All Chapters of Contract and Marriage: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Maximus' POV:It had been three days since Sarina's parents returned to the countryside, but their lingering approval of Jason and concern for him were hard to shake from my mind.Knowing they trusted that man to look after Sarina while she was here felt like a knife twisting in my chest.They didn't know I was already married to their daughter, and that made it worse.I couldn't forget how quickly Sarina denied liking me when her father asked her. That hurt deeply, especially because I was falling for her.However, I couldn't bring myself to admit it, not now—not when I was certain she had no feelings for me. Pride held me back, even though my heart ached to tell her.The small, teasing moments between us as a married couple meant the world to me. I cherished them, especially when her cheeks flushed, as if she still wasn't accustomed to being so close to me—even after months of being wrapped in each other’s arms.Even if Sarina didn't fancy me, there was one thing I knew: she e

Sarina's POV:"Why do you keep insisting that I come along when I don't want to?" I asked Maximus.He had been pestering me about accompanying him to Las Islas."Why don't you want to?" he pressed. "You're so persistent! I've already told you I'm afraid of flying, haven't I?" I replied."You'll be with me. What are you afraid of? And didn't you fly when you went home to Canes?" he retorted.Oh, right."That's different because it was a short flight. It's a different story when it's an international one," I elaborated.I saw him exhale, probably thinking I was being unreasonable. However, it really was terrifying to be in the air for so long."What if the plane suddenly crashes? Of course, you'd save yourself first, then the beautiful women you see—especially the sexy flight attendants!" I added."Seriously, Sarina? You're thinking about those things?" he asked, sounding exasperated.Why was it wrong to think that way? I was just being honest."How would I know? You can't s

Sarina's POV:"Why the hell are you here?" Miranda asked.It was a question I shouldn't have cared about, yet I couldn't resist provoking her further after overhearing Maximus' obnoxious employees.I raised an eyebrow, determined not to let her have the upper hand in our exchange. After all, I was the legal wife, with all the rights that came with it."Naturally, I'm visiting my husband in his office. Is there something wrong with that?""Sarina," Maximus said beside me.I turned to look at him, still with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, why? Are you going to forbid me from speaking again? Stop me like you did before?""Did I say that?" he asked, shaking his head.When would he get used to me not backing down to anyone? I thought he was okay with it since he always seemed reassured by my ability to defend myself."Mr. Salonga, I've already made the reservation," Aries interjected before I could invite Maximus into his office."Good. Let's go, Sarina."If I could have raised my eyebr

Maximus' POV:I must have been the happiest man in the world when I heard Sarina call me "hubby."For others, it might have seemed trivial, but for me, it was a huge deal.I wanted to be sure she felt something for me before I fully confessed. I didn't want to look like a fool in front of her, only to have her laugh at me.Even before that moment, I had noticed that she didn't seem to like me, but I could also sense that my kisses and the pleasure I gave her were beginning to have a different effect on her.We could start from there. At least we had something we agreed upon.What had happened in my office would remain one of the most important memories of my life.I wasn't like other men who brought their women into their workspaces. I wasn't that kind of man.If there was one thing I could be proud of in my relationship with Sarina, it was that she was the only woman I had ever been with inside, and in every corner, of my office.It had been just the two of us there, with no

Sarina's POV:After Maximus left for lunch, four hours passed, and he still hadn't returned.I was hungry but unsure where to go, so I decided to step out.Where could that pervert be meeting someone?As I descended in the hotel elevator, it suddenly opened, and I assumed I had reached the ground floor.My eyes widened when someone I hadn't expected stepped inside."Sarina?" His face was full of surprise, confirming he hadn't expected to see me here."Jason, what are you doing here?" I asked as he stood beside me.It was no big deal to me, and I assumed it was the same for him.We chatted casually until the elevator doors opened again, and we both stepped out.After telling me that his father had a friend who wanted to meet him and that his parents had sent him here, Jason asked, "Where are you headed?"I didn't hesitate to explain. "I'm not sure where to order food from, and I'm hungry. I was thinking of finding a supermarket outside the hotel."He laughed loudly before as