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Forty four
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2025-03-24 14:49:45
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Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty five
~Fallon~ The invitation arrived on heavy cardstock, embossed and impossibly elegant — just like everything in the Callahan orbit.The Bennett Foundation Annual GalaI barely had time to process it before my phone buzzed with a text from Reid.Reid: We’re expected. Be ready by seven.That was it. No “please,” no “are you okay with this?” — just an order, like always.My fingers tightened around my phone, irritation sparking in my chest.I was so tired of feeling like an afterthought.When the stylist showed up with an entire rack of couture gowns, I almost told her not to bother. I wanted to rebel — to throw on jeans and a t-shirt and see how Reid liked it.But the Callahan name had expectations. And I knew how to play my part.So I chose a sleek, black satin dress that clung in all the right places and left my back bare. The fabric whispered against my skin with every step, and when I slipped on diamond drop earrings and heels high enough to be dangerous, I looked like the perfect bi
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-24Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty six
~Reid~I’ve always prided myself on maintaining control—both in the boardroom and in my personal life. But sometimes, even I can’t silence the disquiet that gnaws at the edges of my carefully constructed façade. The gala was supposed to be a simple public relations event: a stage for the perfect couple, a polished performance for the cameras. And yet, as I watched Fallon in that midnight blue dress, smiling for the flashbulbs while I played the stoic billionaire husband, I felt something crack deep inside.I remember the moment vividly. Standing on the red carpet, my hand on hers, I saw a flicker in her eyes—an emotion I’d been trying to lock away. I forced a smile for the press and the cameras, but inside, I was seething with conflicted feelings. Was it anger? Regret? Or something I wasn’t ready to admit at all—an unexpected, raw vulnerability?After the gala, I returned to the quiet of my own world in LA. The mansion, my private sanctuary, was as pristine as ever. Yet every corner e
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty seven
~Fallon~The Callahan estate was even more intimidating when you knew you were walking into an ambush.Okay, maybe ambush was dramatic. But sitting through dinner with our families — pretending everything was perfect — felt a lot like stepping onto a stage without knowing my lines. And this stage? It came with crystal chandeliers, priceless art, and an audience of people who would pick up on any false note.The house was already bustling when we arrived, the sound of laughter and conversation spilling from the grand dining room. Reid’s hand rested lightly on my back, guiding me inside, and for a brief, fleeting second, it felt… natural.I hated that.Because this wasn’t natural. It was calculated. Just another part of the performance.The Callahans’ staff floated around us in perfectly choreographed movements — collecting coats, offering drinks — and the entire space radiated the kind of wealth that was so ingrained it didn’t even need to be announced. The air smelled like expensive f
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-25Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty eight
~Fallon~The energy of a launch event was electric — bright lights, loud music, and the hum of conversations between the who’s-who of the industry. It was the kind of night where everything sparkled: the clothes, the jewelry, the champagne — even the air itself felt charged with anticipation.And as I stepped into the sprawling venue for Lumière’s highly anticipated product launch, I felt something I hadn’t in weeks.Excitement.This was my world.Not the cold marble floors of Reid’s mansion. Not the high-stakes dinner parties or whispered conversations about mergers. Not the pressure of being the perfect wife in a marriage built on carefully constructed lies.Here, I was Fallon Prescott Callahan — the influencer. The brand. The woman everyone wanted to know.And tonight? I was ready to shine.My phone buzzed nonstop with notifications as soon as I posted my fit check.The dress was a showstopper — soft gold silk that draped like liquid, the hem brushing my ankles while the thigh-high
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Forty nine
~Fallon~I wasn’t technically snooping.I was exploring.That’s what I told myself, anyway, as I wandered through one of the many unused rooms in Reid’s impossibly large mansion. The house was so pristine, so perfect, it barely felt lived in — all cold elegance and curated spaces that felt more like a museum than a home.But this room was different.The air smelled faintly of dust and old paper, and sunlight streamed through tall windows, catching the slow swirl of dust motes in the stillness. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, packed with books that looked untouched — their spines uncreased and colors faded. A worn armchair sat in the corner, its leather cracked and softened with age, the only sign that someone had ever spent time here.It felt… forgotten.Which made it all the more tempting.I moved slowly, my fingers brushing over the shelves, the edges of the desk, the cool glass of framed black-and-white photos I didn’t stop to study. There was a quiet intimacy to this spa
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty
~Fallon~The second I answered my mom’s video call, her face filled my screen — already mid-sentence and in full dramatic flow.“—and I told your aunt not to dye her hair that shade of red, but does she listen to me? No. Now she looks like she’s auditioning for a telenovela villain role.”I burst out laughing, sinking deeper into the couch. “Hi, mom. Nice to see you too.”She waved a hand, completely unbothered. “Ay, I see you all the time. You’re all over the internet.”I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”“Oh, I will.” She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the screen. “That kiss at the gala? Dios mío, I thought I was going to faint.”Of course she brought that up.“Mom—”“Everyone’s talking about it!” she continued, completely ignoring my attempts to derail the conversation. “Your cousins won’t stop sending me articles. Even your grandmother called to ask when the babies are coming.”I nearly choked on my water. “Mom!”“Well?” she pressed, eyes wide with exaggerated innocence. “When
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-26Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty one
~Fallon~It started with the coffee.Which was ridiculous, because coffee should never be the cause of anyone’s unraveling. But when you’re living in a pressure cooker — married to a man who acts like you barely exist — sometimes the little things become the breaking point.I came down to the kitchen that morning ready for caffeine and a moment of peace. I was already tired, already on edge. The sleepless nights and the silence in this house were wearing me thin, and I just wanted one thing to go right.But the pot was empty.The lingering scent of freshly brewed coffee mocked me, curling through the air like a taunt. I stared at the machine, my frustration building.“Are you kidding me?” I muttered, glaring at the empty carafe like it had personally betrayed me.“Good morning to you too.”I spun toward the voice, my pulse spiking — and of course, it was him.Reid stood by the counter, perfectly put together in his tailored suit, his dark hair smooth and his tie knotted with infuriati
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-27Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract Fifty two
~Reid~The bar was quiet — the kind of place where no one asked questions and the whiskey was poured strong. Exactly what I needed.I sat at the far end, away from the clusters of after-work drinkers and couples leaning too close together. The low hum of conversation blended with the soft clink of glasses, and the dim lighting made everything feel removed — distant in a way that matched my mood.Across from me, Andrew watched with mild amusement as I downed my drink. “Rough day?”“You could say that.”He signaled for another round, settling back in his seat like he had all the time in the world. “Let me guess. Work?”“Fallon.”The name slipped out before I could stop it.Andrew’s brows shot up. “The wife?”I ignored the tone — the slight edge of disbelief like he couldn’t quite picture me discussing my personal life. Hell, I couldn’t quite picture it either. But here I was, drinking too fast and talking too much.“We had a fight,” I said, setting my empty glass down with more force th
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-27
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Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty six
~Fallon~I should have known this was coming.The moment I stepped into my parents’ estate, greeted by the scent of freshly polished wood and the ever-present murmur of classical music playing from the speakers, I felt it in my bones.A setup.It wasn’t unusual for my mother to summon me for an impromptu lunch—an elegant spread prepared by the chef, white wine poured into delicate crystal glasses, the kind of gathering that was meant to feel casual but was anything but.And my father? He rarely joined these midday affairs, too busy running his empire. But today, he was here, seated at the head of the long dining table, his expression unreadable as he watched me and my mother with quiet intensity.Something was up.I just didn’t expect it to be this.“You and Reid have been married for some time now,” my mother said, her voice light, too light, as she delicately sliced into her poached salmon.I took a sip of wine, feigning disinterest. “So I’ve noticed.”Vivian Prescott shot me a look
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty five
~Fallon~Mia’s apartment was a stark contrast to mine—smaller, cozier, and filled with personality. A mix of colorful throw pillows, scented candles, and an ever-growing collection of coffee mugs took up space in her living room. It was the kind of place that felt warm, lived-in, unapologetically her.I had barely stepped through the door before she pulled me into a tight hug.“Finally,” she groaned. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten all about me.”I laughed, letting her squeeze me for a second longer before pulling back. “I’ve been busy.”“I know,” she said knowingly, her eyes flickering with curiosity. “Too busy to even text back sometimes.”I rolled my eyes, toeing off my heels as I made my way to the couch. “Oh, please. We literally talked two days ago.”“Yeah, but that was just a check-in. This—” She plopped down beside me, pulling her legs up onto the couch. “—is long overdue.”She wasn’t wrong. Between my work, the interviews, and navigating whatever was happening betwe
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty four
~Reid~The suitcase sat half-packed on the bed, but my attention wasn’t on it.It was on Fallon.She stood in the doorway of my room, arms crossed, her silk robe loosely tied around her waist, hair still damp from her shower. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a golden hue over her skin, and for a moment, it felt too easy to remember the way she’d looked at me that night in the car.The way she’d kissed me.Or maybe I kissed her.It didn’t matter.What mattered was that we hadn’t talked about it since.And judging by the way she was watching me now, we weren’t going to be able to keep avoiding it.She exhaled, stepping inside. Slow, deliberate. The kind of movement that made me think she was choosing her words carefully before she even spoke.“So,” she said, her voice casual. Too casual. “Where this time?”“London.” I folded a dress shirt and placed it neatly in my suitcase. “Just a couple of days.”She hummed, watching me pack. “You’ve been traveling a lot lately.”I glanced at h
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty three
~Reid~Fallon was magnetic tonight.It wasn’t just the way she looked—the deep emerald dress that hugged her in all the right places, the delicate earrings that caught the light whenever she turned her head. It was the way she moved. Effortless. Confident. Like she was born for this world of flashing cameras and murmured intrigue.And maybe she was.I’d seen her in action before, but tonight, something was different.Maybe it was the way she handled the whispers, the way she laughed at the right moments and sidestepped invasive questions with a smile sharp enough to draw blood. Maybe it was the way she threw out a perfectly timed remark that left people either admiring her or wondering if she had just insulted them.Or maybe it was the fact that, for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just watching her play the role—I was part of it.She stood beside me, poised but relaxed, one hand wrapped lightly around the stem of a champagne flute. She wasn’t drinking it. Just holding it, an
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty two
~Fallon~The moment we stepped into the event, all eyes turned to us.Flashing cameras. Murmurs that rippled through the room like a wave. The weight of a hundred socialites’ gazes assessing, whispering, speculating.I was used to this. The attention. The scrutiny. The carefully curated perfection that was expected at these high-profile events. But tonight, something felt different.Maybe it was because Reid was here with me.His presence altered the balance. He wasn’t just another attendee—he was a force. Tall, sharp, effortlessly commanding in a tailored black suit that looked like it had been crafted just for him. The air shifted around him. People either tried to impress him or feared getting in his way.And yet, despite his usual unshakable demeanor, I could tell he wasn’t entirely comfortable.“You hate these things,” I murmured as we glided through the crowd.Reid’s jaw ticked, but his hand on my lower back didn’t falter. “I tolerate them.”I smirked. “Liar. You despise them.”
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty one
~Fallon~I knew the moment I opened my eyes that today was going to be a whirlwind.Mornings in my world were never slow. There was always something to plan, something to post, someone to respond to. The moment I reached for my phone, notifications flooded my screen—emails from my management team, campaign updates, and an invite to yet another exclusive event that I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend.I exhaled, already feeling the rush of the day creeping in, but this was the life I had built, and I loved it.Still, it was a lot. More than it used to be.A year ago, I could handle everything myself. The emails, the collaborations, the content planning—I thrived on it. But ever since my following had exploded, so had the demands. My campaigns were bigger, my schedule tighter, my inbox never-ending.Which was exactly why I now had Maya.Her hiring hadn’t been my idea.It had been Reid’s.“You can’t do everything yourself anymore,” he had said, watching me juggle three phone calls while rev
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and twenty
~Fallon~I wasn’t sure when I first noticed it. Maybe it was the sharp edge to Reid’s voice when his assistant mentioned Pierce Industries. Or the way his jaw tightened, the muscle there ticking, when his father casually brought up Alexander at the last family dinner.Or maybe it was how, right now, as we sat across from each other in his office, he had barely looked up from his laptop in the last thirty minutes.Something was wrong.Reid wasn’t the type to let emotions cloud his judgment—at least, not in business. He was too methodical for that. But whatever had happened between him and Alexander Pierce, it wasn’t just business.And it was getting under his skin.I closed the folder I had been pretending to read and leaned back in my chair, watching him. His office was sleek, all dark wood and glass, every detail curated for power and precision. Reid himself was no different—clad in a crisp white shirt, sleeves pushed up just enough to hint at ease, though the tightness in his should
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and nineteen
ReidThe office buzzed with its usual efficiency—phones ringing, keyboards clacking, the steady murmur of negotiations happening behind closed doors. I thrived in this chaos. Controlled, predictable, productive. It was a far cry from the staged interviews and socialite dinners that had dominated my life lately.Here, I was in control.Or at least, I had been.Until the moment Ethan, my CFO, stepped into my office with a carefully neutral expression that immediately set me on edge.“We have a situation,” he said, shutting the door behind him.I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. “Go on.”Ethan slid a folder across my desk. “Pierce Holdings just made a bid for the Kingston project.”My fingers tightened around the folder before I even opened it.Kingston was supposed to be ours. It was one of the most sought-after commercial real estate developments of the year, and I’d spent months laying the groundwork to secure it. My team had vetted every risk, anticipated every counteroffer.
Fallon’s Reid: An Arranged Contract One hundred and eighteen
~Fallon~The Callahans knew how to throw a dinner party.The ballroom of the Callahan estate had been transformed into a vision of understated opulence—soft golden lighting, towering floral arrangements, crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the sea of finely dressed guests. It was the kind of gathering where wealth wasn’t flaunted but effortlessly woven into every detail.I was used to these events. I had attended them my entire life.But this time, I was attending after a scandal that almost blew our cover as a couple. And the weight of that title settled heavily on my shoulders.Reid and I entered together, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back—a practiced gesture, perfectly executed for the benefit of the watchful eyes dissecting our every move. He looked as effortlessly put together as ever, clad in a tailored black suit, his sharp features unreadable. I, in contrast, had spent too much time choosing the perfect dress—something elegant but not too soft, somethi
