Cracks in the Contract

Zoe sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone. A notification popped up from her notifications. It was from her anonymous client. Now, she finally knew who he was.

“Did you get home? I’d like to see you tomorrow. Maybe we could go for coffee?”

Zoe thought about it. Then she replied, “Your next session isn’t until next week.”

Avron quickly responded, “I don’t want to talk about that. I just want to see you. Coffee tomorrow?”

Zoe was confused. Why was he so eager to meet her outside of their professional sessions? She didn’t understand what he wanted, but she agreed to meet him.

The next day, she  drove to a small café. Sat at a table near the window, glancing at her phone. She checked the time—Avron was late. She sent him a message, but there was no reply.

She looked around the café, starting to get annoyed. “What am I even doing here?” she thought. She was angry, frustrated, and beginning to feel foolish. She grabbed her jacket and stood up, ready to leave.

Just then, Avron was wheeled in with his assistant pushing his wheelchair. He smiled at Zoe as he rolled over to her.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said, his voice apologetic. He looked around, a slight frown crossing his face. “This place is so small….and not exactly an ideal spot for a billionaire, but it’s fine for me.”

Zoe smiled faintly, that wasn't really necessary to say. He handed her a small box wrapped in simple paper. “I thought you’d like this. It’s a book I read recently. I think it might help with everything you’re going through.”

She didn’t want to play along. “Cut to the chase, Avron. What do you want from me?”

Avron leaned back in his chair. “I just want us fto be friends, Zoe. I know what you’re going through. I know about your marriage, why you’re really here, and I know my brother. Adonis is selfish. He’s always been spoiled, favored by gran. That’s why he’s like this. He treats you badly, and it’s all his fault.”

Zoe’s heart pounded in her chest. “What are you trying to say?”

He sighed. “I just want to see you happy. I know it won’t happen with him. You deserve better. He doesn’t care about you. He keeps going out with Abigail. Why should you stay in this marriage? Why not spend time with someone who cares?”

Zoe stayed silent, was he not aware it would all be over in eighteen months? 

Avron smiled slightly. “You’re married to my brother, but do you think he cares about you? I don’t think he does.”

Zoe’s anger flared. “Is that why you came to me for therapy? What about the woman you mentioned earlier? I don’t get it.”

Avron remained calm. “I’m offering you more than that. I want to help you, Zoe.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I honored you because I’m married into your family, but I’m done here.” She stood up, grabbed her purse, and walked out, the door shutting behind her.

Avron wasn’t done yet. He watched Zoe walk away, disappearing around the corner. He knew he’d been too blunt, but the words had come out before he could stop them.

He had always liked her, maybe more than he realized. He’d even stalked her. It wasn’t until Lana introduced her as Adonis’ wife-to-be that he understood how deep his feelings ran. He spent hours scrolling through her social media, watching her videos. She was sweet, gentle—everything he wasn’t.

It hurt to think that his grandmother was using her like this, pushing her into a marriage for selfish reasons. But what stung most was the fact that Adonis had always gotten everything—love, attention, favor.

Avron clenched his jaw, pushing back the memories. He didn’t want to think about it. He couldn’t—Adonis was the reason he was stuck in this state.

Frustration surged again. He couldn’t stay here any longer.

He turned to Jessica, his assistant, and coldly ordered, “Take me out of here.”

~~~🌸~~~~

Zoe gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove, anger simmering beneath the surface. How had her life come to this? Was saving Powers Corp really worth sacrificing her dignity and peace?

For a moment, she had thought Avron might be different. But just as she started to believe in his sincerity, he proved her wrong, showing her he was even worse. Did he even realize how ridiculous he sounded?

When she finally pulled into the villa, she sat in the car, staring at the empty driveway. The quiet only amplified her thoughts. This wasn’t the life she wanted.

She closed her eyes, exhaling a shaky breath. Something had to change—soon.

Zoe stepped into the villa, her heels clicking against the polished floor, only to stop when she saw Adonis standing at the entrance. His tall frame leaned against the doorframe, his piercing eyes locked on her.

“You didn’t call the office today,”  where did you go?”

Her heart skipped a beat. How did he know? Suspicion rose in her mind, but anger quickly drowned it out. She wanted to yell at him, to tell him how much she despised him and his entire family.

“I went to see Dad,” she replied curtly, keeping her voice steady.

Adonis raised an eyebrow, a smug smirk forming on his face. “I see. Trying to be sneaky? Probably hoping to get back at me for going out with Abigail.” He straightened, his tone colder now. “Let me remind you—I am Adonis Walter. I don’t share my women. Even if i don’t touch you, even if we're not a real couple, don’t even think about humiliating me.”

Zoe froze, his words hitting her like a slap. Humiliating him? After everything he had done? Parading Abigail in front of her like she didn’t exist?

Her fists clenched, anger burning in her chest. “Humiliating you?” she repeated, her voice shaking with rage. “And what about Abigail? Do you think people will come to me for therapy when they see my own husband cheating on me? Parading her around like some loyal dog!”

Adonis’s smirk vanished, his expression darkening. He stepped forward and grabbed her cheeks, tilting her face up to meet his icy gaze. “What did you just call me?”