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Chapter 14
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2024-10-18 11:30:07Related chapters
Contract and Marriage Chapter 15
Sarina's POV:Three days later, I finally headed to my hometown on the island of Canes.If there was one good thing that came from marrying Maximus, it was that I could now fly home, reducing the trip to just one hour instead of an 18-hour ordeal by land—especially if the bus was in bad shape.My mother, my brother Alex Sanchez, his wife Grace Lim, and my two playful niblings met me in front of our small house."My daughter!" my mom exclaimed happily.I smiled at her and welcomed her embrace."I missed you so much. Look, even the neighbors are excited to see you," my mom said."And what did you tell them this time?" I asked, knowing how proud she was of me, especially since I had graduated from college and passed the board exam."Oh, nothing much. You know they're just happy for you," she replied.Despite their gossipy tendencies, our neighbors often helped my mom when needed.I looked around and noticed them smiling at me, so I smiled back before we all headed inside."Dad,
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 16
Sarina's POV:The next day, I woke up early, just as I always did.When I used to live here, my body was so accustomed to going to bed early and rising with the sun that it felt natural. My family was never surprised when I was already out of my room before the rooster crowed.They were already seated at the table, having breakfast, while my niblings were surely still asleep. They were young and needed the rest, after all."Good morning," I greeted them.My brother stood up quickly to get me a plate."You don't have to do that for me, Alex. You should be focusing on Grace. She might bump into something if you're not careful," I teased."Geez, it's too early for that," he replied, though he didn't seem annoyed. "Of course, I took care of her first. Besides, don't stop me from doing things like this. It's one of the few things I can do for you, Mom, and Dad."His words made me smile. It meant he was looking after our parents well."How's work going, dear?" my dad asked, pulling
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 17
Sarina's POV:"Jason!" I gasped, suddenly remembering Maximus.I quickly ended the call without checking if it had even connected."Wait a second," I said as I rushed to put my phone back in my room.Taking a deep breath, I returned to the living room."These are for you, love," Jason said, handing me a dozen deep red roses and some chocolates, which I accepted.I glanced around, noticing my family standing nearby, their eyes wide."We'll just head outside for a bit, Sarina," my mom said."Alright, Mom," I replied, watching as they all quietly left the room until only Jason and I remained."Have a seat," I said, motioning to the couch."Thanks." He smiled, looking even more handsome.His dimples—the feature I loved most about him—stood out on his smooth cheeks, making him even more irresistible."You didn't need to bring all this," I said, setting the gifts down on the coffee table."You know it makes me happy to give you these things, especially since you don't like expen
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 18
Sarina's POV:I didn't know how long I had been sitting on the edge of my bed. Even when my mom knocked on my door, I didn't respond. Eventually, she gave up, leaving me alone in my silence.Once I felt calm enough, I decided to take a shower, hoping that some rest might help me feel better by morning.I skipped dinner and went straight to bed afterward.Lying there, staring blankly at the ceiling, I felt the familiar vibration of my phone.At first, I ignored it, but when it didn't stop, I reached for it, finding it near the foot of the bed where I had carelessly tossed it earlier.I took a deep breath and saw Maximus' name on the screen. I didn't really feel like talking to him, but I also didn't want him to overthink things.After a few more seconds, I finally answered the call."Hello," I greeted, my voice flat and uninterested, knowing I couldn't fake any enthusiasm at that moment."Mrs. Salonga, this is Aries."I frowned and looked at the screen again to confirm it was
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 19
Sarina's POV:"Why are you here? I thought you had left!" Ruth snapped, her tone laced with venom.I felt my anger boil beneath the surface, and while I tried to remain patient, the scene I had just walked into made it increasingly difficult to hold back."Grandma, Sarina is my wife," Maximus interjected.My eyebrows shot up at Maximus' swift defense. He had actually stood up to his grandmother!"I don't care!" Ruth spat, her eyes blazing with fury as she leered at me."Well, if I had known you and that flirtatious woman were here, I wouldn't have bothered coming back. I could have just stayed on vacation and enjoyed myself.""You dare talk back to me?" she hissed, then slapped me across the face.I didn't see it coming and had no time to react.I had forgotten that this was how the wealthy behaved—except for the Castro family, of course."Grandma!" Maximus exclaimed, jumping off his hospital bed and rushing to my side.I cupped my cheek, fighting back tears, my jaw clenched
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 20
Maximus' POV:"Hello," I answered as Aries called."I've located Mrs. Salonga," he said."Follow her and don't let her out of your sight. I need to know where she's going," I instructed."Okay, sir," he replied.I ended the call and turned to face my grandmother and Miranda. Anger boiled inside me, but she was still my grandmother."Miranda, I don't want to see your face ever again. If you don't stay away, I won't hesitate to ruin your family's life. Mark my words," I warned."But babe—""And stop calling me your 'babe' because I'm not!" I snapped, my voice loud and sharp, making her flinch."Maximus," my friend Gerald Onyxer, the doctor, called out. He seemed just as shocked by the events."Stay out of this, Gerald," I said coldly.Geralde wisely nodded and excused himself."I'll leave you to it," Gerald said, and I appreciated it.I didn't want him to hear what I had to say to these two women."You don't respect me anymore, Maximus!" My grandmother was clearly enraged.
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 21
Maximus' POV:More than an hour had passed when Aries called me again."Where is she? Did she go back to the condo?" I asked."No, sir. She went to a hotel," Aries replied."Where?""At Blue Hotel, sir.""Okay, you can get back to work. I'll handle my own discharge," I instructed.After our conversation, I called Gerald and asked for his help."You know what, man? I don't understand why you're going through all this trouble for your wife. Do you love her that much?" Gerald asked, disbelief evident in his voice."She got me hooked. I don't know why, but I've never felt this way with any other woman," I confessed."You're in love, man. Anyway, good luck with winning her over. But from what I saw earlier, it seems your wife might be interested in someone else," Gerald remarked.His words made my muscles tense, my jaw clench in anger, and my fists tighten.Gerald continued, "And it looks like you already know that. Good luck, bro."I nodded and said goodbye.I needed to see m
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Contract and Marriage Chapter 22
Sarina's POV:I felt incredibly comfortable as if I were being gently rocked to sleep. I wasn't sure if it was the air conditioning, but everything felt so light and peaceful.Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking a few times to adjust. My vision was a bit blurry, and I rubbed away the dried tears. There was someone beside me, looking at me."Maximus?!" I exclaimed as I quickly sat up, feeling a bit dizzy.Before I could topple over, he pulled me close, preventing me from falling off the bed.I glanced around to confirm my surroundings. Just as I remembered before I fell asleep, I was still in the hotel."What are you doing here? How did you get in?" I asked."I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to get in," he replied casually, leaning back against the headboard with his arms crossed."What do you mean, ‘you don't see any reason'? This is my hotel room! You're not supposed to enter without my permission," I retorted."I can enter wherever I want, especially if I own it
Last Updated : 2024-10-18
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Contract and Marriage Chapter 110
Sarina's POV:"How could you be so handsome?" Ruth asked Chase.Chase sat beside her in the living room, happily chatting with Ruth.I watched them. Though Ruth still held anger toward me, I couldn't help but feel happy seeing how much she doted on Chase.I hadn't expected her to accept him so warmly, despite Maximus and Gerald's assurances that she would.Even though Ruth still seethed at the sight of me, I could no longer stay angry with her.Perhaps it was time to try to understand her better, especially now that I knew she was one of the people who loved my son.I texted Maximus about his grandmother's arrival.He called, but I declined—didn't want Ruth to think I was tattling on her.Thus, Maximus and I texted instead."Daddy, handsome," Chase said, delighting Ruth even more. Her smile seemed about to split her face in two.Ruth stayed for lunch, happily feeding Chase herself.I noticed Lisa glance at me, aware of how poorly Ruth had treated me in the past.I shrugged
Contract and Marriage Chapter 109
Sarina's POV:The last I heard about Ralph was that the police were holding him in custody.Now, Mariano was here because he believed my life as Bella might be in danger and that my fake husband could be involved in my disappearance as Sarina.As I recalled the memories of my awakening, I looked at Chase, happily playing with Jerome.I smiled, noticing how much he had changed since we arrived in Pearlisia.I was grateful that Maximus, not that beast Ralph, turned out to be Chase's real father. It was also confirmed that the medicine I had unknowingly taken had affected Chase's brain development.Fortunately, as long as he continued his medication and therapy, there was a good chance he would develop normally.I wished for nothing more than the end of this family chaos. I wanted Ralph caught and imprisoned, so he could no longer threaten me or Chase.Most of all, I wanted Maximus' grandmother to find peace with us, so Maximus, my true husband, could finally be happy.I once ask
Contract and Marriage Chapter 108
Sarina's POV:I cried nonstop, sweat, snot, and tears streaming down my face as I shielded Chase with my body. He cried too.I felt Ralph kneel before me, so I curled in tighter to protect our child.I felt his hand on my head and braced for more abuse.To my surprise, he stroked my hair instead and, through his tears, said, "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, babe…"I looked up at him, and our eyes met.I saw remorse, sadness, and pity—maybe for me and our child."I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me…" He continued, gently lifting my head.I feared he was pretending, that he would suddenly let go or slam my head onto the floor.The thought frightened me, and he noticed it."Please, babe, don't be scared. I'm sorry. This won't happen again," he said.He helped me sit up, and we both turned to look at Chase when he started crying again."I'm sorry, my son, if I scared you," he said, then picked him up.After that, he helped me stand and practically carried me to our b
Contract and Marriage Chapter 107
Sarina's POV:Our life together was going well, and I had grown comfortable with him. I was happy, especially as the time to give birth approached.Ralph took such thorough care of me that he wouldn't let me do anything around the house.Everything would have been perfect, and I wouldn't have worried about a thing, if not for one nagging issue.According to my credentials, I was born in Los Burnham and had even studied there.But if that were true, why did I know how to speak Pearlisian?I didn't consider myself particularly smart or gifted—I believed my abilities were quite ordinary. Because of this, part of me doubted my past.Naturally, I didn't dare ask Ralph about it, afraid he might get upset, so I kept it to myself.I was content, and so was Ralph. He cared for me deeply, though I also sensed his possessiveness. He didn't allow me to go out on my own. I always had to be with him.I didn't really mind, but even when I stayed in the yard and talked to a passing neighbor,
Contract and Marriage Chapter 106
Sarina's POV:I laughed at Maximus. It became clear why he had been so irritated when he saw me with Jason—it was because Jason had been my ex-boyfriend, first love, and childhood sweetheart.I also learned that Jason's family was wealthy, but his parents approved of me, just as my parents had approved of him.I remembered asking Maximus whether my parents disliked him. He had said they probably didn't, adding that they loved me deeply and would always support whatever made me happy.-The next day, Maximus had to leave, so it was just me and Chase at home.I was happy he had someone to play with, Jerome, who had helped a lot in his development.I sat by the poolside, reading while keeping an eye on Chase and Jerome as they played. Lisa had asked her daughter-in-law, Rachel, for help, so I offered to look after the children myself.We had also hired a nanny for Chase, who was supposed to arrive later, according to Aries.Maximus had gone with Mariano to his office, though I kn
Contract and Marriage Chapter 105
Maximus' POV:I couldn't settle down.I had been happy that Sarina remembered something about us, but why had the timing been so off? Why was it that whenever she teased me, I always ended up at her mercy?I knew she hadn't recalled anything about Jason, but I still couldn't help feeling jealous. Even if she couldn't remember Jason, it didn't change the fact that he had been her first love.When she stepped out of our room earlier, I wanted to follow her. Something felt off, even though she had kissed me willingly just moments before.After that, it seemed our way of talking had changed.No, I couldn't let this happen. I wanted the cheerful, teasing Sarina back, even if she did rile me up sometimes.She had been in the bathroom, taking a shower, and I made sure to go first.I didn't want her to go straight to sleep, leaving us no chance to talk. I didn't want the night—or even a single day—to pass with her feeling any resentment toward me, not even a small sulk.I hadn't taken
Contract and Marriage Chapter 104
Sarina's POV:I had just returned from the restroom, leaving Maximus and our son with Chase's pediatrician to hear the doctor's update on our child's development. Now, I was completely certain—Maximus was Chase's father.The joy on his face when Aries handed him the results and some paperwork to complete was beyond what even the greatest artist could capture.As I approached Gerald's office to meet my husband and son, a man suddenly approached me."Hi, Bella, right?" he said.I frowned, trying to recall if I knew him."Oh, you don't remember me? I have a pretty ordinary face, so I can't blame you," he added, scratching the back of his head. "We bumped into each other once when I was out jogging. I think you were on your way to work.""Ah, yes, I remember you now. What was your name again?" I asked, feeling embarrassed for not recalling his name when he clearly remembered mine. Though, 'Bella' hadn't really been my true name."Jason. Jason Castro," he replied."What brought
Contract and Marriage Chapter 103
Maximus' POV:It was a relief Mariano was here. I felt nervous and scared for my wife and child.I immediately called Aries to inform him I couldn't make it to the office for now. If anything urgent came up, I asked him to send it to the condo.I didn't want to leave my wife and son alone, especially with only Lisa there to look after them. If something happened, they wouldn't be able to do much.I also asked Aries to check the hospital's security footage for the man Sarina had mentioned, but he couldn't track him further after leaving his spot.As Mariano wanted, we finally told Sarina everything about Ralph, the man she had once believed was her husband.She was deeply shocked and terrified when Mariano showed her photos of the real wife of that criminal, whose body had been found.The real Bella Drinx's body had been discovered in their backyard in Las Islas. Mariano had never stopped searching for answers regarding Sarina's disappearance, always on the lookout for cases invo
Contract and Marriage Chapter 102
Bella's POV:Mariano joined us back at the condo, and from my observations, it seemed he had something he wanted to discuss—something I couldn't quite figure out.Lisa greeted us. She had become a temporary nanny for Chase, which meant she hadn't been going home.When we moved into the new house Maximus had built, she and her husband would live with us, according to Maximus' wishes."Come on, Mr. Chase. Let's change your clothes," Lisa said, taking Chase from me.My child understood Pearlisian because I spoke it to him whenever the shameless Ralph Drinx wasn’t around—a man who was neither my real husband nor Chase’s father.I headed straight to our bedroom to change into something more comfortable, then rejoined them.Both men sat across from each other on the couch, and I naturally sat beside my husband."Were you discussing something important?" I asked, not taking my eyes off Maximus.I didn't want him to hide anything from me, especially if it involved me or our son."We
