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Chapter 26
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Contracted Husband Chapter 27
“You don’t need to cry, Aunt. I’m fine now,” I comfort her, embracing her warmly. I had always feared revealing the truth to her, but I couldn’t bear the thought of burdening her with my past.“Oh, it could have been avoided. I feel like I failed my sister,” she says with teary eyes.“No, you didn’t. You and Uncle Tyler have taken care of me as your own, something John neglected to do for me and for that, I’ll forever be grateful,”I reassure her.“Why would he do such a despicable thing, marrying you off like that? Is this some sort of medieval times? Why didn’t you call me? I would have come back to stop the madness,” she says with anger.“There wasn’t enough time, and there was too much at stake. I couldn’t risk it,” I explain. I had feared that if I involved her, it would have only made things worse for Nathan with my father.“Aunt Maryann, it’s nothing for you to worry about now. I just wanted you to know the truth. Can we not resist the past anymore?” I ask, hoping for a fresh st
Contracted Husband Chapter 28
few minutes later, I am standing in front of a beautiful glass building. I’m awestruck as I take everything in. Even from the outside, I can already appreciate the artwork displayed. No doubt, the owner of this place has excellent taste.The name LENS is prominently displayed at the top. Clutching the file tightly, I make my way toward the entrance. The moment I step inside, I let out a gasp., LENS was already beautiful from the outside, but from the inside, it’s breathtaking. My eyes are immediately drawn to the array of paintings adorning the space.“Good afternoon, ma’am. Welcome to LENS. How may I help you?” I spin around at the sound of the voice behind me. The voice belongs to a beautiful lady. I assume she is the artist Uncle Tyler was talking about.“Hi, my name is Natalia . I have an appointment with you for 2pm. I’m here on behalf of Mr. Tyler Wilson,” I explain.“Oh, you’re the interior decorator,” she remarks.“Yes,” I reply with a smile.“Follow me, please,” she instructs
Contracted Husband Chapter 29
Ye… yes,” she stammers, and I feign disinterest as I watch her eyes dilate. I recognize this reaction, as it used to happen when she was on the verge of arousal. It seems not much has changed with Natalia . I frown at the direction of my thoughts. I can’t allow myself to go there.“I have some artwork on hand, but I'm open to creating more if needed. Tyler told me I'd be inspecting the property with you,” I say, awaiting her to response. I watch her frown, her eyes hardening with determination. I imagine she was pissed that I was acting like I didn’t know her, or possibly she was still pissed that I wasn't acknowledging her. She lost that right years ago when she left without an explanation. Thinking about it alone raises several questions in my head. Questions that will remain answered. The anger still burns within me when I remember how she got married. It’s as if I never really knew her, and everything we shared was a façade. Anyways, it's all in the past.“Perfectly clear,” she re
Contracted Husband Chapter 30
To be honest, you don't. You only have time for your work, and it makes me feel neglected," she says with a pout."I'm sorry about that. At least I'm trying to make it up to you now.”"Oh, yes, you are. Those flowers are beautiful, but more importantly, this diamond necklace is gorgeous," she beams, caressing her neck. I must admit, the necklace looks stunning on her. Stella deserves a bonus for picking out the perfect piece.I still remember how Mildred and I formally met at an event a few years ago. What was supposed to be a casual one-night encounter turned into this arrangement. Mildred is quiet, dependable, and not a hassle as long as she gets the luxuries she desires. Although, I've started to notice a change in her lately. It seems like she wants more, and I don't think I'm capable of that. I can't help but think about Natalia . It drives me crazy that even with Mildred here, my mind still drifts back to her. Mildred doesn't interest me as much as Natalia does. This dinner date
Contracted Husband Chapter 31
Tyler and I discussed accommodation arrangements, and I offered that, since I have a spacious beach house in Miami near the properties, his interior decorator could stay there with me. However, I didn't consider that Natalia might be the interior decorator."I'm not going to stand for this. In fact, we are going on this trip together.""What about your shoot?""I'll skip it," she says."You can't do that. This is your career we are talking about here," I tell her."Well, you're also my man. I'm not going to let her take you away from me," she declares."Your fears are unfounded. There is no way Natalia , and I are getting back together," I explain."I'm not ready to take any chances," she says with a determined look."Alright, if that's what you want. We’re leaving Friday morning, and please, don’t make me wait," I add."Great!" She squeals and throws her arms around me."You're the best. "I force a smile in response."I'll send some money to your account in case you want to pick up
Contracted Husband Chapter 32
You were late," Nathan remarks. I glance back at their direction and find her sitting comfortably on his lap with her arms coiled around his neck. She leans in, body pressing intimately close to his as her eyes meet mine. Slowly, it dawns on me - she is trying to stake her claim. "I had a lot of shopping to take care of yesterday. The important thing is I'm here now," she chimes in. "Alright, please take your seat. We’re about to take off," he says. "Sure," she says. I watch as she leans down and kisses him squarely on his lips once more before sitting beside him. It’s hard to overlook how she still has her arm wrapped around my Nathan .Damn it, he’s not yours,I try to remind myself. "Mildred, meet Natalia he introduces. An unspoken exchange occurs between them, and then he continues, "Miss Natalia Ford meet Mildred." "His girlfriend," Mildred adds before throwing me a fake smile. I can already tell this trip will be a long one. Who brings a girlfriend along on an important busi
Contracted Husband Chapter 33
Mildred, kindly stay out of this. This is my business,” he says as he turns to face her. He returns his attention to me.“Give me a second; I need to talk to my uncle,” I mutter before turning away from him. I quickly dig out my phone and dial his number. It rings for the first time, but he doesn’t answer. I glance behind me and find Mildred entering the first car while Nathan stands in place with his hands shoved inside his pockets. I remove my eyes from him when our gazes clash.“Please, pick up,” I mutter as I dial his number again. Staying under the same roof with Nathan is a big no, given how much he despises me. Besides that, it’s not ideal considering our past.“Natalia ” I breathe a sigh of relief when my uncle finally answers the call.“Uncle Tyler, thank goodness, I’ve been trying to reach you.”“Oh dear, I’m sorry, I stepped out of my office for a while. Are you in Miami already?” He asks.“Yes, Uncle.”“Oh, that’s wonderful; I trust your flight was good,” he says.“Yes, it
Contracted Husband Chapter 34
I square my shoulders, determined not to give him the satisfaction of winning this. I walk up to him and stop in front of him. He says nothing, and it makes it harder that I can’t read his expression. All I know is that he is staring at me.“My uncle has explained the situation.”“Good. I hope I won’t have to deal with you running to your uncle every time on this project when we face difficulties,” he says with a deadly calm voice. His subtle insult hits me, and I glare at him in annoyance.“I don’t run to him. I needed clarification only he could provide, and that’s what I asked him for. I didn’t think you would have a problem with that,” I state while folding my arms and watching him.“Good. Tyler said you were capable of handling this. I don’t want to believe otherwise,” he says. I clench my fists as I try hard to hold on to my control. I want to call him out for being unnecessarily insulting, but I restrained myself. Of course, I knew this is all part of his distaste for me. I won
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Contracted Husband Chapter 160
“You’re here!” I say, heading toward it but stop when it’s Katy who appears.“You!” she hisses. “I knew something was off. He didn’t kill you!”Before I can answer, she’s on me like a rabid cat. She claws at me, slapping every part of me she can make contact with.Startled, I raise my hands protectively over my face, afraid to hit her back and severely hurt her. As it is, Nathan already hates me for any part I might have played in the death of his father.The woman may be older and weaker, but her strikes are impactful. She shoves against me, slapping her palms against my shoulders and chest, driving me toward the rear of the deck. It all happens so fast that I don’t realize I’m so close to the glass rail until it hits my lower back.“You have to calm down!” I plead.“Why did he have to want you? You look nothing like me! But Leo always liked them younger. Tell me, did you like how he fucked you?”“What? You think I slept with your husb—” Another whack, this time right across the chin
Contracted Husband Chapter 159
But he saved my life. He risked himself to keep me alive. And fuck it all, I love him! I can’t just sit back and let him die.A chair is pushed and the sound of footsteps come my way. Before they reach the doors, I bolt out the entrance and am already across the street when I hear, “Natalia !”But I don’t stop. Don’t look back. My mission now is to save Nathan Natalia Irun like the Devil is at my heels, not bothering to glance back over my shoulder, because even that simple action could cost me precious seconds.For blocks, I maintain that speed, my lungs burning and the stitch on my side threatening to bring me down.When I’m far enough that I feel anyone following would have lost sight of me, I tuck myself into an alley and wait. After several minutes, I tug my cell phone out and dial Nathan , but it goes straight to voicemail.“Pick up, dammit!” I dial again, but like before, it goes to his mail.“Nathan . You have to leave your house. A man named Steven Kroos is coming. He’s bri
Contracted Husband Chapter 158
“The hell it is. Do you have any idea the worry you put me through? No calls or texts the last couple of—” His eyes bulge from his skull as he takes in the blood on my shirt. “You’re hurt.” “No, Dad. It’s not my blood. I’m not hurt.” He digs his fingertips into the corners of his eyes as if he’s trying to keep from crying. “I thought I would lose my mind when I found out exactly who you were with. His name isn’t Nathan Manguire . It’s Nathan Carlos .” I rear back in shock that he knows. “What?” “My gut was right, Em. He’s a fucking criminal. The worst kind.” “How do you know that?” From the study, the handsome man who visited the gallery to meet with Dad steps out. Steven Kroos . His icy-blue stare roves over me, and he smiles. “I’m glad to see you’re home safe. Especially after being in the Robertson den.” “Mr. Kroos is the one who tracked down information on Carlos . Nathan is their new godfather.” His eyes narrow on me. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Looking betwee
Contracted Husband Chapter 157
He tilts his head, his eyes raking over my face, searching. “What makes you think that?” “It was in the way he looked at me,” I say. “It’s the same wayyoulook at me. I know you said he loved your stepmother, but I swear it’s true.” “I saidsheloved him. I never said he loved her back.” He glances out the windshield, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “Is that why you killed him? You didn’t appreciate his attentions?” “He came to the house when my father wasn’t there. I’m not even sure how he got in. But he followed me from room to room and begged me to give him a chance. I asked him to leave, told him that he was scaring me. He decided to grab me and try to kiss me. “I got out of his hold and ran to the desk drawer my father keeps his Glock in and threatened him. He still refused to leave. The moment he took a step toward me, I shot. It was meant to scare him, nothing more. I could never kill anyone. The bullet grazed his arm, but he was alive.” “You didn’t follow him out?
Contracted Husband Chapter 156
“You cut yourself,” I say. “It wouldn’t have been believable otherwise.” “Why did you do it, Nathan ? Why did you spare my life?” He pulls over several blocks from my house. We sit there in silence for what seems like forever, the only sound the pitter-patter of scattered rain against the windshield. “Why did you save me?” I repeat the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Your mother wants me dead, but you saved me.” Without turning to me, he replies, “Iwanted you dead.” His response is another blow to my already battered heart. But he deserves the truth. “I didn’t kill your father, Nathan . It wasn’t me.” Now he does turn to me and I almost wish he hadn’t. The shadows I’ve wondered about from the start have emerged and they’re darker and more terrifying than I could have imagined. They’re blackened with Nathan ’s fury, hate, grief, and confusion. They tear at my chest, splaying it open. Raw pain fills me at the sight of those beautiful golden eyes looking so tortured, spa
Contracted Husband Chapter 155
My gaze flicks from her to the elevator and to the rooftop access door, wondering if I could somehow reach either of them. And if I did, are they unlocked? As if from out of thin air, Nathan produces a piece of rope. When he tries to take one of my wrists, I make to get up again, but I’m slammed into the damned chair again. It doesn’t matter how much I fight, he easily pulls my hands behind me and ties them. “You wanted her, there she is,” he says to her, and I notice with at least a bit of satisfaction that he’s panting. I guess I wasn’t that easy to subdue. Nathan ’s stepmother comes toward me, her hips swaying. She sips her wine as she studies me. “You killed my husband.” I don’t bother to respond to her comment. She doesn’t care what I have to say. If she did, she would have asked me if I did it. And if so, why. All she cares about is revenge. The who, what, and why of it doesn’t matter to her. Turning to Nathan , I realize he’s not once asked me either. They’re the same. Part
Contracted Husband Chapter 154
“Mmm. Is it that or that you have Natalia Kane in your bed?”I stiffen, feeling my heart leap into my throat. She knows my name?“Who I have in my bed is none of your concern,” Nathan says.“It is when that whore killed your father! That’s right,” she adds, “I know it was her.”My heart isn’t just in my throat anymore. It seems to have stopped. Suddenly, my blood pressure drops and every pore in my body releases sweat.“John ” I hear Nathan murmur just as I pull away.There’s walking, the sound of heels clacking against the wood floors. “John was loyal to Gustavo and Leo . Of course he would be loyal to me as well.”“Then he’s useless to me,” he says.“You’ve known it was her for days and have done nothing about it!” she shouts.“It is at my discretion to decide what and when I will do something, Katy .”“The godfather only has power so long as the men respect him. How do you think they will react when they find out that instead of killing her, you’ve been fucking her?”My mind racin
Contracted Husband Chapter 153
Or maybe I’ll just fuck you until we both die.” Her eyes fly open, and for a moment, there are no walls between us. The pain, betrayal, and lust are bared fully. “Then fuck me,” she finally says. “And maybe we’ll die together.” My mouth is on hers then. I slide my fingers from her cunt and we both work savagely at getting rid of my clothes. All the while, we kiss with a passion that only the dying know. The instant I’m naked, I’m inside her, thrusting, burying my dick all the way to the balls, pulling back out, and slamming home again. Natalia is wrapped around me, arms and legs holding me tightly against her as she lifts her hips up, meeting each of my thrusts. We fuck like we’re drowning and these are our last gasping breaths. Deep and desperate. She fits me like a fucking glove, her pussy tight around my dick, her body molding to mine perfectly. The way she tastes, smells, feels… It all fits me like no one else ever has, and for the briefest of moments, I almost wish I’d neve
Contracted Husband Chapter 152
I flip it open and freeze, focused intensely on the drawing of a pair of eyes.Myeyes. Only, they’re not the way I’m accustomed to seeing them. They have the same shape, same dark spots on the irises. There’s a deep crease between them. But in the drawing, they’re slightly upturned and crinkled at the edges, and there’s a slight gleam to them, as if I’m smiling.Because I was.Several times, she called my name, grinning so widely when I looked at her that I couldn’t help but smile. She captured those moments.Does light penetrate shadows, or do the shadows drown out the light?I asked that question not long ago. The answer is both. She’s managed to light up my eyes while I’ve filled hers with darkness.Blowing out a breath full of exhaustion, I set the sketch aside. Tired, I shut my lids and must drift off instantly, because a bolt of lightning that rumbles even through the sound barriers I’ve erected around the loft wakes me. Instantly, I glance at the door.Though she has access to w
