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Chapter 18 – Between Lies and Truths
Last Updated:
2024-12-17 09:14:16
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Ties of a Contract Chapter 19 – Shadows of the Past
SophiaI’m in the mansion’s library, surrounded by a pile of documents I asked Alexander’s assistant to digitize. He assumed it was for some charitable project I was involved in, but my intention is quite different. I can’t ignore the growing discomfort caused by Olivia’s words since our encounter at the dinner. Something doesn’t add up, and even though I want to believe in Alexander, I can’t keep ignoring the gaps in his story. I know my curiosity might lead to discoveries that could disappoint me, but in a strange way, it makes me feel alive, as if I were living inside the suspense novel I abandoned since that fateful encounter with Olivia.The photos I received showed Alexander and Olivia together at a charity event years ago. She used that as ammunition to make me question his character. But what bothers me the most isn’t the images; it’s the tone of her voice, the conviction that she still holds a place in his life. I need to understand who Olivia really is.The first clue appear
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SophiaI am in the living room, staring at Alexander with a mix of anxiety and determination. His words echo in my mind: “the truth won’t be easy for you.” Whatever he is about to tell me, it will change everything. I know it. Somehow, I know. My breathing is shallow, and the silence between us feels louder than any argument we’ve ever had. “Olivia was a mistake I should never have made,” he finally says, standing up and walking to the window. His tone is low, but the tension in his words is palpable. “She was with Ethan, but… there was something about her. Something that attracted me in a way I can’t explain.” My heart races, and I don’t know if I want to hear the rest, but I can’t interrupt him either. He continues, still with his back to me. “Ethan was naïve. He loved her, but Olivia was never completely his. She had a calculating side he couldn’t see. And yet, I…” Alexander pauses, taking a deep breath. “I let myself get involved. It was a betrayal—the worst I could commit a
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AlexanderI’m in the car, staring at the reflection of the city lights on the window beside me. Sophia sits next to me, her eyes fixed on her phone screen. Her posture is elegant, but I can sense the tension in her shoulders. This event is important to me, but for her, it’s something else entirely: an opportunity to confront Olivia on her own turf. Even so, there’s something about her determination that unsettles me—and attracts me at the same time. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever known.The driver announces that we’re almost there. My body tenses as I think about the possibility of Olivia showing up. I know she won’t miss the chance to make her presence known, especially with Sophia by my side. Olivia never acts without intent, and tonight won’t be an exception.As we step out of the car, the camera flashes begin. Sophia’s hand finds my arm, and I feel her steady grip. She knows what’s coming and is prepared—maybe even more so than I am.We enter the main hall, where the business elite
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SophiaThe night is silent when Alexander enters the bedroom, the sound of his firm footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. I’m sitting at the edge of the bed, legs crossed, absentmindedly flipping through a book. My mind is still at tonight’s event. Olivia tried, as always, to destabilize what we’ve built, but Alexander and I faced it together. For the first time, I felt like we weren’t just reacting; we were in control.He stops beside me, his deep brown eyes fixed on me. There’s something in his gaze that makes my heart race—a mixture of intensity and tenderness that’s hard to describe. He doesn’t say anything at first, just removes his suit jacket and loosens his tie, giving me time to observe him.“You were impressive tonight,” he finally says, his voice low but filled with sincerity. “Not just beautiful, but incredible. I don’t know how you did that with Olivia, but… thank you.”I smile, closing the book and placing it aside.“It was nothing,” I reply, but I know it was. It
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SophiaEstou no escritório de Alexander, sentada em sua poltrona de couro enquanto examino um dos arquivos que ele me entregou. Há semanas, ele tem falado em colocar um fim definitivo no ciclo de manipulações de Olivia, mas só agora percebo o quão sério ele está. Meu marido não é o tipo de homem que se expõe sem motivos, mas algo mudou.Enquanto folheio os papéis, encontro uma carta, cuidadosamente dobrada. O papel está amarelado pelo tempo, e a caligrafia é elegante, mas firme. Meu coração dispara quando leio o cabeçalho: Para Alexander. O remetente é Ethan.— Alexander? — minha voz sai mais alta do que eu pretendia, e ele entra no escritório poucos segundos depois, ainda sem paletó, a gravata frouxa no pescoço. Ele parece exausto, mas ao me ver segurando a carta, seu rosto endurece.— Você encontrou — diz, sem emoção. Mas há algo em seu tom que me deixa inquieta.— Por que isso está aqui? — pergunto, levantando a carta. — Por que nunca falou sobre ela?Alexander respira fundo e pass
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SophiaI run my fingers over the steering wheel as I wait in the discreet parking lot of a café far from the city center. The investigator’s message still lingers fresh on my phone screen: “I have something. You need to see it in person.” My heart is racing, and my mind is working overtime. Hiring a private investigator was an impulsive decision, but now that I’m here, about to hear what he’s discovered, I feel like I’m finally in control. For the first time, I’m not just reacting to Olivia’s attacks. I’m taking action.The investigator arrives—a middle-aged man with a tired face and eyes that seem to see too much. He gets into the car, hands me a thick envelope, and lets out a heavy sigh.“Are you sure you want to see this?” he asks, his voice gravelly.“I am,” I reply firmly, though my voice doesn’t carry as much conviction as I’d like.I open the envelope with trembling hands. Inside are photos, copies of emails, and transcripts of messages. The first photo makes my stomach turn: O
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SophiaThe door to Alexander's office is slightly ajar when I enter the mansion. My heels echo against the cold marble hallway as I clutch the documents I brought from my meeting with Olivia. My hands are still trembling, the weight of the revelations suffocating my chest."Sophia?" Alexander's firm voice pulls me back to reality.He’s leaning against the dark wooden desk, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his tie loosened. His eyes, usually so controlled, are shadowed, filled with a mixture of anger and exhaustion."I came as soon as I could," I say, closing the door behind me.He walks towards me, and before I can say anything, he holds my face in his hands, resting his forehead against mine."Are you okay?" he asks, his voice low, almost a whisper."I am," I answer honestly, despite the lump in my throat. "But we have a lot to talk about."Alexander reluctantly lets me go, but his hand finds mine as he leads me to the desk. There are piles of documents scattered across
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SophiaI never expected my life could turn upside down so quickly, but it only took a few hours for everything to change. This storm of accusations, misunderstandings, and distrustful glances came from exactly where I least expected. It feels like I’m trapped in a whirlwind of misconceptions, unable to escape. I’ll try to organize my thoughts to understand how I ended up here.When I opened my phone that morning, there was a curt message from my mother, Eleanor. A dry, cold message, slightly off from her usual tone—if you can even say she’s ever shown me genuine affection. She said something about “having unfinished business” and that I should come to her house immediately. Despite the strange nature of our relationship, I was worried. She would never summon me without a strong reason. So, I took a deep breath, got dressed, and left, unsure if I should tell Alexander. In the end, I decided not to bother him. He was at the office, in a string of important meetings. Besides, my relation
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Ties of a Contract Chapter 45 – Olivia’s Fury
SophiaThe afternoon sun softly filters through the large windows, bathing the living room in a golden light. I’m sitting on the couch with a book open on my lap, but I can’t focus on the words. I’ve tried to write as well, but nothing comes to mind. My fingers slide instinctively over my belly, trying to soothe the anxiety that never seems to fully vanish.Alexander left early for a series of important meetings. I told him to go without worry, assuring him I’d be fine. And I am. At least, I was until now.The intercom rings, breaking the silence. I stand up slowly and walk to the device.“Mrs. Hawthorne?” The doorman’s hesitant voice comes through. “There’s a woman here saying she’d like to speak with you. She introduced herself as Olivia Sinclair.”My heart stops for a second. Olivia.“She said she’s here in… peace,” the doorman quickly adds.Part of me screams to send her away. To not let her set foot here again. But another, more rational part believes that maybe she truly has com
Ties of a Contract Chapter 45 – Olivia’s Fury
SophiaThe afternoon sun softly filters through the wide windows, bathing the living room in a golden light. I’m sitting on the couch, with a book open on my lap, but I can’t focus on the words. I also tried writing, but nothing comes to mind. My fingers instinctively move over my belly, trying to calm the anxiety that never fully goes away.Alexander left early for a series of important meetings. I told him to go without worrying, assuring him I would be fine. And I am. At least, I was until now.The intercom rings, breaking the silence. I get up slowly and walk over to the device.“Mrs. Hawthorne?” The doorman’s hesitant voice comes through. “There’s a woman here saying she wants to speak with you. She introduced herself as Olivia Sinclair.”My heart stops for a second. Olivia.“She said she’s here in… peace,” the doorman adds quickly.Part of me screams to send her away. Not to let her set foot inside here again. But another part, more rational, thinks maybe she really has come to
Ties of a Contract Chapter 44 – Confrontation
Chapter 44 – ConfrontationSophiaThe silence in the penthouse is almost comforting. For the first time in weeks, I feel like I can breathe without the weight of the world crushing my chest. I’m sitting on the couch, holding a cup of hot tea in my hands, while Alexander works in the next room. He insists that I rest, but my mind won’t stop. I’m still getting used to being back here, to the familiar smell of this place, to the memories it holds.I place one hand on my belly and close my eyes. There are two of them. Two little hearts beating inside me. The responsibility scares me, but it also gives me the strength to keep going.The sound of the doorbell echoes through the living room, and my tranquility vanishes like smoke.“I’ll get it!” I call out, before one of the security guards can interfere.I walk over to the door and open it, but I regret it the instant I do.Leo.He’s there, his face flushed, his eyes red with anger and perhaps something else. Alcohol? He looks different, mo
Ties of a Contract Chapter 43 – Between Wounds and Promises
Chapter 43 – Between Wounds and PromisesSophiaAlexander stands in the middle of my tiny living room, a displaced figure in this cramped and simple space. He looks like a giant in a world not made for him. His broad shoulders slump, his eyes are tired, and there is a weight of guilt so heavy on him that I can almost touch it.I cross my arms over my chest, more out of instinct for self-protection than anything else. My belly is already starting to show under my loose T-shirt, and I feel an extra burden as I try to stand firm before him.“So you needed proof, Alexander,” I say, my voice coming out firmer than I expected. “You needed to investigate, seek documents, confront people… to believe me. When from the start it was so obvious who was behind everything.”He lowers his head, his shoulders drooping even further. The image of the powerful, relentless man he has always been crumbles before my eyes.“Sophia, I…” He lifts his head, and his blue eyes meet mine, filled with regret. “I w
Ties of a Contract Chapter 42 - Two Hearts, One Destiny
SophiaThe sound of dishes clattering echoes through the small café kitchen. Steam rises from the pans, and the heavy aroma of grease mingles with the sweet scent of freshly brewed coffee. My white T-shirt, already tight due to my growing belly, is smeared with tomato sauce, but I barely notice. My fingers tremble as I try to balance two cups of coffee and a tray of pie slices."Sophia! Table three has been waiting for five minutes!" shouts my boss, Mr. Garret, a man in his fifties with a thick mustache and a stern look."I'm coming!" I reply, trying to keep my voice steady.Sweat drips down the back of my neck as I weave between the cramped tables, a practiced smile plastered on my face. With every step, I feel the tension in my belly beneath the apron. I'm only a few weeks along, but it already feels like I'm carrying a heavy weight. Maybe it’s the worry. Maybe it’s the fear.Earlier today, before my shift started, I went to the doctor for a routine ultrasound. The doctor's words st
Ties of a Contract Chapter 41 – Between Broken Lines
AlexanderThe silence in the penthouse is deafening. The panoramic windows reveal the city outside, bright and bustling, but inside everything feels stagnant, dead. My only company is the echo of my own thoughts and the nearly empty whiskey bottle beside me.Every sip that burns down my throat feels like acid, but not enough to erase the image of Sophia walking away, her eyes filled with tears and her voice breaking as she said, "I know this baby is yours. Even if any damned test says otherwise."Those words haunt me. They’ve clung to my skin like scars that will never fade.The ultrasound she left on the bed is now in my hand. The blurred image of the small being who was supposed to be our child consumes me from the inside out. I close my eyes and press my forehead against the cold paper. I failed her. I failed the baby. I failed myself.A soft knock on the door interrupts my torment."Alexander?" It’s Dominic. His voice is full of caution but also firm."Go away, Dominic," I say, my
Ties of a Contract Chapter 40 - Divided Paths
SophiaThe result is still engraved in my mind, like an immutable sentence that echoes endlessly. The cold, direct words on the paper, followed by Alexander's devastated look, still burn on my skin like a branding iron."Another mistake, Sophia? In how many of these mistakes will you be the innocent one?"Each syllable was a blow. Each pause, a knife digging deeper into my chest. I never, never had been with another man besides him after we got married. But now, doubt has poisoned everything we built, and there's nothing more I can do to convince him otherwise.My fingers tremble as I close the zipper of my suitcase for the last time. The room that was once my refuge now feels like a prison. The walls oppress me, the scent of his perfume is still on the pillow, on the clothes, in every corner of this space that, for a brief moment, was our home.A tear runs down my face as I look around one last time. It's funny how, in just a few seconds, a place can transform from a home into a fare
Ties of a Contract Chapter 39 – The Abyss Between Us
AlexanderThe white envelope rests on the coffee table like a bomb about to explode. The edges are slightly crumpled, reflecting the weight of what they carry. Dominic stands beside me, but he says nothing. The silence in the room feels almost physical—thick, suffocating.My hands tremble as I break the seal and pull out the DNA test results. My heart pounds in my chest, my lungs can’t seem to draw in enough air. Every printed letter on the paper seems to glow under the cold light of the desk lamp.Negative result. There is no genetic compatibility between Alexander Hawthorne and the fetus in question.The words pierce my chest like daggers. For a moment, the world around me goes silent. Dominic mutters something I can’t catch. My vision blurs, my mind struggles to process the brutal reality stamped on the paper."Alexander…" Dominic tries to speak again, but I raise my hand, cutting him off."Leave," I say, my voice rough and broken.He hesitates but obeys, leaving the office and clo
Ties of a Contract Chapter 38 – Refuge in Silence
AlexanderThe days following the hospital visit pass like a blur of meticulously planned routine. Every morning, I wake up early and ensure Sophia has everything she needs. Breakfast is carefully prepared, following the nutritionist’s recommendations, and I personally deliver it on a tray, with a rose on the side, every single morning.Sophia looks paler than usual, but her eyes seem lighter. She’s spent so much time carrying the burden of Olivia’s lies, Eleanor’s manipulations, and, above all, the weight of my own doubts. Now, my priority is to ensure nothing else hurts her.Today, I enter the room with the tray while she’s sitting in the armchair near the window, a laptop on her lap. The soft morning sunlight bathes her face, and for a moment, I stop to admire the scene."Good morning," I say softly.Sophia lifts her gaze and gives me a shy smile."Good morning."I set the tray on the side table next to her."I hope you're hungry. I made sure they prepared something light but nutrit
