All Chapters of Marriage Bargain: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

EMILY'S POV I gazed out the window, the scenery outside blurring into a haze as my mind wandered back to earlier that morning. Ronald's offer to drive me home in his car replayed in my head, and I recalled the firmness with which I had declined. The memory of his concerned expression lingered, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the turmoil brewing within me.As the bus rumbled on, the chatter of the other passengers receded into the background, becoming a distant hum that barely registered in my consciousness. My thoughts consumed me, a jumble of emotions and worries that threatened to overwhelm me.My thumb found its way into my mouth, and I bit down on it nervously, the familiar habit a comforting distraction from the void in my mind. I was lost, unsure of how to navigate the secret I now carried. The weight of my pregnancy settled heavy on my shoulders, and I felt the burden of keeping it hidden.The bus hit a pothole, jolting me back to reality. I withdrew my thumb from m

EMILY'S POV I sat at the dining table, staring blankly at my phone as it rang. I didn't recognize the number, but something about it seemed familiar. I hesitated for a moment before picking up."Hello?" I said, my voice cautious.Ethan's voice boomed through the speaker, warm and familiar. "Hey, Emily!"My heart skipped a beat as I recognized his voice. "Ethan! Hi!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of surprise, haven not heard from him in days. "Hey, I'm so sorry I haven't reached out in a while," Ethan said, his tone apologetic. "I had to change my phone number because...well, it's a long story. But I'm sorry I didn't get in touch sooner."I felt a pang of sympathy for him. "It's okay, Ethan. I understand. How are you doing?""I'm good, thanks," Ethan replied. "Just busy with work and stuff. How about you?"I smiled, feeling a sense of comfort. "I'm good too. Just...a lot on my mind lately."We chatted for a few more minutes, catching up on each other's lives. Then Ethan said, "Hey, I

EMILY'S POVI walked into work on the third day after the field trip, feeling energized and motivated. I had a surprise planned for the volunteers - a lunch outing to show my appreciation for their hard work.As the manager of the departmental stores, my morning was filled with reviewing the weekly income and comparing it to previous weeks. I met with the sales team to discuss strategies for boosting sales. The numbers were promising, but I knew there was room for improvement. As I made my rounds, supervising the store, I started to feel the strain on my back. My body began to ache all over, the discomfort growing with each step.After the morning work , I sent out a group message to the volunteers, inviting them to meet at Cheng Diner for lunch. I looked forward to seeing them and showing my gratitude for all their efforts.As I welcomed my team to Cheng Diner, the savory aromas of Chinese cuisine filled the air. I had planned this surprise lunch outing as a token of appreciation fo

EMILY'S POVMy eyelids snapped open, and I was met with a blurry haze. A hand was wrapped around my waist, fingers digging into my skin. My mind jolted into high gear, my subconscious screaming in alarm. I tried to thrash my arms, to shove the offending hands away, but my limbs felt like leaden weights, refusing to budge.The hands tightened their grip, pinning me down. I struggled to free myself, but it was no use. My body felt weak, drained of all energy. Panic set in, my heart racing like a jackrabbit. I tried to cry out, but my voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.The hands continued to caress my body, the touch rough and insistent. I felt a wave of revulsion wash over me, followed by a cold, creeping fear. Who was this person, and what did they want from me? I tried to focus, to clear the haze from my mind, but everything remained stubbornly out of focus.With a surge of adrenaline, I summoned every last ounce of strength and pushed the person off me. They stumbled backward,

EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'