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Chapter 55
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2024-10-23 22:22:39Related chapters
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 56
KAI'S POV.I sat at my desk and stared out the window at the city's skyline; city lights flickered like stars so far away, mocked with every passing day, not knowing she was. Zara was nowhere to be found, and I was in the process of drowning, going down just a little bit deeper every day she stayed away. And in a month, well-known Berlin for me turned into that endless labyrinth, which swallowed her, leaving with nothing but questions and memories.Every lead, every vague trail that I'd followed came to one conclusion, a blind alley. I couldn't eat or sleep properly. The nights simply merged with the mornings, and everything that I thought about was her-being out there probably alone, perhaps frightened, and the best that I could do was nothing. Nothing!I muttered to myself, rubbing at my temples. "Not much longer, I have to do something. Can't sit around, waiting for her to return.”The door clicked open and Liam came in, his face as haggard as mine."Anything?" I asked before he'd
Last Updated : 2024-10-28MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 57
KAI'S POVI stared at the divorce paper in my hands, every word seeming to punch me. The ink was stark, unyielding, as if it didn't care about the innumerable hours, sleepless nights, or shattered pieces of myself I'd given up just to find her. Zara had signed it, her name there right next to mine. And yet she was still unreachable, still hiding.“Why, Zara? Why do this without a word, without an opportunity for me to mend this?”There was dead silence in the study. I ran a hand over my face, trying to steady the storm inside me. Not on my watch was she going to just walk away like that, not without an explanation."This isn't over," I whispered to the empty room.The court house would be the first place I'll head to tomorrow. If she had been in there, then someone should know where she is. And if they refused to give me what I wanted… well, I wouldn't take no for an answer.************The following morning, I went to the registry with the weight of Zara's signature in my jacket poc
Last Updated : 2024-10-28MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 58
LENA'S POV.NEWSblazing on the screen in front of me, I reclined back into my chair within my office, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Zara Adlermissing for a whole month, with quite a significant reward for her return, courtesy of her husband, Kai Adler.” She trailed off, speculating on the particulars of where she was or might be, what might have been the reason for her disappearance, of course, her high-profile marriage to the famed business tycoon.Literally, almost all sort of some powerful billionaire loses his wife, and she's alone and out somewhere, and here is Kai, desperate enough to put a reward on his own wife's head. I admired his grit."Well," I whispered, "looks like I finally got what I wanted.”The more I thought about that, though, the fuller sense it truly made. Zara hadn't disappeared in some tragic accident or scandal. She was gone because the sight of Liam and me together was too much to bear. In my bones, I knew it, anyway. Zara had held onto Liam all thos
Last Updated : 2024-10-28MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 59
KAI'S POVI glanced down at the address hastily jotted down on a piece of paper as a small spark lit in my chest. Mark's words still echoed in my head.*This is the best lead we've got, Mr. Adler. I did manage to trace her request for divorce papers back to this location. I suggest you check it out straightaway.*And then, after weeks of dead ends and unanswered questions, there was finally a possibility, one small but possible chance, that I would see her again. The thought brought equal measures of relief and trepidation. I needed answers and explanation on why she decided to give up on us just like that, when we could just talk it out. But what if she didn't want to see me? What if she was genuinely done with us?I shook my head, willing myself not to travel that path; I had to see her, needed her to hear me out.My phone whirred, and Liam's name danced across the screen. My jaw clenched. Liam wasn't exactly my favorite person in the world, and I knew the feeling was mutual. But
Last Updated : 2024-10-28MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 60
KAI'S POVI pulled up to the address Mark had given me, eyes narrowing as I took in the tall gray façade of the building. A hospital. My chest clenched as anxiety crept up my throat. Why would Zara be here? Has she been hurt? And what about the baby? My baby. But no sooner was I inside, the sliding of automated doors, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting my nostrils, did little to improve my disposition. My eyes did a quick sweep of the waiting room before they settled upon the receptionist, a girl, probably in her early twenties, fidgeting over a stack of files.I approached her; urgency practically dripped from my pores. "Excuse me," I said, stammering and fighting to keep the shakiness out of my voice. "I'm trying to find someone, a patient named Zara Adler. She was just recently admitted here this month."She looked up at me, with a courteous expression, voice detached. "Let me check," she said, fingers already racing across her keyboard. "Zara Adler, you said?""Yes, Zara Ad
Last Updated : 2024-10-28MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 61
Kai's POVI stared blankly at the paper works in front of me, my mind was far from it. Three years…. Three years of searching, of questions that had gone unanswered, of nights that had gone with sleeplessness. Three years of wondering if Zara even remembered me, if she still thought of me-or if she was already lost in a world with someone else. And if she was… Is she raising our child with him? At the thought, my chest tightened with churning anger in my tummy, like a bitter edge.A knock on my door yanked me out of the spiral my thoughts had taken."Come in," I said, gruffer than I intended.My mother stepped in, the lines of her face set in that soft look of concern she had been wearing of late. "Kai," she said softly, seating herself across from me. "It's late. You should be home, rather than burying your nose in work.”"Work's all I have left, Mother," I replied flatly, without emotion, uncaring if the honesty hurt. The concern swirled in her eyes, but after years of her hinting a
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 62
Kai's POVI stared blankly at the woman across from me as my brain went numb, listening to her list all that she had accomplished, all of those high-end fashion events she had attended, and all those awards she had won. More than full-fledged into the fifth minute of elaboration about her high-end fashion career, her voice rose with each sentence ringing with pride.".and last year, I received the European Fashion Innovator award," she concluded, her chin just that fraction higher. "Honestly, it felt like a walkover without stress. I was kind of disappointed, all the others were just no competition at all. You understand how that goes, Kai-mediocrity has no standing against true talent.”I didn't change expression, only nodded a little to forward the encouragement. It was a trick I'd gotten pretty good at: the supportive nod and the accompanying hum that let people know I was really, really paying attention. She didn't catch on that I hadn't said a word in the last ten minutes. Or may
Last Updated : 2024-10-29MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 63
Lena's POVThe crystal chandeliers above cast soft golden glows on the finest of Berlin. I snapped the diamond bracelet onto my wrist and then turned to Liam standing beside me; his expression was set in that mask of disinterest so characteristic. He hadn't said a word all evening, but that didn't matter. Tonight was not about him-it was about appearances. And I needed ours to be impeccable."Can you believe this?" I said beaming, taking in the passing guests. "This CEO that everyone's talking about-he's already causing such a stir and he hasn't even arrived yet. Apparently he's young, from New Zealand and his family's legacy is-what's the word I'm looking for? Legendary.”Liam nodded shortly, his gaze already roving to the exits. I clench my teeth, hoping he would just bloody well fake interest in this. My voice didn't quiver as I plunged on, "Father is talking about a partnership, and if we play our cards right, it's going to be a translation of more influence inside Berlin business
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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MARRIAGE PACT 87
Zara's POVThe world contracted, and I breathed shallowly; all the little noises around me sounded muffled. And then, in the eye of my brain was Kai's smirk, the cruel confidence etched in his features-because it reminded me just what futile position I find myself in with him: he has my son, and he knows that.Teeming with warmth from the multitude of members, with facial masks of confusion and curiosity while the room filled in, my stepfather Mr. Klein finally reached an upright pose, his mask of control mixed with charm upon his face, though it was faintly shaded over by some unease which danced through his eyes.Kai let out this calm, yet strong and clear voice from the back: "Now that is off our back, let us resume."He turned to Mr. Klein, who gave him less than a nod of acknowledgement. My stepfather moved forward; his voice was like silk-slow, cultured, calculated. "Ladies and gentlemen, please-I do apologize for this misunderstanding just now. It was about something very perso
MARRIAGE PACT chapter 86
Zara's POV Thick as the air you breathe, tension lay heavy in the room with all the threats flying around. Michael stood firm beside me, his very presence of us against them. Mr. Klein and Kai sat before us, the sharp glint in their eyes keen and calculating. Here's the deal," Michael said, even but icy. "You come clean about everything-illegal deals, murder, cover-ups-or we take it to the press." Klein let out a low, insidious chuckle that succeeded in raising the hairs on the back of my neck. "You've got a lot of nerve, boy. You have any idea what you're up against? "Don't test us," I said, cutting in-the edge of my resolve, lacing my tone. "We have all the evidence against you: documents, recordings, eyewitnesses. Your empire will fall, and for the first time, you will pay for your crimes." Kai leaned back in his chair, curling his lips a little. "And you are above the law, is that it? You just think nothing's going to come your way due to your little crusade?" I met his gaze
MARRIAGE PACT chapter 85
Zara’s POV The thick silence of the room, after all the board members had been dismissed, made the air almost unbearable. Those who remained were those that counted toward this confrontation: Kai, Michael, Jacob, Mr. Klein, Lena, and me. I felt the weight of their gazes upon me-Lena in her confusion, Jacob in his calm resoluteness, Michael in steadfast support, Mr. Klein in feigned nonchalance, and Kai piercingly amused. Kai was the first to speak, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “Well, Zara, it seems you’ve set quite the stage. What now?” I took a step forward, my pulse racing but my expression calm. “Now, the truth comes out—every last piece of it.” Mr. Klein leaned back in his chair, the smirk concealing something more unease in his eyes. "Truth is such a subjective concept, don't you think?" I turned my back to him, turning to Lena instead. She looked just so lost, so totally bewildered by everything that had happened. My heart was out for her, but this wa
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 84
Zara's POV Thick with tension, suffocating, the room slowly filled with members, reporters, and the unmistakable weight of anticipation. Michael sat beside me, calm and collected as expected, yet practically humming with energy. This was it—today was the day. Across the room, Mr. Klein's smug confidence had fallen to a more guarded expression. Kai sat beside him, leaning back in his chair with an unsettling calm, his calculating gaze flicking between Michael and me. But it wasn't Kai or Klein that unsettled me the most. It was Lena. She stood beside her father, a mask of confusion etched upon her face, her eyes darting in my direction for some sort of explanation-one that for now was impossible for me to provide. Whispers of reporters murmured their questions, as cameras poised for a shot of every moment in action. I pulled the folder laid across my lap just a little tighter. It was heavy-heavier than the words of my mother. Michael leaned closer into me; his voice low, "You ready
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 83
Kai's POV I sat in my study-the soft glow of the lamp on my desk, the only light in the room. It was dead silent, with only the irregular tick of the clock on the wall breaking the stillness. My eyes flickered toward the envelope that lay on the desk, its edges slightly shaking under the weight it carried. Madam Tess entered quietly, carrying a tray with a glass of scotch. "The envelope from Ethan arrived earlier today," she said in that still, calm tone of hers; though her eyes told a whole different story. "Leave it there," I said, nodding toward the desk. I sounded colder than I knew, but the disposition to soften it just wasn't there. I nodded, setting down the drink and envelope, before beating a retreat for the door. A glance over my shoulder before I went did seem in order. "Whatever it is, sir, I hope it brings you clarity." Clarity. A commodity I hadn't enjoyed for years. It glowered at me, a silently hurled challenge. My hand moved to it much more slowly, sliding the kn
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 82
Zara’s POV "We’re almost there," Michael said, his voice steady, yet laced with determination. He leaned forward, spreading the documents across the table in his study. "This evidence alone could take Klein down, but combined with yours, Zara, it’s irrefutable." I nodded, my eyes scanning the papers in front of me. My fingers danced over the old recorder on the table-the same one that had captured a truth I wished I could forget. "It's been three years, but hearing it again." I trailed off, shaking my head. "It still feels unreal." Jacob leaned forward, his voice finally coming deep into the corner, a frown on his face. "Whatever the pain, that recording is the nail to the coffin, Zara. It blindsides both Klein and Kai. I looked toward him with those grooved lines on his features. Years of unjust accusations the world had thrown at this man, my source of strength, and yet some window of ache in the eyes reminded me of exactly what this was all about:. "They silenced her," I whispe
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 81
Kai's POV "Say that again, Ethan," I growled, my fingers clamping onto the edge of my desk. My jaw clenched as I waited for him to repeat words that had already set my pulse racing wildly. The silence had stretched long, but when the words did come, Ethan sounded distinctly uncomfortable. "The boy. He was born in New Zealand two years ago. His birth certificate lists Michael Hartmann as the father." My fist came up onto the desk before I could catch it. It made a resounding thud that bounced back into the silent room. "You're telling me Zara gave birth to a boy and didn't feel that was something important enough to mention to me?" "That's exactly what I'm saying," Ethan replied evenly, though I could hear the hesitation in his voice. "The child is with Michael's cousin. I have the address." I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, trying to restrain the storm inside me. She lied to me. She told me he was dead. My mind coursed through the possibilities. What kind of twisted game was
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 80
Michael's POVThe glow from my laptop screen cast faint shadows across the darkened study. I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the discoveries pressing hard upon my chest.How deep does this go?For weeks, I had tracked every transaction with Mr. Klein's name on it, using his business partnership as cover in investigating his accounts. And what I'd found wasn't illegal; it was explosive: shell companies, offshore accounts, bribed officials-a web of corruption. And right at the center of it? Kai.A knock on the door yanked me from my reverie. Zara stepped inside, her expression grim."Any luck?" she asked, her voice soft yet urgent.I gestured toward the screen. "More than I bargained for."She closed the door behind her and went closer, crossing her arms. "What did you find?"I turned the laptop toward her. "See for yourself."Her eyes moved down the documents, while her furrowed eyebrows deepened further with each passing second.“Offshore accounts in dummy names,” I began, “Tra
MARRIAGE PACT Chapter 79
Zara's POVMichael’s voice was low, but the tension in his words cut through the air like a blade. “I don’t care what your agenda is, Kai. Whatever game you’re playing with Zara, it stops now.”I stood frozen, unseen by either of them, near the door of the conference room. Neither had noticed me step back inside after fetching my file. I pressed my back against the wall, angling for the confrontation without a sound.Kai was annoyingly calm, the arrogance dripping from every pore. "Game? I don't think you understand, Michael. This is no game to me. I have unfinished business with Zara. You're in my way."Michael let out a harsh snort foreign in nature. "Whatever unfinished business you think you have with her is of no relevance. She moved on. You should know how to respect that.”“Moved on?" Kai's laughter was low and cold. "That's what she told you? You really are a kidder, Michael. Zara is a master of concealing the truth. If you think you know her, you're living in dreamland."With
