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Forty four
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2025-03-24 14:49:45
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Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty five
~Fallon~ The invitation arrived on heavy cardstock, embossed and impossibly elegant — just like everything in the Callahan orbit.The Bennett Foundation Annual GalaI barely had time to process it before my phone buzzed with a text from Reid.Reid: We’re expected. Be ready by seven.That was it. No “please,” no “are you okay with this?” — just an order, like always.My fingers tightened around my phone, irritation sparking in my chest.I was so tired of feeling like an afterthought.When the stylist showed up with an entire rack of couture gowns, I almost told her not to bother. I wanted to rebel — to throw on jeans and a t-shirt and see how Reid liked it.But the Callahan name had expectations. And I knew how to play my part.So I chose a sleek, black satin dress that clung in all the right places and left my back bare. The fabric whispered against my skin with every step, and when I slipped on diamond drop earrings and heels high enough to be dangerous, I looked like the perfect bi
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-24Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty six
~Reid~I’ve always prided myself on maintaining control—both in the boardroom and in my personal life. But sometimes, even I can’t silence the disquiet that gnaws at the edges of my carefully constructed façade. The gala was supposed to be a simple public relations event: a stage for the perfect couple, a polished performance for the cameras. And yet, as I watched Fallon in that midnight blue dress, smiling for the flashbulbs while I played the stoic billionaire husband, I felt something crack deep inside.I remember the moment vividly. Standing on the red carpet, my hand on hers, I saw a flicker in her eyes—an emotion I’d been trying to lock away. I forced a smile for the press and the cameras, but inside, I was seething with conflicted feelings. Was it anger? Regret? Or something I wasn’t ready to admit at all—an unexpected, raw vulnerability?After the gala, I returned to the quiet of my own world in LA. The mansion, my private sanctuary, was as pristine as ever. Yet every corner e
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty seven
~Fallon~The Callahan estate was even more intimidating when you knew you were walking into an ambush.Okay, maybe ambush was dramatic. But sitting through dinner with our families — pretending everything was perfect — felt a lot like stepping onto a stage without knowing my lines. And this stage? It came with crystal chandeliers, priceless art, and an audience of people who would pick up on any false note.The house was already bustling when we arrived, the sound of laughter and conversation spilling from the grand dining room. Reid’s hand rested lightly on my back, guiding me inside, and for a brief, fleeting second, it felt… natural.I hated that.Because this wasn’t natural. It was calculated. Just another part of the performance.The Callahans’ staff floated around us in perfectly choreographed movements — collecting coats, offering drinks — and the entire space radiated the kind of wealth that was so ingrained it didn’t even need to be announced. The air smelled like expensive f
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty eight
~Fallon~The energy of a launch event was electric — bright lights, loud music, and the hum of conversations between the who’s-who of the industry. It was the kind of night where everything sparkled: the clothes, the jewelry, the champagne — even the air itself felt charged with anticipation.And as I stepped into the sprawling venue for Lumière’s highly anticipated product launch, I felt something I hadn’t in weeks.Excitement.This was my world.Not the cold marble floors of Reid’s mansion. Not the high-stakes dinner parties or whispered conversations about mergers. Not the pressure of being the perfect wife in a marriage built on carefully constructed lies.Here, I was Fallon Prescott Callahan — the influencer. The brand. The woman everyone wanted to know.And tonight? I was ready to shine.My phone buzzed nonstop with notifications as soon as I posted my fit check.The dress was a showstopper — soft gold silk that draped like liquid, the hem brushing my ankles while the thigh-high
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty nine
~Fallon~I wasn’t technically snooping.I was exploring.That’s what I told myself, anyway, as I wandered through one of the many unused rooms in Reid’s impossibly large mansion. The house was so pristine, so perfect, it barely felt lived in — all cold elegance and curated spaces that felt more like a museum than a home.But this room was different.The air smelled faintly of dust and old paper, and sunlight streamed through tall windows, catching the slow swirl of dust motes in the stillness. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, packed with books that looked untouched — their spines uncreased and colors faded. A worn armchair sat in the corner, its leather cracked and softened with age, the only sign that someone had ever spent time here.It felt… forgotten.Which made it all the more tempting.I moved slowly, my fingers brushing over the shelves, the edges of the desk, the cool glass of framed black-and-white photos I didn’t stop to study. There was a quiet intimacy to this spa
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty
~Fallon~The second I answered my mom’s video call, her face filled my screen — already mid-sentence and in full dramatic flow.“—and I told your aunt not to dye her hair that shade of red, but does she listen to me? No. Now she looks like she’s auditioning for a telenovela villain role.”I burst out laughing, sinking deeper into the couch. “Hi, mom. Nice to see you too.”She waved a hand, completely unbothered. “Ay, I see you all the time. You’re all over the internet.”I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”“Oh, I will.” She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the screen. “That kiss at the gala? Dios mío, I thought I was going to faint.”Of course she brought that up.“Mom—”“Everyone’s talking about it!” she continued, completely ignoring my attempts to derail the conversation. “Your cousins won’t stop sending me articles. Even your grandmother called to ask when the babies are coming.”I nearly choked on my water. “Mom!”“Well?” she pressed, eyes wide with exaggerated innocence. “When
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty one
~Fallon~It started with the coffee.Which was ridiculous, because coffee should never be the cause of anyone’s unraveling. But when you’re living in a pressure cooker — married to a man who acts like you barely exist — sometimes the little things become the breaking point.I came down to the kitchen that morning ready for caffeine and a moment of peace. I was already tired, already on edge. The sleepless nights and the silence in this house were wearing me thin, and I just wanted one thing to go right.But the pot was empty.The lingering scent of freshly brewed coffee mocked me, curling through the air like a taunt. I stared at the machine, my frustration building.“Are you kidding me?” I muttered, glaring at the empty carafe like it had personally betrayed me.“Good morning to you too.”I spun toward the voice, my pulse spiking — and of course, it was him.Reid stood by the counter, perfectly put together in his tailored suit, his dark hair smooth and his tie knotted with infuriati
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-27Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty two
~Reid~The bar was quiet — the kind of place where no one asked questions and the whiskey was poured strong. Exactly what I needed.I sat at the far end, away from the clusters of after-work drinkers and couples leaning too close together. The low hum of conversation blended with the soft clink of glasses, and the dim lighting made everything feel removed — distant in a way that matched my mood.Across from me, Andrew watched with mild amusement as I downed my drink. “Rough day?”“You could say that.”He signaled for another round, settling back in his seat like he had all the time in the world. “Let me guess. Work?”“Fallon.”The name slipped out before I could stop it.Andrew’s brows shot up. “The wife?”I ignored the tone — the slight edge of disbelief like he couldn’t quite picture me discussing my personal life. Hell, I couldn’t quite picture it either. But here I was, drinking too fast and talking too much.“We had a fight,” I said, setting my empty glass down with more force th
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-27
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Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and eight
~Reid~I kissed her.And now, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.The warmth of her skin beneath my fingertips.The way she had melted into me, just for a second, before pulling away.The soft hitch in her breath, the lingering taste of her on my lips.I should have let it go.I should have walked away, filed it under mistakes I won’t make again, and kept my distance.But I couldn’t.Because it didn’t feel like a mistake.It felt inevitable.And that—that was the part that terrified me the most.This was the problem with pretending. I wasn’t supposed to want her.This arrangement had been clean, structured—an unshakable foundation built on logic and necessity.We were business partners wrapped in a pretty package of public appearances and carefully curated affection.And I’d been fine with that.Until I wasn’t.Because somewhere between the forced smiles and the staged moments, the lines blurred.Somewhere between fighting her and defending her, between resenting her and needing her—I
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and seven
~Fallon~It was just a kiss.Nothing more.Nothing less.I repeated the words in my head as I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling like it held the answers to my rapidly spiraling thoughts.A kiss meant nothing.Not when it was part of a bet.Not when it was Reid Callahan.And yet my pulse still skipped when I thought about it. He was messing with my head.The way he’d looked at me—sharp, heated, entirely too confident. The slow, deliberate way he’d closed the space between us, like he’d been waiting for an excuse. The brush of his lips—firm, steady, undeniable.It had been a game.So why the hell was I still thinking about it?I groaned, throwing an arm over my face.This was ridiculous. It was embarrassing too.I needed a distraction.Anything to pull me out of my own head before I did something stupid—like replay the moment in my mind for the hundredth time and analyze every single second.I rolled over, grabbing my phone from the nightstand.Bad idea.Because the first thing th
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and six
~Fallon~ The moment I lost, I knew I was in trouble. Reid didn’t gloat. He didn’t smirk, or throw out some arrogant remark. No. That would’ve been too easy. Instead, he just looked at me—calm, unreadable, with the kind of patience that sent my pulse into a full sprint. And then, in that low, even voice that always got under my skin, he said, “I believe I won.” I swallowed. “So it seems.” The air between us thickened. He leaned back against the couch, fingers tapping idly against the armrest like he had all the time in the world. “You remember what’s at stake?” Like I could forget. A kiss. Not just any kiss. A Reid Callahan kiss. And if the almost kiss from the other night was anything to go by, this was about to be a problem. For me. Because despite every warning, every reason I had to not feel things, my body had other ideas when it came to him. And now? Now, I had to face the consequences. I lifted my chin. “Fine.” Reid’s brows lifted slightl
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and five
~Fallon~It started as a joke.Well, technically, it started because I caught Reid answering emails again during breakfast, despite claiming he was taking the day off. And since I was no better—scrolling through my social media feed while pretending to sip my coffee—it spiraled into a full-blown challenge.“No work emails,” I declared, setting my phone down with a dramatic flourish. “And no social media.”Reid arched a brow, clearly unimpressed. “You do realize your entire career is built on social media, right?”“And your entire life is built on work,” I shot back. “Which is exactly why we need this. A full day of unplugging. No distractions, no notifications, no meetings. Just… existing like normal people.”He huffed, setting his coffee down. “And what’s in it for me?”I smirked. “If you win, you get to kiss me.”His expression didn’t change, but I felt the shift—the sharp attention in his gaze, the way his fingers drummed once against the table.“And if you win?” he asked, voice lo
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and four
~Fallon~I had no idea how I ended up here.Well, actually—I did.Reid had come home earlier than expected, looking ridiculously put-together despite what I knew had to be a brutal day at work. Meanwhile, I’d been lounging on the couch, wearing an oversized sweatshirt and no intention of doing anything productive when he casually dropped a question that sent my entire evening spiraling into enemy territory.“Do you play chess?”I blinked up at him. “Are you being serious?”His lips twitched. “I don’t joke about strategy, Fallon.”Of course he didn’t. I could already picture it—Reid Callahan, eleven years old, probably reading The Art of War between school exams and power plays on the playground.But I wasn’t about to let him think he had the upper hand.“Fine,” I said, stretching lazily before standing up. “But if we’re playing something, we’re making it interesting.”That’s how chess turned into a full-blown game night.And now here we were—an hour and three games deep, sitting cross
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and three
FallonIf the press wanted a spectacle, I’d give them one.Because I wasn’t about to let some random nobody run my name through the mud and get away with it.My phone buzzed again, the screen flashing with a name I’d been ignoring for the past half hour.Mom.I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose before finally giving in and answering.“Fallon,” she said the second the call connected. “I assume you’ve seen the headlines.”“No, Mom. I just woke up and thought the entire internet was blowing up for fun.”She sighed, the exasperation practically vibrating through the phone. “I told you this would happen. People will always look for cracks in a marriage like yours. The only way to win is to ignore it.”I rolled my eyes. “That’s not winning. That’s surrendering.”“It’s strategic,” she corrected. “If you don’t acknowledge it, the story dies faster. Engaging gives it power.”I paced the room, jaw tightening. This was so like her. The constant need to present the perfect image, to
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and two
~Fallon~ I woke up to war. My phone was vibrating off the nightstand, the screen lighting up with notifications so fast I could barely process them. I grabbed it, groggy, scrolling through an endless flood of texts, missed calls, and push alerts. And then I saw it. “Billionaire Reid Callahan Spotted on an Intimate Dinner Date—Where Was His Wife?” My stomach dropped. The article was everywhere. Attached were pictures—Reid at a sleek, exclusive restaurant, seated across from a woman I didn’t recognize. She was gorgeous. Brunette, sophisticated, leaning in just close enough to make the photos look damning. The kind of woman the press would love to call his real match. I scrolled faster, my pulse hammering. “Reid Callahan and mystery woman share a private dinner—sources say Fallon Callahan was nowhere in sight!” “Trouble in paradise? Callahan marriage not as picture-perfect as they want you to believe.” “Who is the woman seen dining with L.A.’s most powerful billionaire?” Th
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and one
FallonI should not be this affected.It didn’t even happen.That was what I told myself as I unpacked, folding my clothes with unnecessary precision. That was what I repeated as I lined up my skincare bottles on the bathroom counter, arranging and rearranging them in a way that made absolutely no difference.It didn’t happen.He didn’t kiss me.He was going to.My hands froze over the drawer I’d been stuffing with newly purchased lingerie I had no actual plans of wearing.God.I closed my eyes, exhaling sharply.I was losing it.Because Reid Callahan had almost kissed me, and I’d been waiting for it.That was the worst part.Not the fact that my heart had practically lunged out of my chest, or the fact that my breath had caught when his hand slid to my jaw. Not even the way my lips had parted in pure, helpless anticipation.No.The worst part was the way I’d wanted it.The way I’d been ready for it.And the way I’d felt like a complete idiot when his phone rang, dragging him back to
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One Hundred
~Reid~The house was dark when we stepped inside. Quiet. Like it hadn’t even noticed we were gone.I set our bags down by the staircase, rolling my shoulders to ease the stiffness from the flight. Fallon stood a few feet away, one hand on her hip, scanning the space like she had to reacquaint herself with it.Home.It should’ve felt like a relief to be back, to slip into familiar routines and put the past few days behind us. Instead, there was something restless in the air. Something unspoken.Something I wasn’t ready to face.Fallon exhaled, tilting her head back and stretching, her sweater riding up slightly with the motion. My gaze flickered, completely without permission, to the bare sliver of skin between the soft fabric and the waistband of her jeans.I looked away just as fast, flexing my hands at my sides.This wasn’t the time.Not when my mind was already tangled with everything that had happened on this trip. The banter, the closeness, the easy way she fit into my life when
