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EMILY’S POVSilence pierced through the air in the car as Ethan focused on the road. The tension in the air was choking, not knowing what to expect from this date. My hands gripped the seat belt firmly as my heart beat was fighting for stability. I shattered the silence, my voice barely above a whisper. "Where are we headed?" I asked, sneaking a quick glance at Ethan.His lips curled into a captivating smile, revealing his pearly whites. “It's a secret. You will know when we get there," he replied. My gaze lingered on his chiseled features, taking in the familiar sight of his platinum hair, styled perfectly as I had always loved it. His denim shirt and black pants displayed his lean physique, and I found myself drawn to the strong, masculine lines of his arm as he gripped the steering wheel.As I realized he had caught me staring, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Ethan's smile widened, and he burst into a low, throaty laughter. "So cute," he murmured, his eyes crinkling at the
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Marriage Bargain 45
RONALD’S POVCold sweat trickled down my spine as I stared at the message on my screen. The words seemed to sear themselves into my brain: "I have what you dreaded most." My heart racing, I scrolled through the accompanying pictures, and the memories I'd desperately tried to bury for so long came flooding back. My stomach churned with a mix of fear and nausea.My fingers flew across the keyboard, typing out a response with a mix of anger and desperation. "Who are you? And what do you want from me?" I pressed send, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.I tried to call the number, but it went straight to voicemail. I tried again, my frustration growing. It wasn't until I checked the number again that I realized it was a foreign number, routed through a local network. A chill ran down my spine as I realized the person on the other end had taken steps to remain anonymous.After a few minutes, the strange call came through. “ Hello," I said, trying to sound calm. There was a pause on
Last Updated : 2024-12-03Marriage Bargain 46
EMILY'S POVThe car engine faded as we got to Ronald's house. Ethan turned to face me,his eyes locked onto mine, his gaze holding a depth of emotion that made my heart skip a beat. His hands reached out, wrapping around mine as I reached for the door handle. His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and gentle,yet firm as if he didn't want me to disappear.His lips curled into a thin smile, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice low and husky, "for giving me another chance, Emily."The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, as Ethan's eyes searched mine. I felt a flutter in my chest, a sense of vulnerability wash over me, as I met his gaze. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in a moment of tender connection.I hesitated, my lips parting slightly as I searched for the right words. But they wouldn't come. Instead, I offered a small smile, my lips curving upwards in a gentle arc. I nodded my head in response.
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Marriage Bargain 47
RONALD POVI lay in the visitor's room, staring up at the ceiling as my mind wandered back to Emily. I could still see the look of concern etched on her face, the way her eyes had narrowed as she'd questioned me.I tossed onto my side, punching the pillow into shape. Why had I suggested we share a room in the first place? It had seemed like a good idea at the time - a way to avoid suspicion from the workers, all that. But now, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd made a mistake.I threw off the covers and got out of bed, pacing over to the window. I stared out into the night, my eyes unfocused as my thoughts churned. I had told myself that I needed to work, that I didn't want to disturb her. But the truth was, I needed to get away from her. I needed some space to clear my head, to regain control of my emotions.I turned away from the window, my eyes falling on the bed. I knew I wouldn't be sleeping anytime soon. My mind was too busy, my thoughts too tangled. I flopped down onto the b
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Marriage Bargain 48
EMILY'S POVMy phone rang, displaying "Father" on the screen, breaking my thoughts. I let out a soft sigh and silenced the phone, sending the call to voicemail.Martha set a steaming plate of pasta in front of me, and I picked up my fork, ready to dig in. Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming message. I glanced down, my eyes scanning the screen."My daughter, it's been a while since you visited. Drop by with your husband on Friday, I would anticipate your arrival.”My eyes narrowed, scanning the message again as if searching for a hidden meaning. My lips pressed together, forming a thin line, and my jaw clenched, the muscles in my face tensing. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and my fingers instinctively tightened around my phone, my knuckles whitening.I set the phone down, my gaze drifting away, lost in thought. My mind was a jumble of memories, each one flashing before my eyes like a slideshow. My stepfather's face, stern and disapproving, my step-sister's smug smile, and
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Marriage Bargain 49
RONALD POVI rubbed throbbing temples,my eyelids opening slightly,my eye adjusting to the surroundings. ‘Where am I?’ I asked myself, removing the duvet covering my body. I was still looking around the room when Colin entered the spacious room with a cup of tea in his hand.“Morning,” he said,his voice cheerful. Or should I say, afternoon?”I glared at him,trying to piece together the events of the previous night.“What happened?” I asked,my voice hoarse. I managed to sit upright before a splitting headache shook my body. Colin walked over to me ,handing me a cup of tea. “You had a bit of a wild night,”he said,his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I had to carry you out of the bar.”I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me as I realized the state I must have been in. “Oh on,” I groaned, placing my palm on my throbbing head.As I sat there, nursing my pounding headache, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. I had given up drinking years ago, determined to leave my pa
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Marriage Bargain 50
EMILY'S POV I had gotten home,tired and exhausted after the day's work.I pulled out my phone and dialed Mia's number but it went into voicemail. ‘I guess I would have to go alone,’ I muttered to myself as I relaxed into my chair, letting my tense body relax slowly.My mind drifted back to the unexpected message from my stepfather. Why did he want to meet with me and Ronald out of the blue? The uncertainty gnawed at me like a persistent itch.Thinking of Ronald. My mind wandered around the empty rooms,a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach. It has been two nights since I’d last seen Ronald, and his absence felt like a palpable void.I thought back to the previous evening, trying to recall if he'd mentioned anything about being absent. But my mind came up blank.A faint sence of worry crept over me, and I found myself walking to the kitchen,where I knew I'd find the head worker,Martha. Maybe she'd seen Ronald or knew something about his whereabout.“Martha,have you seen Ro
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Marriage Bargain 51
CHAPTER 51RONALD POV As I stepped out of the conference room, the weight of the day's negotiations settled heavy on my shoulders. The investor's skeptical gaze still lingered in my mind, a reminder of the uphill battle I'd faced. Every word, every gesture, had been a deliberate attempt to sway him, to convince him that our vision was worth his investment.But I'd refused to give up. The thrill of the challenge had driven me forward, fueled by my innate hatred of losing. And then, in a moment of triumph, I'd seen the investor's demeanor shift, his expression softening into a nod of agreement. The rush of adrenaline still coursed through my veins as I walked out of the room, a sense of hard-won victory etched on my face.But as I reached my hotel room, a nagging sense of unease crept over me. How had our competitor, Racoon Inc., known about our plans to partner with this investor? The information was confidential, shared only with a select few within our organization.A shiver ran dow
Last Updated : 2024-12-09
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Marriage Bargain 88
EMILY'S POVAs I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at my phone, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of Ronald that had been plaguing me all morning. I had made up my mind to avoid him at all costs when I get back to work on Monday. But the thought of avoiding him only made my heart ache. Mia's sudden return, beaming with a bright smile, caught me off guard. "Emily," she called out, her voice low and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.I looked up, my curiosity piqued, and raised an eyebrow. "What's making you smile like that?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of amusement.Mia just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and said, "I have something to show you." My curiosity was piqued, and I found myself leaning in, eager to know what Mia had in store.Just then, Colin walked in, followed by Ronald. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions: anger, hurt, and a hint of longing. My expression changed instantly, my
Marriage Bargain 87
RONALD'S POV Ronald went about his morning routine, tackling his tasks with his usual efficiency. But just as he was getting into the swing of things, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Calling."Hey, meet me at the usual spot," Calling said, his voice low and mysterious.Ronald's brow furrowed in surprise. "What's up? It's only 2 pm. We don't usually meet until evening."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Calling responded, "Just trust me on this one, Ronald. I need to show you something."Ronald's curiosity was piqued. What could Calling possibly want to show him that couldn't wait until evening?As I drove to meet Colin, the city streets blurred together in a haze of worry and anxiety. The sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the pavement were the only sounds that filled my mind. I navigated through the crowded streets, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, my mind racing with thoughts of Colin's call. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease
Marriage Bargain 86
EMILY'S POV As I lounged on the couch, lost in thought, the door swung open and Mia burst in, her energy infectious. She dropped her bag with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Emily, let's eat out today!" she exclaimed, already moving towards me.I opened my mouth to protest, but she was too quick. Her hand shot up, palm facing me, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation wash over me. Mia always got her way, and I knew better than to argue.With a sigh, I let her pull me up from the couch. She propelled me towards the bedroom, chattering excitedly about her day. I shrugged, letting her fuss over me as she rummaged through my closet for a change of clothes.As Mia dug through my closet, her voice bubbled over with excitement, recounting the highlights of her day at the office. I couldn't help but smile as she giggled her way through a story about her boss's misadventure with a cup of coffee. "And then, he stood up, and coffee just dripped down his shirt!" Mia's laugh
Marriage Bargain 85
RONALD'S POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. It had been a week since I'd sent Emily packing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I missed her. I missed her smile, her laugh, her sleepy face under the morning light . I even missed the way the calls me, the way my name rolled out of her tongue when we were intimate .But my pride refused to let me admit it. I had to maintain my tough exterior, my confident demeanor. I couldn't let anyone see the vulnerability that was eating away at me.As I glanced around the office, I noticed my subordinates whispering and glancing at me. I knew they were speculating about my relationship with Emily. The fact that she hadn't been coming to work only added fuel to the fire.I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why did they have to gossip about my personal life? Bunch of gossipers. But deep down, I knew it was my own fault. I had let my pride and ego get the better of me. I ha
Marriage Bargain 84
EMILY POVI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my grief. My body ached from crying, my eyes burning from the constant flow of tears. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such overwhelming sadness.As I lay there, I felt Mia's gentle touch on my shoulder, her soft words of comfort whispering in my ear. But I couldn't respond, couldn't even muster up the energy to push her away. I just lay there, numb and broken, as she tried to reach me.I knew Mia was worried, I could sense it in her touch, her voice. But I couldn't reassure her, couldn't even look at her. I just felt too much pain, too much sorrow.As the minutes ticked by, I felt Mia's presence fade away, leaving me alone in my darkness. The silence was oppressive, the only sound was my quiet sobs. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my grief, unable to escape.I don't know how long I lay there, lost in my sorrow. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside my
Marriage Bargain 83
RONALD'S POVI stormed into the conference room, my face a thundercloud. My team, seated around the table, exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't help it - I was still reeling from the pictures I had received the previous day. My mood was in a jumble of mess. "Alright, let's get started," I growled, slamming my fist on the table. My team jumped, taken aback by my outburst."Uh, yes, sir," one of them stammered. "We've got the quarterly reports ready for review."I snatched the report from the team member's hand, my eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of disdain and anger."This is unacceptable," I snapped, my voice rising. "You call this a report? It's a joke!"The team member who had presented the report looked taken aback. "I-I apologize, sir. I'll make sure to-"I cut him off, my face red with rage. "You'd better. I expect to see a revised report on my desk by the end of the day. And if it's not up to par, there will be consequences."The team nodded hastily, eager to escape my
Marriage Bargain 82
EMILY POVI trudged into the room, my heart heavy with shame, regret and confusion. Ronald's words still echoed in my mind, "I don't want to see you again." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut,my heart shattered,my breath knocked out of me.I began to pack my bags, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to process what had just happened. The question, ‘How did this happen?’ swirl in my mind,I couldn't even remember all that happened before I black out, I just know that I was in the club. I didn't have anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I contemplated calling Mia, but I didn't want to burden her again. She'd already done so much for me.But I didn't have a choice. I had to call Mia. She was the only person I could turn to. I dialed her number, my heart racing with anxiety.Mia's son came to pick me up, and the drive was silent. I could feel Mia's eyes on me, sense her curiosity and concern. But she didn't ask me any questions, didn't pry. She just let me be.When we arrived at Mi
Marriage Bargain 81
RONALD'S POVAs I stepped into my house, I felt a wave of fury wash over me. My expression was a mask of controlled anger, my eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. My jaw was clenched in a tight line, my face set in a stern, unyielding expression.I couldn't believe what I had just seen. A photo of Emily, laughing and smiling with a drink in her hand, had been sent to me. My mind was reeling with questions and doubts. Why had she lied to me? Why had she told me she was going to a quiet dinner with Mia when in reality she was out partying?I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my trust and faith in Emily shattered. I couldn't believe that she had betrayed me like this. I thought we had something real, something special. But now, I wasn't so sure.As I walked through the house, my footsteps were heavy and deliberate. I was weighing each step carefully, trying to calm myself down before I confronted Emily. But it was no use. My anger and hurt were simmering just below the surface, w
Marriage Bargain 80
EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'
