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CHAPTER 9: Uninvited Guest

Author: Lomena
last update publish date: 2026-09-21 14:31:43

Eleanor was the last person Lydia wanted to meet looking like this.

“Naomi.”

“Yes, Ma.”

“If she asks for me, please tell her I urgently need the bathroom.”

“Okay.”

Inside the bathroom, she faced the mirror. There was no saving the makeup. She turned on the tap. Cold water rushed over her fingers. She cupped her palms and splashed her face. The water did little more than smear the makeup further. She tried again, but the black streaks only spread farther across her cheeks.

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  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 18: Humiliation

    Lydia stared at Louis’s outstretched hand. He was actually asking for her phone because of Vanessa’s accusations. Her fingers tightened around the phone before she handed it over. Ryan stepped forward. “Louis, you can’t trust Vanessa. She’s lying about Lydia…” “Enough, Ryan.” Lydia turned to him. “I can speak for myself.” His mouth closed. Whatever he had intended to say, would only add to her problems. Louis slipped the phone into his pocket. “You can go home,” he told Lydia. “I’m going somewhere else.” She walked towards the car before he could respond. Vanessa watched her go. The corner of her mouth curled. Louis had taken Lydia’s phone. Perhaps he hadn’t swallowed every word, but the doubt was there. That was enough. Louis didn’t look at either of them again. He turned and walked away. Carter approached him. Louis handed him Lydia’s phone. “Block Ryan’s number. Remove his contact and delete their message thread.” Carter glanced at him. “Do you believe Vanessa’s claims

  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 17: Old Photographs, New Lies.

    Louis handed Vanessa the laptop without a word. She connected her flash drive, then turned the screen toward him. Photographs appeared one after another: Lydia laughing against Ryan’s shoulder, his arms around her waist, his mouth pressed to her temple. Louis scrolled without comment. Behind a concrete pillar, Ryan watched, his jaw tightening. Carter had noticed him ten minutes earlier and informed Louis, but Louis had made no move to send him away. If anything, he seemed content to let him watch. Louis stopped at a photograph of Lydia asleep beneath the sheets, Ryan’s jacket draped over her bare shoulders. Ryan’s lips rested against her hairline. Vanessa noticed the pause and mistook it for hurt. “That’s nothing,” she said softly. “There are more intimate pictures, but I didn’t bring them. I wouldn’t want to hurt you more than necessary.” Louis’s thumb rested against the laptop’s edge. Vanessa moved closer. “Did Lydia tell you she married you on the very day she was

  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 16: Husband

    Vanessa checked her reflection once, pleased, and stepped out of the house. A shadow fell across her path before she entered her car. “Look at you." Ryan's eyes slid down her red dress. "Where are you going looking so gorgeous?" Vanessa's mouth flattened. "Has there ever been a time I haven't looked gorgeous? What are you doing here?" He looked at her like she was the only thing in focus. “What's happening to us? You haven't picked or returned my calls since the Vale event. Did I upset you?" “No." She checked her watch. Seconds mattered now. Louis would reach the office soon. If he got upstairs first, security would stop her in the lobby. She had to catch him at the door and follow him up. "Where are you going this early?" She yanked her car door open. "We'll discuss it when I call you." The engine roared, and she was gone. Ryan suspected her behavior and followed, three cars behind. Louis had his keys in hand to leave the house when he realized he'd never given Lyd

  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 15: The Serpent's Smile

    Lydia was surprised when she returned to the living room.Naomi was waiting for her.The morning light had shifted, warmer now, catching dust motes near the windows.She looked toward the door."I didn't call for you.""Mr. Vale did."Of course he had.Lydia exhaled and hoped, quietly, that today would go smoothly.Vanessa arrived an hour later, gushing over the marble entryway before she'd even set down her bag."Lydia. You're really living like this now?"Her eyes moved over the high ceilings and the art on the walls, cataloguing everything.Lydia ignored the remark."Sit."Vanessa did.She accepted the drink Lydia offered, then glanced around again."Can I see the house?"Lydia hesitated."Just a tour."After a moment, she nodded.They moved through the sitting rooms, then the library, leather-bound books that smelled of dust and old paper, and the sunroom overlooking the garden, where light spilled through the glass in pale yellow sheets.Vanessa trailed a finger along every surfa

  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 14: The Empire He Built

    Lydia scrolled through the article on her phone.One hand curled around her untouched coffee.Five Mistakes First-Time Founders Make.She'd read it twice already.Half of it still didn't make sense.Supply chains. Equity splits. Terms she'd have to look up later.Still, something in her chest lit up every time she pictured it.Her name on something.Built by her own hands.Answering to no one.She had always wanted to own a business.What she didn't know was how to get there.She needed to learn.She was still reading when Louis walked past the dining room, not sparing her a glance."Louis."Lydia pushed her chair back and hurried after him."I chose the nurse yesterday and sent her profile to you, but you haven't replied."His expression remained unchanged."I don't have…"The cook appeared from the kitchen, carrying Lydia's breakfast.Steam curled from the plate."Mrs. Vale, your breakfast."Louis glanced at the approaching tray.Then back at Lydia."I'll look at it when I get to th

  • Mrs. Vale by Contract    CHAPTER 13: Under His Rules

    Lydia finally mustered the courage to call Victoria.The first ring went unanswered.What was I thinking? Why would she even pick up?Just then her phone rang.Victoria.The phone nearly slipped from her hand.She answered.“Hel…”"You suddenly lost your manners and can't greet?" The voice cut through immediately. "Why are you disturbing me?"Lydia relaxed.Typical Victoria.“Good afternoon, Ma.”“What do you want?”Lydia hesitated.“It was the wrong dial.”“Wrong number, huh?”Victoria gave a humorless laugh. "Did Vanessa send you as her little peace envoy? Whatever game you’re playing with my daughter, it should stop.” “Yes, I know my beef isn’t with you,” Victoria continued. “But you can’t blame me for hating you. You’ve been in my shoes before. Was it fun?”Lydia lowered her eyes.The line went dead.Lydia had expected something else.Instead, Victoria had sounded exactly like the woman she had known all her life.Which meant, at least, that whatever Vanessa was doing, it had noth

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