All Chapters of A Million-Dollar Marriage: A Story Of Heart Over Contract: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Gianna blinked quickly at the flashbulbs exploding like a thousand miniature suns in her retinas as soon as she got ushered out of the car.“Mrs. Caldwell, this way,” said someone, who most likely was the one with a hand on her elbow, gently guiding her through the writhing mass of bodies and voices around her. Microphones were thrust into her face like accusing fingers and questions were flying at her from all directions.She wasn’t used to being in the spotlight, and what she would often call ‘her moment’ were merely background roles or blink-and-you'll-miss-it scenes in movies. But tonight, she was the headliner.She ran through her speech in her head for the millionth time, although she was going to be reading off a script. She was still scared she might make a mistake and mess it up.Only, she didn’t. The event she attended in Mason’s stead turned out well, and her role in it was perfect.“Look at you being all proper wife and all,” Sonia teased Gianna.“Shut up,” Gianna groaned,

‘Finn? Finn, where are you?’ Little Ninny’s voice Gianna’s voice echoed in her head like a ghostly remnant of a long-forgotten past. She recalled that scary night she was stumbling through shadowy hallways with a torch in hand, searching for her brother and crying alone in the dark when she couldn't find him. “F-F-Finn?” she stammered into the phone. The hand with which she held the phone was starting to tremble, so she had to hold it down with her other hand. “Is it really you?” “I've missed you so much,” the voice on the other end replied, thick with emotion. “I looked everywhere…” Gianna stepped out of the way of some passersby, now standing by the side of the steps. She still couldn’t believe her ears. As much as this person on the phone claimed to be her brother, and her heart was eager for this whole thing to be true, she still couldn’t afford to throw so much caution to the wind. In a world where scams and frauds were rampant, desperate people fell victim to false promise

A normal evening, like any other, Evelyn was playing catch with her little boy, Colin, when the front door was opened, and in walked Arthur Caldwell. He wasn't alone. Clutched in his hand was that of a little boy who looked no older than five. Evelyn's eyes darted between the child and her husband, and as soon as she saw the uncanny resemblance, she knew.This was Mason, Arthur's son from a previous relationship; a child he'd only recently discovered existed after his mother made sure to send him to his biological father before she died on her sick bed. Arthur had not only brought home his illegitimate son, but he had broken something in their family— according to his wife.For Evelyn, a new son for her to mother, and Mason, a new family was thrust on him without warning or choice.Soon enough, the Caldwells saw that Mason was different from the others. While other children laughed and played around with themselves, he would be by himself in a corner, observing. His piercing eyes woul

The first thing her eyes saw the moment she awakened was Mike headed for the bathroom, and then the sound of running water followed.Olivia stretched in bed again and yawned.To begin with, it didn’t seem like a good morning, just like the previous ones had been feeling off lately. Something was going on with Mike, but she wasn’t sure what. She didn’t want to be the woman who suspected every little thing about her man, just because things didn’t feel right.She rubbed her eyes as she got out of bed, walking to the mirror to stare at herself. She then ran her hands through her hair and massaged her scalp for a bit before grabbing a tissue from the nearby box to wipe away the dried up remains from last night’s sex off her thigh.After discarding the tissue, she threw herself into a robe and began gathering their clothes that were scattered all over the ground. As she picked up Mike’s jacket, something fell out of the pocket.Olivia curiously picked up the small, transparent sachet which

The legs go where they want Gianna's sudden drunken chortle was so loud it made some others in the bar turn their heads. The past few weeks had a series of bonding moments with her brother. They did anything and almost everything together, went on shopping sprees, touring, spent hours in coffee shops and just doing stuff to fill in the blanks of each other's lives. She even got Finn a new car and apartment…of course, she could afford to. On this day, after their outing together, they made a final stop at a bar before they would part ways again. Gianna wasn’t a drinker, so a few glasses of cocktails had already gotten her slurring and staggering on her stool as she laughed at a comment Finn made, which wasn’t even that funny. Her eyes were bright and glazed over. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was slightly mussed. Finn chuckled, holding her arm to steady her. “Oops…thanks,” she gave him a goofy grin. “I think it's time we get you home,” Finn said. He then helped her off the