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008: The Substitute’s Awakening
Last Updated:
2025-02-20 18:15:17
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UNBREAKABLE BOND 009: Stripped Of Everything
Elodie sat on the hospital bed, staring at the door Williams had just walked through. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pressed them against her lap. Why did it feel like she had let him down? A sharp sigh left her lips. 'No. This is for the best.' She shook off the lingering emotions and pushed herself up. There was no point in thinking about him. She had other problems to deal with...like the fact that this was a private hospital, and every second she spent here was adding to a bill she couldn’t afford. She needed to leave. Fast. She reached for her folded clothes, but as she moved, something heavy slid from the chair and landed on the floor. She looked down. Williams' coat. She quickly bent down and picked it up. The fabric was warm against her fingers, his scent lingering in every fiber—clean, crisp, expensive. She hesitated for a second before shaking her head. 'I’ll return it to him. It’s just a coat.' After changing into her clothes, she went to the fron
Last Updated : 2025-02-20UNBREAKABLE BOND 010: New Job, Old Faces
Elodie stared at her belongings as she thought of what to do. Finally, she called her second job, the one where she sometimes worked events, hoping for any sliver of hope. But the voice on the other end was curt. "Elodie, didn't you get the termination email? And your last pay went toward replacing the mascot uniform you ruined. It wasn't even enough." The line went dead before Elodie could argue. She felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling. Everything was slipping away. She sighed, picked up her stuff and began to walk away. Minutes later, Elodie sat on the creaky bed of a budget motel, staring at the peeling wallpaper. The room smelled of cheap air freshener, trying and failing to mask the scent of dampness. She dropped her bag onto the floor, exhaling slowly. 'This is it. This is my new life.' Her fingers brushed against the ring pendant hanging from her necklace, a painful reminder of the past. She had once lived in luxury, surrounded by wealth and privilege.
Last Updated : 2025-02-20UNBREAKABLE BOND 011: The Fire That Won’t Die
Williams stood outside the luxury shoe store, gripping his coat so tightly his knuckles turned white. He shouldn’t be here. After his receptionist informed him that Elodie had dropped off his coat, he picked it up to dump it in the trash. But somehow, somehow, he had ended up following Elodie instead with the coat in his hand. And now, he stood outside like a fool, watching through the glass as Elodie worked. She had changed. The confident, powerful CEO was gone. In her place was a woman kneeling before customers, helping them slip on overpriced shoes like a servant. His teeth clenched. He had almost walked in when that so-called "friend" from her past mocked her. He had almost intervened. But then... That man appeared. Williams’ entire body stiffened as he listened. How could he forget the face of Bryce Tanner, the man who took everything from him? And then... "No wonder… you’re my wife." Williams felt like something snapped inside him. His chest tightened as if som
Last Updated : 2025-02-20UNBREAKABLE BOND 012: Nostalgia
Elodie staggered under Williams' weight as he leaned heavily against her. His breath reeked of alcohol, and she struggled to keep both of them from collapsing onto the sidewalk. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around, searching for anyone who might help, but the streets were deserted. The evening had long since surrendered to the hush of the night, leaving only the distant hum of passing cars.With sheer determination, she spotted a bench at the far end of the sidewalk and, step by painstaking step, led him toward it. By the time she lowered him onto the bench, her limbs trembled from the exertion. She bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.Her eyes darted to his pocket. His phone. Maybe she could call someone. She reached in and pulled it out, her fingers working quickly, but the screen lit up with a password prompt. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips.“Great,” she muttered, shoving it back into his pocket.Her gaze softened as she crouched in front
Last Updated : 2025-03-04UNBREAKABLE BOND 013: A Morning Of Realizations
"Good morning, big guy," Elodie said warmly, her voice laced with a softness that made Williams' chest tighten. "Just wait a moment, breakfast will be ready soon.In the meantime, you can go wash up in the bathroom. There are new toiletries there that you can use."Williams swallowed, nodded, and made his way toward the bathroom without another word. Everything still felt surreal. He could remember coming to see Elodie last night, could remember how lost he had felt—how much he had needed her. But now, in the cold light of morning, a fresh wave of confusion hit him.Inside the bathroom, he turned on the shower, letting the water run over his aching body. As his fingers traced the cool porcelain of the sink, his eyes caught the small details around him.....a single towel hanging neatly, a single toothbrush, and a few other things.His brows furrowed.This didn’t feel like the home of a married woman.Williams could vividly recall the conversation between Elodie and her husband yesterda
Last Updated : 2025-03-04UNBREAKABLE BOND 014: The Unfinished Story
Elodie stared at the words boldly inscribed on the certificate in her hand. "Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business and Technology." She traced the letters with her fingers, feeling a strange mix of pride and determination. This wasn’t just a piece of paper, it was her weapon, her proof, her key to the future she was fighting for. The first time she received it, she had felt happiness. But now? Now, she felt even happier than she did the first time. She had taken a quick break from her job at the store to pick up the certificate. Now, she had both the hard copy in her hands and the soft copy in her inbox. Her shift passed in a blur. Customers came and went, designer shoes exchanged hands, but her mind was elsewhere. She was already moving forward, already seeing herself beyond this store, beyond this version of herself. That night, as soon as she got home, Elodie grabbed her laptop and pulled up a list of top tech companies. Her fingers paused over one na
Last Updated : 2025-03-19UNBREAKABLE BOND 001: Prologue
Elodie stood before Williams, her white wedding dress gleaming in the soft afternoon light. She could barely breathe, every fiber of her being screaming for her to stop, to choose him. But she forced herself to stay rooted, her decision set like a stone wall between them. “Please,” Williams said, his voice cracking as he stepped closer. His desperation was palpable, his words heavy with anguish. “Don’t do this. Don’t marry him. I love you, Elodie. You’re my life.....how am I supposed to live without you?” Her chest tightened painfully, her heart pounding against her ribcage like it was trying to escape. She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms as she fought to hold herself together. One more minute. Just one more minute, and she’d be free of this moment, free of the pain in his voice that was breaking her apart piece by piece. His hands reached out, trembling as they gripped her arms. “Say something,” he pleaded. His voice was raw, filled with a desperation she’d n
Last Updated : 2024-12-06UNBREAKABLE BOND 002: Three Years Later
Elodie changed into her regular clothes after finishing her long shift at the bar. Her legs ached from standing all day, and exhaustion weighed heavily on her. But she had no time to rest. Her rent was overdue by two months, and her landlord had given her only twenty-four hours to pay up or face eviction. No matter how tired she was, she had to head to her second job. When she got home, she let out a deep sigh, the familiar warmth of her small apartment offering little comfort. It was quiet, a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of her life. After a quick shower, she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at her phone. Her body begged for sleep, but her mind wouldn’t let her relax. Tonight was going to be hard, and she knew it. The sudden ring of her phone startled her. She picked up quickly, recognizing her boss’s impatient voice. “Why aren’t you here yet?” he barked. “Good evening, sir,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m on my way to the festival. I’
Last Updated : 2024-12-06
Latest chapter
UNBREAKABLE BOND 014: The Unfinished Story
Elodie stared at the words boldly inscribed on the certificate in her hand. "Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business and Technology." She traced the letters with her fingers, feeling a strange mix of pride and determination. This wasn’t just a piece of paper, it was her weapon, her proof, her key to the future she was fighting for. The first time she received it, she had felt happiness. But now? Now, she felt even happier than she did the first time. She had taken a quick break from her job at the store to pick up the certificate. Now, she had both the hard copy in her hands and the soft copy in her inbox. Her shift passed in a blur. Customers came and went, designer shoes exchanged hands, but her mind was elsewhere. She was already moving forward, already seeing herself beyond this store, beyond this version of herself. That night, as soon as she got home, Elodie grabbed her laptop and pulled up a list of top tech companies. Her fingers paused over one na
UNBREAKABLE BOND 013: A Morning Of Realizations
"Good morning, big guy," Elodie said warmly, her voice laced with a softness that made Williams' chest tighten. "Just wait a moment, breakfast will be ready soon.In the meantime, you can go wash up in the bathroom. There are new toiletries there that you can use."Williams swallowed, nodded, and made his way toward the bathroom without another word. Everything still felt surreal. He could remember coming to see Elodie last night, could remember how lost he had felt—how much he had needed her. But now, in the cold light of morning, a fresh wave of confusion hit him.Inside the bathroom, he turned on the shower, letting the water run over his aching body. As his fingers traced the cool porcelain of the sink, his eyes caught the small details around him.....a single towel hanging neatly, a single toothbrush, and a few other things.His brows furrowed.This didn’t feel like the home of a married woman.Williams could vividly recall the conversation between Elodie and her husband yesterda
UNBREAKABLE BOND 012: Nostalgia
Elodie staggered under Williams' weight as he leaned heavily against her. His breath reeked of alcohol, and she struggled to keep both of them from collapsing onto the sidewalk. Her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around, searching for anyone who might help, but the streets were deserted. The evening had long since surrendered to the hush of the night, leaving only the distant hum of passing cars.With sheer determination, she spotted a bench at the far end of the sidewalk and, step by painstaking step, led him toward it. By the time she lowered him onto the bench, her limbs trembled from the exertion. She bent over, hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.Her eyes darted to his pocket. His phone. Maybe she could call someone. She reached in and pulled it out, her fingers working quickly, but the screen lit up with a password prompt. A frustrated sigh escaped her lips.“Great,” she muttered, shoving it back into his pocket.Her gaze softened as she crouched in front
UNBREAKABLE BOND 011: The Fire That Won’t Die
Williams stood outside the luxury shoe store, gripping his coat so tightly his knuckles turned white. He shouldn’t be here. After his receptionist informed him that Elodie had dropped off his coat, he picked it up to dump it in the trash. But somehow, somehow, he had ended up following Elodie instead with the coat in his hand. And now, he stood outside like a fool, watching through the glass as Elodie worked. She had changed. The confident, powerful CEO was gone. In her place was a woman kneeling before customers, helping them slip on overpriced shoes like a servant. His teeth clenched. He had almost walked in when that so-called "friend" from her past mocked her. He had almost intervened. But then... That man appeared. Williams’ entire body stiffened as he listened. How could he forget the face of Bryce Tanner, the man who took everything from him? And then... "No wonder… you’re my wife." Williams felt like something snapped inside him. His chest tightened as if som
UNBREAKABLE BOND 010: New Job, Old Faces
Elodie stared at her belongings as she thought of what to do. Finally, she called her second job, the one where she sometimes worked events, hoping for any sliver of hope. But the voice on the other end was curt. "Elodie, didn't you get the termination email? And your last pay went toward replacing the mascot uniform you ruined. It wasn't even enough." The line went dead before Elodie could argue. She felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling. Everything was slipping away. She sighed, picked up her stuff and began to walk away. Minutes later, Elodie sat on the creaky bed of a budget motel, staring at the peeling wallpaper. The room smelled of cheap air freshener, trying and failing to mask the scent of dampness. She dropped her bag onto the floor, exhaling slowly. 'This is it. This is my new life.' Her fingers brushed against the ring pendant hanging from her necklace, a painful reminder of the past. She had once lived in luxury, surrounded by wealth and privilege.
UNBREAKABLE BOND 009: Stripped Of Everything
Elodie sat on the hospital bed, staring at the door Williams had just walked through. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pressed them against her lap. Why did it feel like she had let him down? A sharp sigh left her lips. 'No. This is for the best.' She shook off the lingering emotions and pushed herself up. There was no point in thinking about him. She had other problems to deal with...like the fact that this was a private hospital, and every second she spent here was adding to a bill she couldn’t afford. She needed to leave. Fast. She reached for her folded clothes, but as she moved, something heavy slid from the chair and landed on the floor. She looked down. Williams' coat. She quickly bent down and picked it up. The fabric was warm against her fingers, his scent lingering in every fiber—clean, crisp, expensive. She hesitated for a second before shaking her head. 'I’ll return it to him. It’s just a coat.' After changing into her clothes, she went to the fron
UNBREAKABLE BOND 008: The Substitute’s Awakening
The first thing Elodie noticed was the stillness. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled the air, and the morning light filtering through the thin curtains cast a faint glow over the pale hospital walls. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the brightness, but for a moment, she remained still. 'Where am I?' Then, reality crashed over her. Williams. The bar. The kiss. Elodie sucked in a sharp breath, pressing her hands against her burning cheeks. 'What was I thinking?' The memory of Williams' touch, his rough desperation, the way he had held her..it all came flooding back, making her stomach twist. She shut her eyes tightly. 'I have to leave here. Now.' Pushing back the covers, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. The cold floor sent a shiver up her spine as she stood, her body still a little weak from whatever had been in that drink. She reached for her clothes, neatly folded on the chair beside her. Just as she reached for them, the door creaked open. Elodie turn
UNBREAKABLE BOND 007: Unfinished Temptation
Williams barely had time to react as Elodie’s lips brushed against his. It was soft, hesitant...yet desperate. A plea. A need. His entire body stiffened. Her warmth was intoxicating, her scent faintly sweet, utterly familiar..wrapped around him, making his blood run hotter. He had spent so many nights trying to erase her from his mind, but here she was, pressed against him, pulling him back into a past he had fought so hard to forget. She murmured his name, her voice weak but filled with yearning. Something inside him snapped. His hands moved on their own, gripping her waist, pulling her against him. His lips crashed into hers, not gentle, not hesitant this time. His kiss was rough, demanding, filled with pent-up frustration and unspoken emotions. Elodie gasped into his mouth, and he swallowed the sound, his fingers digging into her hips. He pushed her back against the couch, his weight pressing into her, his body acting on instincts he had spent years suppressing. 'Damn it.
UNBREAKABLE BOND 006: A Taste Of The Past
Elodie trailed behind Williams, her trembling fingers clutching her torn blouse together. Each step behind him felt like a countdown to something she wasn’t prepared for. The air was filled with unspoken words and bitter memories for him. Williams didn’t slow his pace, his broad shoulders squared, his every movement controlled and precise. He walked ahead as if she weren’t even there, as if leading her somewhere was just an unfortunate errand he had to run. Elodie bit her lip, her mind racing. Williams had saved her, yes...but she believed it was not out of kindness. There was no kindness in the way he had looked at her, no softness in his cold, detached expression. She could tell that he still hated her.What surprised her was the fact that he had a VIP room. She had been working at the bar for a while but had never seen him there before. When they reached the VIP room, Williams pushed the door open without sparing her a glance. "Go on," he said, his voice impatient. Elodie h
