Home / Romance / HEARTBREAKER / FORECED CONTRACT

Share

FORECED CONTRACT

Author: AREEZ-TA
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-01 11:43:47

Aurora’s breath catches as Lucian’s fingers trace an idle path down her arm, his touch deliberate, possessive. The warmth of his palm lingers against her skin, a silent promise of control, of power. He moves with the ease of a man who knows he is the master of every room he steps into, and this moment is no exception.

“I’m the one in charge here, Aurora,” he murmurs, his voice a low vibration against her pulse. “It’s you who needs to be worthy of me.”

She stiffens at his words, her sharp hazel eyes flashing with defiance, but Lucian only smirks. He expected as much. A woman like her wouldn’t kneel so easily—not yet. That makes this all the more exhilarating.

Her lips part, but no sound follows. Whether it’s shock or anticipation that has stolen her voice, Lucian can’t tell, and he finds he doesn’t care. Watching her struggle against the war raging inside her is entertainment enough.

“Kneel.”

The command cuts through the thick silence between them. A muscle in Aurora’s jaw twitches, her back still straight despite the clear tremor running through her limbs.

“W-what?” she breathes, a note of incredulity slipping into her voice.

Lucian leans in, his lips a mere whisper away from her ear. “I said, kneel.”

She scoffs, the sound sharp, biting. “I’ve spent twenty years crushed under my father’s boot. I’m not about to start crawling for his goddamn replacement.”

Lucian chuckles, his amusement dark and rich. He had been right about her. This one wasn’t broken—yet.

Releasing her chin, he cups her cheek instead, his thumb brushing over the soft curve beneath her eye. “I’m offering you a life of comfort, Aurora, not a prison.” His tone dips, smooth and persuasive. “Unlike your dear papà, I take care of my own.”

She swallows, and he doesn’t miss the way her throat bobs, the way her chest rises with a deep, shuddering breath. But she’s still fighting.

Good.

He straightens, taking a measured step back, giving her space to make a choice—a choice that isn’t hers to make at all. Her eyes flick up to his, searching, calculating. He wonders if she realizes how perfectly poised she is, like a queen assessing her kingdom before she inevitably falls to her knees.

“Submit to me,” he commands again, his voice like a blade, sharp and unavoidable.

And finally, something shifts.

Slowly, painfully slowly, Aurora sinks to the ground.

Lucian watches, enthralled, as she folds gracefully onto her knees, her hands resting atop her thighs, her posture rigid despite her lowered position. The sight sends a bolt of satisfaction through him, curling deep in his gut.

But even now, she refuses to lower her gaze. Instead, she tilts her head up, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that ignites something hot and wicked inside him.

“What’s in it for me?” she demands, her voice steadier than before.

Lucian laughs, the sound deep and indulgent. Ah, so she was clever, too.

Aurora & Lucian – A Dangerous Arrangement

Dario’s—no, Lucian’s—last words still echo in my mind, a chilling reminder of the power he holds over me. An hour must have passed, yet they continue to rattle inside my skull, refusing to be drowned out by the rhythmic hum of the car's engine.

A rough fabric presses against my face, suffocating me in its stale scent. The black sack he threw over my head is an unnecessary cruelty, but I doubt he cares. Every second inside this moving prison only cements my fate, dragging me deeper into uncertainty.

Exhaustion drags at my eyelids, tempting me to let my head fall against the cool leather seat. But I can’t. I won’t. It’s not safe. I clench my fists in my lap, nails biting into my palm as I force myself to stay alert. Muffled voices murmur in the distance, too indistinct to piece together. Yet, I can feel him. Lucian.

His presence is a brand against my skin, an oppressive weight that suffocates me even through the blindfold. The car slows, tires crunching over gravel before rolling to a halt. My pulse spikes. This is it.

A door opens, then another. Footsteps approach.

The sharp click of a lock being disengaged makes my stomach clench. I brace myself, but it’s still a shock when strong fingers wrap around my wrist. My instinct kicks in, and I jerk away.

“Don’t fight, Aurora.” His voice is calm, almost bored, yet it sends a violent shudder through me.

I don’t have time to process before I’m pulled from the car. My bare feet hit the cold, uneven ground, sharp pebbles biting into my skin. A hiss slips through my teeth, but I don’t stop struggling.

“Let go of me!”

A sigh. Then, without warning, I’m lifted off my feet. A startled cry bursts from my lips as I’m thrown over a broad shoulder.

“Put me down!” I thrash, fists pounding against the hard muscles beneath me. He doesn’t even flinch.

Lucian moves with purpose, his long strides unbothered by my frantic struggling. The rhythmic thud, thud, thud of his boots against the marble floor fills my ears. The air shifts, growing warmer, scented with a faint hint of smoke and leather. A house. His house.

Hallways blur as he carries me, my vision still stolen by the sack. I count the turns, the doors opening and closing. I need something—anything—to remember in case I get the chance to escape. But the disorientation is overwhelming.

At last, he stops.

A door creaks open, and I’m suddenly airborne. I land with a muffled thump onto a soft surface.

A bed.

Panic surges through me, and I scramble backward, dragging the rough fabric off my head. The moment my vision clears, I’m met with Lucian’s cold, silver stare.

He watches me from the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. The dim lighting casts shadows over his sharp features, highlighting the cruel amusement dancing in his gaze.

“I won’t be dumped in your bedroom like a common whore,” I snap, clutching my knees to my chest. My voice wavers, but I lift my chin higher, refusing to let him see my fear.

Lucian’s lips curl into a slow, dangerous smirk. “You think you have a choice?”

He takes a step forward.

I flinch.

His expression darkens. “You are here because I allow it. And you will stay because I demand it.”

The weight of his words settles over me, thick as iron shackles. I clench my fists, shaking with rage. “We aren’t married yet. My virtue is still my own.”

His laughter is a low, rumbling sound that makes my skin prickle. “How sweet,” he muses. “You still believe that matters.”

My stomach turns. I inch back, until my spine meets the cold headboard. My heart hammers against my ribs as he stalks closer, predatory and patient.

“You can chain me up like a dog,” I whisper, voice raw, “but I will never submit.”

Lucian halts. His smirk fades into something unreadable.

For a moment, silence stretches between us. Then, to my utter shock, he exhales heavily and steps back.

“We’ll see.”

Turning on his heel, he strides toward a tall chest of drawers, pulling it open. A fresh set of clothes lands at the foot of the bed.

“Change. Sleep.” He gestures toward the bathroom. “Tomorrow, we discuss your place in this arrangement.”

I glare at him, breath uneven. “If you think I’ll ever accept this—”

Lucian moves fast. Too fast.

One second, he’s standing across the room. The next, he’s beside the bed, towering over me, bracing his hands on either side of my body. My breath stalls.

He leans in, his voice a whisper against my lips.

“You don’t have to accept it, Aurora.” A slow, cruel smile. “You just have to survive it.”

His words send ice through my veins.

And then, he’s gone.

The door closes behind him, leaving me alone in my new cage.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • HEARTBREAKER   Anger

    The soft glow of lanterns bathed the grand chamber in golden light, flickering against the darkened windows. A heavy silence loomed, broken only by the steady rhythm of breathing. Kiara sat by the bedside, her hands resting gently over the cold fingers of the man lying before her. Verion’s chest rose and fell with a fragile rhythm, as if his very existence was hanging by a thread. Then—his breath hitched. A sharp inhale. His fingers twitched under Kiara’s touch. She straightened instantly, her eyes wide. "Verion?" A deep groan escaped his lips as his eyelids fluttered open. His golden irises, once sharp and full of knowledge, now held nothing but confusion. He blinked slowly, adjusting to the dim light, before his gaze settled on her. His brows furrowed. "Who... are you?" The words hit Kiara like a punch to the chest. Her heart squeezed painfully as she searched his face, looking for any sign—any trace of recognition. "Verion, it's me," she whispered, tightening her grip on his

  • HEARTBREAKER   call

    A suffocating silence settled between them, thick with unanswered questions. The night air was cold, but Isabelle felt nothing but the burning weight of Collins’ words pressing against her chest. Bound. Trapped. No escape. The words rang in her head like church bells tolling her doom. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she forced herself to stand tall. “I don’t believe you,” she said, her voice sharper than she felt. “I don’t believe in any of this binding nonsense.” Collins didn’t even look surprised. He simply tilted his head, watching her with something close to amusement. “That’s the thing, pookie. It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not.” The doors to the mansion creaked open. A tall man in a dark suit stepped forward, his face eerily blank. “Welcome home, sir. The preparations have been made.” Preparations. A chill ran down Isabelle’s spine. Collins turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “Shall we?” She took a step back, every ins

  • HEARTBREAKER   veron

    The soft glow of lanterns bathed the grand chamber in golden light, flickering against the darkened windows. A heavy silence loomed, broken only by the steady rhythm of breathing. Kiara sat by the bedside, her hands resting gently over the cold fingers of the man lying before her. Verion’s chest rose and fell with a fragile rhythm, as if his very existence was hanging by a thread.Then—his breath hitched. A sharp inhale. His fingers twitched under Kiara’s touch.She straightened instantly, her eyes wide. "Verion?"A deep groan escaped his lips as his eyelids fluttered open. His golden irises, once sharp and full of knowledge, now held nothing but confusion. He blinked slowly, adjusting to the dim light, before his gaze settled on her. His brows furrowed."Who... are you?"The words hit Kiara like a punch to the chest. Her heart squeezed painfully as she searched his face, looking for any sign—any trace of recognition."Verion, it's me," she whispered, tightening her grip on his hand.

  • HEARTBREAKER   Bound

    A suffocating silence settled between them, thick with unanswered questions. The night air was cold, but Isabelle felt nothing but the burning weight of Collins’ words pressing against her chest.Bound.Trapped.No escape.The words rang in her head like church bells tolling her doom.She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she forced herself to stand tall. “I don’t believe you,” she said, her voice sharper than she felt. “I don’t believe in any of this binding nonsense.”Collins didn’t even look surprised. He simply tilted his head, watching her with something close to amusement. “That’s the thing, pookie. It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not.”The doors to the mansion creaked open.A tall man in a dark suit stepped forward, his face eerily blank. “Welcome home, sir. The preparations have been made.”Preparations.A chill ran down Isabelle’s spine.Collins turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “Shall we?”She took a step back, every instinct screami

  • HEARTBREAKER   escape

    The Wedding TrapThe car moved steadily through the darkened streets, leaving behind the glittering lights of the wedding hall. Isabelle sat rigid, her breath shallow, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might crack her ribs. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run—but there was nowhere to go. Not yet. Not until she understood what Collins had done.The weight of his words lingered in the air like a storm cloud. The rules have activated, cookie.She clenched her fists. “Collins, if you don’t explain what’s going on, I swear I will make your life a living hell.”Collins let out a low laugh, rubbing his temple as if her voice was the real source of his headache. “You’re cute when you’re mad,” he mused.“Try furious.”“Try trapped.” His voice turned flat, void of the drunken playfulness from earlier. His dark eyes flicked toward her, and for the first time that night, she saw something cold lurking beneath them.Isabelle swallowed, but she refused to let him see her fear. “

  • HEARTBREAKER   33

    Collins attempted to focus on her, his expression a mix of regret and defiance. "None of your business, pookie," he slurred. Isabelle's jaw dropped in disbelief, but before she could respond, Collins staggered up to the altar. The officiant, looking uncomfortable but dutiful, stepped forward to proceed with the ceremony. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." the officiant began, but his voice was drowned out by the shocked murmurs of the crowd. Isabelle felt a wave of nausea and dread wash over her as Collins took her hand, his grip unsteady. She could barely focus on the words being spoken, her mind racing with confusion and fear. "Do you, Isabelle, take Collins to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?" the officiant asked. Isabelle hesitated, glancing at the crowd. Her mother, Stacy, and Kelvin all looked at her with worry etched on their faces. She took a deep breath and n

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status