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Chapter 16
Last Updated:
2025-03-18 20:03:25
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THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 17
Morning came far too early, dragging me out of sleep before I was ready. The pale light of dawn crept through the half-closed curtains, bleeding into the room with a dull, grey hue that did nothing to warm the sterile air. I blinked slowly, fighting the heaviness in my eyes as I stared blankly at the ceiling overhead, my mind caught somewhere between dreams and the harsh pull of reality. For a moment, I simply lay there, listening to the deafening silence pressing in from all sides.An unfamiliar calm settled over me — not the kind born of peace or comfort, but the kind that came only from pure exhaustion. My limbs felt heavy, my body sore in ways I couldn’t explain. Still, there was one small mercy — the gnawing hunger from last night had dulled. The food, as much as I hated to admit it, had done its job. I could almost taste it still — bland, lukewarm, but necessary. Denying that would’ve been a waste of energy. But swallowing it down had burned worse than any hunger. Every bite fel
Last Updated : 2025-03-20THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 18
I quickened my pace, every step fueled by the fury twisting inside me. The distance between us shrank rapidly, my breathing shallow, uneven. Meanwhile, Adrian walked leisurely ahead, completely unbothered. His hands were tucked lazily into his pockets, shoulders relaxed, his gait slow and deliberate—as if the world itself dared not touch him. That infuriating calmness made my blood boil hotter, rage clawing at my insides like a feral beast begging to be unleashed.He didn’t glance back, didn’t spare me a second of his attention. It only made me seethe harder. Every muscle in my body coiled tighter, the urge to hurt him overtaking reason.Before he could slip into the safety of his room, I lunged. My hand shot out, fingers wrapping around his arm in a bruising grip. Without hesitation, I yanked him back and slammed him hard against the cold, unyielding wall. The sharp sound of impact cracked through the corridor, loud and unforgiving. But Adrian—damn him—barely blinked.His dark eyes m
Last Updated : 2025-03-20THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 19
I paced my room restlessly, the carpet muffling the sound of my dragging steps, but it did nothing to quiet the storm raging inside me. Every stride felt heavier than the last, as though the weight of my anger was physically anchoring me to the floor, grinding me down until I was nothing more than a shell driven by pure, seething rage. My chest heaved, heart pounding so loud it rang in my ears—louder, it seemed, than the silence suffocating the room.And it was all because of him. Adrian.God, why? Why the hell did it have to be him?Out of everyone—every miserable bastard this wretched city had to offer—why did fate tie my life to his? It didn’t feel like destiny. No, this wasn’t fate—it was a punishment, cold and calculated, delivered by a universe that must’ve hated me from the start. A cruel joke played at my expense, and the worst part? I walked right into it. Blind. Foolish.I threw my head back, a bitter, humorless laugh ripping from my throat—dry and broken. The sound echoed o
Last Updated : 2025-03-22THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 20
Matthew's POV "Wow, this is awesome," Noah exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and I couldn't help but agree.It wasn’t as if we weren’t all rich—we were—but the kind of wealth Jordan wielded was in an entirely different stratosphere. The kind that made even the comfortably wealthy feel like they were still reaching. Jordan, of course, basked in it, making sure his exclusivity remained undeniable. This particular outing wasn’t just about indulgence, though. Jordan never did anything without an agenda, and I had a strong feeling his carefully curated guest list had everything to do with Adrian. The man never let a slight go unanswered, and this was his way of proving a point."That’s the perk that comes with being the wife of a billionaire," Kyle teased, his grin sharp as he flicked me a knowing look.My eyes snapped toward him in warning, and he immediately straightened as if I had physically struck him."No hard feelings," he added quickly, hands lifting in mock surrender,
Last Updated : 2025-04-01THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 21
Maverick's POV A thick, almost tangible silence settled between us, stretching for what felt like minutes. The only sounds were the occasional soft drip of condensation and our steady breathing, deep and measured as we let the heat of the room seep into our bones. Steam curled around our bodies, clinging to our damp skin, soaking us in a relentless, humid embrace. Beads of sweat trickled down my temples, carving a slow, deliberate path along my jaw before slipping down my neck like warm fingers. It was suffocating, yet strangely liberating—like standing on the edge of something vast, unknown, and giving in to the fall.I leaned back against the heated wooden wall, surrendering to the sensation, my eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion lured me into a quiet lull. A deep sigh left my lips, my chest rising and falling with the slow rhythm of release. The stress, the anger, the weight of everything beyond these walls—it all melted away, dissolving into the thick air. For once, I felt unbur
Last Updated : 2025-04-01THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 22
Matthew's POV After our sauna, we freshened up, the heat still lingering on our skin as we stepped into the cool evening air. A shared sense of relaxation settled over us, but hunger quickly took over. With the card still in my possession, I decided to make the most of it, ordering an extravagant spread of dishes that would have put a feast to shame.The table overflowed with delicacies—succulent steaks, buttery mashed potatoes, crisp salads glistening under the soft restaurant lights, and desserts so rich they melted on our tongues. We ate like kings, or at least we tried to. Despite our efforts, there was still far too much left. Laughing at our own excess, I practically forced my friends to take the leftovers home, pushing takeout boxes into their hands before they could protest.Minutes passed, and the inevitable moment of parting arrived. Kyle and Noah were the first to leave, exchanging lazy waves before disappearing into the night. Jordan, however, lingered, his gaze steady on
Last Updated : 2025-04-02THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 23
Matthew's POV The car rolled to a smooth stop before the massive mansion, its towering presence casting long, creeping shadows under the dimming evening sky. The weight of the day pressed against my shoulders, but the moment I opened the door and stepped out, the cool breeze kissed my skin, momentarily easing the exhaustion clinging to me like a second layer.I rolled my shoulders, stretching my legs as I took in the sight before me. The estate loomed in the dying light, its vast windows glowing faintly against the darkening sky. Despite having seen it countless times, the sheer grandeur still held a quiet, suffocating presence.I turned toward the trunk, but before I could reach it, Jordan strolled up beside me, whistling low as his gaze swept over the mansion.“Wow,” he muttered, shaking his head as if in disbelief. “Now I get why you were in such a rush to get back. Damn, this place is huge.” He scoffed right after, shrugging as if the sight didn’t impress him. “Not that I care, t
Last Updated : 2025-04-03THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 24
Matthew's POV Morning arrived with a golden glow filtering through the curtains, warm and inviting. My body stirred to life, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I awoke with an unshakable sense of peace. I had slept like a baby—no nightmares, no restlessness—just a deep, uninterrupted slumber that left a lingering smile on my lips. Even in sleep, something within me had been content, and the happiness clung to me like a stubborn scent, refusing to fade.But that contentment was short-lived.The moment I sat up, a dry, searing pain scraped against my throat, making me wince. It felt like I had swallowed sandpaper in my sleep. Desperate for relief, I threw off the covers and stumbled out of bed, my bare feet pattering against the cold wooden floor as I rushed down the stairs, my sole mission being water—cool, soothing water.As I reached the kitchen, the sight before me brought my urgency to a halt.Adrian stood at the counter, dressed in a fitted black apron, his sleeves
Last Updated : 2025-04-04
Latest chapter
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 42
Matthew's POV Adrian sank heavily onto the couch, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, his eyes already burning with a hunger that eclipsed everything else. It wasn’t just desire—it was something darker, something primal. And I could feel it, too, swirling inside me, pulling me toward him like gravity. I followed his lead, my legs slipping around his waist as I straddled him, the heat of his body colliding with mine in a rush that set every nerve on fire. Our bodies slammed together like two storms, tearing through each other, both of us desperate to be pulled apart and stitched back together in a single, violent union.There was no room for hesitation. No time for restraint. Our lips crashed together, urgently, demanding, a collision of fire and needed to obliterate everything else. The outside world vanished in that instant, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth: nothing mattered but this, nothing could ever matter more.We kissed like the earth was ending. Like the world had
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 41
I no longer cared about the world outside that room—or the chaos clawing at the back of my mind, screaming for attention like a neglected child. Let it scream. Let it howl. Its voice was a distant echo now, fading into irrelevance. I used to live in that noise. I used to drown in it, second-guessing every impulsive choice, every reckless breath that felt too wild, too fast, too dangerous to be mine. I used to ask myself if I was spiraling.But not anymore.Tonight, I didn’t need clarity. I didn’t want a reason.I wanted this.I wanted him.The air between us pulsed with something raw, something unspoken and untamed. The dim lighting draped the room in golden shadows, blurring the harshness of our sins until they almost looked beautiful. His mouth found mine like it was always meant to—urgent, rough, aching. There was no grace in our kiss, no gentle prelude. It was a collision. Violent. Unapologetic. It tasted like desperation and heat and a thousand broken promises we didn't care to f
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 40
Matthew's POV "You misjudged us," Lily said all of a sudden, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. I frowned, thrown off completely.I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I might be gay—or at least not straight. Whatever label I was supposed to wear, I wasn’t ready for it. And now here she was, throwing in another curveball that only tangled up my already twisted thoughts."Just like you, I too am in a state of dilemma," she said, pausing for a breath, her eyes flickering with something soft—regret, maybe. "I wasn't sure at first, but after kissing Adrian... and then kissing you... I'm more than certain now."She swallowed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth."I like her."My frown deepened. The hell is she talking about? And like who?"Jennie, you slow wink... don't get all worked up," she teased.Then it hit me.Realization crashed into me like a wave slapping across the face. My eyes widened, and I blinked slowly."You like girls?" I a
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 39
The night spun out of control in the most unexpected way. As I lay there, the remnants of our heated passion clung to my mind. It felt surreal—yet deeply satisfying—as if I had crossed a line I never imagined I would. And somehow, I didn’t regret it. Adrian and I had never gone that far. We fought, hurled insults, pushed each other’s buttons—but this? This changed everything. It wasn’t just a kiss or even the raw, uninhibited sex. It was the fact that, for once, I was sober. And I wanted it. That truth slammed into me like a freight train. The feeling felt so unfamiliar. I’d always claimed to be straight. Women have always been my preference. I built my life around that certainty. But in those moments with Adrian, my resolve crumbled, slipping away like sand through my fingers. I didn’t understand it. It wasn’t supposed to happen—especially not like this. But the second his lips touched mine, I craved him with a hunger I couldn’t explain. I remembered how he kissed me—better than
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 38
Matthew's POV Confusion struck me like a thunderstorm erupting in the middle of a sunlit afternoon—unexpected, brutal, and relentless. It crashed over me, flooding my sanity, blurring the lines between what I knew and what I thought I knew. One moment, everything made sense. Next, I was drowning in betrayal, every breath harder than the last. My feet refused to move, rooted to the floor like I’d turned to stone. I watched them—Adrian and Lily—wrapped in a moment that should’ve never existed. A living, breathing portrait of everything I feared.His hand brushed hers.So simple. So damning.When Adrian’s gaze collided with mine through the crowd, my lungs clenched, useless. He didn’t look away fast enough to spare me the devastation, nor long enough to explain himself. But even that fraction of a second stole the air from my chest. The world shrank to nothing but the sound of blood roaring in my ears, like a tidal wave crashing inward.He didn't flinch. He didn’t hesitate. He just turn
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 37
I wasn’t prepared for the wave of familiarity that crashed over me the moment I stepped into the event hall. It hit hard—like a tide I didn’t see coming. The soft lighting overhead casts a golden hue across the room, making everything feel strangely dreamlike. Faces I hadn’t seen in years filled the space, some aged by time’s quiet touch, others still clinging to the same goofy, untamed energy they wore in high school. The smell of perfume and cologne mingled with the faint scent of polished floors and catered appetizers, adding to the sensory overload.Laughter rang out from various corners, a backdrop to the hum of overlapping conversations and the occasional cheer erupting from those sudden, emotional reunions. It felt surreal—like I had walked into a memory that had been playing on repeat somewhere far back in my mind, and now, suddenly, I was living in it.I stood there, rooted in place, caught off guard by how easily the past had found me. I knew, on paper, that this event was a
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 36
I froze mid-step, heart seizing with a sudden, unexpected pang of guilt.It clawed through me out of nowhere—the realization that I hadn’t spoken to any of my friends in what felt like forever. Not just days. Weeks, maybe. Time had blurred together, slipping past while I’d been caught up in my own mess. I hadn’t noticed how far I’d drifted, how silent I’d become. And now, the silence wasn’t just mine—it had infected everything.What if they thought I’d abandoned them? Ignored them on purpose? Worse—what if they were angry? Hurt?A coil of panic tightened in my chest as I snatched my phone from where it lay buried under a twisted mess of sheets and blankets on my unmade bed. The screen lit up harshly, and I squinted at the brightness, blinking against the sting. My thumb moved quickly, muscle memory guiding me straight to the group chat.Silence.A wide, empty silence. Like stepping into a room after a fight—thick, tense, and echoing with unspoken things.Matthew: Group is dead silent.
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 35
Matthew's POV As soon as the car came to a halt, Adrian stepped out without a word. The door closed behind him with a dull, final click that seemed to echo louder than it should’ve. I didn’t move. I stayed rooted in place, my gaze fixed blankly on the dashboard, the soft glow of the controls blurring as my thoughts spiraled. My hands lay loosely clasped in my lap, unmoving, almost lifeless. A knot of confusion tightened in my chest, thick and unrelenting.Had I said something wrong? Something that pushed him away?I tried to trace the thread backward, hunting for the moment when the shift occurred—the second his mood had changed, when the air in the car grew colder, heavier. But nothing screamed out. No harsh words. No sarcasm. Nothing but an invisible wall that had suddenly risen between us, silent and immovable.The silence pressed in, heavy and suffocating, like a weighted blanket I hadn’t asked for. It sat on my shoulders, in my lungs, in my bones. My mind looped the last part of
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 34
I slid into the car and shut the door behind me, the soft click echoing a little too loudly in the quiet. The atmosphere inside felt... different. Heavy. Stifling, even. My hands fumbled over my lap as I settled into the seat, trying to look composed, but the truth was far from it. The silence between us wasn’t comfortable; it wasn’t the kind you slip into with someone you trust. No—this silence had sharp edges, pressing against my skin, suffocating me inch by inch. On ordinary days, I wouldn’t have given a damn. I’d have cracked a joke, leaned back, and ignored whatever tension lingered in the air. But right now? My heart was beating like a warning drum, and I couldn’t keep my mind from spiraling. A born flirt. A professional heartbreaker. My jaw tightened, the muscle twitching as I stared at him. If he kissed me like that—so deep, so sure, like I was the only one that mattered—how many others had tasted those lips before me? How many girls had been pulled into that orbit only t
