All Chapters of Contract and Marriage: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Sarina's POV:I headed to Maximus' room after my conversation with Jason, and fortunately, the two witches were no longer there.Where could they have gone?"Are you done?" I asked Maximus, who sat in his wheelchair, gripping his phone tightly as if he were waiting for something—something that was clearly making him angry.Why? At whom? With me?"Where have you been?" His voice struck me strangely, carrying a tone I couldn't quite decipher."Just outside. I told you I wouldn't be going home, didn't I?" I replied. "Where's your family?""If you were just outside, why don't you know where they are?" he shot back."I didn't realize I was supposed to watch them too," I retorted."You were looking at them, weren't you? You said you were just outside, so you should've known they left a while ago." His tone was unmistakably angry."Are you upset about what happened earlier?" I asked."Let's go home, Sarina," he said as he stood up.There was something different about him now that

Sarina's POV:After Maximus and I had sex, he became incredibly possessive. He always wanted me around, which would have been fine, except that Ruth and Miranda often hung around our condo.Like today—it was a Sunday, and Maximus and I were lounging in the living room. His grandmother had gone out to visit a friend but, of course, left her "prized companion" behind to third-wheel with us."Babe, I'm thirsty," Miranda said in a whiny voice, making me roll my eyes. She was probably expecting me to get her water."You have feet, don't you? Walk to the kitchen and get it yourself," I retorted, glaring at her."Why should I? I'm Max's girlfriend, and you're just his nurse," she spat back arrogantly."Well, I'm Max's wife, so get off your butt and get your own water, because I sure won't," I shot back, refusing to be outdone by her theatrics.Miranda pouted, but then Maximus spoke. "Get your water, Miranda."I smirked as she stomped toward the kitchen like a spoiled child.Just as I

Sarina's POV:The next day, I woke up early, just as I always did.When I used to live here, my body was so accustomed to going to bed early and rising with the sun that it felt natural. My family was never surprised when I was already out of my room before the rooster crowed.They were already seated at the table, having breakfast, while my niblings were surely still asleep. They were young and needed the rest, after all."Good morning," I greeted them.My brother stood up quickly to get me a plate."You don't have to do that for me, Alex. You should be focusing on Grace. She might bump into something if you're not careful," I teased."Geez, it's too early for that," he replied, though he didn't seem annoyed. "Of course, I took care of her first. Besides, don't stop me from doing things like this. It's one of the few things I can do for you, Mom, and Dad."His words made me smile. It meant he was looking after our parents well."How's work going, dear?" my dad asked, pulling

Sarina's POV:I didn't know how long I had been sitting on the edge of my bed. Even when my mom knocked on my door, I didn't respond. Eventually, she gave up, leaving me alone in my silence.Once I felt calm enough, I decided to take a shower, hoping that some rest might help me feel better by morning.I skipped dinner and went straight to bed afterward.Lying there, staring blankly at the ceiling, I felt the familiar vibration of my phone.At first, I ignored it, but when it didn't stop, I reached for it, finding it near the foot of the bed where I had carelessly tossed it earlier.I took a deep breath and saw Maximus' name on the screen. I didn't really feel like talking to him, but I also didn't want him to overthink things.After a few more seconds, I finally answered the call."Hello," I greeted, my voice flat and uninterested, knowing I couldn't fake any enthusiasm at that moment."Mrs. Salonga, this is Aries."I frowned and looked at the screen again to confirm it was

Maximus' POV:"Hello," I answered as Aries called."I've located Mrs. Salonga," he said."Follow her and don't let her out of your sight. I need to know where she's going," I instructed."Okay, sir," he replied.I ended the call and turned to face my grandmother and Miranda. Anger boiled inside me, but she was still my grandmother."Miranda, I don't want to see your face ever again. If you don't stay away, I won't hesitate to ruin your family's life. Mark my words," I warned."But babe—""And stop calling me your 'babe' because I'm not!" I snapped, my voice loud and sharp, making her flinch."Maximus," my friend Gerald Onyxer, the doctor, called out. He seemed just as shocked by the events."Stay out of this, Gerald," I said coldly.Geralde wisely nodded and excused himself."I'll leave you to it," Gerald said, and I appreciated it.I didn't want him to hear what I had to say to these two women."You don't respect me anymore, Maximus!" My grandmother was clearly enraged.