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The 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 : 2024-12-02The Loveless Contractive Marriage 31
Third Person's POV Grandpa Edward Audrey’s MansionThe vast expanse of Edward Audrey’s mansion seemed even more imposing under the weight of the news.The meeting room, a lavishly decorated space with heavy oak furniture and crystal chandeliers, was filled with the low murmur of voices.Edward Audrey sat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes studying the Russian moguls seated before him. Their suits were tailored perfectly, their faces unreadable, but Edward’s calm authority kept the tension balanced.A man with silver hair and a thick accent leaned forward, breaking the silence. “Mr. Audrey, we need assurance. The shipping lanes must remain secure. Our clients do not tolerate delays.”Edward folded his hands on the polished table. His voice was steady, almost cold. “You have my assurance, Mr. Ivanov. Audrey Co-op has never failed a partner, and I won’t let this project be the first.”A younger Russian at the end of the table frowned. “Your competitors are watching closely. If wo
Last Updated : 2024-12-05The Loveless Contractive Marriage 32
Third Person's POVZia and Mira walked out of the apartment together, the soft sunlight casting warm hues over the quiet street. Mira, ever the cheerful one, carried Zia’s bag with a knowing smile. Zia, on the other hand, seemed tense, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t share.As they reached the sidewalk, the hum of a car engine pulled their attention. Raymond’s sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of them, the tinted window sliding down to reveal his carefully crafted smile.“Zia,” he greeted smoothly, his sharp eyes scanning her face. “Where are you heading?”Before Zia could respond, Mira stepped in, her voice light and breezy. “She’s just seeing me off. I have a meeting to get to.”Raymond’s gaze shifted to the bag Mira carried, his brows lifting slightly. “A meeting? That sounds important.”Mira grinned. “Always is. You know me.” She turned to Zia and gave her a quick hug, whispering in her ear, “Send me the address. I’ll handle the rest.”Zia nodded subtly, her g
Last Updated : 2024-12-05The Loveless Contractive Marriage 33
Third Person’s POVZia sat stiffly in Raymond’s car, the faint hum of the engine doing little to ease her nerves. She was cornered. It wasn’t just about protecting herself anymore; she had to protect her unborn child. Her fingers tightened on her lap, her gaze fixed out the window as they drove in silence. Raymond’s occasional glance toward her made her uneasy, but she knew she couldn’t afford to show it.Arriving at the hospital, Raymond’s demeanor shifted to that of a professional. His charming smile was back, but Zia saw the faint cracks in it—the barely concealed frustration simmering underneath.“Come,” he said with a motion of his hand, leading her into his office. The room smelled sterile, with neatly arranged equipment on a steel tray and papers stacked on the desk.Raymond began the examination with feigned interest, his hands moving with precision as he checked her vitals and monitored the baby. His gaze lingered on the ultrasound screen longer than necessary, his jaw tighte
Last Updated : 2024-12-05
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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
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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
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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
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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
