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The 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 : 2024-11-19The Loveless Contractive Marriage 19
Third Person's POVMira's ApartmentLater that evening, Mira found Zia lounging in her cozy living room, the soft glow of the TV illuminating their faces. They hadn’t had much time to catch up lately, but the weight of love and relationships often had a way of tightening their bond. “You can’t believe Eleven would survive in Season three of *Stranger Things*?” Mira asked, pointing at the screen where the characters were in a tense standoff.Zia didn’t reply immediately; her mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts that had little to do with the show. Mira noticed her distant expression and reached out, giving her a gentle nudge.“You freaked me out, Mira,” Zia finally said, shaking herself back to reality.“No, you actually weren’t here. You were far away from this zone,” Mira replied, adjusting her chair to face Zia more directly. “You didn’t give a damn about Lorenzo as we agreed, right?”“Yes, but we both knew it was agreed to disagree. Lorenzo is the father of my baby,” Zia replied w
Last Updated : 2024-11-25The Loveless Contractive Marriage 20
Third Person's POV Audrey Co-opThe sprawling mansion of the Audrey family sat atop the hill like a fortress, a testament to generations of wealth and power. The walls, adorned with ancestral portraits and elaborate furnishings, whispered tales of legacy and ambition. But today, those walls would echo with confrontation.Henry Audrey, the eldest son, stormed into the family’s grand hall. His return after several days away was unannounced, and his presence was as fiery as the temper written across his face."Father!" Henry’s voice boomed, startling a housekeeper who quickly retreated into a side hallway.In the study, Charles Audrey, the patriarch of the family, looked up from his desk with a furrowed brow. He had been reviewing company reports when the commotion interrupted his focus. Henry entered without knocking, his movements purposeful and brimming with anger."Henry, you’re back," Charles said, his tone calm but wary of the storm brewing in his son’s eyes."Don’t act surprised,
Last Updated : 2024-11-25The Loveless Contractive Marriage 21
Third Person's POV HospitalThe sterile white walls of the hospital seemed to close in around the small waiting area, where Lorenzo’s grandfather, Edward Audrey, sat with his hands clasped tightly in his lap. Despite his advanced age, his eyes were sharp, scanning every nurse and doctor who passed by, hoping for an update on his grandson’s condition. His concern was palpable, a stark contrast to the indifference shown by other members of the Audrey family.Edward had tried calling Lorenzo’s father, Charles, to inform him of the accident, but Charles’s curt response had left him more frustrated than comforted. Charles had simply said, “I’ll check in later,” and hung up. No one else from the family seemed to care enough to show up.It wasn’t until late in the evening that Zia arrived, carrying a bouquet of fresh lilies. She hesitated outside Lorenzo’s room, glancing through the small window in the door. The sight of him lying there, unconscious and hooked up to machines, tugged at her
Last Updated : 2024-11-25
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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 59
Grandpa Edward Audrey's OfficeAudrey Co-opLorenzo, Nia, and Zia sat in the assistant’s reception, the air thick with tension. The receptionist at the desk barely spared them a glance, her perfectly manicured fingers clicking away at the keyboard.Nia huffed, arms crossed. “Can’t the damn receptionist just tell your grandpa that we have to see him now?”Lorenzo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Nia, everything has a procedure. He might be in an important meeting right now.”“More important than my mother?!” Nia snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. “I don’t have anything to say to you, Lorenzo. This is Zia’s fault anyway. She’s the one who dated you. She’s the one who let you put a baby in her belly.”Zia whipped her head around, her eyes narrowing. “Oh, shut the hell up, Nia! Are you seriously blaming me for this? Are you trying to say I’m the reason our mother is missing?”“Of course! You heard what he just said! His grandad can’t come out yet because he might be in
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 58
On the Way to the Police Station, Zac’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he sped down the road, the city lights reflecting off the windshield. Mira sat beside him, one leg crossed over the other, her knee bouncing like she had energy to burn. She was watching him, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she could see right through him.“How did you meet Nia?” Zac asked, his tone light but probing.Mira scoffed, rolling her eyes. “What do you mean? I’ve known Nia for a long time. Not her entire life, but I’ve been friends with her sister, Zia, for more than a decade.”“I see.” Zac nodded, shifting gears. “I heard she isn’t entirely about that lesbian life.” His words were careful, but he threw them out like bait.Mira’s head snapped in his direction. “Excuse me?”“You know,” Zac shrugged. “That she’s a normal girl.”Mira’s lips curled, not in a smile but something close to irritation. “First of all, what the hell does ‘normal’ mean? Second, what exactly are you trying to say?”Z
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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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 56
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 55
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
