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Chapter 80 ~ A new Order
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-05 12:00:41~~~~
We stepped out of the restaurant and got into the car. He started the engine, and soon, we were on the road.
Despite the cold wind rushing through the window, my insides burned. The music blared from the car speakers—so loud that passing vehicles could probably hear it—but it wasn’t enough to drown out my thoughts.
No matter how hard I tried to push it aside, the pain lingered. Eric was nowhere to be found. I hadn’t asked about him, but he hadn’t bothered to come see me either. No messages. No calls. No attempts to explain or persuade me.
I guess that’s how much I meant to him.
I swallowed hard, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. I loved him. He was the first man—besides my father—that I had ever truly loved. My mother only ever loved one man in her life, and I thought it would be the same for me.
But I guess true love doesn’t exist.
I shook my head, pushing the thou
Bab terkait
Mary 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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.“
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-17Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 6 - The feud
~~~~Just what is she on about now? I pondered, watching my mom’s calm face as she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her back leaning against the sink.Her posture suggested a calm façade, but I could sense the stiffness boiling underneath.“Reckless? Mom, I don’t understand what you mean by ‘reckless,’” I said, struggling to keep my voice from cracking. “Someone just offered me a better job opportunity—the best I’ve seen in the last... what? Two years of my—no, our lives—and you’re calling it reckless? What did you want me to do, Say no?”“Yes, of course!” she snapped, throwing her hands up in the air. “You should have said a big, fat no,” she spat out, her eyes flashing with anger. “We’re doing just fine as we are.”I looked at her, confusion starting to replace my rising anger, though I could still feel it simmering beneath the surface. “No, Mom, we’re not fine,” I retorted, the words tumbling out. “Look around you! We’re barely scraping by as it is. We need all the help—
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-10-11
Bab terbaru
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 80 ~ A new Order
~~~~We stepped out of the restaurant and got into the car. He started the engine, and soon, we were on the road.Despite the cold wind rushing through the window, my insides burned. The music blared from the car speakers—so loud that passing vehicles could probably hear it—but it wasn’t enough to drown out my thoughts.No matter how hard I tried to push it aside, the pain lingered. Eric was nowhere to be found. I hadn’t asked about him, but he hadn’t bothered to come see me either. No messages. No calls. No attempts to explain or persuade me.I guess that’s how much I meant to him.I swallowed hard, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. I loved him. He was the first man—besides my father—that I had ever truly loved. My mother only ever loved one man in her life, and I thought it would be the same for me.But I guess true love doesn’t exist.I shook my head, pushing the thou
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 79 ~ More than self
TWO WEEKS LATER~~~Nora let out a heavy sigh as she sat beside Mary’s bed, watching the fragile figure that hadn't moved much in days. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought Mary had passed away—she barely ate, barely spoke, barely even reacted to anything. It had been two weeks since everything unraveled, and yet, Mary remained stuck in this same spot, lost in a silence that worried Nora more than she wanted to admit.She hadn’t heard from Eric. The only update she got was from Doctor Rex a few days ago—he confirmed that nothing unusual was found in Eric’s blood. Still, he had taken extra samples just in case something had been missed.Nora sighed again and shook her head. “Oh, come on, Mary. How long are you going to stay like this?” she asked, nudging Mary’s arm gently. “It’s a beautiful morning. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining. Get up already.”**
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 78 ~ Love is never enough
Present Day~~~Eric slumped onto the sofa, his head in his hands. His heart pounded against his ribs, each beat packed with regret. He could still feel the haze from that night, the dizziness that crept in after taking that damn drink. Then—blackout.And then, her.Diana. In his bed. Naked.His stomach twisted at the memory. He couldn’t recall how it happened, only that it did. But the rage he felt that morning? That, he remembered clearly. The way his entire body shook when he saw her lying beside him. The way his voice broke with anger when he threatened her before storming out.And yet, here he was, drowning in the realization that his happy life was about to end.She wanted to destroy his home. His marriage. His life.His mother was right—he needed to do something before it was too late.Eric shot up from the sofa, his jaw clenched as he headed for the door. But before he could re
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 77 ~ More than Love
A Few Months Ago~~~~Eric got into his car with a heavy heart, but his gaze still remained on the towering Lockwood Empire building. Diana was right. There was a time when they had been inseparable, when no one—not even his own parents—could have torn them apart.If someone had told him back then that he’d one day feel nothing for her, he would’ve laughed in their face. But here he was, sitting behind the wheel, feeling... nothing.Well, almost nothing.He couldn't deny that he still cared for her, but that was all it was—just care, a leftover feeling that held no warmth, no depth. The love he once had for her, the kind that had consumed him, was gone. Now, her presence felt suffocating, her voice grating, her pain... an inconvenience.Still, he hated seeing her like this.Cursing under his breath, he pulled out his phone, hesitating for just a second before dialing her number."Hope I don’t regret this..." he muttered.The line rang, and then—“Wow, Eric,” Diana’s voice came through
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 76 ~ When I love you hurts
~~~~I sat there, frozen. My body felt like it had turned to stone, but inside, everything was breaking. My chest ached like someone had reached in and ripped my heart out with their bare hands. The room felt smaller, suffocating, the walls pressing in, squeezing the air from my lungs.And then—he walked in.Eric.Nora shot up the moment she saw him, relief flooding her voice. “You’re here,” she breathed out, like his arrival could magically fix what had just happened. “Can you please explain what’s going on… so we don’t misunderstand?”He didn’t even acknowledge her. His eyes were locked on mine, reading the devastation painted all over my face. In two quick strides, he was in front of me. Then, without hesitation—he dropped to his knees.“My love…” His voice was soft, careful, pleading. His hands found mine, warm and firm, as if he thought holding on tight enough could keep me from slipping away. “I don’t know what Diana told you, but please, don’t believe her lies.”Lies.That word
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 75 ~ Lies that we tell ourselves
~~~~I stared at her like she had grown two heads. “I don’t know… maybe some busboy or a security guard? How the hell am I supposed to know who got your bitch ass pregnant?” I snapped.She let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Hah. Very funny,” she spat, rolling her eyes. “Well, since you couldn’t guess, let me spell it out for you…” She leaned in slightly, her smile stretching wider, almost taunting. “The man who got me pregnant is none other than Eric Black—my one and only.”My stomach twisted, but I didn’t let it show.“What?” I barked. “Is this some kind of joke?” My hands clenched and unclenched at my sides. “It’s not funny.”“Oh, I wish it was,” she said, her tone suddenly shifting. “After spending a week in the hospital because the meds I normally take for my health suddenly started me
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 74 ~ Deceptive in Nature
~~~~~TWO WEEKS LATER“I'm tired of being too serious all the time. Nothing wrong with acting like a baby once in a while.” I let out a dramatic sigh, dropping deeper into the mattress like some tragic heroine in a period drama. Today made it exactly two weeks since Eric left for that sudden meeting.That night, after dropping me off, he called—sounding way too serious for my liking—saying the meeting had taken an unexpected turn. Apparently, he had to catch a flight to London that very night. And when I, in my most patient, understanding, and totally not annoyed voice, asked how long he’d be gone, he casually dropped two weeks like it was nothing.Two whole fucking weeks.At the time, I had sighed naturally, waved my hand, and said, “Fine, go.” Because I was the supportive wife or whatever.Now? Now, I was regretting my entire existence.I missed him—his presence, his teasing, even his stupid little smirks that made me want to both kiss and strangle him.But on the bright side, I was
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 73 ~ Make my heart your home
~~~~For a long moment, I just stood there, staring at the land, the reality of it sinking in. The warmth of the sun kissed my skin, the scent of soil and fresh greenery filling my lungs.This wasn’t just a piece of land—it was a future, a life I never thought I’d have but here we are.I turned back to Eric, my heart still racing.“No, I’m not joking,” he said, his voice firm. “Since you’ll be dealing with the entire company and not just me, we need to make this formal. After this, we’ll need to drop by the office—there are some documents you’ll need to sign.”He trailed off, and then burst into laughter when he saw the expression on my face.“So, I’m guessing you like it?”“Like it?” I let out a breathless laugh, my chest tight with an overwhelming joy. “I fucking love it, you crazy man!”&ldquo
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 72 ~ Yours to Grow
~~~~After that mind-blowing office sex, Eric stuck to me like glue—kissing, touching, and stealing every opportunity to have his hands on me. It became a routine for me to visit him in his office without an invitation, and he never seemed to mind.The following week, his father’s will was finally handed over to him. His stepbrother and mother had no say in the matter, and the victory felt odd. Mrs. Nora hugged me countless times, whispering her thanks in my ear, her friendliness kind of surprise me but I didn’t say anything.For a while, I half-expected a call from her—maybe to remind me of the contract or to end it altogether. But no such call came. Neither Eric nor his mother brought up the topic again, and eventually, I let it slip to the back of my mind. At least for now, I just wanted to enjoy this new love I had found.But that wasn’t even the issue anymore.For some reason, Eric had developed a habit of draggin
