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Chapter 25
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2024-06-07 14:00:42He entered the quiet room and placed the tray on the table, nudging her books aside gently.
"Where's Susan? Didn't you tell them to bring me my food?" Ashleigh asked, surprised by his direct approach. Meals were typically delivered by Susan or Mr. Atkinson.Larry chuckled. "Susan and Mr. Atkinson are swamped right now. I just thought I'd check in and make sure you weren't losing your mind behind all those books." He took a step back, giving her space.A tired smile played on Ashleigh's lips. "Thanks, Larry. You really didn't have to do this." She reached for a sandwich, taking a tentative bite.The tray held an assortment of rich-looking cream and jam sandwiches alongside a glass of lemon iced tea. The first bite revealed a thick slice of bread filled with sweet strawberry jam and cream. Her eyes lit up with unexpected delight."Chef Larry, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, taking another bite. Before long, the tray was empty, her initialRelated chapters
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A wide smile spread across her face. "Tonight, let loose and sing your hearts out! Food and drinks are available for all, and feel free to mingle and enjoy yourselves. Let the night begin!" she declared, throwing her arms open in a welcoming gesture.The staff erupted in cheers, their anticipation for a unique and exciting evening palpable. As the night unfolded, Ashleigh's initial hesitation melted away, replaced by a wave of excitement. Chef Larry kicked things off, taking the stage and electrifying the crowd with an upbeat song. When the last note faded, he ushered Ashleigh onto the makeshift platform, the microphone thrust into her hand. With a deep breath, she launched into a powerful rendition of her favorite song. The room erupted in applause and cheers, a surge of freedom washing over her – a feeling she hadn't experienced in weeks.Chef Larry rejoined her on stage, their voices harmonizing perfectly as they belted out a duet. Even Susan, unable to resist the infectious energy
Last Updated : 2024-06-08My Contract Love Story Chapter 27
The third week came, and each day was closer to the exam and tightening Ashleigh's already packed schedule. Studying consumed her every waking moment, bleeding into her work responsibilities. The tension was palpable, and Mrs. Smith, recognizing the strain, granted Ashleigh a leave of absence until the exam was over. The house became her study haven, broken only by quick meals and fleeting chats with Chef Larry and the other staff. Even those brief moments of respite began to feel like stolen time. During the week, a message from Mr. Turner arrived, detailing registration procedures for the exam which spanned the first three days of the fourth week. With registration complete, Ashleigh threw herself into a study frenzy. Days blurred into an endless loop of textbooks, notes, and practice questions. Sleep was a luxury she barely afforded, fueled by a relentless blend of coffee and determination. Susan's pleas for breaks fell on deaf ears; there simply wasn't a minute to waste. On the f
Last Updated : 2024-06-12My Contract Love Story Chapter 28
Shock hung heavy in the air as Susan's frantic words echoed. Adrian, his face an unreadable mask, snapped his head towards Mr. Atkinson."Explain yourself," he demanded, his voice tight.Mr. Atkinson, flustered, stammered, "I wasn't informed, Mr. Cagliari. Apparently, Mrs. Cagliari is unwell." His gaze darted towards the anxious Susan."I tried to tell you," Susan blurted, "but Mrs. Ashleigh wouldn't let me raise an alarm."A mix of surprise and concern flickered across Adrian's face. He turned to Mr. Turner, his voice clipped."Get a doctor. Now." Mr. Turner scurried off, dialing on his phone.Unable to stay still, Adrian paced the hallway, his eyes flitting nervously between the stairs leading to Ashleigh's room and Mr. Atkinson."How long has this been going on?" he finally managed, his voice strained.Mr. Atkinson cleared his throat. "To my knowledge, since the beginning of the week. Mrs. Cagliari's been stu
Last Updated : 2024-06-12My Contract Love Story Chapter 29
Tension crackled in the air, thick with unspoken words. Ashleigh, stung by Adrian's pronouncement, glared at him. The water glass trembled in her hand, mirroring the turmoil within her."Indefinitely?" she rasped, her voice barely a whisper but laced with anger."Who gets to decide that?" "Your husband," Adrian countered, his tone clipped."Convenient, isn't it?" Ashleigh shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "When it suits you to control or belittle my dreams, you're suddenly my husband.""Look who's talking," he retorted. "The woman who nearly threw her health away for a dream that surely could have waited.""Not 'a' dream, Adrian," Ashleigh pressed, her voice gaining strength. "My dream. You say it could have waited? How long exactly? Since I was a teenager, Robin College has been my aspiration. I've waited and yearned for this chance. This is my life, Adrian, not some trophy you can hand out or take away on a whim."He
Last Updated : 2024-06-13My Contract Love Story Chapter 30
Frustration simmered beneath the surface as Adrian tackled his work. He made calls, barked orders, and even slammed his laptop shut in irritation. Mr. Turner, ever cautious, kept his distance. Anything he did seemed to further irritate his already volatile boss.Despite the laser focus on his tasks, Adrian couldn't shake Ashleigh's words. Her accusations about his contribution to her workload echoed in his mind, successfully evoking a pang of guilt. The shrill ring of the phone shattered his concentration. He glared at Mr. Turner, who held the phone out with a questioning look."Sir, it's Dr. Brooke, Ashleigh's tutor," Turner announced."Answer it and hand it over," Adrian instructed, snatching the phone from Turner's grasp."Mr. Cagliari, good afternoon. I've been trying to reach you for weeks," Dr. Brooke's voice came through the line. "Your secretary mentioned you were unavailable.""Yes, Dr. Brooke, business has been demanding lately," Adrian explained, omitting his earlier instru
Last Updated : 2024-06-17My Contract Love Story Chapter 31
Ashleigh recoiled from Adrian's touch, her gaze darting nervously away. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm, threatening to escalate her fever."You're just trying to distract me from my frustration," she accused, her voice tight with suspicion. Adrian continued to smile, unfazed by her accusation."Actually," he countered nonchalantly, settling into the plush pink chair, "I simply wanted to get a closer look at you, like I did this morning. You seem to be the one reading ulterior motives into my actions."However, a hint of mischief danced in his eyes as he met her gaze. She couldn't ignore the playful spark that contradicted his seemingly earnest words."Regardless," Ashleigh said, her tone softening slightly, "I trust you'll keep your promise this time, Mr. Cagliari. But will it be possible to schedule the examination sometime after this week? Robin College is notoriously selective with their admissions.""Why waste your energy worrying about that right now?" Adrian replied, his voi
Last Updated : 2024-06-18My Contract Love Story chapter 32
For the next two days, Ashleigh remained confined to her room, recovering. Mr. Atkinson or Susan delivered all her meals, medications, and necessities. Though Adrian didn't stay constantly, he made a point to visit every evening for at least an hour after returning from work. During these visits, Ashleigh persistently questioned him about Robin College, but his answers remained frustratingly vague.By the weekend, Ashleigh felt strong enough to move around freely. Her eagerness to escape confinement meant breakfast would be her first outing. News of her recovery brought relief and joy to the staff. They eagerly awaited their Madame's return, and Chef Larry prepared a magnificent feast in her honor.Ashleigh woke up in a chirpy mood, bustling about the room with Susan. She wanted a complete transformation: fresh sheets and pillows, a lighter scent in the air, new curtains in a brighter color scheme, even a change in toiletries. Everything that reminded her of her gloomy week of illness
Last Updated : 2024-06-19My Contract Love Story chapter 33
Ashleigh, determined to clear the air with Adrian about his strange behavior towards Chef Larry, hurried up the stairs. Spotting him engrossed in a call as he neared his study, she sprinted down the hall to intercept him. Adrian, deeply involved in his conversation, didn't register Ashleigh's approach until she practically dashed in front of him, halting his progress towards the study door."Wait! I need to talk to you," she blurted, catching her breath as she leaned against the doorframe. He gave her a surprised look before finishing his call."That will be all for now," he said, pocketing his phone."What's wrong?" he inquired, concern replacing his initial surprise."We need to talk about Chef Larry," she started, noticing his brow furrow at the mention of the name."Is that so?" he replied, his tone guarded."Yes," she pressed, "your mood seemed off ever since I joined you at breakfast. And then you mentioned something about him being… intriguing?"Adrian studied her for a moment,
Last Updated : 2024-06-20
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The air in the room was less frigid now, but Ashleigh could not help but still feel hot inside. Her heart was literally racing as she saw that the distance between her and Adrian was almost nonexistent, and not only were they physically close but now they were emotionally close as well. Adrian who was oblivious to her thoughts was deep in conversation with someone on the phone about her college case, and he only looked at her from time to time.A knock at the door disrupted her spiraling thoughts. Mr. Atkinson entered, carrying a tray of food, followed by Susan, who carried water and a small dish containing her medication. Susan's eyes lit up when she saw Ashleigh sitting up, her usual warmth battling a nervous tension. Ashleigh instantly knew Adrian had been intimidating her again.“Mrs. Cagliari,” Susan greeted softly, her voice tinged with hesitance.“Susan,” Ashleigh said, reaching out to gently grab her hand. “Are you okay?”Susan hesitated, casting a wary glance at Adrian, who c
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Ashleigh felt the air leave her lungs as Adrian's words echoed in the quiet room. She knew, deep down, that he’d been avoiding her after the karaoke celebration at her college. Yet, hearing him admit it so bluntly left her reeling. She stared at him, her heart pounding as though it might give out, the silence stretching far beyond what her fragile emotions could handle. “Huh?” she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mind scrambled to make sense of his confession, and Adrian, standing composed before her, nodded solemnly. “Ashleigh,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with regret. “I knew everything. Mr. Atkinson informed me the moment you left for Robin College. I knew about your day-to-day activities—when you got injured saving Megan, when you started receiving those threats. I knew it all.” Her breath caught as his words sunk in, each revelation like a weight pressing harder on her chest. “I didn’t reach out,” Adrian continued. “I thought I’d done enou
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Adrian placed Ashleigh gently on the couch in his study, her expression troubled even in unconsciousness. He lingered for a moment, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, before turning to step outside. As he stepped out of his study, the heavy door clicked shut behind him. His gaze immediately fell on the cluster of staff lingering in the hallway, their curious whispers abruptly silenced when his cold eyes met theirs. Susan was crying hysterically, her face buried in Chef Larry’s chest, while Mrs. Smith stood nearby, frowning with disapproval.Adrian’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as the scene grated on his nerves. “And why are you all still standing here?” his voice cut through the air, sharp as a whip. “Do you not want your jobs anymore?” The reprimand snapped them back to reality. The staff scattered, scurrying back to their assigned duties, their heads bowed. Only Susan lingered, still sobbing as Chef Larry tried to console her. Adrian strode toward them,
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“Ashleigh, in all this, why didn’t you call your husband?”The question hit her harder than she expected. She’d imagined countless times how she’d answer if he asked—how she’d finally let her anger spill over, shouting about the missed karaoke night she planned, the insults instead of an apology, the countless ways Adrian had hurt her. But hearing it from Mrs. Smith left her frozen.The words she longed to scream shriveled in her throat, leaving only a bitter weight in her stomach. But as Mrs. Smith waited for her answer, Ashleigh found herself not saying anything, it was like the words dried up in her throat, and left a bitter feeling in her belly instead.“I’m still waiting for you, dear,” Mrs. Smith’s voice was calm but firm, pulling Ashleigh from her swirling thoughts.“I didn’t feel like I needed to depend on him,” Ashleigh finally said, her voice steady but strained. “I thought I could handle it myself.”“My dear, Adrian is always there to help you. He cares for you very much, y
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The view from Ashleigh’s window should have been calming, even breathtaking. The sprawling gardens of the Cagliari mansion were meticulously maintained, with vibrant blossoms swaying in the gentle afternoon breeze and perfectly trimmed hedges lining the walkways like green soldiers at attention. Beyond them, the ornate fountains shimmered in the sunlight, their cascading water catching the golden light. It was a postcard-perfect scene.Yet, to Ashleigh, it was all a cruel reminder of her confinement. The beauty outside was unreachable, as always at the Cagliari mansion. She sat curled on the window sill, her knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them as if to keep herself from unraveling. The afternoon sun warmed her skin, but it did nothing to thaw the cold ache that had settled deep in her chest. Her eyes flicked to her phone lying on the small table beside her. The messages on her department’s group chat haunted her. Each text, each comment had felt like a blow
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Adrian’s office was heavy with silence, the kind that pressed down on the air like a suffocating weight. Mr. Turner sat quietly in the corner, doing his best to make himself invisible. He’d worked with Adrian Cagliari for years and had witnessed many of his moods: sharp anger, cold detachment, and moments of ruthless efficiency. But today, there was something different—something he couldn’t quite define.Adrian sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers steepled, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the window. He hadn’t said much since they returned from the hospital. His posture was as composed as ever, but the set of his jaw and the faint crease in his brow hinted at something far more volatile simmering beneath the surface.Turner shifted in his chair, his instinct to speak overridden by experience. He had long since learned that silence was often the safest response when Adrian’s mood darkened. Especially now, when the man who normally seemed invincible looked... troubled.The quiet
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Adrian gazed at Ashleigh's fragile form, curled up in the backseat of the sleek black BMW. Her breathing was shallow, her brows occasionally furrowing as she shifted in her sleep, her pale hospital gown clinging to her delicate frame. His eyes lingered over her face, tracing every familiar feature—the soft curve of her lips, the faint shadow beneath her eyes, her slender hand supporting her head. It had been so long since he’d last seen her, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.The steady rhythm of raindrops against the window and the gentle hum of the car’s engine were the only sounds in the silence. Up front, Mr. Turner and the driver remained still, sensing the tension radiating from Adrian. The mood was heavy, laced with unspoken anger that simmered just beneath his composed exterior.The drive back to the mansion had been filled with Adrian’s restrained fury. The sight of Ashleigh in that hospital bed, weakened and vulnerable, had ignited something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a
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The room was unnervingly still, the kind of silence that presses down on you, suffocating. Ashleigh lay stiffly in the hospital bed, her body motionless but her mind racing. The IV drip attached to her arm was slowly delivering something meant to make her sleep, but sleep had become a foreign concept. Her thoughts kept pulling her back to the past twenty-four hours, playing on repeat like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.Through the thin walls, she could hear Arthur talking in the hallway, his voice sharp, clearly dismissing whoever had come to visit her. He was keeping them away, and she was grateful for it. The whole school had seen the video—everyone was talking about it. But nobody was saying anything good.Ashleigh felt dirty. Filthy. Her skin crawled as if it had absorbed the shame of the entire incident. Damien’s cold indifference hadn’t helped. The memory of him walking out as soon as she woke up, ignoring her calls, was a fresh wound. She understood why he didn’t want to see
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After the photo session, Adrian glanced quietly at Mr. Turner, who lingered at the edge of the crowd. Mr. Turner immediately made his way over to Mr. LaRosa, likely preparing for their meeting. Adrian was about to leave as well but was stopped by Caelia. “Adrian, let’s go inside. The event is about to start,” Caelia said sweetly, gripping his arm. “I’d love for you to meet some friends after the wine launch.” Adrian saw through her playful tone but didn’t want to spoil her evening. With a resigned sigh, he gently pulled away from her grasp and nodded. They entered the venue together, and heads turned. Adrian ignored the stares, heading to the space reserved for him, while Caelia took center stage. The event proceeded smoothly, with Caelia confidently addressing the crowd. She spoke about the prospects of her new wine brand, impressing both her younger and older guests. Her every move exuded grace, and she played the role of the charming host flawlessly—yet her eyes constantly flicke
