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The 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 : 2024-11-25The Loveless Contractive Marriage 22
Third Person's POV The sun barely peeked through the hospital blinds when the shrill tone of Zia’s phone jolted her awake. Startled, she fumbled for the device on the small chair beside her, squinting at the screen. The name flashing across the screen made her heart skip a beat.It was Raymond.Her stomach churned with unease as she answered. "Hello?""Zia," Raymond’s familiar voice filled her ears, calm yet tinged with curiosity. "Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you since last night."She hesitated, glancing at Lorenzo, who was still fast asleep in the hospital bed. Edward was slumped in the chair by the window, his breathing soft and even, signaling he was still resting."I... I’m sorry, Raymond," Zia stammered, standing and grabbing her bag. "I had something urgent to take care of.""Urgent? Is everything okay?" Raymond asked."Yes, everything’s fine," she lied, forcing a steadiness into her voice. "I’ll explain later. I need to go."Before Raymond could respond, she ende
Last Updated : 2024-11-25The Loveless Contractive Marriage 23
Third Person's POVThe next morning, Zia's phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling her out of a restless sleep. She blinked against the light filtering through the curtains and reached for the device, noting the unfamiliar number displayed on the screen."Hello?" she answered, her voice groggy."Good morning. Am I speaking with Zia Audrey?" a calm, professional voice on the other end inquired."This is Zia," she replied, sitting up and rubbing her temples. "May I ask who’s calling?""This is Dr. Kingsley from Maryland Hospital," the man said. His tone was measured but carried an undertone of urgency. "I understand this call might be unexpected, but I’d like to meet with you. It’s regarding Sophia."Zia’s brow furrowed, her mind racing. "Sophia?" she echoed, her heart quickening."Yes," Dr. Kingsley confirmed. "It’s important, and I believe it’s something you should hear in person. Could you come to the hospital today?"Zia hesitated, gripping her phone tighter. She didn’t know Dr.
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Loveless Contractive Marriage 24
Third Person's POVZia gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove through the quiet evening streets toward Raymond’s apartment. Her thoughts were racing, the revelation about Sophia’s pregnancy gnawing at her. She had decided to tell Raymond—he deserved to know what Sophia was trying to do to Lorenzo.But just three buildings away from Raymond’s place, her car sputtered and jerked to a stop. She sighed in frustration, stepping out to assess the situation, but the engine refused to start. Not wanting to disturb Raymond or Mira, she waved down a passing taxi and continued her journey.The taxi dropped her off a few minutes later, and she walked the short distance to Raymond’s building. As she approached, she noticed that the apartment’s front door was slightly ajar, and voices floated out into the hallway. Zia paused, intending to announce herself, but the words she heard made her freeze in place.Inside, Raymond was speaking in a low, firm tone. "It has to be now, Henry. Lorenzo i
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Loveless Contractive Marriage 25
Third Person's POVMira George's ApartmentThe cab pulled up to Mira George’s apartment as twilight began to settle over the city. Zia stepped out, clutching her bag tightly, her face pale and her thoughts heavy. Her car had been towed to the nearest mechanic workshop after breaking down earlier, but that wasn’t what weighed on her mind.Inside, the apartment was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner. Zia sank into the sofa, staring blankly ahead. She had barely caught her breath when Mira walked in, a curious yet concerned expression on her face."You're back," Mira said, setting her bag on the counter. "What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."Zia finally looked up, her voice low and trembling. “Mira… I overheard something today. Something terrible.”Mira frowned, moving to sit beside her. “What is it? Tell me.”Taking a deep breath, Zia recounted everything she had overheard—Henry and Raymond’s plan to kill Lorenzo while he was still unconscious, their deter
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Loveless Contractive Marriage 26
Third Person's POVEarly the next morning, Raymond walked into the hospital’s administrative office, the subtle hum of the western zone adding to the crisp, professional air of the hospital’s operations. This was the central hub where doctors received their daily assignments, and Raymond approached the counter confidently, his polished demeanor masking the darker intent behind his visit.The administrator, an older man with glasses perched on the tip of his nose, glanced at Raymond’s file before announcing, “Dr. Raymond, you’ve been assigned to Room 200 on the second floor.”A subtle smirk tugged at Raymond’s lips. He thanked the administrator, feeling the weight of success settling on his shoulders. Everything was aligning perfectly with the plan he and Henry had orchestrated. Today could mark a significant turning point in their scheme.Raymond made sure his coat was spotless and his appearance impeccable as he exited the office. On his way to the main hospital building, he greeted
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Loveless Contractive Marriage 27
Third Person's POVAs Raymond exited the hospital in a fit of rage, he was too distracted by his own frustrations to notice someone walking toward him. He accidentally bumped into them, nearly losing his balance.“Motherf—!” he began, his voice booming with irritation, but as he looked up, his expression froze in shock.Standing before him was Zia, her arms crossed, eyebrows raised in surprise.“Raymond?” she said cautiously.Realizing his outburst, Raymond’s face softened, and he quickly straightened his coat. “Zia! I’m so sorry for yelling. I didn’t see you there,” he stammered, trying to recover.Zia gave a half-smile. “It’s okay. Though I didn’t expect to get called that so early in the day.”Raymond laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. “I’ve just had one of those mornings. Anyway, I didn’t think you’d actually come.”“You texted me, didn’t you?” Zia said, tilting her head slightly. “I figured I should at least check in since it sounded urgent.”Raymond nodded, his
Last Updated : 2024-11-30The Loveless Contractive Marriage 28
Third Person POVSophia walked out into the lounge, her expression cold as she adjusted her silk robe. Henry was pacing the room, his face darkened with frustration, while Raymond sat on the edge of a sleek leather sofa, his fingers idly drumming against the armrest.“What now?” Sophia asked, her tone sharp, already sensing the sour mood hanging over the two men.Henry stopped in his tracks, his fiery gaze snapping to Sophia. “The plan didn’t work,” he growled. “Lorenzo wasn’t in the hospital when Raymond got there.”Sophia froze, her hands clenched at her sides. “What do you mean, he wasn’t there? Weren’t you supposed to take care of this?” Her eyes darted between the two men, her voice rising with each word.Raymond sighed heavily, his calm demeanor barely masking his irritation. “Do you think I wouldn’t have handled it if I had the chance? By the time I arrived, they’d already moved him. No one knows where.”Sophia’s face twisted into a scowl. “So you’re telling me that after all y
Last Updated : 2024-12-01
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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 42
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
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Third person's POVNia and Zia sat inside the dim, grimy room that reeked of stale smoke and spilled liquor. The cracked walls seemed to sweat secrets no one dared speak aloud. Nia flicked open a battered pack of cigarettes and shoved one toward Zia. “Here, take the damn thing,” Nia muttered, already lighting hers. Zia waved it off, her other hand resting protectively on her rounded belly. “Can’t. You know why.” Before Nia could respond, the door creaked open, and a jittery junkie girl stumbled in, her eyes darting like a trapped animal. “Someone’s askin’ for Zia outside,” she rasped, scratching at her arm like she could dig out her demons. Nia was on her feet instantly, snatching her pistol from under the stained couch cushion. She cocked it with a practiced motion, ready for whatever hell might walk through that door. “Wait,” Zia hissed, eyes narrowing. “What’d they call themselves?” The junkie girl blinked, her lips twitching like she was piecing together half-forgotten wor
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NowThird Person's POVZia’s head pounded as her eyelids fluttered open. The world spun in a haze of cigarette smoke, cheap perfume, and damp walls. Her body felt like dead weight, slumped against a rickety old chair.“Rise and shine, little sis.”The voice was raspy, smug, and painfully familiar. Zia’s head snapped up, and there she was—Nia. Leaning against the wall, dragging on a cigarette like she owned the air in the room.Zia blinked, her throat dry. “Nia?” she croaked, her voice raw.“Surprise,” Nia smirked, flicking ash onto the dusty floor. “Long time, no see, huh?”Six years. Six years since Zia had seen her sister, and she looked as chaotic as ever. Nia’s jet-black hair hung in jagged waves, her eyeliner smeared like war paint. She wore a ripped tank top, jeans that had seen better days, and an expression that screamed, trouble’s here.“What the hell are you doing here?” Zia snapped, her voice shaky but laced with anger.Nia shrugged, taking another drag. “Grandpa called. Sa
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Third Person's POVFive Years AgoThe streets were a labyrinth of cracked asphalt, broken glass, and desperate souls. Zia sprinted down a narrow alley, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her feet pounding the ground as if her life depended on it—which it did. She clutched a small packet of snuffed narcotics tightly in her hand, its weight burning into her palm like a brand.Behind her, a chorus of angry shouts echoed through the labyrinth. Junkie girls, lean and fierce, barreled after her like a pack of predators. Their leader, a wiry figure with sharp features and a cruel smile, stood at the entrance of the alley, her arms crossed. She didn’t run; she didn’t need to.“Zia!” the leader’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “You really think you can outrun me? Not on my streets.”Zia’s legs burned, but she pushed on, refusing to look back. She knew what awaited her if they caught up, but the hope of escape was quickly fading. The narrow path ended in a pile of garbage and rusted
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Zia's head throbbed as she slowly regained consciousness, finding herself wedged in the backseat of a car. On either side of her were strangers—a stern-looking man on her left and a woman with a piercing gaze on her right.In the driver’s seat, another woman gripped the wheel tightly, her knuckles pale, while a man sat beside her, tapping impatiently on the dashboard. “How much farther?” he asked, his voice rough.The driver hummed nonchalantly, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Just shut up and drive inside that damn area,” she muttered, her tone sharp and dismissive.The car took a sharp turn, rattling over bumpy dirt roads until they reached a rundown local home with an open gate barely hanging on its hinges.The group moved quickly, dragging Zia from the car. She stumbled, disoriented, as they hauled her through the creaky gate. Inside, the commotion of raised voices filled the air.“Are you crazy?” someone hissed from the shadows. “Do you have any idea how fast the cops are movi
