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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Love’s Fortune Twenty One
The day started off like any other. Arthur and I had traveled to Portugal, he had a penthouse there and a office at the back. I was in the middle of my morning coffee now, scrolling through emails, when my phone buzzed with an alert. I didn’t think much of it until the second one came. Then a third. Before I knew it, my phone was blowing up with notifications.Confused, I opened one of the messages from Brielle. The subject line alone made my heart stop."Did you see this?!"My hands shook as I clicked on the link she sent. The page loaded, and there it was—a headline plastered across the top of one of those gossip sites that you’d swear only existed to ruin people’s lives:"Arthur Stone’s Marriage: A Business Deal?!"My breath caught in my throat. My eyes skimmed over the article, but I could barely make sense of the words. "Arranged marriage," "contract," "scandal"—these words jumped out at me, each one hitting harder than the last. My stomach twisted in knots as I read the speculat
Love’s Fortune Twenty Two
I was sitting by the window, watching the rain drizzle down the glass, lost in my thoughts. Arthur was still at the penthouse’s office, caught up in yet another meeting with his team, and I was alone with too much time on my hands. The past few days had been a whirlwind—what with the media circus and all—but things had finally started to calm down. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.I sighed, leaning back in the chair, and let my eyes wander around the room. It was so quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that made you start thinking about all the things you’d rather not think about. Like the way Arthur had been more distant lately, how he’d throw himself into work every chance he got, like he was trying to escape something. Or someone.I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. Arthur was just stressed. That’s all it was. After everything that had happened with the press, who wouldn’t be?But then there was Vladimir.Even thinking about his name made my skin craw
Love’s Fortune Twenty Two
I was sitting by the window, watching the rain drizzle down the glass, lost in my thoughts. Arthur was still at the penthouse’s office, caught up in yet another meeting with his team, and I was alone with too much time on my hands. The past few days had been a whirlwind—what with the media circus and all—but things had finally started to calm down. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.I sighed, leaning back in the chair, and let my eyes wander around the room. It was so quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that made you start thinking about all the things you’d rather not think about. Like the way Arthur had been more distant lately, how he’d throw himself into work every chance he got, like he was trying to escape something. Or someone.I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. Arthur was just stressed. That’s all it was. After everything that had happened with the press, who wouldn’t be?But then there was Vladimir.Even thinking about his name made my skin craw
Love’s Fortune Twenty Three
The night was dark and quiet, a stillness that usually brought me comfort. But tonight, that stillness felt different—heavier, almost suffocating. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, something lurking just beyond the shadows. Arthur had been on edge all day, more so than usual. Even though he tried to hide it, I could see the worry in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched whenever his phone buzzed. He hadn’t told me much—only that we needed to be extra careful, that Vladimir was likely planning something. But I could tell there was more he wasn’t saying, more he was trying to protect me from. I was sitting in the living room, pretending to read a book, but my mind was racing. Arthur was in his office, probably working late again, but I couldn’t focus on anything. My eyes kept drifting to the clock on the wall, counting down the minutes, waiting for something to happen. Then, suddenly, there was a noise—a soft, almost imperceptible sound coming from outside. My hea
Love’s Fortune Twenty Five
I always knew the media loved a good story, but I never imagined I’d be at the center of one. The last few days had been a whirlwind—rumors swirling about our marriage, reporters hounding us at every turn, and whispers that Arthur and I were just another power couple forced together by convenience, not love. I tried not to let it get to me. After all, I knew the truth, and that should have been enough. But still, the constant headlines and the harsh scrutiny wore me down. Everywhere I looked, there was some new article or news segment dissecting our relationship, making wild guesses about why we were together.I didn’t care much about what people thought of me, but I couldn’t stand the idea of them dragging Arthur’s name through the mud. He was a good man, and he didn’t deserve this. Yet, no matter how many times I tried to tell myself that the opinions of strangers didn’t matter, it still stung. Today was supposed to be a simple press conference—Arthur was announcing a new project
Love’s Fortune Twenty Six
The sun was beginning to set as Arthur and I finally left the office. It had been another exhausting day, filled with endless meetings and discussions that left me feeling drained. Arthur, of course, was his usual calm and composed self. He always seemed to handle everything with such ease, while I felt like I was barely keeping it together. But I knew that once we stepped outside, things were only going to get worse.The news about our marriage being arranged had turned our lives upside down. The media frenzy was beyond anything I could have imagined. Reporters were everywhere, asking intrusive questions and speculating about our relationship like it was some kind of soap opera. It was exhausting, and I was starting to feel like I couldn’t escape it.As we walked towards the car, I spotted the usual crowd of reporters and photographers waiting at the entrance. They were always there, ready to pounce on us with their cameras and questions.“Morgan! Arthur! Is it true that your marriag
Love’s Fortune Twenty Seven
It had been a few weeks since Arthur stood up for me in front of everyone. The media was still buzzing, but things were starting to calm down. Arthur and I were getting closer, relying on each other more than ever. Just when I thought things might finally settle down, Vladimir came back into the picture.Vladimir had always been a problem. He was sneaky and loved causing trouble. From the moment I met him, I didn’t trust him. He had this way of smiling at Arthur that felt fake, and his eyes were always cold. It gave me chills.Now, he was back, and I could feel that something bad was about to happen.Arthur was spending more time at home, trying to stay on top of things. We both knew Vladimir wasn’t going to give up easily. He had already tried to hurt Arthur—and even me—before. But Arthur, being Arthur, stayed calm. He never showed fear, but I could see the worry in his eyes when Vladimir’s name came up.One evening, Arthur’s phone rang. I could tell right away that the news wasn’t g
Love’s Fortune Twenty Eight
The night was quiet—too quiet. Arthur and I had just finished dinner, the kind of dinner where we barely spoke, just enjoyed the silence, each other’s company. I could tell he was tense, though. Ever since Vladimir had started acting up, Arthur had been on edge. I was too, but I tried not to show it. I didn’t want to add to his stress.“Let’s go for a walk,” Arthur suggested after we cleared the dishes.I nodded. The garden was always a good place to clear our heads, to forget, even if just for a moment, about all the chaos Vladimir was causing. We stepped out into the cool night, the stars twinkling above us, and the scent of flowers filling the air. But as we walked, something didn’t feel right. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.“I feel like we’re being watched,” I whispered, my hand tightening around Arthur’s.Arthur’s eyes scanned the shadows. “Stay close to me,” he murmured, his voice steady, but I could hear the undercurrent of worry.We continued walking, but the feeli
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Love’s Fortune Forty
Sage arrived unannounced, her presence instantly changing the atmosphere in our home. I had never met her before, but I knew of her. Arthur had spoken of her a few times, in that casual way you mention an old friend from childhood who had drifted away over the years. But now, seeing her in person, I could feel something wasn’t right. She didn’t come here just to catch up.She was beautiful, of course. The kind of beauty that seemed effortless—sleek dark hair, sharp green eyes, and a certain confidence that came with knowing you could get what you wanted. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t just here to say hello.Arthur greeted her with the usual politeness, but I could sense the awkwardness in the way he stood, the slight stiffness in his movements. He didn’t seem thrilled to see her, and I wondered why.Sage smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Arthur,” she said smoothly, “it’s been too long.”Arthur nodded, stepping back to let her inside. “Yeah, it has,” he replied, his
Love’s Fortune Thirty Nine
When the police arrived and dragged Vladimir away, I could barely stand. My legs felt unsteady, and I leaned against the nearest wall, my mind spinning. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling at that moment—relief, exhaustion, or just pure shock. But I was safe, and that’s all that mattered now.Arthur was beside me in seconds, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. His face was tense, and I could see the worry in his eyes, but his presence helped calm the whirlwind in my head.“Are you okay?” he asked quietly, his voice rough from the earlier fight. He had never looked so worn out, but there was a softness in the way he looked at me that made me feel a little more grounded.I nodded, not trusting myself to say much. The events of the night were still swirling in my head, and my body ached from the struggle. Vladimir’s twisted words echoed in my mind, but I shook them off. He was gone now, arrested, and wouldn’t hurt me again. At least, not physically.Arthur wrapped his arm around me, pul
Love’s Fortune Thirty Eight
I had been locked in this dark room for what felt like hours, maybe even days. The walls were cold and damp, the air heavy and thick with silence. I could hear nothing from the outside, no sound of cars or people, just my own heartbeat drumming in my ears. I had no idea where I was. All I knew was that Vladimir had me, and Arthur wasn’t here to protect me. The fear gnawed at my chest, but I fought against it. I had to stay strong, had to believe that Arthur would come for me. He always did. But right now, that felt so far away. The door creaked open, and my heart raced. I saw Vladimir standing there, his eyes cold and calculating as he stepped into the room. His presence made the air feel even heavier. I backed up until I was pressed against the wall, every instinct telling me to run, even though there was nowhere to go. Vladimir smirked at me, that same sick grin I’d seen before. “You look so scared, Morgan,” he said softly, almost mockingly. “You didn’t think it would come to
Love’s Fortune Thirty Seven
I had been locked in this dark room for what felt like hours, maybe even days. The walls were cold and damp, the air heavy and thick with silence. I could hear nothing from the outside, no sound of cars or people, just my own heartbeat drumming in my ears. I had no idea where I was. All I knew was that Vladimir had me, and Arthur wasn’t here to protect me.The fear gnawed at my chest, but I fought against it. I had to stay strong, had to believe that Arthur would come for me. He always did. But right now, that felt so far away. The door creaked open, and my heart raced. I saw Vladimir standing there, his eyes cold and calculating as he stepped into the room. His presence made the air feel even heavier. I backed up until I was pressed against the wall, every instinct telling me to run, even though there was nowhere to go.Vladimir smirked at me, that same sick grin I’d seen before. “You look so scared, Morgan,” he said softly, almost mockingly. “You didn’t think it would come to this,
Love’s Fortune Thirty Six
It was just supposed to be a normal day.I had meetings lined up back-to-back, all centered on the business expansion, the kind of thing that normally took my focus. But ever since Vladimir had started lurking in the shadows, my mind wasn’t where it should be. Even when I was in those boardrooms, listening to presentations, signing off on contracts, my thoughts were somewhere else. My thoughts were with Morgan.I hadn’t wanted to leave her alone, not even for a few hours, but she had insisted. “Arthur, you’ve got work to do. I’m fine. Besides, the security team is here.” Her smile had been soft, reassuring, but it hadn’t eased the knot in my chest.But now, as I sat there in the middle of another meeting, my phone buzzed on the table. I glanced down at it, expecting it to be a routine email or a message from one of my assistants. Instead, my heart stopped.It was a text from one of my security guys.**Morgan is gone.**I didn’t even bother with an explanation. I stood up, ignoring the
Love’s Fortune Thirty Five
The air felt thick with tension, even though I was sitting in our cozy living room, sunlight streaming through the windows. I could tell something was off the moment Arthur walked in. He didn’t have to say anything—his jaw was clenched, and the way he was pacing made it clear. Something was wrong."Arthur," I called softly from the couch, my hand resting on my small but growing belly. “What is it?”He stopped, turning to look at me. His face was hard, but his eyes softened when they landed on me. Still, I could see the storm brewing behind them. “Vladimir knows,” he said simply, his voice low and tense.I froze. The name alone sent a chill down my spine. “Knows what?”Arthur’s gaze dropped to my belly, and that was all the answer I needed. My hand instinctively tightened around my bump, protectively.“How…?” I asked, though deep down I knew it didn’t matter. Vladimir had eyes everywhere. Of course, he would find out. I just wasn’t ready to face the reality of it.Arthur sat down besid
Love’s Fortune Thirty Four
It hit me like a wave—a slow, creeping realization that didn’t make sense at first, but then everything suddenly clicked. The nausea, the exhaustion, the weird cravings… and the missed period. I sat there, staring at the little test in my hand, the two lines clear as day. Pregnant.I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, just staring, but it felt like time had frozen. My heart was racing, and a hundred thoughts were running through my head. I wasn’t ready for this, was I? I mean, Arthur and I had been through so much already—fighting assassins, dodging Vladimir’s endless schemes, and barely managing to stay alive some days. And now… a baby?The front door creaked open, and I quickly shoved the test into my bag. Arthur walked in, his eyes immediately locking onto me. He was always so attuned to everything I did, like he could read my emotions even before I knew what I was feeling. Today was no different.“Morgan?” he asked, his voice full of concern. “Are you okay? You look pale.”I tried
Love’s Fortune Thirty Three
Everything felt off. Even though we were back in the city, the tension hadn’t eased. In fact, it had gotten worse. Every shadow seemed to move, every sound felt like a warning. Arthur and I couldn’t relax. We were always looking over our shoulders, waiting for something bad to happen. The last few days had been a blur. We barely had time to catch our breath after escaping the forest. Vladimir had already sent his assassins after us once, and now we were back in the city, knowing full well he wasn’t going to stop. The man was ruthless, and he wanted Arthur gone.We holed up in the small apartment Arthur’s friend let us stay in. It wasn’t much, but it was safe. For now, anyway. The apartment was plain, with a couch and a small table, but the important part was that it wasn’t our place. Vladimir wouldn’t know where to find us here. At least, that’s what I hoped.But the fear never left me. Every time I heard a noise outside the door, my heart would start pounding. I kept thinking back t
Love’s Fortune Thirty Two
We finally broke free from the thick trees, stepping out onto a dirt road that would eventually lead us back to the city. The forest had been our hiding place for what felt like forever, but now, as the city’s skyline loomed in the distance, all I felt was relief. The glow of the streetlights and the faint hum of traffic were a reminder of the world we left behind days ago.“We made it,” Arthur said, his voice strained with exhaustion. His hand was still gripping mine tightly, like he was afraid to let go. It had been our lifeline during this whole nightmare, and right now, it was the only thing keeping me from collapsing. I gave him a small nod, too tired to speak. My legs ached, and my feet throbbed in my sneakers. The past few days had been a blur of running and hiding from Vladimir’s assassins. They had been on our trail nonstop, hunting us like animals. But somehow, we had survived. Arthur glanced at me, concern written all over his face. “How are you holding up?”“I’m fine,”
