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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 09
Zia's POV That night, I was not prepared for the storm that was about to hit.After a long day of emotional turmoil, I thought I could find some peace at home. But as soon as I stepped through the door, Lorenzo was waiting for me, his expression unreadable.“Zia,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “We need to talk.”I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. “What is it?”Without a word, he reached into his bag and threw an envelope at me. It landed on the floor with a soft thud. Confused, I picked it up and opened it, my heart racing as I realized what it was—divorce papers.The moment I heard what he said I was dumbfounded. “Are you serious?” I asked, my voice trembling. “You’re actually going through with this?”“Don’t act surprised,” he shot back, his tone icy. “You’ve been having discreet affairs with Raymond, haven’t you? I saw you two together.”My heart sank at the accusation. “Lorenzo, that’s not true! Raymond is just a friend—”“Just a friend?” he interrupted, his voice ri
Last Updated : 2024-11-08The Loveless Contractive Marriage 10
Lorenzo's POVWhen I woke up that morning, the sunlight streamed through the curtains, illuminating the empty space beside me. Zia was gone. A wave of mixed emotions washed over me—happiness at the thought of her finally taking a step for herself, but also a deep sadness that she had left without saying goodbye. I rolled over, expecting to see her there, but the sheets were cold and untouched.I sat up, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. My mind raced with thoughts of the previous day—the arguments, the accusations. I had felt justified in my anger, but now it seemed hollow. I reached for the bottle of vodka on my nightstand, pouring myself a drink to dull the ache in my chest.As I took a sip, I couldn’t shake the feeling of loss. Zia was my wife, and despite everything, I still cared for her. I grabbed my phone and called the driver.“Where’s Zia?” I asked as soon as he picked up.“She left early this morning in an Uber,” he replied.My heart sank at his
Last Updated : 2024-11-09The Loveless Contractive Marriage 11
Zia's POV A week later, I found myself scrolling through social media when a post from Sophia caught my eye. My heart sank as I saw the picture of her hand, adorned with a sparkling ring, resting on Lorenzo's shoulder. The caption was filled with joy and excitement about their engagement, and it felt like a dagger piercing through my chest.It hurt more than I expected. I had always thought that the contract marriage between Lorenzo and me would evolve into something real, something meaningful. But now, with the divorce finalized, I realized how naive I had been. I had stayed with Lorenzo for so long, largely because of his grandfather. He was the reason I had held on for as long as I did, hoping for a change that never came.I shook my head, trying to dispel the painful thoughts as I drove to the hospital for my antenatal care appointment. The morning sun filtered through the trees lining the road, but it did little to brighten my mood. My mind was clouded with images of Loren
Last Updated : 2024-11-09The Loveless Contractive Marriage 12
Zia's POV I didn’t know what I felt, but I knew it was real. The emotions swirled inside me like a storm, and I couldn’t comprehend them. All night, I tossed and turned, replaying my conversation with Raymond in my mind. It was absurd to think that I could develop feelings for him so quickly, especially with everything that had just happened. But there was something about his sincerity, the way he looked at me with such warmth and understanding, that stirred something deep within me.Mira noticed my distraction throughout the night. She kept glancing at me from across the room, her brow furrowed with concern. I tried to shake off my thoughts, but they clung to me like a shadow.The next morning, as we sat at the kitchen table over coffee, she finally spoke up. “Zia, what’s going on? You’ve been out of it for days.”I sighed, setting my cup down. “It’s… complicated.”“Complicated how?” she pressed, leaning closer.I hesitated but knew I couldn’t keep it from her any longer. “It’s
Last Updated : 2024-11-10The Loveless Contractive Marriage 13
Zia's POV As we strolled through the park, the air filled with the scent of blooming flowers, I felt a surge of emotions that I couldn’t quite contain. Raymond’s laughter echoed in my ears, and the way he looked at me made my heart race. In a moment of spontaneity, I leaned in and kissed him again. It was a soft, tentative kiss at first, but as soon as our lips met, he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss and igniting a spark that sent shivers down my spine.When we finally broke apart, breathless and slightly dazed, I couldn’t help but laugh nervously. “Wow, that was… unexpected.”“Unexpected? You mean amazing,” he replied with a playful grin, his eyes twinkling. “But seriously, what does this mean for us?”I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I don’t know yet. Everything is happening so fast. I just got out of a marriage, and now here I am kissing you.”Raymond chuckled softly. “Life is unpredictable. But I want you to know that my feelings for you are genuine. I care ab
Last Updated : 2024-11-11The Loveless Contractive Marriage 14
Lorenzo's POV I sat in the boardroom, surrounded by a sea of suits and stern faces, the air thick with tension. The news of Zia's resignation as my personal assistant had sent shockwaves through the office. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I had expected whispers and speculation, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of her absence.“Lorenzo, how do you respond to this?” one of the board members asked, his voice cutting through my thoughts.I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. “Zia was an invaluable asset to this company,” I replied, my tone steady. “Her contributions were significant, and her departure is a loss for us all.”The room fell silent, each person processing the implications of her leaving. I felt a pang in my chest—a mix of regret and frustration. Zia had been more than just an assistant; she had been my confidante in a world that often felt cold and calculating.Even though Zia did a mis
Last Updated : 2024-11-12The Loveless Contractive Marriage 15
Lorenzo's POV I turned to Zia, my heart pounding as I asked, “The timelines ain’t right. Is the pregnancy mine?”She looked me in the eye, and for a moment, the room fell silent. The weight of my question hung in the air, thick with tension as my family watched her intently. I could see the flicker of emotions crossing her face—surprise, fear, and something else I couldn’t quite place.“Does that matter to you now, Lorenzo?” Zia asked, her voice steady but laced with an edge. “We have divorced, and I have a man now…”“That goddamn man you’re talking about is my half-brother!” I shot back angrily. “Stop the shit motherfucker and tell me the truth.”Raymond chimed in, his tone defensive and firm. “You don’t get to scream at my fiancée now, Lorenzo.”The room was charged with tension as we faced off—me, raw with frustration and confusion, and Raymond, protective of Zia in a way that made my blood boil. I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as I struggled to contain my emotions.“Fiancée?” I
Last Updated : 2024-11-14The Loveless Contractive Marriage 16
Zia's POVAfter a long, exhausting day, I finally got home, my mind still swirling with the events that had unfolded. The weight of my decision to marry Raymond loomed heavily over me, and I needed to talk to someone who understood. I picked up my phone and called Mira as she went to work and wasn't home yet. “Hey, Zia! How did everything go?” she asked, her voice bright and cheerful.“It was… overwhelming,” I admitted, sinking down onto the couch. “I agreed to marry Raymond in front of everyone, but I still feel so unsure about everything.”Mira paused for a moment before responding. “You need to focus on preparing for the baby too. Have you thought about going shopping for baby things?”I hadn’t even considered it until now. “I guess I should,” I replied, feeling a flicker of excitement amidst my uncertainty.“Let’s go together! It’ll be fun, and you’ll need all the help you can get,” she suggested enthusiastically.“Okay, that sounds good,” I said, feeling a bit more hopeful. “Ma
Last Updated : 2024-11-16
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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 57
Raymond stormed into his office, slamming the door shut so hard the glass panel rattled. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, jaw locked so tight it could crack a damn tooth. He’d spent the last thirty minutes arguing with his father, and the bastard had the audacity to tell him to back off? To leave Lorenzo alone like some kind of untouchable golden boy? Yeah, right. Like hell that was happening.Yanking his phone from his pocket, he hit Henry’s number and pressed it to his ear, pacing the length of his office like a caged animal.Henry picked up after one ring. “What now, Ray?”Raymond exhaled sharply. “Dad just left my place.”There was a pause. Then, “And?”“He thinks we should leave our half-brother alone. That it’s some kind of cosmic mistake to mess with Lorenzo because Grandpa Edward Audrey has declared him the golden boy of the damn century.” Raymond let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through his already-messy hair. “Can you believe that?”Henry sighed. “You’re
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AfternoonHospitalRaymond sat in the hospital room, his posture sharp, calculated, like a man who never let his guard down. The patient in front of him—Mr. Tade, mid-fifties, a little too thin for his age—watched him with tired, expectant eyes. The steady beep of the heart monitor filled the silence between them.Raymond adjusted his wristwatch before clearing his throat. “Mr. Tade, we’ve gone through all the necessary tests, and based on the results, I believe we have a clear path forward.”The older man exhaled slowly. “And? What’s the damage, doc?”Raymond glanced at the clipboard in his hand, though he had already memorized everything. “Your liver function is severely compromised. If we don’t act fast, it could get worse. I’m putting you on a high-dosage medication plan. It will stabilize things, but it’s not a cure. We need to consider a transplant in the long run.”Mr. Tade chuckled bitterly. “Transplant? You think I got time and money for that?”Raymond’s jaw tightened. “Right
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The morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting golden streaks across the dining table where Zia sat. A plate of toast, eggs, and a half-empty glass of orange juice sat untouched in front of her. She idly swirled the juice, staring at the table like it held answers to questions she hadn’t yet asked.Then, the door creaked open.Lorenzo walked in, his movements careful, as if stepping into a space where he no longer belonged. He was dressed in black joggers and a plain white t-shirt that clung to his frame, his hair still damp from a morning shower.His eyes flicked to her, hesitant. "Hi."Zia glanced up briefly before looking away. "Hi."The air between them thickened. It wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either—it was that uncomfortable limbo of two people who used to share everything but now felt like strangers.Lorenzo cleared his throat and walked to the fridge. He grabbed a bottle of water and cracked it open. As he took a sip, he turned back to her. "You need a drink, Z
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 54
Chapter 54: Past Reunion.Zac’s Apartment – MorningThe kitchen smelled like fresh citrus and regret. Nia stood at the counter, slicing lemons with the precision of someone who had seen too much, been through too much, and now wielded a knife like a final punctuation to past conversations. Zac walked in, rubbing the back of his head, his eyes scanning the room like he had just stepped into unfamiliar territory—though he had been here countless times before.He leaned against the fridge, arms crossed. “What’s with all the lemons? Planning to blind someone with citrus acid?”Nia didn’t even look up. “Maybe.”Zac smirked. “Still got that thuggery vibe, huh?”She finally turned to face him, a faint smirk on her lips. “What do you want, Zac?”Zac exhaled, running a hand down his face. “I dunno. Maybe closure?”Nia chuckled, a low, dry sound. “Closure? That’s rich. What, you suddenly woke up and thought, ‘Oh shit, let me go find Nia and explain why I abandoned her like some unfinished mixta
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Sophia’s House – NightRaymond walked back inside, his footsteps heavy, his face darkened by the conversation he just had. His mind was still reeling, but he masked it with the usual arrogance in his stride.Henry and Sophia were still on the couch, lost in whatever scene played on the television. But Sophia wasn’t stupid—she caught the look on Raymond’s face the moment he stepped in.“Hey,” she said, sitting up straight. “Is there something wrong?”Raymond scoffed. “Why the fuck should there be something wrong, bitch?”The words sliced through the air like a gunshot.Henry’s head snapped up, his entire body going rigid. In a flash, he was on his feet. His sharp gaze pinned Raymond down, disbelief and fury crackling between them.“What did you just call her, Raymond?” Henry’s voice was low, dangerous. “What the fuck did you just call my girlfriend?”Raymond cocked his head, eyes glinting with mock innocence. “Nothing. Perhaps, you should tell me. Do you hear something? Did I call her
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Grandpa Edward Audrey’s OfficeThe dimly lit office carried the scent of old cigars and aged whiskey. Behind a grand mahogany desk, Edward Audrey sat, fingers steepled, his piercing gaze fixed on the man who had just entered.Gifford stepped inside, his expression unreadable. He stood tall, his posture controlled, but his clenched fists betrayed the tension coiled within him. Meetings with Edward Audrey were never simple. Never casual.Edward gestured toward the leather chair opposite him. “Sit.”A beat of hesitation. Then, Gifford lowered himself into the seat, the weight of the moment pressing on his shoulders. The silence between them thickened, old wounds hanging in the air like unspoken accusations.Edward finally spoke. “Do you know why I brought you into this family, Gifford?”Gifford’s jaw tensed. “Because I earned my place.”A low chuckle rumbled from the old man’s throat. He shook his head, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “No, boy. You didn’t earn anything. You wer
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 51
Outside Zac's apartment, Lorenzo sat outside on the terrace, the cool night air doing little to soothe the storm in his mind. He took another sip of his drink, the burn of the expensive liquor not enough to drown out the chaos that had become his life. Three weeks. Three fucking weeks, and everything had turned upside down.Zac stepped out, carrying a bottle of vintage whiskey and two glasses. He poured them both a generous amount, the golden liquid glistening under the dim outdoor lights.“You got something frying your mind?” Zac asked, settling into the chair across from Lorenzo.Lorenzo grabbed his glass and downed it in one swift motion. He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. “Might be frying a dough in my mind, though it’s a burnt one.”Zac smirked, swirling his drink. “Spit it out, cock. No use sitting here sulking like a bitch.”Lorenzo slammed his glass on the table. “Just a few weeks ago, I made the worst mistake of my life. I divorced Zia. I betrayed her. I didn't know she
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The papers were signed. Zia’s hands shook slightly as she scribbled her name at the bottom of the discharge forms, giving them permission to leave the hospital. It felt surreal—after everything, after all the bullets, chases, and betrayals, they were just… walking out.Zac led the way, his white suit practically glowing under the fluorescent lights. Lorenzo followed, his steps heavier, his mind elsewhere. Nia and Mira trailed behind, their fingers loosely linked, a silent promise exchanged between them.They slid into the car, the low hum of the engine a steady presence in the background. Just as Zac put the vehicle into gear, Lorenzo spoke.“Wait.”Zac shot him a sharp look in the rearview mirror, foot hovering over the pedal. “We don’t have much time. You risking your life, Zia’s—”Lorenzo cut him off, locking eyes with Nia and Mira. “Didn’t you say they have a hacker or some shit tracking our phones?”Nia, her voice edged with sarcasm, replied, “Like hell they’d let us be when chas
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Nia and Mira burst into the hospital, their steps quick and urgent. The antiseptic scent in the air was almost suffocating, a stark reminder that they were finally safe—at least for now. Nia’s hand still trembled from the adrenaline, her hoodie sticking to her skin from sweat and exhaustion.They reached the reception desk, where a middle-aged nurse with a stern face eyed them suspiciously.“We’re here for Zia,” Nia said, voice tight.The nurse hesitated, her gaze scanning their disheveled appearance.Nia’s phone vibrated. A quick glance at the screen—Zia. She answered immediately.“Tell the nurse to let you in,” Zia’s weary voice came through.Nia handed the phone over. The nurse listened for a second, then sighed and nodded. “Third floor. Room 307.”Without another word, they rushed down the corridor, their footsteps echoing against the linoleum floor.The moment Nia stepped into the room, Zia was already waiting. She barely had time to react before her sister pulled her into a tigh
