LOGINShare
Chapter 57 ~ Desire, and then confusion
Last Updated:
2025-01-30 10:00:44~~~~
From the very first time I saw this man, I knew him to be a man of his word.
A man who never joked with promises or declarations, not unless he didn’t mean it,
But with him, I had to question every word, every promise. After all, what could I really believe in a man who had been tangled in a web of lies and duty, especially when his heart still seemed to belong to someone else? I’d seen him care for Diana, and I wasn’t foolish enough to ignore the depth of that connection.
But in this moment, standing before him, I couldn’t ignore the vulnerability in his eyes. The heaviness of his words hung heavy in the air, and for once, I wasn’t sure what to think. He was offering me something, but was it real? Or was this just another role he was playing?
I reached for his face, my hands trembling slightly, not knowing if I was reaching for reassurance or if I was afraid of what he might say next.
Slowly, I kissed him,
Related chapters
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 57 ~ Continuation
~~~~~“I was afraid of this day,” Mrs. Lola said absently, her voice soft but filled with melancholy.“What do you mean?” Mrs. Nora asked, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she turned toward her.Sighing deeply, Mrs. Lola glanced away, her hands clasped nervously. "Well, out of all the women Sir Black has ever brought to this place, this is the first time I’ve ever felt truly appreciated and cared for.” She hesitated before adding, “No offense.” She cast a quick, apologetic glance at Mrs. Nora.“Hahaha, none taken, Lola,” Mrs. Nora replied with a light laugh, though a curious expression lingered on her face. “But why did you say it like that?”Mrs. Lola turned to her, her gaze thoughtful yet firm. “Because she’s different. She’s nice, caring... With her here, I’ve never felt like just a maid. It’s as if I’m part of the family
Last Updated : 2025-01-30Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 1 ~ The Johnsons
~~~~~Being the first child of a Chicago farmer isn’t exactly a walk in the park.Picture this: Heartaches, body pains, barely enough food to go round, the constant struggles to stay sane, and the daily grind of farm life. It’s like living in a soap opera, but with more mud and fewer dramatic pauses.I’m Mary Johnson, the proud firstborn of Mr. and Mrs. Becky Johnson.My parents are the epitome of hardworking citizens: devoted Christians who places a value on big and small things.We live in what you might call a "charming" little cottage that’s really more of a glorified shed, and a tiny patch of farmland not too far from the bright lights of Illinois.We weren’t rolling in dough, but hey, we had just enough to keep the pantry stocked. Well, that was the case until my siblings came into the picture.Lisa and Lora weren’t twins, but they sure look and act like it. They’ve won the admiration of everyone around them because of how brave and intelligent they were.Honestly, though, once
Last Updated : 2024-09-10Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 1 ~ Continuations
~~~~Instead of answering her, I cried harder, then Lisa worriedly asked, “Was it something I said?” She looked from dad to mom and then back to me, about to tear up, “I am sorry, I didn’t.”When I saw the single tear in her eyes, I hurried to her side and called her into my arms, I hugged her tightly “Oh Lisa,” I said between tears,, “it is not something you did, I am so, so sorry.”“What? I don’t understand. Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong.” She said, confused.“No, I did everything wrong.” I sob as I hold her face up; I can’t let them be driven to an edge this early. “Can you ever forgive me?” I asked in tears.Lisa took my hand from her face, she teared up as well, and Lora followed, “Of course, big sis.” She sniffled and added, “I forgive whatever you think you did wrong.” She smiled, and it was the best.“Thank you,” I said and stood, and patted both her and Lora’s heads.“Mary.” Father, who had been quiet, called me.“Yes, papa?” I answered as I dried my tears.“
Last Updated : 2024-09-10Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 2 ~ My choice
~~~~Instead of replying, Mom just stared at me, utterly speechless. Her expression was like a storm waiting to break; she was clearly furious, but words seemed to fail her. I couldn’t blame her—after all, I’m the model daughter who rarely talks back. When I do, it’s as if some mischievous spirit has suddenly possessed me.Dad, as usual, kept right on eating, pretending he hadn’t heard a word. But I caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.Finally, Mom turned to him and demanded, “Aren’t you going to say anything about this?”Choking back his laughter, Dad replied, “What do you mean 'say anything’? Isn’t that what you’re already doing?”“Daniel Johnson?” Mom used his full name, a clear sign she was furious. “You’re just going to let our daughter decide not to go to college? Worse, you’re backing her up? Are you serious?”Dad sighed, clearly worn out, and countered, mimicking Mom’s tone, “Becky Johnson, I don’t see you doing anything.”Lisa and Lora burst into laugh
Last Updated : 2024-09-10Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 3 ~ An Old Friend
~~~~The following week, things kicked off with a surprising twist. Lisa and Lora were back in school, their tuition fees finally sorted, while I stayed behind, embracing my new role as the family’s resident farmhand.My mornings were spent helping Mom and Papa on the farm, and by afternoon, I’d transform into a savvy market vendor, haggling over the price of vegetables, fruits, and spices that I’d painstakingly gathered from our land.At first, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. Let’s just say, I wasn’t born with a green thumb.But after almost two years of back-breaking work, I became a bit of a farming prodigy—well, at least in my eyes. I could tell when the soil was just right, spot a ripe tomato from a mile away, and even shoo away pesky critters without breaking a sweat.Sometimes, when Mom and Dad couldn’t make it to the fields, I’d step in, working tirelessly under the sun. I was convinced it was up to me to keep everything running smoothly. Mom and Papa weren’t getting any
Last Updated : 2024-09-11Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 3 ~ Continuation
~~~~So, just like that, I opened up to Rachael, laying it all out. I told her how I decided to give up my education and my dreams, so my siblings could continue theirs. I wasn’t exactly drowning in shame—I was genuinely happy to see my sisters moving forward.But, honestly, there were times when the sadness crept in, that nagging feeling of being a failure, stuck in the same place for twenty years.It was like a little voice constantly reminding me that I hadn’t done anything remarkable with my life. I wanted to change things, but the ‘how’ and ‘what’ felt like questions I couldn’t answer.frankly speaking, I was getting tired of putting on a fake smile, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.The weight of it all—the sadness, the self-doubt—was overwhelming. Here I was, twenty years old and feeling like a failure with nothing to my name. No matter how strong I tried to appear, a part of me died inside every single day.Rachael’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Wow! That’s... well,
Last Updated : 2024-09-11Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 4 ~ Rachael’s proposition
~~~~I stared at Rachael, my brain running in circles trying to process what she just said. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, like a high-speed chase where every thought had its own getaway car.Was she seriously suggesting what I thought she was suggesting? Although, at this point, even that was confusing.She must have noticed the skepticism plastered all over my face because her grin widened to an almost cartoonish level. “Trust me,” she said, practically bouncing on the bench with excitement, “it’s not as crazy as it sounds. And hey, if it is, you know I’ve never shied away from a little crazy.”“What kind of proposition could she possibly have?” I thought, trying to make sense of the dizzying amount of possibilities. From becoming a royal farmer for the British food company to possibly running away with the circus, my mind was already imagining all sorts of crazy possibilities.Just when I was starting to dread the impending pitch, Rachael dropped the bombshell. “How ab
Last Updated : 2024-09-14Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 5 ~ My Mom and I
~~~Just as I had predicted, my mother stood outside with a flashlight, no doubt waiting for me. “Seriously? What am I, twelve?” I muttered to myself as I approached the house.~~~As Mrs. Johnson stood outside, patiently waiting for her daughter, an unfamiliar fear tightened around her heart. She despised the idea of her children working or studying in places where she couldn’t keep an eye on them. Whenever they left the house, she was filled with anxiety.She had grown up in an environment where children—especially girls—went missing daily. When she was about eighteen, she had a narrow escape from being kidnapped. If it hadn’t been for the man who would become her beloved husband, she and several other children might have vanished forever. She had sworn never to let her children stray far from her side until they were someone else’s responsibility. Even then, she insisted they stay in places where she could keep watch over them.“What’s taking her so long? The restaurants should be
Last Updated : 2024-09-17
Latest chapter
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 57 ~ Continuation
~~~~~“I was afraid of this day,” Mrs. Lola said absently, her voice soft but filled with melancholy.“What do you mean?” Mrs. Nora asked, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she turned toward her.Sighing deeply, Mrs. Lola glanced away, her hands clasped nervously. "Well, out of all the women Sir Black has ever brought to this place, this is the first time I’ve ever felt truly appreciated and cared for.” She hesitated before adding, “No offense.” She cast a quick, apologetic glance at Mrs. Nora.“Hahaha, none taken, Lola,” Mrs. Nora replied with a light laugh, though a curious expression lingered on her face. “But why did you say it like that?”Mrs. Lola turned to her, her gaze thoughtful yet firm. “Because she’s different. She’s nice, caring... With her here, I’ve never felt like just a maid. It’s as if I’m part of the family
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 57 ~ Desire, and then confusion
~~~~From the very first time I saw this man, I knew him to be a man of his word.A man who never joked with promises or declarations, not unless he didn’t mean it,But with him, I had to question every word, every promise. After all, what could I really believe in a man who had been tangled in a web of lies and duty, especially when his heart still seemed to belong to someone else? I’d seen him care for Diana, and I wasn’t foolish enough to ignore the depth of that connection.But in this moment, standing before him, I couldn’t ignore the vulnerability in his eyes. The heaviness of his words hung heavy in the air, and for once, I wasn’t sure what to think. He was offering me something, but was it real? Or was this just another role he was playing?I reached for his face, my hands trembling slightly, not knowing if I was reaching for reassurance or if I was afraid of what he might say next.Slowly, I kissed him,
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 56 ~ Continuation
~~~~Eric was shocked at the question because he wasn't expecting it, but... Placing his cup down. “It’s not just that. There’s more to this… and it’s all tied to why I can’t just pack up and leave for New York.”“Oh! Now that we are talking about this, I do remember your mother mentioning something about that. So, I’ll need to show myself in order for him to believe us to be a real couple, right?” I asked."Yes... seems so,” he replied.I stood up. “Well, that means our honeymoon is also coming to an end. Seeing that his return is sooner than expected, we need to pack,” I told him.He hastily grabbed my hand as I attempted to walk past him and pulled me close to him. In this position, with me standing and him sitting down with his head close to my belly, he looked up at me. “You are not mad at me?” he asked.“Eh? Why would I be?” I said as
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 56 ~ Who I belong to
~~~~~Later that day, Eric stormed into my room, his eyes blazing red like a wildfire. I gasped in shock as he hurled his phone against the wall, smashing it into pieces.“What the hell, Eric? What happened?” I asked, my voice trembling with worry as I rushed to him.He was pacing back and forth like a caged animal, his fists clenched at his sides. “I can’t believe she’d pull this off! How dare that—” His words cut off as he trembled with uncontainable anger, struggling to find the words to express himself.“Eric?” I reached for his face, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Take a deep breath and calm down,” I said softly, though my heart raced at the sight of him like this.He was like a raging bull, veins bulging as his chest heaved. Gently, I took his hand in mine. “Come with me,” I said, leading him to the sofa.Once he sank into the cushions, I offered him a reassuring smile. “Better?” I asked, keeping my tone gentle.“Only if you kiss me,” he replied, a weary smirk tugging at his lips
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 55 ~ Continuation
Continuation~~~~~~Eric's mind was still clouded as he drove Diana out of the mansion at her request. “You seem happy,” she remarked, her voice dripping with curiosity.“Should I be frowning?” he asked, his tone irked.“Of course not,” she replied, but then her gaze sharpened. “But why were you in her room, Eric?”Despite the fact that Diana had been outside the door, she hadn’t heard their moans as they kissed. Good. He wasn’t about to let her know what had really been going on. “Nothing… I just needed to talk something out with her,” he lied, though not entirely. He did talk to her, but their lips did most of the talking. A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.Diana wasn’t buying it. “Then why did you have to lock the door if you were just talking? You should have left it open.”Suddenly, Eric slammed on the brakes, bringing
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 55 ~ You are mine
~~~~Eric pulled Mary closer, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her tightly against him. Her chest pressed against his, and she could feel the heat of his body through their clothes. Mary's eyes fluttered, half-lidded, as the world around her seemed to slow down. His lips looked small from afar, but now that she was this close, she could see their fullness, their shape—perfectly sculpted, inviting.She could feel his breath against her skin, warm and steady, as he nudged his nose against hers. It was as if the space between them was no longer important; it was just the two of them, locked in this fragile moment. Their mouths met softly, lazily, as if the kiss was more of a question than an answer.Her eyelids grew heavy, the weight of them almost too much to bear. She wanted to open her eyes, to take in everything—the intensity in his dark eyes, the mess of his hairline that seemed to call out to her. She wanted to remember it, to savor it, becau
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 54 ~ The one I want
~~~~I was still in my room, unaware of the commotion outside or the fact that Eric was heading straight for me.“Well, I look beautiful in this outfit,” I thought, admiring myself in the mirror. “I should take a picture.” Just as I bent down to grab my phone, the door was suddenly pushed open with a strong force, and then bam… it slammed shut.I spun around in shock, my hair whipping around me. Eric stood in the doorway, his intense gaze locked onto me. My heart thudded in my chest.“What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here..." I snapped, knowing that Diana was somewhere out there, probably waiting for him—or coming after him.“This is my house,” he replied calmly.“Well, this is my room, and I’d like to be alone in it,” I shot back, trying to mask the unease that was creeping up on me.He remained silent for a moment before speaking again. “How are you feeling?”“What do you mean? How am I feeling? Why wouldn’t I be feeling okay?” I responded, irritation rising.“I do
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 53 - I yearn for you
~~~~Eric sighed hard, shaking his head in wonder. “Sure… I’ll come find out for myself,” he muttered, staring at the phone in his hand before standing up from the couch.“Hmmm, where are you going?” Diana asked suddenly, appearing out of nowhere, all dolled up and looking beautiful, but it did little to stir any emotion in him.“Oh… home,” he smiled, trying to sound casual.“Why?” she questioned, a hint of curiosity in her voice.He turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Why...?”She moved closer to him, her movements slow and seductive. “You promised to stay with me the whole day. So you leaving means you’re breaking a promise,” she smiled sweetly.Eric sighed. There was a time when that smile meant something to him, but right now… the only thought swirling in his mind was the crazy woman named Mary.He was confused. How could someone he shared nothing with come to mean this much to him? Only a few days ago, things were different. Something was wrong. He shook his head. This i
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 52 - Continuation
-----Meanwhile, Eric was storming toward the library, his jaw clenched and his fists tight. His mind was a chaotic mess. ‘There was a spark between us. So what the hell went wrong?’ He pondered as he shoved the doors open with such force that the house seemed to tremble. “Damn it!” he growled in frustration. Slamming the door shut behind him, he collapsed onto the sofa, running a hand through his hair.For a moment, he stared blankly at the floor before pulling out his phone. Earlier, while at the restaurant, the manager had sent him a picture—a curious one that he hadn’t had the time to examine properly until now. With a sigh, he opened the file on his phone.It was a picture of him and Mary at the mall. They were holding each other closely, almost like a real couple. Her face pressed near his chest, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. The intimacy captured in the moment was undeniable, even to him.Eric leaned back, a
