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The 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 : 2024-12-01The Loveless Contractive Marriage 29
Third Person's POVZia's phone buzzed, interrupting the quiet evening she shared with Mira. She glanced at the screen and saw a text message from Grandpa Edward Audrey.Grandpa Edward Audrey:“Zia, you and Mira are the only ones I can trust. Here’s the address of the new hospital where Lorenzo is staying. Please visit when you can and ensure everything is alright.”Zia read the message twice, her heart sinking slightly. She glanced at Mira, who was seated on the couch across from her, reading a magazine.“It’s from Grandpa,” Zia said, holding up her phone. “He sent the address of Lorenzo’s new hospital.”Mira looked up, her expression thoughtful. “Looks like he really does trust us.”Zia nodded, gripping her phone tightly."So when are we going?" Mira asked. "Tomorrow." Zia replied and Mira nodded her head. Zia stared at her phone, the screen illuminating her conflicted expression. Raymond’s name glared back at her alongside the message he had just sent:Raymond: “I want to take you
Last Updated : 2024-12-02The Loveless Contractive Marriage 30
Third Person's POVRaymond pulled up to Sophia’s apartment late in the evening, his mood dark and his mind clouded. The failures of the day weighed heavily on him, but what awaited him inside the apartment only added fuel to the simmering fire of his frustration.As he opened the door and stepped into the lounge, he froze. There they were—Henry and Sophia locked in an intimate kiss, oblivious to his presence. The sight made his stomach churn. Clearing his throat loudly, he walked further into the room.Henry turned sharply, his expression unreadable but his stance defensive. “Raymond,” he greeted with forced calmness.Sophia, unbothered, smirked as she adjusted her blouse. “Oh, it’s just you.”“Just me?” Raymond hissed, glaring at them both. “What if it wasn’t just me? What if another member of the Audrey family walked in here? Do either of you realize the kind of scandal this could cause? Especially with you,” he jabbed a finger at Sophia, “parading around as Lorenzo’s fiancée?”Sop
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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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
