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Chapter 9
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Look at you. I gave you everything, and this is how you repay me? By being that idiotic errand boy's whore?" He words make me flinch. I want to tell him that he gave me nothing. These are moments when I desperately wish my mother was still alive. Perhaps then, I wouldn’t be trapped with this despicable man who claims to be my father.
"I'll kill him," he declares, turning to leave. Instantly, I know he’s heading to the basement to get his shotgun.
Without hesitation, I rush to stand in his way, blocking his path. I fall to my knees and clasp my hands together in front of me.
"Please, don’t hurt him. I'll do anything you want. Just leave him alone. It's not his fault, I made him do whatever you think he has done." I plead. My father’s furious gaze pierces through me, filled with pure hatred.
"I wish you were never born," he sneers, causing me to tense up.
"Please," I whisper, my voice barely audible.
"Fine. I'll not allow you to be a cheap soothing like this. It's best if I find more suitable path for you. At least you will be of better use," he remarks, leaving me confused and unsure of his intentions.
"Pack your bags, we leave at dawn," he instructs, walking past me.
"Don’t do anything else that will seal that boy’s fate," he warns, and exits the kitchen. I know that my father plans are meant to permanently separate Nathan and me. The thought of never seeing him again brings fresh tears to my face.
2
Nathan
Nineteen Years Later
"Oh, sweet Nathan ,this is beautiful," Mrs. Nathan exclaims with genuine delight. Her fingers gently caress the painting I’ve crafted for her. She is one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever known. I decided to gift her a painting when I discovered how much she loves them but couldn’t get one due to financial restraints.
"Thank you, Mrs. Nathan. This is just a free work. I started it three weeks ago, inspired entirely by you,” I reveal, recalling the time, when I discovered her interest in my artwork. While millions of people want a piece of my artwork, but Mrs. Nathan holds a special place in my heart. Her selflessness sets her apart in this town, and It's an honor to do something for her.
"Oh, how sweet of you," she says without taking her eyes of the painting. The sparkle in her eyes mirrors exactly what I want to evoke in anyone who encounters my art – a profound connection that reaches the depths of their soul.
"Thank you, but I have to leave. I need to stop by a few more places," I tell her.
"Oh, it's fine. Thank you again for this," she says.
"You're very welcome."
I left her house a few minutes later. I need to get more materials. The orders I've received from my branches are spread out across the USA. Who could have imagined that my life would take such a turn?
Nineteen years ago, I lost everything, but now, I have everything I desire without the complications of love. I pause, I think of it. I promised myself never to dwell on the past but it's difficult not to think about how someone I was supposed to spend my life with betrayed me in the most painful manner. Anyway, lesson learnt. Love is nothing but serves as a backdrop for pain. I will never put myself in that vulnerable position again.
My next stop is Mark's shop. He gets me the best supplies for my paintings. After leaving the store, I return to my office.
"Don’t worry about this, Natalia’s uncle," I tell the seventeen-years-old boy temporary assisting me, as Mrs Ford is on maternity leave.
"Alright Nathan , Mrs Wilson is waiting for you." I pause upon hearing this.
"Mrs Wilson is here?" I ask by surprise.
"Yes, she arrived a few minutes ago and insisted on waiting for you," he says. I'm not surprised by this. Mrs Wilson rarely takes no for an answer.
"Thank you. I’ll see her now," I reply, leaving my supplies in storage before heading to the inner office. I find Mrs Wilson engrossed in her phone, her concentration unwavering until she suddenly looks up, promptly dropping her phone.
"Sweetheart," she squeals before rushing towards me. I prepare myself as she wraps her arms around me. I force a smile as she steps back and stares at me.
"I can tell your trip was enjoyable."
"Absolutely. The vacation was beautiful, all thanks to you," she says.
"It's nothing. You should be resting at home," I suggest.
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"Oh, please. You don't expect me to spend the night at my place after being away from town for days," she states, and I tense."Where else will you spend the night if it isn't at your place?" I ask, puzzled."Where else but your place?" I grimace at her suggestion. Surely, she can’t be serious."You know the rules, mrs Wilson ," I remind her before stepping away."Come on Nathan don’t you think it's time to reconsider those rules?" she pleads. I sigh as I round my desk to take a seat. I stare at her, unsure of how to handle the situation. To be honest, Mrs Wilson has been patient and cooperative when it comes to my boundaries. These rules have guided me for years, helping me protect my heart from the kind of devastation I experienced with Natalia."Mrs Wilson ,you agreed. My place is off-limits. What’s wrong with your place anyways?" I ask, furrowing my brow. The last woman who was ever at my place was Natalia , and even then, it was the cottage at her father's estate, not where I cur
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"Well, it’s evident that he’s interested in you. You single, and honestly, I've never seen you with anyone other than Jason. Now that someone is genuinely persistent about being with you, I don't think it would hurt to give it a try," she suggests."Bekah stop this. I’m really not interested in any man," I tell her. But deep down, I know it’s not entirely true. The only man I ever wanted can’t be mine anymore, and I’m beginning to accept that fact."Why? It's been years since Jason died. You need to move on," she says."You think this is about Jason?""Well, yeah. He is the only man you've ever mentioned who’s been in your life.""Listen Bekah ,it’s not about Jason. This is about me and my son. Don't you get? I'm not interested in relationship right now. Dealing with bills and job hunting is enough for me. I don't want to add more by being in a relationship.""Oh, my goodness, that’s true. How is the job hunt going?" She asks."It’s the same old story. Seems like most employees here p
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Fine, but still let me sort this out," I request."Okay if you insist. But if you're not able to sort things out and you think the situation is getting out of control. I'm one call away," she says, showing her concern."I know, I'll keep that in mind," I reply."Great. I have to go"That's not a problem," I reply."Talk to you later, bye,""Bye." I place my phone on the table and hold my head in my hands. staring at the screen, trying to figure out the next steps. I'm deep in depth, and if I don't find a job soon, I might not even have a roof on my head.My thoughts drift to my childhood, where I never experienced the fatherly love I saw other kids have. The best moments of my life were falling in love with Nathan and finding out I was pregnant with his child. Goerge took those moments away from me by separating me from Nathan . Since Bryant’s birth, he has been my sole attention. I vowed to ensure he receives as much love as possibly from me. He only has me, and I won’t neglect him a
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Come dear, your uncle will take us back home,” she says, and I nod. I glance at the white casket again before leaving the cemetery with her. “Are you okay?” Uncle Tyler asks as we head to the car. “Yes,” I reply. We settle inside the car and start heading to the estate. I hated spending a night there, and now I’m about to spend another. However, it was either or probably spending the little money I had on a hotel. I don’t want to disturb my aunt and uncle any further. They took care of all the funeral bills, making me wonder why they didn’t just use Goerge ’s money. The only part of the house that gave me sweet memories was the cottage, and it’s no longer there. I briefly wonder if it was brought down while Nathan was there or after he left.No, Goerge made a promise.I don’t want to imagine a life of hell because of Nathan. “Natalia dear, how long will you stay in town?” my Auntie “I’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning,” “What? Why?” my aunt asks as she turns to face me. “
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Perfect, I’ll make your favorite pot roast. Just the way you liked it back then,” she says excitedly.“You don’t have to bother about that,” I tell her shyly.“Nonsense, leave me to worry about it,” she says, so I drop the topic.“How is my Bryant doing?”“He is fine. He is in school. As a matter of fact, he wanted to come with me, but I told him to focus on his academics,” I tell her.“That sounds good; maybe someday, our boy will bring him to meet us,” she says, and I give her a wry smile.“I’ll see what I can do with that,” I tell her. They wait a few minutes before leaving. Instantly, I Bryant .“Hey, Mom,” he says, and all my worries dissipate. This is the brightness in my life, my joy.“How are you, my pumpkin?” I ask with a smile.“Ugh, Mom! I’ve told you not to call me that anymore. I’m a grown-ass man now,” he says, and I chuckle.“I don’t care how old you are; you remain, my baby,” I tell him. I smile when I hear his loud groan.“There is no winning against you. Anyways, how
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don’t care if I still look like a mess considering I’m just leaving bed. Well, the person at the house will have to deal with it. I quickly turn the locks. I open it to find two women standing on the porch. I give them a puzzled look, wondering what they are doing here.“Good morning, ma’am!” they greet with a bright smile. I frown at them in confusion before I force a smile.“Good morning. How may I help you?” I ask, trying to sound as polite as possible.The two women exchange looks before returning their attention to me.“I’m Tammy , ma’am. This is my colleague, Roxanne . We were Mr.Wilson housekeepers,” the first woman who introduced herself as Tammy says.“Oh,” I say, unable to form another word.“Yes, we worked for Mr. Wilson for fifteen years. God bless his soul,” Tammy says as her smile drops.“Yeah, God bless his soul,” I reply. I assumed that Goerge had let go of all his staff, especially with the information my uncle gave me yesterday about his bankruptcy. Apparently, he is
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“Mr. Wilson pays us $30 per hour,” Mary says, and I choke on my saliva.“$30 per what!” I exclaim with wide eyes. The women stare at each other with puzzled looks. For someone who was bankrupt, that wasn’t what I expected besides what happened to Goerge . I remember that he doesn’t treat his staff well and pays them meagerly. What changed? What is it about these women?“Okay, how many hours a week did you agree with him?” I ask. They seem nervous to answer my question.“We spend eight a day, seven days a week,” Roxanne says.“Wow!” I exclaim. I have a headache calculating the amount these women received from Goerge If it isn’t that I hate Goerge ’s gut, I will gladly work as a housekeeper if this is how much they earn.“Is there a problem, ma’am?” Tammy asks with a puzzled expression.“No, there is no problem,” I quickly answer.“I was just amazed you work so many hours daily,” I say. I try to sound as calm as possible even though my heart is about to burst out of my chest when I try
Contracted Husband Chapter 17
This is it,” I mutter as I step out of the taxi and face the tall building. Nervousness fills me as I contemplate what awaits inside.It has been a week in Sausalito, and Natalia auntie and my uncle have gone out of their way to make me feel as comfortable as possible. In fact, today is the first time I’m venturing out since the funeral. All that’s left is to append some signatures, and I’ll be on the next flight.My thoughts are interrupted by a loud car honk, causing me to jump in fright, but I quickly steady myself.Taking a deep breath, before I start walking towards the entrance of the building.Everything about it exudes luxury. I can only imagine that the wealthy have lawyers here, judging by the immaculate attire of everyone around. Despite my plain dress, I ignore the curious looks some of the ladies shoot my way. I head to the nearest desk, where a lady seems uninterested until I stop in front of her.“Hi,” I tell her.“Hello. How may I help you?” She asks.“I’m Natalia Ford
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“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
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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
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“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
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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
