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CHAPTER 153
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2025-05-08 01:41:47
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Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 1: A Betrayal Among Friends
Elena's POV I had grown up surrounded by luxury, security, and the warmth of family friends like the Hawthornes. My father, Charles Bradford, often spoke of Victor Hawthorne with admiration, calling him his closest ally, a partner both in business and life. Our families spent countless evenings dining together, laughing over shared successes. We shared vacations and milestones, and I never imagined that Victor Hawthorne would one day stand in my home, dismantling everything I held dear without a second thought for our family friendship.The day began like any other. I had been working tirelessly, managing my budding interior design business. I returned home later than usual to have dinner with my parents, a cup of coffee in one hand and a stack of documents in the other. But the sight that greeted me in the driveway made me freeze. Lawyers and men in dark suits streamed in and out of the house, carrying paintings, vases—anything of value.I dropped my coffee, its contents spilling ac
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Elena’s POVI sat in my childhood bedroom, now stripped of its warmth and luxury. Boxes were stacked against the walls, red tags stuck to everything indicating that it was seized. I could barely recognize my own life and situation. The contract lay on my desk, its stark black text taunting me. How does the status a family worked day and night to attain just change overnight like it's nothing?There was a soft knock on the door before my mother, Margaret, stepped inside, her face etched with worry. “Elena, darling, have you made a decision?”“What choice do I have?” My voice was barely above a whisper as I gestured to the contract. “It’s this or watch them take what little we have left and have us live like fugitives till we die. If it gets revealed to the press, we'll start getting investigated too. I don’t want you to go through that, Mum.”Her hands trembled as she placed them on my shoulders. “I wish I could do it instead of you. I wish your father would just appear and tell us tha
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Elena’s POVThe glittering hall was a testament to the Host's wealth and influence. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across a sea of well-dressed elites, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I stood with my arm linked to Adrian’s, my designer dress and flawless makeup doing little to hide the turmoil I was feeling inside.“Try not to embarrass me,” Adrian muttered, his lips barely moving as he smiled at a passing elite.I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to snap back. The humiliation of my new reality was bad enough without adding a public scene.Adrian had insisted I accompany him tonight, not out of affection, but to maintain appearances. The Hawthorne family was negotiating a major partnership with Everhart Enterprises, the host of the luxurious dinner event, and Adrian was desperate to prove himself capable of closing the deal.“Stay right here and don’t do anything stupid. I’ll be right back,” Adrian said before walking away.I glanced around the room, my eyes sca
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Elena’s POVI sat in my room, staring at the night sky through the large bay window. Adrian’s threats still rang in my ears, but my thoughts drifted back to Lucas. I hadn’t meant to talk to him. I hadn’t planned to let my guard slip, but I couldn’t help it.Lucas had been my childhood friend first, before anything else. We had developed feelings for each other over time. Lucas was an orphan at the orphanage where my family used to visit, and we had become the closest of friends. We even went to high school together. On prom night, Lucas confessed his feelings for me, and then he disappeared the next day.I was so hurt, so affected, that I wouldn’t leave the house. Every day, it felt like a part of me was missing. I searched for him everywhere, but I couldn’t find him.My phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling me from my thoughts. I hesitated, then picked it up. It was a message from an unknown number:[Dinner. Tomorrow night at 7. The address is below. Please come. – Lucas.]My he
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LUCAS POVI clenched my fist tightly in anger as I watched Elena walk away from me, again!.I had lost her, again!" Boss, the CEO of Greensted would like to have a word with you," my PA suddenly spoke up, Jolting me out of my reverie, reminding me of his presence. I nodded , still distracted by the thought of Elena as I walked towards business like men." Hello, Mr Lucas. It's nice to finally be able to speak to you!" The man, Mr Greensted greeted, his face beaming with excitement. All I did was nod and let out a tight smile.This place was becoming suffocating as a series of questions that required answers run through my head.I signalled to Alex, my PA, and he moved closer to me." Find out everything about her marriage!" I ordered, and he looked confused." Whose marriage boss?" He asked, smiling awkwardly, and I frowned at his stupidity."Find out everything about Elena's marriage, find out if she was forced, and what is holding her back from divorcing that nitwit!" I growled
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LUCAS POVIt was the next day, and I was beginning to get impatient. The thought of Elena sleeping in the same house as Adrian irks me, who knows if they sleep on the same bed!All of my staff could feel that I am in a bad mood and they had all been walking on egg shells all day.I tapped my finger on the table anxiously as I await a response from Joel.' What the fuck is taking him so long!' I grumbled impatiently." Yo man, " Joel's annoying voice jolted me out of my thoughts as I glared at him in anger." It took you years to find a simple detail about a woman!" I mocked him and he gasped dramatically. " How could you?" He questioned, still focused in his acting while I ignored him as I tear open the folder. " Name: Elena Bradford Age: 28A smart and beautiful young lady with shoulder-length dark brown hair, striking green eyes, and a petite but elegant frame." I paused my reading unknowingly as I grinned from ear to ear." Hm hm" Joel cleared his throat, distracting me.I rai
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Bound by debt; Freed by love Chapter 7
ELENA'S POV It was the next day, and I didn't sleep a wink, I had cried the whole night.I stared at myself in the mirror and sighed. My eyes were swollen with dark circles underneath. I didn't wish for a life like this!I had always dreamt of a peaceful life, a beautiful marriage with the man I love and want to spend the rest of my life with.I had dreamt of having three kids, two boys and a girl, the boys would take care of their sister. I had dreamt of leaving them with my parents and going on a long vacation with my husband, enjoying the peaceful vacation full of sex , love, care, attention and every other good stuff I could think of. But then all was thrown at my face when I discovered that I had to get married to Adrian to rescue my family.FLASHBACK ***Screams could be heard as students gather around a table." Truth or dare?" Mathew asked.It was my turn now and I was confused about what to chose, I'm sure bethany is waiting for me to choose truth so she cam ask me quest
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LUCAS POV He grunted and retaliated back, but I didn't hold back, and soon enough, we bags throwing punches at each other.Everywhere soon became chaotic as everyone tried separating us, but their efforts were futile.I threw Adrian to the ground and began raining punches on him. He managed to turn the situation around and began hitting me.His PA was finally able to pull him away from me, and I stood up dusting my shirt.Joel held my suit jacket, " What's wrong with you, man?" He questioned, looking furious, but I ignored him." That's right, hide behind your little friend, you coward! You should have heard her screams on our wedding day, " he mocked with a smirk.He was intentionally provoking me, and he was doing it well!I lunged at him, but Joel pulled me back, trying to calm me down." Don't listen to him, bro, he is trying to provoke you," Joel muttered to me, but I wasn't listening to him.Adrian was busy making mocking faces at me, and I got more furious. I pushed Joel awa
Last Updated : 2025-01-03
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Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 153
ELOISE' POV My velvet red dress made me stand out from amongst the crowd giving me chills at first, but the magnificent sight in front of me made my lips part on their own accord. The after party was nothing like I expected — like a ball, bringing the pictures of my romance novels to life with me as the main character. That's right. I was the main character tonight because I would soon be the one on the stage in less than thirty minutes time. But in the main time, I let my gaze wander from the multiple chandeliers hanging from the roof to the classic white paintings on the wall with splashes of blue paint on them. “You look beautiful Eloise”, a voice said from beside me, drawing my attention away from my pictures of admiration only to see Mary standing beside me with a sweet smile on her face. “Mary”, I briefly replied, my tone defensive as I imagined her starting one of her various lectures once again. A flash of hurt shone in her eyes sensing all my shields up which wasn't unusu
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 152
LUCAS' POV The face of the night was no different from my reoccurring dreams since I mysteriously found myself in an hospital two years ago. Although every face I saw seemed strange to me, but the man and lady who called themselves my uncle and aunt both had a safe aura that made me trust them – only a little. According to them, I'd been out for six months with less than thirty percent chance of ever coming back to life. They both shared with me tiny bits of memories which were mostly centered around them and also introduced me to a few old friends like Nathan and James who still rang no bells in my head. But somehow, they knew the exact things I liked and every time spent with them always left a feeling of nostalgia. However, there was still one face that caused my sleepless night and made me jerk from my sleep, gasping for air. I didn't know her or even seen her since I woke up, and that's what confused me the most. The hopelessness and disappointment in her eyes always sent a
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 151
ELOISE' POVThe hall was filled with everyone in the same attire as me - graduation gowns and caps waiting to be thrown into the air once we were done listening to the boring speech. A delighted smile filled my face as I zoned out, reflecting on all the years that passed, the hurdles and fears I survived throughout the two years I'd spent here pursing a degree in music. My brief experience with David and the words of the manager that still stung everytime I thought about it, had only fueled my drive to apply for scholarship programmes with a sense of desperation until I was finally accepted here. Just two years back, I'd left New York and all of its dreadful memories behind, determined to start a new life here in Germany but more times than often, I'd wished I didn't leave so early…or ever at all. Elena's death came like a bomb to me just few days after I'd arrived at school, and it took all of my will to not run back and spend the remainder of my life mourning her undeserved death
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 150
LUCAS' POV How many times could you loose a person before loosing them forever? More times than any normal friends or couple, Elena and I had ended it trying to say goodbye before it was too late but each time after that, we knew where to always find each other if we wanted. And most times, fate even did the job for us. But this time, fate seemed to have his hands raised in surrender letting all my bad decisions catch up with me as I froze motionlessly, watching the only person I would ever love, disappear right before my eyes and falling to her death. Thud! My knees crashed to the rocky ground, numb to the crack from the hard rocks underneath them. Tears and blood flowed freely from me as my heart dropped to my stomach. The only reason for my existence was gone. She was never to come back. My lips quivered wanting to scream, beg or do anything that would rewind the hands of time to the night I should have given up everything and run away with her instead. My heart shattered int
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 149
ELENA'S POVPain shot through my arms the moment I opened my eyes, adjusting to the strange surroundings I was in. Wait, how did I get here? The only thing I remembered was Dave dropping me off at my apartment after we'd escorted Eloise to the airport. But just when I stepped into my apartment, ready to retire for the night, I blacked out.I frowned, wincing a little when I felt a sharp sting of pain at the side of my head. Those bastards! My eyes took in the room even though it was pitch black and I could barely see a thing but I could definitely feel the pole my hands were tied to behind me. There was no need guessing or asking why I was in this position as it had always been one reason – Lucas. It was in times like this I wished he'd never returned, ruining my perfectly peaceful life before his arrival. Why couldn't they go after Sofia since she was his fiancee? Lucas and I hadn't exchanged a single word since his engagement party so how could they be so sure he would care as m
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 148
LUCAS POV I gazed emptily at the last page, soaked with tear drops from my red, swollen eyes aa I'd not slept a wink throughout the night. How in God's name could I ever have accepted the name Everhart? My breaths continued to slow down the more I tried to comprehend how Luci and I were only a product of my father's constant abuse towards my mother who was only fucking nineteen when she had us. Yet, her love for us spilled through the letters even with most of them covered in dried blood. Her only wish was for her children to never know the Everhart family, and now I realized just how much I'd broken it heeding to my fears of never being the man enough for Elena. Anyways, it was all done now and they would come anytime soon – when I least expected it. I picked up my phone to call uncle Dave and after three rings, he finally answered groggily. “Hey Lucas, are you on your way to the airport now? Call me once you land okay”, he said, yawning loudly and wincing shortly after. I smile
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 147
LUCAS' POV It was time for drinks as Alfred had said and I clicked the tip of my glass impatiently waiting for almost an hour. The club he'd chosen was the same one we met in for the first time a couple of months back. While I spent the abundant time on my hands contemplating if I'd made the right choice by agreeing to meet for dinner, a gust of cold, heavy air blew through the thick suit clinging to my back, resting harshly on my bare skin.Well, it was too late already to decide that, wasn't it? The carefree, teasing smile on my face instantly washed off when I sensed the murderous aura coming from him. Squinting my eyes softly in confusion, I opted to go straight to the point, “Looks like you're here for blood instead of drinks like you promised”, I said, carefully scrutinizing his expression but I'd easily forgotten, he wasn't easy to read through unless he let you in himself. His jaws clenched tightly, like they were barely restricting themselves from doing worse. “You have n
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 146
ELENA'S POVMy days had truly become brighter after only a few of these networking events with Dave. Although I felt like a terrible person who took his generous personality for granted but each time those thoughts attempted to creep in, I'd always blocked them out, refusing to dwell on them. “Are you sure you aren't already head over heels for him already?”, Eloise asked that morning as I paced up and about in my bedroom freaking out about what clothes to put on and how I was going to wear my hair, which was pretty unusual even for me. “Look at you, glowing like a young bride”, she remarked, her eyes shining with excitement as she stared at my distressed self moving around everywhere. I sighed in exhaustion, not in the mood to accommodate her silliness ever since I told her of my impromptu decision to agree to people's speculations of our relationship. “It was the safest option”, I'd tried to defend, knowing very well it wasn't. Neither Dave nor I could actually care less about t
Bound by debt; Freed by love CHAPTER 145
LUCAS' POVMy step mother had begun to look much better in only a couple of days she joined me in my apartment. Despite the sense of emptiness in her eyes, her previously sunken cheeks were starting to show some signs of revival unlike before. “I'm sorry for ever causing you this much pain Lucas, but there was no other way I could think of”, a day didn't go by without giving me an earful of her apologies and regrets for letting me know my true identity as an Everhart. ‘It’s a curse’, she always said and I chortled in response everytime. “If I had known, I'd have flown you out of the country to somewhere Steven would never be able to find you, but I was just too scared”, she sniffled, her tone sounding distressed and causing weary lines to form on my forehead again. “It's okay stepmother, I'll rebuild the Everhart family for all of us, I promise”, my hands rubbed hers gently, a flame of determination reflecting in my eyes. After taking my rightful position as heir to everything lef
