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2024-12-09 21:11:41
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The 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-05The Loveless Contractive Marriage 01
Zia POV The doctor put on his spec, and sat up straight, a smile spreading across his face. "Mrs. Audrey, you're going to have a baby!" he announced. My heart raced fast, I couldn't believe it. How could this be happening? It felt really impossible. My friend Mira looked surprised, her eyes wide with excitement. "Did you just say she's pregnant, doctor?" she asked, her voice filled with joy. The doctor nodded, "Yes, she's one month pregnant." He answered. My mind flashed back to that night, the moment that changed everything. I felt a wave of sudden fear wash over me. "How can I be pregnant?' I whispered to myself. But Mira's eyes shone with happiness. "I'm so happy for you, you're finally going to be a mom! This is a new beginning for you and your husband" She said, playing with my chin, while I only fake a smile. What did Mira know? She had no idea that my marriage was a loveless arrangement, a contract that explicitly excluded pregnancy. And now, I was carrying a child
Last Updated : 2024-10-18The Loveless Contractive Marriage 02
Zia POVRaymond's stepbrother pulled up to Lorenzo's mother's house, and I thanked him with a smile. "Thanks so much," I said, feeling grateful. He smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You don't have to do that. Have a great time with your mother-in-law," he said, his voice friendly. I smiled again, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Bye," I said, as I got out of the car. Just as I was walking away, he rolled down his window and called out, "Always smile, you're so beautiful with that genuine smile!" He was still smiling at me, and I couldn't help but blush. My heart skipped a beat as I felt a flutter in my chest. I looked away, trying to hide my embarrassment, but I couldn't help but feel a little pleased at the compliment. I waved at him, still feeling a bit shy, and he drove off, leaving me with a warm feeling in my heart. As I approached the door, my heart raced when my eyes met Lorenzo's. His cold gaze made me feel like he was sucking the life out of me. I forced a s
Last Updated : 2024-10-18
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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
The 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
The 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
The 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
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
The 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
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 39
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
The Loveless Contractive Marriage 38
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
