give a reason why he didn't come home. She tried not to think about where he had been or, more painfully, who he might have been with, but she couldn't help it. She also couldn't bring hers
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 2:Betrayal Runs Deep
Isabelle stood on the dimly lit sidewalk, clutching the strap of her bag. The cool night air was refreshing against her face which was wet with tears, but it did little to calm the storm inside her. She had no plan, no destination, only the desperate need to escape.Her feet moved instinctively, leading her toward the only place she could think of: her father’s house. The thought of facing him after all these years was daunting, but she needed help. Surely, he’d understand.By the time she reached the familiar iron gate of her childhood home, it was very late in the night. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the buzzer. A small voice in her head screamed at her to turn back, but she pushed it aside and pressed the button. She knew she might not be welcomed because of her stepmother but at least her birth father was in there too and he wouldn't watch her get abused and not do anything about it. A long pause followed before the speaker crackled. “Who is it?”“It’s Isabelle,” she said
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The house was too silent. The kind of silence that pressed down on Isabelle like a suffocating weight. She sat in the kitchen, staring at the floor tiles, her mind racing. Her cheek still burned from Richard’s slap, but it wasn’t the physical pain that left her feeling hollow and hurt. It was the realization that this was her life; a gilded cage where her voice didn’t matter, her choices didn’t exist, and her dignity had long been stripped away. She made the mistake of believing she could reason with Richard, but all it had done was make him angry. The slam of a door upstairs jolted her from her thoughts, followed by the heavy thud of Richard's footsteps. She stiffened and quickly gripped the edge of the counter for support. When Richard appeared in the doorway, his expression was cold and she could see the burning anger in his eyes, much more than before.“Get up,” he barked. “What now?” Isabelle asked quietly, not meeting his gaze.“Upstairs,” he snapped. “Now.”“I’m your wife, no
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 4: A Fragile Sanctuary
The hospital room was quiet, except for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Isabelle stared at the ceiling, her body was too exhausted to move, and her was mind too overwhelmed to process everything that had happened to her.Her gaze moved to the man seated in the chair beside her bed. Liam Anderson. Thinking about it now, she’d heard that name before, long ago. But she really couldn’t place it. He sat there now, pressing his phone, his expression calm and composed.“Why are you still here?” she asked, her voice hoarse.Liam looked up at her, setting his phone aside. “Because you need someone to be here.”“I don’t even know you,” she muttered, turning her face away.Liam leaned forward, his voice, firm. “You didn’t know who I was when you asked for help, but I still stopped and brought you to the hospital. I could’ve just kept driving.”She sighed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I don’t know why you’re bothering to help someone you don't know. Plus, you look like a very
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 5: A New Start
CHAPTER 5: A NEW START.Isabelle ran fast, her breath running out, her heart beating fast like crazy, her bare feet slamming against the pavement as Richard’s furious shouts echoed behind her. She didn't want to look back,but she had to see if she was close, her heart dropped as she saw him actually closing in on her. “ Isabelle, I told you before. You're mine and you can never get away from me.” His face was twisted with rage, his hand raised, ready to strike.“No!” Isabelle cried out, her voice trembling with fear. Her chest rose up and down restlessly and her breathing became shallow and uneven. The sound of a soft knock on her door pulled her back to reality. Her eyes snapped open, her heart still pounding in her chest.“Isabelle, dear,” Mrs. Aldric called gently from outside. “Are you alright?”Isabelle sat up, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. “Y-yes,” she stammered, though her voice betrayed her unease. She had been staying with Mrs Aldric for about two weeks now without
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The next morning, Isabelle woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains, a huge difference from the unease that had settled in her chest the night before. She remembered the encounter with Dan, his smug grin and invasive questions lingering on her mind like a bad memory.She found Mrs. Aldric in the kitchen, humming softly as she stirred a pot of soup. Mrs Aldric greeted her with a warm smile. “Good morning, dear. Sleep well?”“Better than I thought I would,” Isabelle admitted, though she left out the part where she had tossed and turned at a point worrying about what happened with Dan and if he'll come back and cause trouble for her and Mrs Aldric.“Good,” Mrs. Aldric said, setting two bowls on the table. “You’ve got a busy day ahead. Saturdays are our busiest at the restaurant, especially with the tourists coming through. So we have to eat before setting out for work.”Isabelle nodded, grateful for the distraction. Sje needed to work to keep her mind occupied.---The restaura
Last Updated : 2024-12-08
Latest chapter
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 62: Public Betrayal
Isabelle leaned against the cold sink in the restroom, Allison’s parting words playing over and over in her head. “It’s only a matter of time.” What did she mean? Isabelle shook her head, frustrated and confused. Why couldn’t Allison just move on? If their relationship ended years ago, why was she still so invested in ruining them? Did she love Liam that much and what was their story?Despite her swirling thoughts, Isabelle felt a strange relief knowing she had been the reason for their breakup. It meant Liam had loved her all along, even when they were apart. The thought warmed her, but her stomach churned at the thought of Allison still being in the picture.Straightening her shoulders, Isabelle pushed her doubts aside. She had to ask Liam about their story, about the time he spent with Allison. She wanted to hear it directly from him.As Isabelle stepped out of the restroom to the restaurant, her eyes darted toward their table. She froze mid-step, her heart sinking to her stomach.
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 61: Shadows and Sparks
The soft golden sunlight shone brightly into Isabelle’s room, warming her cheeks and coaxing her awake. She blinked slowly, the events of the previous night rushing back to her as she turned her head, she blushed hard as she watched the shirtless Liam sleeping peacefully by her side, his features softened in slumber.Careful not to wake him, she attempted to slip out of bed quietly, pulling the blanket aside. But as her feet hit the floor, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back into the warmth of the bed.“Where do you think you’re going? It's still very early” Liam’s voice was thick with sleep, but the teasing tone was unmistakable.“Liam,” she whispered, laughing softly. “You’re going to be late for work.”“So will you,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her shoulder. “And I don’t mind, I'm the CEO, nobody would give me a query for coming late.”Her cheeks heated as she tried to wiggle free, but he held her tighter, burying his face in her hair and neck. “Stay
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 60: The Flame Rekindled
The sound of the doorbell jingled softly as Liam and Isabelle walked back into the restaurant together. Mrs. Aldric, who was wiping down the counters, looked up and smiled knowingly.“Well?” she asked, her gaze bouncing between them.Liam stepped forward, his voice steady. “Mrs. Aldric, thank you for everything you’ve done for Isabelle. But I’d like to take her back home now.”Mrs. Aldric arched an eyebrow. “And does Isabelle agree with this?”Isabelle hesitated, glancing at Liam. “I…” She looked at Mrs. Aldric, then nodded. “Yes, I’ll go with him.”Mrs. Aldric wiped her hands on a towel, walking over to Isabelle. She cupped her face with a motherly tenderness. “Remember, stand up for yourself, Isabelle. Don’t let anyone—not your family, not your past—control your life. And don’t let him get away with anything either.”Isabelle laughed softly, her lips curving into a small smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”Mrs. Aldric gave Liam a pointed look. “You’d better take care of her.”“I will,
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 59: Revisiting The Past
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Isabelle stood by the door, watching Mrs. Aldric prepare to leave.“Stay back and rest today, Isabelle,” Mrs. Aldric urged, her tone firm. “You’ve been through so much, you just got here yesterday also, you must be tired. The restaurant can manage without you. I have an helper that'll clock in once it's afternoon.”Isabelle shook her head with a faint smile. “I appreciate the concern, Mrs. Aldric, but staying idle won’t help me. Let me come with you. It'll just like old times, plus I need to see how your restuarant looks like now and see some familiar faces that I've not seen in a long time too.”Mrs. Aldric sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with her and stop her. “Alright, but take it easy. Your body is still healing up from your last accident.”---The restaurant was bustling as usual, with the scent of freshly cooked soup and other delicious food filling the air. Isabelle tied an apron around her waist and moved seamless
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 58: The Weight of the Past
The tension in the hospital waiting room was thick as Sarah’s sharp voice cut through the silence. She stood abruptly, her eyes blazing as she stormed toward Isabelle. Hearing the doctor's diagnosis about her husband shocked her to the bone.“This is your fault!” Sarah shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her stepdaughter. “If you hadn’t brought all this stress into his life, none of this would’ve happened! If he didn't give his blood to you, he wouldn't be so stressed. If you didn't lie about your marriage and how you were selling yourself out to a man, he wouldn't be so shocked to the extent of getting a stroke.”“Sarah, please, let's just focus on—” Isabelle started, but before she could finish, Sarah slapped her.“Don’t you dare speak!” Sarah spat, her voice trembling with fury. “Fix him! Bring him back to normal!” She raised her hand again, but Liam appeared in an instant, stepping between them and she hit him instead.“That’s enough,” Liam said firmly, his eyes cold as he sta
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 57:Uncovering The Past
Isabelle paced her room, clutching the folder Estella had found. Her thoughts raced, fear gripping at every part of her body. She knew the kind of person Estella's mother was, and Estella would have surely informed her mother about the marriage contract. “What if she tells the world?” she muttered, her voice trembling.Liam sat on the couch in her room and watched her pace the room impatiently. “Isabelle,” he said firmly, standing up and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’ll handle this. You stay here and let me take care of it.”Her brows furrowed as she looked at him. “Liam, this is serious. If this gets out, your reputation will be in danger. You know well about what we face because of what happened at our wedding ceremony, if that repeats itself especially at a crucial time when Anderson Corp has a big project going on, it won't be good at all.”“It won’t get out,” Liam interrupted, his voice calm but determined. “I promise you, Estella won’t get the chance to talk. J
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 56: Unveiled Truth
The morning sun shone brightly on the driveway as Isabelle and Mary Jane helped Mrs. Aldric with her bags. A taxi was already waiting to take her back to her restaurant. Mrs. Aldric turned to Isabelle, her expression filled with a mixture of pride and concern.“Isabelle,” Mrs. Aldric began, her tone firm but kind, “I’ve watched you grow stronger through everything you’ve been through. But you have to stand up for yourself. Don’t let your father or stepmother or even anyone else control your life just because of what he did. You owe them nothing. You're his daughter and he should do that much for you and even take pride in it. ”Isabelle nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Thank you, Mrs. Aldric. I’ll try.”“You won’t just try,” Mrs. Aldric said with a smile, patting Isabelle’s cheek. “You’ll succeed. You promised to come by sometime but I've not seen you at all, that isn't fair.”“I'm sorry, Mrs Aldric. Honestly, I've been busy with work too. But I'll visit you very soon. I pr
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 55: Welcome Home
The house was warm and lively as Frank parked the car and helped Isabelle out. She felt a mix of emotions—relief to be back home and unease at what awaited her. Her body was still weak, but the week of recovery had helped her regain some strength.Inside the house, Mary Jane and Mrs. Aldric stood waiting in the living room. As soon as Isabelle stepped in, they rushed toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace.“Isabelle!” Mary Jane exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. “I was so worried. Thank God you’re okay.”“We’ve been praying for you, dear,” Mrs. Aldric added, her voice trembling. “You’ve been through so much.”Isabelle hugged them both, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Both of you are here. I missed you so much, you didn't have to come, Mrs Aldric.” she said, her voice breaking.“Huh? You were hospitalized. How could I not come?” Mrs Aldric said, patting her back lovingly.Mary Jane pulled back and smiled warmly. “Come in, sit down. You need to rest.”Isabelle looked around
Contract Marriage With My Childhood Best Friend Chapter 54: The Confrontation
Liam’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove through the narrow streets leading to Isabelle’s childhood home. He knew Isabelle's childhood home, he knew that streets too well, the place he ran away from leaving someone he loves, the memories made there never left him and he would never forget, and now, as the weathered sign bearing "Rivers Residence" came into view, he felt a wave of unease wash over him. The house was nothing like what he remembered from years ago when he lived in the area and frequented the house. The paint was chipped, and the front yard was overrun with weeds. The place looked so neglected. Liam parked in front, taking a deep breath before stepping out.“This is for her,” he muttered under his breath.He walked up to the door and knocked firmly. For a moment, there was no response, but then he heard shuffling footsteps. The door creaked open, revealing an older man with graying hair and tired eyes—Isabelle’s father, Mr. Rivers.“Who are you?” Mr. R
