Chapter 19: A Love Tested by LossKristin sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. She hadn’t showered in Luca’s room, afraid he would notice the changes in her body—her swollen, tender breasts, the exhaustion that never seemed to go away, and the constant nausea that left her feeling weak and disgusted with herself.She had been spitting into tissues all day, throwing up when no one was around, doing everything she could to hide the signs. But Luca wasn’t a fool.And tonight, she knew he wouldn’t let it go.Luca entered the room, his piercing gaze locking onto her immediately. His presence always commanded attention, but tonight, there was something different about him—an air of frustration, of quiet demand.Kristin’s heart pounded as he walked toward her."You’ve been avoiding me," he said, his voice calm but sharp.She forced a weak smile. "I’m just tired."Luca crossed his arms. "No, it’s more than that. You barely look at me. You flinch when I touch you. And your body…"
Chapter 1: Bound by a ContractKristin Shaw’s heart raced as she stared at the contract on the table. The room felt suffocating, and her stepmother’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard.“You don’t have much of a choice, Kristin. Sign it,” Vanessa said, crossing her legs with a smirk. “Or would you rather watch your father die?”Kristin’s chest tightened. Her father’s weak, fragile figure flashed in her mind, lying in that hospital bed, hooked up to countless machines. The doctors had made it clear—without surgery, he didn’t stand a chance.“This is... insane,” Kristin whispered, her voice trembling. “You’re asking me to marry a man who’s in a coma. And not just marry him—you expect me to have his child?”Vanessa leaned forward, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the table. “Lucas Moretti is a billionaire, Kristin. His family needs an heir, and we need money. This is a win-win.”Kristin felt her stomach churn. There was nothing “win-win” about this. Lucas Moretti was a str
Kristin’s heart still pounded from Mrs. Moretti’s words. The weight of the contract she had signed earlier felt heavier than ever as she walked through the halls of the Moretti mansion. Everything around her screamed wealth, but it only made her feel smaller, out of place. She didn’t belong here. But there was no turning back now.Mrs. Moretti led her down a long hallway and stopped in front of a large door. "This is where you’ll find Lucas," she said, her voice cold. "You’ll stay here with him. Your duty is clear now."Kristin’s breath caught in her throat. She nodded silently and stepped into the room, her pulse quickening. The room was dimly lit, and the quiet beeping of medical machines filled the air. She blinked, taking in the scene before her.There, in the center of the room, was Lucas Moretti—lying in a bed, still as death. The machines around him hummed softly, monitoring his every breath. He didn’t look like the powerful billionaire she had imagined. His face was pale, his
The following morning, Kristin was jolted awake by a knock at her door. She hadn’t slept well, her thoughts spinning through the dark. She wasn’t used to this life—the cold mansion, this strange arrangement she was trapped in.Mrs. Delacroix entered, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she carried a thick book in her hands."Good morning, Miss Shaw," she said in her clipped, no-nonsense tone. "Mrs. Moretti asked me to deliver this." She handed the book to Kristin without another word. Kristin opened it to see a detailed guide on how to massage Lucas’s legs. The instructions were precise, clinical, as if this were simply another task on a long list of duties she now had to perform."You're to follow the instructions carefully," Mrs. Delacroix added. "It will help improve his circulation."Kristin nodded, still too stunned by the entire situation to speak. The housekeeper left without another word, the door closing softly behind her.Kristin stared at the book, her hands trem
Lucas’s condition had improved, but once the machines stopped their constant beeping, his confusion quickly turned into anger. His eyes, still blurry from the coma, locked onto his mother with a fiery intensity."Why?" Lucas demanded, his voice shaking with frustration. "Why did you pick a wife for me, Mother? You care more about the Moretti name than you do about me!" His words were raw with pain.Mrs. Moretti, usually calm and composed, appeared momentarily stunned by his outburst. She stepped closer to his bed, but her usually steady hands wavered as she seemed uncertain whether to comfort or scold him."Lucas, please, calm down," she said, trying to soothe him. "This is for the good of the family, you know that."But Lucas wasn’t listening. His fists clenched as he looked at Kristin, standing at the foot of his bed, frozen. He seethed with frustration."Gold digger," he muttered bitterly, glaring at Kristin. "That’s what you are, isn’t it? You’re just here for the money, the Moret
Kristin’s hands trembled slightly as she set the glass of water down. She had just finished speaking to Lucas, and his harsh words still echoed in her mind. His anger, his accusations—nothing had prepared her for this. After everything she had done for him, stepping into a life she never asked for, he couldn’t even show her a little kindness. It felt as if she were invisible to him, a mere obligation he had to bear.Before she could process the encounter, Mrs. Moretti appeared in her room. Concern and determination mixed in the older woman’s face. She had been kind to Kristin, but Kristin could feel the weight of the family’s expectations pressing on her. The Moretti family was powerful, and she was caught in the web they had woven.“I’m so sorry for Lucas’s behavior, Kristin,” Mrs. Moretti said softly. “He’s still recovering, both physically and emotionally. His anger is misplaced. It’s not really directed at you, but at everything he’s lost.”Kristin nodded slowly, though she wasn’t
Kristin couldn’t hold it in anymore. As she continued to massage Lucas’s leg, the overwhelming emotions she had been bottling up for so long finally broke free. She tried to fight it, but the tears began to flow uncontrollably. The frustration, the loneliness, the anger—everything came pouring out as sobs wracked her body. Her chest tightened, and she could hardly breathe as she tried to suppress her sobs, but it was no use. She quickly stood up and walked out of the room, not caring if Lucas saw her break down. She couldn’t stay in there any longer. The coldness in his eyes, the hurtful things he had said—it was all too much. Once in her own room, she threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in her hands. The tears came in waves, and Kristin couldn’t stop them. She was angry—angry that she had been trapped in this marriage, angry that she was stuck with a man who didn’t even want her. She cried for the life she had been forced into, the one she never wanted. She cried because
Kristin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the silence of the mansion pressing down on her like a heavy weight. But inside her head, there was no silence—only the echoes of Lucas’s cruel words."You’re just a gold digger.""I don’t need you.""Then leave."She squeezed her eyes shut, clenching the sheets in her fists. How much longer could she endure this? She never wanted this marriage, but walking away wasn’t an option either.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand.Kristin reached for it, her stomach twisting when she saw the message.Miss Kristin, we appreciate your help, but we need the funds soon. The children are struggling. Please let us know if you can still assist.She swallowed hard. The orphanage. The only place that had ever felt like home. She had promised them help, but with Lucas controlling everything now, there was no way she could get the money without him thinking she was exactly what he accused her of.As if she wasn’t already struggling enough.A loud crash from Luc
Chapter 19: A Love Tested by LossKristin sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. She hadn’t showered in Luca’s room, afraid he would notice the changes in her body—her swollen, tender breasts, the exhaustion that never seemed to go away, and the constant nausea that left her feeling weak and disgusted with herself.She had been spitting into tissues all day, throwing up when no one was around, doing everything she could to hide the signs. But Luca wasn’t a fool.And tonight, she knew he wouldn’t let it go.Luca entered the room, his piercing gaze locking onto her immediately. His presence always commanded attention, but tonight, there was something different about him—an air of frustration, of quiet demand.Kristin’s heart pounded as he walked toward her."You’ve been avoiding me," he said, his voice calm but sharp.She forced a weak smile. "I’m just tired."Luca crossed his arms. "No, it’s more than that. You barely look at me. You flinch when I touch you. And your body…"
Kristin had been feeling off for days. Her appetite was gone, her body felt different—her chest was more sensitive, and waves of nausea hit her unexpectedly. She brushed it off as stress, telling herself it was nothing serious. But deep down, something didn’t feel right.She had trouble sleeping that night, tossing and turning in bed while Luca lay beside her, breathing steadily. Giving up on sleep, she slipped out of bed, the cold floor sending a shiver up her spine. As she moved down the hallway, she noticed a faint light glowing from the maid’s quarters.That was strange.Kristin slowed her steps, her curiosity piqued. It was well past midnight—who would still be awake?She approached the slightly open door and peered inside.Helena, one of the housemaids, was hunched over a small wooden table, her hands trembling as she poured a powdery substance into a vial. Kristin’s eyes narrowed. Something about the scene felt… off.Then, she saw it.A bottle of Luca’s medication sat right bes
The hospital room was unnervingly silent, except for the steady beeping of the machines. Kristin sat beside the bed, holding her father’s cold, frail hand. His breathing was shallow, each inhale a struggle.She had spent years preparing for this moment, yet nothing could numb the sharp ache in her chest."Kristin..." His voice was barely above a whisper.She straightened, forcing a smile despite the tears in her eyes. "I’m here, Dad."His fingers trembled slightly in hers. "The... research..."Kristin frowned. "What research?"His weak gaze locked onto hers. "The cancer project... the cure..." He struggled for breath. "I wanted to finish it."Her heart pounded.Her father had dedicated years to developing a groundbreaking treatment, but he had always kept most details private. Now, in his final moments, he was trying to tell her something."You don’t have to worry about that now," she whispered, tightening her grip on his hand."Promise me..." His voice cracked. "Promise me you won’t
CHAPTER 16: A NIGHT TO FORGETKristin sat at the dining table, absently stirring her tea as the hushed murmurs of the staff filled the background. Her appetite had disappeared long before the food even arrived, replaced by a weight that had been sitting in her chest for days now.Luca had been different.Distant. Restless. Unpredictable.At first, she chalked it up to stress—running a billion-dollar empire wasn’t easy. But the shift in his behavior wasn’t just stress.It was something deeper.She’d caught him staring blankly at files in his study, eyes unfocused. He’d been forgetting things—small details at first, then bigger ones. Conversations they’d had the previous day, appointments he never used to miss.And worst of all, he didn’t seem to notice.Kristin had tried bringing it up casually."You're not yourself lately," she'd said two nights ago.Luca had just smirked and kissed her forehead. "You worry too much."But was she?The sound of approaching footsteps snapped her out of
Kristin had been avoiding Luca.At first, she didn’t think much of it—choosing to keep her distance, making excuses to be busy, pretending not to notice the way he watched her. But as the days passed, it became clear that she was actively avoiding him. She no longer waited for him at night, didn’t stop by his study, and barely spoke more than a few words when they were in the same room.And Luca noticed.At first, he let it slide. He gave her space, watching quietly as she withdrew. But tonight, he was done waiting.Kristin was curled up on the couch in the lounge, pretending to read, when she heard his footsteps. She tensed but didn’t look up.Luca stopped a few feet away, arms crossed. “Are you going to keep ignoring me, or are you finally going to tell me what’s wrong?”Kristin flipped a page in her book. “I’m not ignoring you.”Luca exhaled sharply, then reached over and pulled the book from her hands.“Hey—”He tossed it onto the couch. “Try again.”Kristin frowned. “Luca—”He sa
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Kristin slowly opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around her. Memories of last night flooded her mind, making her heartbeat quicken.She hesitated for a moment before turning her head.Luca was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling steadily. He looked different in sleep—less cold, less guarded. Almost peaceful.Kristin swallowed hard. Last night had changed things between them. And now, she had no idea what would happen next.Carefully, she slipped out of bed, grabbing a robe as she headed to the bathroom. The warm water from the shower cascaded over her skin, but it did little to clear the thoughts swirling in her head.What does this mean for us now?By the time she stepped out, Luca was awake, sitting on the edge of the bed with his laptop open. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable.“Morning,” he said, his voice deep and slightly rough from sleep.Kristi
Kristin stood outside Luca’s room, hesitating. She clutched the small container of balm, her heart pounding in her chest. After everything that had happened today—Daniel trying to force himself on her, Luca stepping in just in time, the anger in his eyes—she wasn’t sure what to expect when she saw him.Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.Luca was sitting on the bed, his laptop on his lap. The dim glow from the screen highlighted his sharp features, but his expression was tense. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, but he wasn’t really typing. His jaw was clenched, and his whole posture screamed frustration.Kristin stepped inside, the silk of her robe brushing against her thighs as she moved. Her hair was loosely packed, a few strands falling around her face. She hadn’t thought much about her appearance, but the moment Luca’s eyes met hers, she noticed the shift in his gaze.He looked her over, his jaw tightening.Then, with slow precision, he shut his laptop.Kristin co
Kristin sat on the edge of her bed long after Lucas had left, her fingers brushing over her lips. The warmth of his kiss still lingered, making her heart race. She couldn't shake the intensity of the moment—the way he had pulled her close, the way he had looked at her."This isn’t over."His words echoed in her mind, sending shivers down her spine.She wasn’t sure how to feel about any of this. He remembered their engagement, but that was all. He still didn’t know the full truth—the past that tied them together in ways neither of them fully understood.Letting out a deep breath, Kristin pushed herself up and changed into something more comfortable. She couldn't keep hiding in her room, not when her thoughts were a mess.A few hours later, Lucas left for the office.Considering his injury, she had expected him to stay home and rest, but he was as stubborn as ever. She had barely stepped out of her room when she saw Daniel leaning casually against the wall.He smirked. "Finally decided
Kristin barely got any sleep. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't erase the memory of Lucas’s kiss—the heat, the way he held her like he didn’t want to let go. And then his words…"I finally know who you are."What did he mean by that? Did he remember everything? Or was it just a piece of the past?Her thoughts were all over the place when a knock echoed through the quiet room.Before she could respond, the door swung open.Lucas stepped inside.Kristin’s breath caught.Dressed in a crisp black shirt with the top buttons undone, showing a glimpse of his defined chest, and tailored pants that made him look effortlessly powerful, he was a sight to behold. His dark hair was slightly tousled, adding an edge to his already sharp features. Even injured, he carried himself with the kind of dominance that made it impossible to look away.She swallowed, her fingers instinctively gripping the bedsheet beneath her.He moved toward her with slow, measured steps, his limp barely noticeable.