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Chapter 7
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2024-12-14 23:23:19Adrian P.O.V
Tomorrow is the day we sign the agreement with Amario Enterprises. I was anxious about the marriage and merger, but Jessica reassured me that Chloe would handle everything.
She explained the entire situation the other day, and we discussed the plan regarding the agreement last evening.
"Dad hasn't mentioned anything about this agreement yet. Maybe he's waiting until the last minute so I can't back out. What if he doesn't listen to me if I refuse to marry?" Chloe asked nervously.
Chloe had a point. What if her dad didn't accept her decision?
"Don't worry, I have a backup plan," Jessica interrupted.
Noah entered the room carrying his coffee and sat beside me.
"What are you guys talking about?" Noah asked as he placed his cup on the table.
"About how to decline the marriage agreement without Adrian losing his company," Jessica informed him.
"Well, as I was saying, the backup plan is if Chloe's father opposes her decision, Adrian and Chloe can proceed with the agreement and get engaged. But as the wedding day approaches, you can back out," Jessica explained. Noah looked amused, while Chloe still seemed confused.
"Also, it's not stated anywhere in the agreement that you can't separate or divorce later. Once the merger is finalized, Adrian can tell his parents he wants to marry me, not Chloe," Jessica said, running her fingers through her hair.
"We'll try this for now since we don't have any other option," I agreed, and we ended our discussion.
We had dinner together, and then everyone went home. I asked Jessica to stay with me because I wanted her to accompany me to the company tomorrow.
The next morning, Jessica and I were on our way to Amario Enterprises. I held Jessica's hand, and she kept reminding me that everything would go as planned.
When we arrived at our destination, I intertwined my hand with Jessica's as we entered the lobby. Everyone stopped working and focused on us. I smirked, seeing their reactions.
We informed the receptionist of our arrival, and she directed us to the 28th floor, where the conference room was. As we entered, I saw my father talking to Neil Darrell. Chloe was sitting next to her father, looking tense. There was also an older man with a strong, authoritative presence.
"Good morning, everyone," I greeted them. I took a seat next to my father, while Jessica sat beside Chloe. My father gave Jessica a confused look but chose to ignore her and turned his attention to the older man.
The older man cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Stephen D'Amario. I started this company, and later, my daughter continued building it. I hope you all know why we're here. We're here for the merger to strengthen our relations," he said seriously.
Neil Darrell looked tense, sweating despite the air conditioning.
"This company has been handled by my son-in-law, Neil Darrell. But now, I want to transfer full authority to my granddaughter. She will be the new CEO. As per the agreement, the legal heiress of Amario Enterprises must marry the heir of Parker Enterprises," he stated firmly.
I was surprised Chloe would be CEO; her interests lie more in parties, clothes, and makeup than in business.
"Is it mandatory for the heir and heiress to marry?" I asked, earning a sharp look from my father, signalling me to be quiet.
"Yes, son, it's necessary as per the agreement. You know the consequences if not," Mr. D'Amario answered. A man in his late 20s handed me the contract papers. I was about to read them when I heard Mr. D'Amario speaking nervously on the phone. He seemed disturbed and worried.
I looked at Jessica, who nodded, urging me to proceed. I signed the documents and returned the file to the man.
Chloe reached for the file, but Mr. D'Amario took it back. Jessica, Chloe, and I were confused, as was Mr. Darrell.
"Isn't Chloe going to sign?" Jessica asked.
"Why would Chloe sign? We didn't even need her here," Mr. D'Amario replied, looking confused.
"Isn't she the one I'm marrying? As per the agreement, I have to marry your granddaughter, so Chloe's signature is needed," I said.
"You're marrying Sarah Darrell, the heiress of Amario Enterprises—my real granddaughter," he said seriously.
My head started spinning. I was supposed to marry Sarah Darrell. I grabbed the file and read the name. It was indeed Sarah Darrell, and she had already signed the papers.
The last time I heard about Sarah was five years ago when she ran away with a guy after making a video that went viral on social media.
"Sarah isn't capable of handling this business. I think you've made the wrong decision," Mr. Darrell said, shaking with anger.
"I don't need anyone's advice on my decisions, especially when it concerns my company," Mr. D'Amario hissed.
Everyone was shocked except my father. I couldn't imagine marrying her. She was one of those selfish, mean people I despised.
"Sorry, I can't marry her. That's my final decision. I want someone of my class and standard—someone who can stand beside me as my wife. I don't think Sarah is the one," I said, about to leave.
Suddenly, I heard my dad's voice.
"If you back out of this marriage, you'll not only lose the shares but also Parker Enterprises. I'll transfer everything to your cousin, Enrique," my dad warned.
I stopped, stunned. I couldn't believe him. He knew how hard I worked for the company. I sighed in frustration; I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't lose Parker Enterprises.
"Okay, I'll do it," I agreed reluctantly. Jessica's eyes filled with tears, but this was my only option since I had already signed the papers.
"Good. We'll announce your engagement this weekend at the anniversary party," my dad informed me.
I left with Jessica. During the ride, I tried to comfort her, but she kept crying. Once we reached my apartment, I made her sit on the bed and calm down.
"Jessica, please stop crying, love," I said, hugging her tightly.
"She always ruins my life. She steals everything from me. I can't lose you, Adrian," she said, sobbing.
"I'm just doing this for the merger, babe. Once everything is under control, it'll be over. I'll leave her," I assured her.
"What if it doesn't happen? What if she doesn't leave you? What if you fall for her trap?" she asked between sobs.
"Sweetheart, that'll never happen. There's only one girl in my life, and that's you. I'll make sure she regrets signing those papers and all the bad things she did to you in the past," I promised.
"I will always love you, Jessica Martin," I confessed, kissing her forehead.
"I love you too, Adrian," she replied.
I just hope everything goes according to plan. I can't afford to lose my company or Jessica. I'll make sure Sarah regrets everything and begs me to leave her.
I will. I have to.
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Bab terkait
Wedcuffed Chapter 8
Sarah P.O.VIt's been four days since I signed the agreement at home. I was about to leave for the company with Grandpa that day when suddenly Grandma started feeling uneasy. We immediately called our family doctor, who examined Grandma and told us that her blood pressure had dropped, causing her discomfort. He prescribed some medication and advised her to stay in bed for the next two days. Grandpa wanted to cancel the meeting, but Grandma insisted that we proceed as planned. Therefore, I signed the papers at home and asked Grandpa to handle the meeting.A few hours after Grandpa left for the company, Grandma began to feel a bit better. I was in the kitchen preparing soup for her when Grandpa walked back into the house. He asked about Grandma's health and later informed me that the agreement had been signed. Adrian and I will be engaged at Adrian's parents' anniversary party, which is scheduled for this week.The rest of the week passed in a blur. I was mostly preoccupied with adjusti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-14Wedcuffed Chapter 9
Adrian P.O.VI arrived at the venue, and all the arrangements for the anniversary were managed impeccably by my staff. I spotted Mom and Dad in the room, engaged in conversation with some guests. I made my way towards them."Hey Mom and Dad," I greeted, giving Dad a side hug and kissing Mom on the cheek."Hello, Son. How are you? You hardly visit us anymore," Mom said with a hint of sadness."I'm fine, Mom. I've just been busy with work. I'll definitely come and stay with you once I'm free," I replied."You did an excellent job organizing everything for today," Dad said, patting me on the shoulder."Anything for you both. I'm glad you like it," I replied, feeling pleased as I continued talking with them and mingling with other guests.Soon, I excused myself to attend to a few business associates when I noticed Jessica at the entrance. She immediately spotted me, and as our eyes met, she smiled seductively. She walked towards me in a short cocktail dress. Once she reached me, I quickly
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-20Wedcuffed Chapter 10
Sarah P.O.VTaking slow steps toward the stage, I felt my heart pounding harder with each step. As I reached the stage, Lauren immediately turned towards me. "Ahh! Here comes my beautiful daughter-in-law," she said warmly, pulling me into a hug. "All the best, dear," she whispered in my ear, sensing my nervousness."Ladies and gentlemen, today my son is beginning a new phase of his life with the beautiful heiress of Amario Enterprises, Sarah Darrell," Mr. Parker announced. I stood next to Adrian, both of us wearing forced smiles."My son, Adrian, has worked very hard for the company over the past few years, and I hope that marrying Sarah will lead to even more success for them both."The rings were soon brought out, and we exchanged them. Adrian slipped the ring onto my finger with a forceful touch, making it clear he wanted to leave as soon as possible. After we exchanged rings, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers."I have one more important announcement. Since I will be leavi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-20Wedcuffed Chapter 11
Sarah P.O.VAfter a MonthI tossed restlessly in my bed; it was almost four in the morning, and I hadn't been able to sleep the whole night. Today, I would be exchanging wedding vows with Adrian, and I was extremely nervous.Time certainly flies. It has been almost a month since the wedding was announced and since I last saw Adrian at that party. I wasn't looking forward to seeing him again, but I hoped to at least meet him and clear up our misunderstandings. We might as well be friends for the sake of this marriage.Additionally, I had been so busy managing the company affairs that I hardly had any time to talk to him or meet him. Over the past few years, my father seemed to have done everything possible to ruin Amario Enterprises. I bet if Grandpa hadn't suggested the merger, the company would have gone bankrupt within a year or two. The entire month had passed in sorting out the company issues.On a brighter note, Ester had finally moved to NYC. I offered her a position in my compa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-03Wedcuffed Chapter 12
Sarah P.O.VSunrays tingled my face, pulling me out of sleep. I got up from the bed and headed straight to the bathroom. It had been three days since my wedding, and since that night, I had done my best to avoid Adrian as much as possible. I decided to move my belongings to a bedroom directly across from Adrian's. I didn't want to share the same room with him after that night, and Adrian had no objections. I still prepared his meals, but they remained untouched and often ended up in the trash.After using the bathroom, I took a relaxing shower and started getting ready for work. I chose a puffy-sleeve wrap blouse paired with a black pencil skirt. Today, I had a meeting with Parker Enterprises, and I needed to be punctual. Since taking over Amario Enterprises last month, I have fired employees who weren't performing well, including my father. I expected him to cause a scene, but he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation; the company was on the brink of bankruptcy.After a fi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-07Wedcuffed Chapter 13
We decided to take a short break, and everyone left the room to get coffee, except for me, Sarah, Noah, and Sarah's assistant, Ester. Sarah, as always, was focused on her work, discussing some papers with Ester at the far end of the room. The quiet buzz of their conversation was the only sound in the large, otherwise empty boardroom. I glanced at Noah, who was scrolling through his phone, his coffee cup untouched in front of him.The faint sound of a knock at the door broke the silence. I turned to see my secretary standing there, her expression neutral but professional. "Sir, Mr. Morgan is here to see you," she informed me."Please send him in," I replied, wondering briefly what had brought Justin here today. Moments later, Justin walked into the boardroom with his usual confident stride."Hey, Adrian! Hey, Noah!" he greeted, flashing his characteristic grin. He dropped into the chair next to Noah, but his attention quickly shifted across the room. His expression changed subtly as hi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-07Wedcuffed Chapter 13
Sarah P.O.VI excused myself and left the boardroom, heading towards the restroom to freshen up. It wasn’t even noon yet, and I already felt drained. Perhaps it was Adrian’s presence that was wearing me out—he had a knack for testing my patience. Before the presentation, he had tried to insult me by questioning my potential and skills. It was a game he seemed to enjoy, but I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter.Despite my efforts to avoid confrontation, I delivered the presentation with clarity and confidence. Every point was carefully structured, and I made sure to emphasize the hard work I had put into it. When I finished, I braced myself for Adrian’s critique, anticipating his sharp words or an attempt to undermine my work in front of everyone. But instead, he sat there, silent and seemingly deep in thought, his usual smirk absent. He looked almost...shocked.It amused me internally to see him taken aback; he clearly hadn’t expected this level of competenc
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17Wedcuffed Chapter 14
Sarah POVGiven my distressing situation, I expected Adrian to intervene or at least inquire about what was happening. Instead, he slammed the door shut and left us there without a word.Why had I expected him to help me? He wouldn't, Sarah. He never had and never would.I refocused on Justin before he could attack me again. My clenched fist connected with his face, and he stumbled backward, clutching his nose. His eyes blazed with a mix of shock and anger as he quickly regained his stance."What the hell, Sarah?!" he shouted, blood trickling from his nose.Without wasting a second, I pushed him again, my palm striking below his right eye. As he reeled from the blow, I delivered a sharp knee to his groin. A guttural groan escaped his lips as he collapsed to the floor, clutching his face and abdomen."If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will file a harassment complaint against you," I warned, adjusting my disheveled clothes. My voice was steady, but inside, I was trembling. I c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-17
Bab terbaru
Wedcuffed Chapter 227
Sarah POVI gazed at my reflection in the mirror, wrapped in my robe, with Alessandro's text shining like a ray of hope in my hand."I understand we've had a rough patch. But if you can spare one night, I'd like to attempt to fix things.No expectations. Just you, me, and a little honesty. I’ll be waiting.”My heart ached. The sincerity in those words hit something raw inside me. I missed him, missed us. Missed the warmth of our mornings, the soft laughter that once filled our home. But pain changes things. Doubt makes strangers of the people you love most.Just then, there was a knock.“Come in,” I called, not looking up.I recognised the perfume before the door fully opened. Chanel No. 5. Chloe's signature. Of course.She stepped inside like a queen visiting a kingdom she meant to burn down.Silk robe fastened with precision, wine glass clutched like a villain in a sad drama. She always loved to put on a show."Going out tonight?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling as they darted to th
Wedcuffed Chapter 226
Alessandro’s POVIt had been ten days since we returned from the farmhouse. Ten days since everything unraveled.I sensed Sarah drifting further away from me, bit by bit, like sand slipping through an hourglass.She hadn’t raised her voice. She hadn’t lashed out. But her silence said more than any screaming match could. The way she avoided eye contact. The way her footsteps always trailed toward the guest room instead of ours. The way she smiled politely, but not warmly, when I handed her coffee in the mornings.I’d made a mistake. A big one.Not because of Mira, not entirely. That chapter of my life had been over years ago. And Mira’s accusations had never made sense to begin with. But I should’ve told Sarah everything the moment we got serious. I should’ve trusted her with my truth before someone like Adrian could twist it.God, Adrian.Even now, the thought of his smug face as he dropped that bomb still made my jaw clench. He’d timed it perfectly right when we were finding peace. W
Wedcuffed Chapter 225
Adrian’s POVThe city still felt cold, but the chill in my bones had shifted not from warmth, but from purpose. I finally had a plan.I sat at my desk, eyes fixed on Alessandro’s digital trail. His online presence lit up like a roadmap—threads of the past just waiting to be pulled. But I knew better now. Whispers and half-truths wouldn’t be enough. If I wanted to break them, I needed more than suspicion. I needed leverage. Misdirection.And I needed someone on the inside.That’s when it clicked.Chloe.Sarah’s perfect little world had always been cracked at the edges, and Chloe was one of those cracks. They were step-sisters in name, but anyone who spent five minutes with them knew there was no love lost. I remembered the subtle digs Chloe made at family dinners, the way Sarah would force a smile and pretend not to hear. But I heard them. I felt the tension.Chloe didn’t just dislike Sarah, she resented her.That kind of bitterness? It could be moulded. Turned into something useful.I
Wedcuffed Chapter 224
Sarah’s POVNew York City’s noise had always been oddly comforting, the honking cabs, distant sirens, and hurried footsteps on pavement. But today, it felt too loud, too sharp, like it was echoing the storm still raging inside me.It had been a week since we’d returned from the farmhouse.Seven days of strained silences, clipped conversations, and the kind of emotional distance I never thought I’d feel between Alessandro and me. I still hadn’t fully processed everything. I’d barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the look on his face when I walked away.But how was I supposed to just pretend like it hadn’t happened?He had kept something huge from me. Not just about Mira, but about how little he must have trusted me—to think I couldn’t handle the truth, to let someone like Adrian be the one to reveal it. After everything we’d fought for, the secrets still found a way to wedge themselves between us.And it hurt.Today was my first day back at the office since Gabriel’s birth.
Wedcuffed Chapter 223
Alessandro’s POV I stood there, watching the woman I loved crumble in front of me, her eyes scanning that godforsaken document Adrian had handed her like it was a grenade. And maybe it was because I felt the explosion the second her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief… and then to something that scared me more than anger ever could. Distance. It was like she was standing across a canyon, unreachable, even though she was just a few feet away. Her voice cracked when she asked me if it was true, and that alone shattered something inside me. God, I wanted to fix it. But how do you fix something you didn’t even know was still broken? In the past, I thought I’d buried it. That nightmare with Mira... it had happened years ago, in a life that felt a million miles away from who I am now. I had been young, foolish, and too trusting. I never touched her. I never crossed any line. But when things ended, Mira spiralled. I tried to reason with her, but she twisted everything. S
Wedcuffed Chapter 222
Sarah POVA few steps back, I noticed a captain whose face was completely devoid of colour. Words seemed to want to escape from his lips, but they were nowhere to be found.His still figure, rigid and motionless, also changed his hands into fists, which revealed the stress he was holding.This was simply too much to handle. My thoughts were fragmented, unable to reach a coherent conclusion. “Do tell me this isn’t the case,” I spoke in my flat voice. “Please tell me this is some unexpected blunder that someone made. That this… this woman is lying. Alessandro took a slow step toward me, but stopped when he saw me flinch not in fear, but in raw emotional recoil. That hurt in a way I couldn’t describe.The reflection of his features contorted with agony. "Sarah," a soft admission escaped as his throat felt like it was choked with raw feelings. “That's not the case.”We were close once, back in college. Yes, we dated for a few months, but when things didn’t work out, she didn’t take
Wedcuffed Chapter 221
Sarah’s POV I stood still, the document quivering slightly in my grip, as if the words on the page were too heavy for me to bear. My breath seemed to have gotten trapped somewhere between my lungs and my throat, in a region where incredulity and betrayal met. I read it again, slowly this time, each word punching a little deeper. Mira Solanki. Sexual harassment complaint. Alessandro’s name… linked with it. I looked up at him, the man I had let into my heart, into my life, into Gabriel’s life. The man who had been my anchor through the storm was Adrian. The man I trusted with my son, my dreams, my healing. He stood a few feet away, his face pale, lips parted as though he had something to say but hadn’t quite figured out how to say it yet. His hands were by his sides, stiff, clenched into fists that betrayed the tension under his otherwise still frame. I couldn’t process it. My mind refused to connect the dots. “Tell me this isn’t true,” I said finally, my voice hollow. “
Wedcuffed Chapter 220
Sarah’s POVThe late afternoon sun spilled soft light into the room as I folded the last of Gabriel’s little sweaters into his duffel bag. The scent of lavender from the fresh laundry clung to the fabric, and it made me smile. He’d had such a beautiful time here. We all had. For the first time in weeks, things had felt… steady. Like the ground beneath my feet wasn’t constantly shifting.I glanced over my shoulder at Alessandro and Gabriel outside. Alessandro had Gabriel perched on his shoulders, and they were walking around the garden one last time before we left the farmhouse. Gabriel’s laughter echoed through the air, pure and infectious. My heart swelled at the sight.I didn’t know when exactly it had started feeling this way, but watching the two of them together felt like a glimpse into the kind of life I had always wanted—peaceful, warm, and real. Gabriel adored him. And Alessandro, for all his quiet strength, adored him right back. That bond, though unexpected, had grown into s
Wedcuffed Chapter 219
Adrian’s POVThe sun had begun its descent, casting a golden hue across the farm, soft and warm, like a lull before the storm. I stood behind the half-drawn curtain of the guest room, watching them through the glass. Sarah, Alessandro, and Gabriel were in the garden, enjoying their last evening here. To anyone else, it looked idyllic—like a postcard of the perfect little family.But to me, it was unbearable.Gabriel was laughing, loud and free, as Alessandro chased him around the patch of wildflowers. Then, in one smooth movement, he scooped him up into his arms and tossed him into the air, catching him with ease. Gabriel’s squeals of joy rang through the air, piercing right through me. And then I saw it—the way Gabriel looked at Alessandro. Eyes wide with trust, with adoration. As if he were the safest place in the world.As if he were the father.Not me.I felt something sharp twist in my chest, a pain that was part jealousy, part rage, part heartbreak. Gabriel was my blood. My son.
