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Chapter 27 – Shaken Trust
Last Updated:
2024-12-26 12:04:19
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Ties of a Contract Chapter 28 – A Life That Grows
SophiaAs soon as I stepped outside, I took a deep breath. A cold breeze brushed against my face, a breeze that seemed to remind me that life out here still carried on. It was almost five in the afternoon, and the sky was starting to take on that orange hue of twilight. I opened my ride-sharing app, not entirely sure where to go. My trusted friends were far away, busy, and my mother was the last person I could think of. Leo? I could forget about him. He was probably helping with Eleanor's schemes. Then it occurred to me that I could go to a hotel, at least until I figured out my next steps.I got into the car I requested, and during the ride, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. I had no doubt that Olivia would stoop so low to hurt me after I confronted her with the evidence I had, but... Why would my own mother throw so much dirt on me? I remembered that, just a few weeks ago, she accused me of not helping her enough. I suggested an excellent doctor, but she complained about havi
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Ties of a Contract Chapter 29 – Fight for Love and Truth
SophiaI spend the rest of the night in a state of painful vigilance. I can’t eat, sleep, or think clearly. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine Alexander angry, accusing me, calling me a liar. Or worse, I wonder if he’s out there, alone, feeling betrayed and confused, suffering the same pain I feel now. But I don’t have the strength to look for him, not while he insists on doubting me.Around three in the morning, I sit in the hotel room armchair, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the city lights. There’s an enormous emptiness inside me, an implacable loneliness. I think about everything I need to do to prove my innocence. I’ll have to dig through documents, bank statements, maybe even speak directly to that man from my past and demand that he tell the truth, though I have no idea where he is now. And I still need to deal with Olivia, my own mother, and the pain of being abandoned—albeit unintentionally—by Alexander.I refuse to give up. I need strength to face this chaos. My priorit
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Ties of a Contract Chapter 30 – Between Files and Wounds
AlexanderIt’s been two days since Sophia left home, and everything feels like a labyrinth of uncertainty. My mind revolves around two questions: what really happened in her past, and why did Eric disappear with part of the evidence that could incriminate Olivia? Doubts eat away at every thought while the financial reports in front of me stubbornly display small discrepancies, pointing to a silent betrayal.Eric Callahan, my financial director for years, always seemed trustworthy. Now, everything suggests he worked in collusion with Olivia, determined to tarnish my name and, in the process, hurt Sophia. Bank statements indicate amounts subtly redirected to an unknown account, outside the company’s official records. If I can uncover who controls this money, I might save both the company and my honor.Sophia's absence lingers with every breath. She left home with a suitcase, and I couldn’t stop her or say the words she needed to hear. The memory of her gaze, filled with pain and restrai
Last Updated : 2024-12-28Ties of a Contract Chapter 31 – The Unexpected Confrontation
SophiaI walk into the building where Alexander's office is located, clutching the envelope containing the test results confirming my pregnancy. My heart is racing—half with joy and hope, half with fear. I have no idea how he will react, but I’m determined to tell him. I won’t keep something this important from him.As I reach the reception, I notice something strange in the air. The secretary avoids my gaze, and before I can ask anything, she speaks, her voice tense."Your husband is in the meeting room, ma’am. I’m not sure if… would you like me to announce your arrival?""Don’t worry, I’ll speak to him myself," I reply, trying to sound firm.I walk down the wide corridor, the walls adorned with discreet artwork that, on another day, I might have stopped to admire. Now, all that matters is telling Alexander about the baby. With every step, the air feels heavier, as if something monumental is about to happen.I push open the slightly ajar door and freeze at the scene before me: Alexan
Last Updated : 2024-12-29Ties of a Contract Chapter 32 – Under the Weight of Uncertainty
SophiaI wake up to a bright light hitting my face. I try to blink, but my eyelids feel heavy, and a constant buzzing hums in the back of my head. It takes me a few seconds to realize that I’m lying in a hospital bed. The smell of disinfectant, the faint beeping of machines, the white walls… everything confirms that I’ve been admitted. I try to lift my torso slowly, but an extreme fatigue weighs down my muscles, and I feel a sharp twinge at the back of my neck.I need a moment to piece together what happened. The last thing I remember is being in the lobby of Alexander’s office building, trying to leave as quickly as possible after the confrontation with my ex and with Leo, my own brother. I felt a strong dizziness, and then everything turned into a blur. Now, I wake up surrounded by tensions I still haven’t resolved.I turn my head to the side and see Alexander standing, talking to a man in a white coat—probably the doctor in charge of my care. They speak in hushed tones. My heart be
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Ties of a Contract Chapter 33 – Between Love and Distrust
SophiaThe child. He didn’t say “our child.” He speaks as if everything were a ploy to maintain appearances, not an affectionate acknowledgment that we are going to be parents. My stomach churns with frustration. I don’t even know if he believes he’s the father after everything that happened, and that makes me feel even worse."Alexander, you’re forcing me to go… but you won’t even talk to me. And what if I don’t want to go back?" My voice trembles, and the question comes out weak, even though I try to sound firm.He presses his lips together."I’ll arrange for the move to happen today. I don’t want you to risk any more situations that could harm the pregnancy. I don’t want to be the one to blame if something happens. And that’s final."My heart races, and I try to insist."Listen to me, please. We can’t just pretend that nothing happened. You don’t trust me, and these accusations…"He raises his hand, cutting me off."I’m not ready to have this conversation. Right now, my priority is
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Ties of a Contract Chapter 34 - Between Love and Mistrust
Sophia The child. He didn't say "my child." He speaks as if everything is just a move to maintain appearances, not a loving acknowledgment that we’re going to be parents. My stomach churns with frustration. I don't even know if he believes he's the father after everything that happened, and that makes me feel even worse. — Alexander, you're forcing me to go… but you don't even want to talk to me. What if I don't want to come back? — My voice trembles, and the question comes out weak, even though I try to sound firm. He presses his lips together. — I'll arrange for everything to be moved today. I don't want to risk any situation that could harm the pregnancy. I don't want to be the one to blame if something happens. And that's final. My heart races, and I try to insist. — Please, listen to me. We can't just pretend nothing happened. You don't trust me, and these accusations… He raises his hand, cutting me off. — I'm not ready to have this conversation. Right now, my prio
Last Updated : 2025-01-01Ties of a Contract Chapter 35 – Between Rumors and Silence
AlexanderThe doorbell rings, and I’m informed that a delivery has arrived from the local florist, addressed to “Mrs. Hawthorne, the future high-society mom.” It seems like a distasteful gift, possibly arranged by disguised paparazzi or one of Olivia's spies, mocking the entire situation. I order the delivery to be refused.I look at Sophia and tell her we’re going to reinforce security around the penthouse. She nods but doesn’t seem relieved. I suggest that she avoid unnecessary outings, saying I don’t want her to be surrounded by invasive questions. She steps back slightly and says she doesn’t intend to stay trapped inside the house, but I hear a note of insecurity in her voice."I’ll take care of everything. I don’t want you to suffer more than you already are," I declare, trying to sound firm despite the weight of my own uncertainty."I can’t live in a bubble, Alexander. I need to take care of my child, go to the doctor, and have some contact with the outside world," she replies,
Last Updated : 2025-01-02
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NoahGiulia's reflection in my office window distracts me while I try to explain the situation to the board. She sits discreetly in the corner of the room, pretending to examine her tablet, but I can notice how her eyes occasionally meet mine in the reflection."Let me see if I understand," Marcus massages his temples. "You're getting married. In a week.""Tomorrow," Giulia softly corrects, without raising her eyes from the screen. "The trust has a temporal clause."Something about the way she pronounces each word with precision fascinates me. It's the same care she showed when debugging the app - methodical, precise, surprising."Tomorrow?" Marcus's voice rises an octave. "This is...""Necessary," Oliver interrupts, entering the room. He carries a folder I recognize: our parents' marriage documents. "And it wouldn't be the first time a Hawthorne marries for convenience."Giulia raises her eyes, finally. The blue of her iris captures the evening light in a way that makes me lose my tr
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Ties of a Contract The Algorithm of Destiny
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AlexanderThe house is quiet. The twins are sleeping soundly after a busy day at the park, and Claire took all the case documents to her office. For the first time in months, it's just Sophia and me.The night is especially beautiful, with a gentle breeze swaying the porch curtains. It's almost surreal to think about how we got here, after everything we've faced. Sophia is on the porch, wrapped in a light blanket, watching the moon. I approach quietly, offering a glass of red wine - the same label we drank the night we made our agreement."What are you thinking about?" I ask, sitting beside her."About how everything has changed," she responds, snuggling into my chest. "Who would have thought that meeting about my father's debts would bring us here?"I smile at the memory. "You walked into my office determined to negotiate. I never imagined you'd leave with a marriage proposal.""An arrangement," she laughs softly, her fingers playing with the wine glass. "You needed to improve your i
Ties of a Contract Chapter 106 - The Price of Truth
"UNMASKED EDITORIAL EMPIRE: Decades-Long Manipulation and Crime Scheme Exposed"• The New York Times"Matthew Morrison and James Cooper Arrested in Federal Police Operation"• Washington Post"Richard Bennett, Editorial Magnate, Found Dead in Bangkok: Suicide or File Destruction?"• The GuardianSophiaThe morning sun streams through the windows of our new home. It has been three months since that night at Sarah’s farm, and I’m still learning not to look over my shoulder every five minutes.Oliver and Noah are playing in the backyard—a fenced and monitored space, but still a place where they can just be children. Alex watches them from the balcony while working on his laptop, occasionally looking up to smile at me.My phone vibrates with a message from Claire:"It’s on TV. Do you want me to record it?"I turn on the television in time to see James being led into court. His last words before accepting the plea deal echo in the headlines: “I was just following orders, but that’s no excu
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Chapter 103 - Last RefugeSophiaThe rain lessens as I drive down the dirt road. In the back seat, the twins have finally fallen asleep, Noah still clinging to the rain-soaked dinosaur. Through the rearview mirror, I confirm that Alex and Claire are still following us.The headlights illuminate an old building. A farmhouse, isolated and apparently abandoned, except for the small beam of light escaping from one of the windows."This is it, my loves," I whisper, although the boys continue sleeping.Alex parks alongside, and Claire exits first, typing something on her phone."Security system deactivated," she informs. "You can come in."We carry the boys inside. The house is surprisingly cozy inside, with furniture covered by white sheets and an old fireplace."No one knows this place," Claire explains, closing the curtains. "It was my sister's refuge. Where she kept her discoveries.""And where she died," Alex softly completes.Claire nods. "Morrison found her here. Or rather, my father
