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Chapter 76 ~ When I love you hurts
Last Updated:
2025-03-27 03:59:46
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 77 ~ More than Love
A Few Months Ago~~~~Eric got into his car with a heavy heart, but his gaze still remained on the towering Lockwood Empire building. Diana was right. There was a time when they had been inseparable, when no one—not even his own parents—could have torn them apart.If someone had told him back then that he’d one day feel nothing for her, he would’ve laughed in their face. But here he was, sitting behind the wheel, feeling... nothing.Well, almost nothing.He couldn't deny that he still cared for her, but that was all it was—just care, a leftover feeling that held no warmth, no depth. The love he once had for her, the kind that had consumed him, was gone. Now, her presence felt suffocating, her voice grating, her pain... an inconvenience.Still, he hated seeing her like this.Cursing under his breath, he pulled out his phone, hesitating for just a second before dialing her number."Hope I don’t regret this..." he muttered.The line rang, and then—“Wow, Eric,” Diana’s voice came through
Last Updated : 2025-04-04Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 78 ~ Love is never enough
Present Day~~~Eric slumped onto the sofa, his head in his hands. His heart pounded against his ribs, each beat packed with regret. He could still feel the haze from that night, the dizziness that crept in after taking that damn drink. Then—blackout.And then, her.Diana. In his bed. Naked.His stomach twisted at the memory. He couldn’t recall how it happened, only that it did. But the rage he felt that morning? That, he remembered clearly. The way his entire body shook when he saw her lying beside him. The way his voice broke with anger when he threatened her before storming out.And yet, here he was, drowning in the realization that his happy life was about to end.She wanted to destroy his home. His marriage. His life.His mother was right—he needed to do something before it was too late.Eric shot up from the sofa, his jaw clenched as he headed for the door. But before he could re
Last Updated : 2025-04-04Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 79 ~ More than self
TWO WEEKS LATER~~~Nora let out a heavy sigh as she sat beside Mary’s bed, watching the fragile figure that hadn't moved much in days. If she didn’t know better, she would have thought Mary had passed away—she barely ate, barely spoke, barely even reacted to anything. It had been two weeks since everything unraveled, and yet, Mary remained stuck in this same spot, lost in a silence that worried Nora more than she wanted to admit.She hadn’t heard from Eric. The only update she got was from Doctor Rex a few days ago—he confirmed that nothing unusual was found in Eric’s blood. Still, he had taken extra samples just in case something had been missed.Nora sighed again and shook her head. “Oh, come on, Mary. How long are you going to stay like this?” she asked, nudging Mary’s arm gently. “It’s a beautiful morning. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining. Get up already.”**
Last Updated : 2025-04-05Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 80 ~ A new Order
~~~~We stepped out of the restaurant and got into the car. He started the engine, and soon, we were on the road.Despite the cold wind rushing through the window, my insides burned. The music blared from the car speakers—so loud that passing vehicles could probably hear it—but it wasn’t enough to drown out my thoughts.No matter how hard I tried to push it aside, the pain lingered. Eric was nowhere to be found. I hadn’t asked about him, but he hadn’t bothered to come see me either. No messages. No calls. No attempts to explain or persuade me.I guess that’s how much I meant to him.I swallowed hard, forcing back the tears threatening to spill. I loved him. He was the first man—besides my father—that I had ever truly loved. My mother only ever loved one man in her life, and I thought it would be the same for me.But I guess true love doesn’t exist.I shook my head, pushing the thou
Last Updated : 2025-04-05Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 81 ~ Broken Home
~~~Ignoring the many eyes staring at me, I sat quietly on the sofa.“Hmmm.” I sighed, scrolling through my phone. “It’s a beautiful day!” I smiled to myself.Just then, the so-called boss’s phone rang. He glanced at me, then back at the screen. After a few rings, he finally picked up.“Hello?” His voice was low and hesitant. “What? No, sir… I-I didn’t… it wasn’t—”I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but with how his face kept losing color and the way he suddenly shot up, trying to explain himself, I knew one thing—Big Joe had worked his magic.For the next few minutes, there was nothing but yelling, frantic excuses, and a lot of cursing. Then, the call ended abruptly.I turned my head toward the boss, and damn—he was sweating buckets.“Wow… You look pale. Are you okay?” I asked with a forced smile.Sam, who had been watching the scene unfold, frowned. “Boss? Is everything alright?”The man let out a shaky breath before collapsing back into his seat. But then, as if jo
Last Updated : 2025-04-07Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 82 ~ A strange wind
~~~~“Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauty.” Nora’s voice drifted through my haze of sleep as she yanked open the curtains. Sunlight slashed through the room, stabbing at my closed eyelids. I groaned, rolling over, tugging the blanket higher over my head.“Hmmmm… Let me sleep, please.” My voice came out rough, raw from last night’s crying.Nora stilled for a second before asking. “Your voice is hoarse. Did you cry again?”I clenched my jaw. Silence.She sighed, the sound heavy, almost tired. “I’d love to leave you alone, but you need to get up and go about your business.” A pause. Then, softer, “You’ve been sleeping too much lately. Are you sure you’re alright?”The worries in her voice affected me more than I expected. I opened my eyes just a sliver, meeting her gaze.“I’m fine,” I muttered. “Just tired.”Liar.Nora crossed her arms, tilting her head, studying me the way she always did when she knew I was full of shit. The room smelled like faded perfume and sleep, my pillow still damps fr
Last Updated : 2025-04-08Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 82 ~ Continuation
Continuations~~~~~Before he could finish, my fist collided with his face. The crack of knuckles against bone was satisfying... handling farming tools for years taught me a lot of ways to put men like this in place.He stumbled back, cursing."How dare you?" I snapped, heat rushing through my veins.The first guy finally turned, his expression darkening as his gaze moved from his partner's bleeding nose to me."You hit me?" His voice was dangerously low, his eyes a furious shade of red.Sam just stared, mouth slightly open."Ahhh, I’m not about to let myself be talked down to by assholes who don’t even know the first thing about manners." My pulse thrummed as I stormed toward a nearby table, one decorated with expensive glassware and an overpriced bottle of wine.Without hesitation, I grabbed the bottle and—Bang!My hand slammed onto the table, sending everything crashi
Last Updated : 2025-04-08Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 83 ~ The Gloves are off
~~~~That witch! So this was her plan all along…All right, Diana Lockwood, two can play this game. I was going to leave you and Eric alone, let you both wallow in your little mess, but since you want to fight dirty—let’s go. After all, I’m a farm girl. I’ve dealt with all kinds of dirt.“Mrs. Black, cat got your tongue?” Berry sneered, her lips curling in satisfaction.I turned my gaze to her, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. “No, dear. I’m just in absolute shock at what I’m looking at.”She smirked. “So what? Are you saying you’ve never seen this test result before? Because that’s not what Lockwood told me.” She leaned forward slightly. “I understand your feud, but seriously… are you going to deny this?”Diana…“Deny?” I let out a soft chuckle, leaning back in my chair. “Sweetheart, I hav
Last Updated : 2025-04-09
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Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 107 ~ Mama Problems
~~~~~~I continue staring at my mother, unsure of what to say or even how to react.This is insane.I mean… I only just introduced Eric as my boss. Just my boss. The man who’s offering us an opportunity that could change everything. And she already hates him?Sighing, I spoke in a softer tone, “Mom… he’s the man you’ll be working for, starting today. How can you not like him?”“Just because I’m working for him doesn’t mean I have to like him,” she fired back, her eyes still locked on me, sharp and unrelenting. “Like I said—boss or no boss.”“What?” I blinked, trying to wrap my head around it. “What exactly happened out there?” I asked, hoping she'd explain whatever it was that triggered her.“Enough, Mary!” she snapped, loudly. “I don’t like him, and I don’t owe you an e
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 106 ~ Continuations
~~~~~~“This isn’t just between you and me,” he continued. “This is about the Enterprise as a whole. My decisions affect the entire future of the company. To officially sign you as a partner, I’d need the approval and signature of every board member. And while I could demand it, I think it’s best if they see why you deserve it—on your own merit—not just because of whom you are to me.”I swallowed slowly, feeling a strange mix of pride and pressure.“So for now,” he added, straightening up and turning toward my parents, “everything else you’ll need for the process will be made available.”Then he addressed them directly, his tone professional, “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, for your salaries, you’ll each be paid $3,000 monthly.”My parents gasped at the figure—shocked beyond words.“What?” Mom blinked.“That’s mu&
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 106 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnson's (Part 3)
~~~~~~Even if his tone was challenging, I still had to say my piece—or this would all be for nothing.I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat. Quietly, I walked over to my parents and sat down beside them. If I was going to talk business with him—as a Johnson—then I needed to sit on the right side of the table. It was a small move, but one that mattered.From the corner of my eye, I caught Eric frown at my sudden movement, though he quickly masked it with a calm expression.Too late. I saw it.And I smiled.“Okay… here’s what I propose,” I said, placing the contract documents squarely on the table. “First of all, I’d like to be regarded as a partner in the Black Enterprise—not some rented employee,” I said firmly, letting every word land with meaning.He blinked. “What? That’s not possible, and you know it,” he said, clearly caught off guard.“Do I?” I asked, tilting my head. “Maybe you don’t see a future in this kind of business, let alone believe in signing a contract like t
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 105 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnsons (Part 2)
~~~~~~After spending over an hour going through the terms and conditions of the binding contract, I took a deep breath and smiled warmly at both my mom and dad, who were still sitting there, quietly gazing at me in awe.Without anyone saying a word, I could already tell—they were impressed.Not just with the whole business talk, but with me. And honestly, that silent approval from them… it hit different.Eric, my man—my secret husband—kept gently tugging at my thigh from under the table, a small but meaningful gesture of support. I didn’t look at him, but I felt it. And that was enough.I turned to face my parents again. “Before we wrap things up… do you have any questions?” I asked, keeping my tone formal but kind.My mother was the first to blink out of the trance. “Well, we have plenty of questions,” she said with a short, dry laugh, one of those laughs that makes you pause for a second and think, Uh-oh.I raised a brow at her calmly.“But,” she continued, her voice filled with th
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 104 ~ Continuations
~~~~~~“Yes… the CEO is in the car, so we can’t keep him waiting,” I told my father, trying not to let my growing frustration show.Suddenly, my mother reached for my hand. “Okay then… drive with us,” she said quickly. “Since the place isn’t that far, he can go on his own. You’ll ride with us.”Wait—what?“Seriously, Mother?” I blinked at her.“Yes,” she insisted. “Ride with us. He can drive alone.”“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” I sighed and gently peeled her fingers from mine. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but please… don’t. It’s not healthy.” I turned to Dad, forcing a smile. “We’ll wait for you to follow behind. See you there.” Without waiting for a response, I walked back to the car.Opening the door, I slid in and shut it firmly behind me, the
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 104 ~ Crossing Paths with the Johnsons (Part 1)
~~~~~~He looked completely shocked—like the idea of coming with me had never even crossed his mind. Seriously? Did he really think I’d go alone? So much for standing by me.“Why do you look like that?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “You are coming. You're the boss, remember? You're the one discussing the contract. I’m just the middle woman—the one who connected you guys.”“But…” he scratched the back of his head, visibly nervous, “you’re the actual boss, Mary. The land belongs to you, not me.”“I know,” I replied calmly, “but I also know my parents. They’ll only take this seriously if it looks official—if it feels like a real business deal and not some favor from their daughter. They’ll work their hardest if they know it’s a proper contract and they’re earning from it.”Eric looked like he wanted to argue, but I reached for his hand.“I already planned to pay them for their work, but they won’t take my money. You know how they are. Please… do this for me. Just play the part, okay?”“Yo
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 103 ~ Between the Lines
~~~~We moved from the dining table, our fingers meshed together, silent but connected.The house felt quieter now that Nora had left, and maybe that’s why my heart beat louder. Every step toward the sofa felt heavier than it should have.Eric dropped onto the big white couch, casually leaning back like he had no idea my brain was in knots. I sat beside him and faced him fully.“I… I don’t really know how to say this,” I started, voice low. “But I was wondering… that piece of land you showed me the other day—does it still belong to me? Is the contract still valid?”His reaction was instant, but not what I expected.“Huh?” he muttered, staring at me with a strange, unreadable expression. His brows drew together slightly, but it wasn’t confusion—it was something else. Something darker.What the hell?That look alone made my stomach tighten. He’s
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 102 ~ Stirred, Not Settled
~~~~~~Eric collapsed onto the bed, breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like he’d just run a marathon. He dragged a hand through his hair, dazed and a little stunned. He had never—never—done something like this before.Not even back when he was single. Masturbation? That just hadn’t been his thing. He’d never needed it. But tonight? Tonight was different.Who would've guessed that giving someone else so much pleasure could leave him this breathless, this wrecked?He sighed, turning his head to glance at Mary—curled up beside him, flushed, glowing, looking like something out of a dream. And the way she moaned his name… the way she came undone beneath him like he was the only man in the world who could make her feel that way…“Damn,” he muttered under his breath.He wasn’t just drained—he was gone for her. Emoti
Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride Chapter 101 ~ Love knows no bound
~~~~Or so I thought.When I woke up the next morning, my entire body was sore—like every muscle was personally protesting the wild passion of the night before.“Ouch,” I winced, slowly turning my head to the side.There he was, Eric—sleeping peacefully beside me. He looked like an angel. Honestly, since we got married, this was the first time I had the chance to really just look at him while he slept. No business calls, no press, no drama—just him, wrapped in soft sheets and peace.I blushed, memories of last night flooding back in a rush of heat.Gently, I slipped out of bed and tiptoed into the bathroom like a mischievous teenager sneaking off after curfew.After a long, hot bath, I stood in front of the mirror and blinked. “Wow… that’s a lot of bite marks,” I muttered, lightly touching one on my collarbone. My skin looked flushed and... well-loved.Then I reali
