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Chapter 59 – Skin to Skin
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2025-01-15 09:22:16
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Ties of a Contract Chapter 60 – Planning for the Future and Heading Home
AlexanderTime inside a hospital seems to flow differently. I’m constantly with Sophia during every appointment, every exam, every gentle physical therapy session she begins to restore safe movements. She complains about the slow pace of recovery yet celebrates each small improvement in the babies with a renewed smile.We start talking about the future, especially about going home. The medical team itself encourages these discussions, saying that having goals and perspectives helps psychologically during recovery.“I can’t wait to see both of them in the cribs we prepared,” Sophia says, fiddling with the sheet’s hem, her head supported by a tall pillow. “And to think, last time I was there, those cribs were empty…”“And they’ll still be empty for a little while,” I remark, holding back a sigh. “But now we know they’re not empty of hope. Oliver and Noah will arrive, even if a bit later than we expected.”She laughs and simultaneously releases an emotional sob.“Do you think we’ll manag
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 61 – Shadows of the Past
SophiaI watch Alexander check the babies’ monitors one last time before we leave the neonatal ICU. The way he cares for our children fills me with love and pride. Even tired, he keeps that attentive, watchful gaze, as though nothing in the world could slip past his protection.“We can go,” he says, coming over to push my wheelchair.On our way back to my room, I notice a different commotion in the hallway. An elegant woman is talking to one of the nurses, gesturing with authority. There’s something familiar about her that makes me frown, trying to recall where I’ve seen her before.It’s then that Alexander abruptly stops my chair. I feel his fingers tense on the handlebars and tilt my head to look at him. All the color seems to have drained from his face.“Victoria,” he murmurs, so quietly I barely catch it.The woman turns in our direction, and in that moment, my heart pounds. I recognize her from the photographs I found hidden in Alexander’s office months ago. She’s older now, but
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 62 – Subtle Poison
AlexanderThe hospital office is my temporary refuge. I need a few minutes to pull myself together, to push away the memories Victoria’s presence has stirred up. I rub my hands over my face, trying to organize my thoughts, when my phone vibrates. It’s Dominic.“Sir, sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know. Victoria Hawthorne checked into the Four Seasons this morning.”My stomach twists.“She intends to stay,” I murmur, more to myself than to Dominic.“Would you like me to keep an eye on her?”“Yes. Every step. And Dominic… strengthen security at the neonatal ICU. No one enters without express authorization from me or Sophia.”I hang up the phone and walk over to the window. Outside, the city carries on at its frantic pace, oblivious to the storm raging inside me. The sound of heels in the corridor alerts me, and I don’t have to turn around to know who it is.“You’re still hiding in dark corners when you’re upset,” Victoria’s voice is soft, almost motherly, yet it carries t
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 63 – Nighttime Shadows
SophiaA soft sound of footsteps in the hallway rouses me. The night is silent except for the constant beeping of monitors, and Alexander has finally fallen asleep on the sofa after hours of restlessness. I check the clock: 3:15 a.m.Something feels off. A premonition, perhaps. Or maybe it’s just the maternal instinct that’s grown since Oliver and Noah were born.“Nurse?” I call softly, but there’s no reply.Carefully, I set my feet on the cold floor. I still feel pain from the birth and surgery, but the physical therapy is helping. I take a few tentative steps toward the door, gripping my IV stand. Through the glass, I see a figure moving toward the neonatal ICU.My heart races.“Alexander,” I whisper, going over to the sofa. “Alexander, wake up.”He opens his eyes immediately, always on alert.“What is it? Are you okay?”“There’s someone walking toward the ICU,” I say, my voice trembling. “It’s not the on-duty nurse.”He jumps up, fully awake.“Get back in bed,” he orders, already s
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 64 – Open Scars
AlexanderDr. Stevens’s office feels smaller than I remember, even with its bright walls and bookshelves packed with volumes. Maybe the sense of being closed in comes from the weight of everything that’s happened. Last time, I was just a shattered teenager, trying to pick up the pieces Victoria left scattered. The armchairs and the faint scent of chamomile tea remain the same, but my anxiety keeps me from sitting down. I pace back and forth, as if I need to burn off the tension that seizes me.“How long has it been, Alexander?” Dr. Stevens asks, adjusting his glasses.He sits in the chair beside a small table with notes and pens. His voice is calm and reminds me of when I believed that talking could be enough to cure my torment.“Fifteen years,” I answer, unable to hide my nervousness. My hands are sweating, and I need to keep pacing to clear my mind. “Maybe I just pretended to be okay.”“And what brought you back?” he continues, watching me intently.I stop by the window, gazing at t
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 65 – Walls of Protection
Alexander“I want cameras at every corner of this floor,” I instruct the head of security, pointing at the hospital layout before me. “Especially in the corridors leading to the neonatal ICU.”The man, a former military officer named Barnes, nods as he takes notes.“We’ve already started installing them, sir. Facial recognition system included.”Dominic, standing beside me, slides some more documents across the desk.“We’ve also changed all the access protocols,” he says. “Now you need three different forms of ID to enter the ICU: fingerprint, facial recognition, and a personal code.”I look over the papers, my jaw tensing. Since Victoria’s nighttime visit, I’ve been unable to relax.“What about the staff?” I ask.“Complete background checks are being redone,” Barnes replies. “Especially for the night shift.”“Good.” I run my hand through my hair. “And the private team?”Dominic opens a folder of résumés.“We’ve selected the best. Former police officers, protection specialists. Two fo
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 66 – Pages of the Past
SophiaLate at night, when Alexander finally drifts off on the sofa, exhausted from supervising the installation of all the security equipment, I decide to investigate more about Victoria. Something inside me says I need to understand better what we’re up against.I take my phone and send Dominic a message: “I need you to bring me something from Alexander’s office. An old wooden box with photos in it—should be at the bottom of the last drawer.”A few minutes later, he replies: “You sure? He’s not going to like this.”“I’m sure. Please.”An hour goes by before Dominic appears silently with a worn wooden box. He sets it beside me on the bed and leaves without a word, casting only a concerned glance at Alexander, who is sound asleep.With slightly trembling hands, I open the box. A musty smell of old, stored paper hits me. There are more photos than I remember, and something new: a black notebook, its cover worn by time.“Forgive me, my love,” I whisper to Alexander before opening the d
Last Updated : 2025-01-15Ties of a Contract Chapter 67 – Waking Nightmares
AlexanderDr. Stevens’s office feels smaller today, more stifling than usual. Through the window’s cracks, I see heavy clouds gathering overhead, heralding an oncoming storm. It’s as if the weather outside reflects the turmoil I feel inside—a mix of anxiety and fear that refuses to leave me.“Sophia found the diary,” I state bluntly, taking a seat in the armchair facing his desk covered in notes.Dr. Stevens, in a serious stance, sets his pen down slowly and looks at me over his glasses.“How do you feel about that?”I let out a short, humorless laugh.“Exposed. Vulnerable. Like I’ve gone back to being fifteen, with no one to turn to.”He folds his arms, following my every movement.“Did she react badly?”I shake my head, recalling that moment Sophia hugged me, her tears dampening my shirt.“No. Actually, she was amazing. Understanding. Much more than I deserve.”“Why do you think you don’t deserve it?”My throat tightens, remembering all the times I’ve woken up sweating, terrified by
Last Updated : 2025-01-15
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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
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