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The 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 : 2024-11-16The Loveless Contractive Marriage 17
Third Person's POV Lorenzo paced the floor of his office, his mind a storm of frustration and regret. The sight of Zia stepping out of Raymond's car had ignited a fury in him that he couldn’t shake. It wasn’t just anger; it was a deep-seated ache that reminded him of everything he had lost. He had gotten used to having her around, and now, with her engaged to his half-brother, it felt like a betrayal he couldn’t comprehend.“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He picked up his phone, staring at Sophia’s name on the screen. She had been trying to reach him, but he didn’t want to deal with her right now. Not when Zia was consuming his thoughts.“Mr Lorenzo!” one of his employees called from outside the door. “We need your input on the new project.”“Get in here,” he barked, irritation spilling over. The door opened cautiously, and his employee stepped inside, clearly wary of Lorenzo’s mood.“Sir, we’re behind schedule on the marketing analysis,” th
Last Updated : 2024-11-16The Loveless Contractive Marriage 18
Third Person's POV Sophia's ApartmentSophia woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through her curtains. Stretching her arms above her head, she shook off the remnants of sleep and decided to start her day with a little jog. After a refreshing run around the neighborhood, she returned home, feeling invigorated. She brewed herself a cup of coffee and prepared a simple breakfast, savoring the quiet moments before the day unfolded.As she finished her meal, a loud horn blared from outside her apartment. Curiosity piqued, she opened the door to find Lorenzo standing there, looking handsome as ever. A smile broke across her face as she stepped forward and kissed him softly.“Hey,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “Ready for our little adventure today?”“Absolutely,” she replied, feeling a flutter of excitement in her stomach. They exchanged playful banter as they walked down to his car, their chemistry palpable. The ride to the hospital was brief but filled with lighthearted
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 46
Lorenzo lay propped up on the hospital bed, his breathing still shallow but steady. The nurse entered, a tray in hand, and placed his medication on the side table. “Here’s your dosage for the evening—500 mg. Take it now, with water,” she instructed, her voice calm and professional.Lorenzo complied, swallowing the pills, his eyes drifting to the chair beside him. Zia sat quietly, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The weight of her presence settled over him like a storm cloud. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Silence filled the sterile room.Outside Nia’s ApartmentThe roar of a V8 engine echoed through the narrow street as a sleek, black SUV pulled up in front of Nia’s apartment building. Its tinted windows glinted ominously under the dim streetlights. The vehicle came to a stop, and the doors swung open in unison, revealing five figures stepping out with precision and purpose.Each carried weapons that screamed military-grade lethality. One man he
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Northern Raymond and Henry climbed out of the car, the acrid scent of cigarette smoke clinging to the crisp northern air. Raymond’s hand drifted to his side, fingers brushing against the cold steel of his pistol. The weapon rested snugly in a military-style tactical holster strapped high on his hip, its grip angled for a quick draw. A matte-black finish gleamed faintly under the flickering streetlights, a silencer attachment peeking out just enough to hint at the kind of missions it had seen. Henry exhaled a plume of smoke, his sharp gaze sweeping the dimly lit street. “Let’s move,” Raymond muttered.The smell of burnt weed and stale sweat hit them before they saw the group of thugs lounging outside a dilapidated storefront. Shirtless and tattooed, the boys passed a blunt between them, their laughter low and menacing. Raymond and Henry approached with calculated steps, their presence cutting through the tension like a razor.One of the thugs, a lanky guy with a scar running dow
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Zia stood at the foot of Lorenzo’s hospital bed, her eyes sharp and unwavering. Lorenzo, pale and bruised, winced as he adjusted his position. The weight of his guilt bore down on him like the IV drip tethered to his arm.“Look at me, Zia,” he demanded, his voice gravelly with both frustration and exhaustion. “I know I am a greedy bastard for choosing Sophia over you. But what was I supposed to do? She came to me crying, telling me she was pregnant. Did you expect me to throw her out like trash?”Zia folded her arms, “And what did you expect me to do? Smile, walk out of the marriage gracefully, and leave the house I built with you? All because of a woman who didn’t just warm your brother’s bed but had the audacity to crawl back into yours?”Lorenzo flinched as though her words were physical blows. He sighed deeply, his chest heaving. “I made a mistake, Zia. I won’t deny it. But when she told me about the baby—”Zia cut him off, her voice cold. “You don’t get it, do you? You threw me a
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Outside the state’s judiciary residence, where Mr. Justin, Chief Justice of [State Branch], resided, the street was eerily quiet. Raymond and Henry sat in their car, the engine humming faintly, both smoking in contemplative silence. Raymond flicked his cigarette out of the window, nodding to Henry.“Let’s do this,” Raymond muttered as he stepped out of the car.The two approached the grand yet modest house, its white exterior showing the slight wear of time. Henry knocked sharply, the sound echoing in the silence. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman with tired eyes. Mrs. Juliana, Mr. Justin’s wife, stood there, her face creasing into a slight frown.“Can I help you?” she asked cautiously, her gaze darting between the two men.“We’re here to see Mr. Justin,” Raymond replied, attempting a polite tone.Mrs. Juliana hesitated but eventually stepped aside. “Come in. He’s in his study.”They followed her through a polished hallway, where old photographs and
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At the New HospitalZia stepped out of the cab in front of the new hospital, pulling her hijab closer around her face. She wanted to stay unnoticed. Her eyes scanned the entrance before she walked in, her steps steady but careful.The hospital was big and clean, with shiny floors and the smell of disinfectant in the air. Zia walked through the hallway, keeping her head down. She didn’t want anyone to recognize her.At the reception desk, a nurse looked up from her computer.“Can I help you?” the nurse asked.“I’m here to see Lorenzo,” Zia said, her voice quiet.“Lorenzo who?” the nurse asked, her eyebrows raising slightly.“Lorenzo Audrey,” Zia replied.The nurse paused, her eyes narrowing a little. “And you are?”“I’m… family,” Zia said.The nurse didn’t look convinced. She picked up the phone and made a call. Zia stood there, her hands tucked under her coat, waiting.After a moment, the nurse hung up and turned to her. “I spoke with Mr. Edward Audrey. You’re allowed to visit. Lorenz
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Chapter 41Zia was damned gone from the flips, head fogged as the SUV rattled to a stop in front of Nia's run-down, junkied-out building. The zicky looked worse every time she showed up, like the concrete itself was getting high and crumbling under the weight of its sins. She stumbled out, gripping the SUV door for balance. The stench of piss and rot wafted in the breeze, mixing with the distant sound of someone shouting obscenities. Classic Nia’s territory.She took a deep breath—regret instantly—and headed inside, her boots clunking on the uneven stairs. The door to the apartment was ajar, a faint cloud of smoke seeping out. Zia pushed it open, and there they were.Mira and Nia. Kissing.Zia blinked, the scene in front of her like a twisted fever dream. Nia, her sister who couldn’t keep her shit together long enough to stay clean for a week, and Mira, her so-called best friend, tangled on the couch like teenagers sneaking behind their parents’ backs. Nia broke the kiss, her lips sme
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Third person's POV The man didn’t get far before Grandpa Edward Audrey’s men tackled him to the ground after a wild chase down the hood. A sharp gun butt to the head silenced his struggle, leaving him sprawled on the pavement. Moments later, another SUV screeched to a halt nearby, and the men roughly dragged the intruder into the vehicle before peeling off toward Nia’s place.Back at the scene, Grandpa Edward Audrey stood composed, Zia nervously at his side, while one of his enforcers, a stocky man with a cigar clenched between his teeth, approached. “We’ve got him,” the man said gruffly. “What now?”“Interrogate him,” Grandpa replied coldly. “Make sure he talks. I want everything.”Turning to Zia, he motioned toward a sleek black SUV parked a few steps away. “Get in,” he said. “Let’s get that drink.” Without waiting for a reply, he climbed into the vehicle, and Zia hesitated briefly before following, her mind racing with unease.The bar was dead silent, a hole in the wall that scr
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Third Person’s POVNia’s place was a damn pit—a cramped room with mismatched furniture, ashtrays overflowing with cigarette butts, and the faint stench of spilled booze and stale sweat. The kind of place where the air felt thick with stories no one wanted to tell.Zia sat on a lumpy couch, her knees pulled to her chest, glancing sideways at Nia and Mira. The two hadn’t said much since Mira arrived, their awkward silence heavier than the smoke clouding the room. Mira flipped through an old magazine like it owed her money, while Nia cleaned her nails with the edge of a battered pocketknife, looking bored as hell."You two gonna act like strangers all night?" Zia asked, breaking the quiet.Mira snorted. “Ask your sister. She’s the one with the attitude.”Nia didn’t even look up. “Don’t come in here acting like you know me, princess. This is my space, not your high-rise drama.”“Alright, alright, enough,” Zia said, her voice low but firm. “I didn’t come here to babysit your beef. We’ve
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Third Person's POVOutside the new hospital, the air felt too quiet, like the world held its breath for what was coming. Eight black SUVs roared up the drive like a storm, the engines snarling before they cut off in unison. Doors slammed, heavy boots hit the pavement, and out stepped Grandpa Edward Audrey, leading the pack like a goddamn warlord. His cane tapped the ground with authority as he strolled toward the entrance, his entourage a ripple of dark suits and watchful eyes.The hospital staff froze for a second, then snapped to action, ushering him inside. A medical supervisor, a lanky guy with a clipboard that looked like it weighed more than he did, hustled up to him."Mr. Audrey," the supervisor started, voice trembling just enough to show respect—or fear.Edward nodded but kept walking, his sharp gaze sweeping the hospital like he owned it. Maybe he didn’t on paper, but everyone knew that money and power made the rules, and Edward Audrey had both in spades.The supervisor
