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Huling Na-update:
2024-12-09 09:02:53
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The Loveless Contractive Marriage 40
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
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-09The Loveless Contractive Marriage 41
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
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-20The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-04The Loveless Contractive Marriage 43
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-08The Loveless Contractive Marriage 44
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-03The Loveless Contractive Marriage 45
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-05The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-05The Loveless Contractive Marriage 47
Grandpa Edward’s Office The massive oak desk in Grandpa Edward Audrey’s office gleamed under the soft glow of the chandelier. The room exuded authority, with shelves lined with leather-bound books and paintings of family ancestors hanging on the walls. Edward sat in his high-backed leather chair, his sharp eyes focused on the man across from him—his attorney, Jameson Danae.Jameson had been with Edward for fifteen years, navigating the turbulent waters of business and politics with calculated precision. From quashing rumors to outmaneuvering assemblymen resistant to Edward’s proposals, Jameson had proven to be invaluable. Even when the odds seemed insurmountable, he’d managed to turn situations to Edward’s benefit.Edward leaned forward, his fingers interlocked on the desk. “Jameson, I’ve been thinking. It’s time to start transitioning the company to the next generation. I need to appoint a CEO—a perfect candidate who can handle the legacy.”Jameson adjusted his glasses, his expressi
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-09
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 57
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 53
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 52
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
