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CHAPTER NINE : MISJUDGED

Autor: Elora Monroe
last update Data de publicação: 2026-04-21 02:07:55

I folded my arms instinctively, though my pulse was still misbehaving from the performance. The backstage lights flickered above us, dull compared to the red blaze outside, but bright enough for me to see it clearly and know that Adrian was not entirely sober. Not stumbling. Not reckless. But softer around the edges. His usual sharpness had blurred just enough to expose something underneath. Somealmost human.

He stepped closer, not invading, just closing distance. His eyes moved over my face, p
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  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 35 : COURT WEDDING

    The morning sun spilled through the hospital windows in thin golden slivers, reflecting off the sterile white walls and the faint shimmer of Elena’s watch. She hovered at the threshold of Luca’s room, her steps light but deliberate, a subtle attempt to hide the guilt twisting in her chest. Her brother’s eyes, tired yet ever observant, lifted as she entered.“Elena,” Luca whispered, his voice hoarse from the IV and constant medications, but with a small smile that tugged at her heart. “You’re finally here.”She swallowed hard, forcing a smile that she hoped appeared convincing. “I’m here, Luca,” she said softly, brushing the fine strands of hair from his forehead. “I… I’ve been so caught up at the fashion house. My work as a personal assistant, these duties...they… they’ve been so overwhelming. I couldn’t even step out to check on you properly,” she lied like a pro.He squinted, his brow furrowing slightly. “Fashion house? Since when?”Her chest tightened. “Since….a few days now,” she

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 34 : CHILDREN TALK

    The dining room of the Vale mansion glowed warmly under the soft light of the crystal chandelier. The polished mahogany table reflected the golden glimmers above, and the delicate china, cutlery, and crystal glasses were arranged with impeccable precision. The maids moved quietly around the room, placing finishing touches on the table, smoothing napkins, and arranging a centerpiece of white lilies that exuded both elegance and subtlety. The air smelled faintly of roasted meats and rich sauces, a homely aroma despite the grandeur.Elena adjusted the folds of her blush-toned dress as she followed Adrian to their seats. Each step was deliberate; each motion was measured. She reminded herself that tonight was not about her, nor about her discomfort but it was about performance. She was to pretend for survival. And keeping Adrian from suspecting the chaos inside her.Adrian’s hand rested lightly on her back as they approached the table. Not controlling, but guiding, st

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 33 : MEETING GRANDPA

    The Vale mansion loomed ahead, its lights cutting through the twilight like a lighthouse in the dark. The streets had become quieter as the limousine wound its way up the private drive, and the sprawling estate revealed itself piece by piece. The manicured gardens, the softly glowing fountain, the sweeping marble steps that led to the grand entrance. Elena’s pulse raced, though she fought to keep her composure. Her breaths were still uneven from the earlier confrontation, but she forced herself to stand tall, straighten her shoulders, and let the façade of the perfect fiancée settle over her like a second skin.“Ready?” Adrian’s voice was calm, but the faint edge of tension in it betrayed his own unease. He handed her a small clutch, his fingers brushing against hers briefly. It was subtle, but enough to make her heart skip.Elena nodded, a controlled smile on her lips. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She adjusted her delicate, blush-toned dress that clung to all the r

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 32 :WORLDS APART

    The limousine moved smoothly, still heading to Adrian's mansion to see his grandfather. Elena sat rigidly on the leather seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white as the tension coursed through her body. She had stared out of the tinted windows for the last ten minutes, but the city lights blurred into meaningless streaks, because her mind was spinning faster than the streets outside.Adrian watched her carefully, noting the way her shoulders were taut, the subtle tremor in her hands. He had sensed the shift the moment she had received the backstory email, but now, sitting across from her, he realized it was far more than just nerves or hesitation. Her eyes flicked toward him, sharp, almost panicked, and he knew she was fighting an internal war he could not yet penetrate.“Elena…” His voice was low, calm, measured but behind it lingered an edge, a subtle plea he couldn’t quite hide. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”She shook her head rapid

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 31 : CAR REVELATION

    The limousine glided through the quiet city streets, its tires whispering against the asphalt as the soft hum of the engine filled the cabin. The interior smelled faintly of leather and polished wood, with a subtle scent of roses that Adrian had carefully placed for Elena. Outside, the city lights flickered past in a soft blur, but inside, the tension and anticipation were far more vivid than anything the skyline could offer.Adrian sat opposite Elena, his posture precise, controlled, as if every inch of him was calibrated for observation. But behind the composed exterior, a peculiar warmth and curiosity stirred an uncharacteristic eagerness that he found difficult to suppress. Elena, for her part, sat upright, hands neatly folded in her lap, her expression calm yet alert, every so often glancing out the tinted window. She had grown accustomed to his calculated presence, but tonight, the atmosphere was subtly different—charged with a sense of possibility that neither dared voice outri

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER 30 : TENSION AND ATTRACTION

    The limousine’s engine hummed softly as Adrian sat in the backseat, hands folded neatly on his lap, fingers tapping a measured rhythm against the leather upholstery. The city streets blurred past the tinted windows, but his focus was singular, unwavering. He wasn’t just waiting; he was anticipating. For once, it wasn’t a board meeting, a high-stakes negotiation, or a precarious financial deal. It was Elena.He had instructed the driver to wait outside the spa, giving her ample time for the treatments, the makeup, the wardrobe adjustments. The thought of her transformation had him unusually restless. Normally, Adrian Vale maintained a controlled detachment, a careful emotional reserve that had been drilled into him since his parents’ accident. But today… today felt different. There was a thread of curiosity woven through his meticulous planning, a subtle awareness that the person stepping out of the spa could change everything about their arrangement, if only for a moment.Inside the s

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO : THE FIGHT AND AFTERMATH

    The club’s lights pulsed against the beat of the music, a rhythm that once energized Elena, but tonight it felt like a storm closing in. She moved behind the bar, pouring drinks and wiping down counters with meticulous care, her mind still buzzing from the previous night’s chaos and what happened w

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE : THE BAR INCIDENT

    The club lights were dimmer than usual that evening, but the hum of conversation and clinking glasses never ceased. Elena moved with deliberate steps behind the bar, the weight of the advance hanging over her like a chain. Every coin, every note she could earn tonight was meant for Luca. To cover h

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER NINETEEN : EMERGENCY CALL

    The phone vibrated violently in Elena’s pocket, the shrill tone slicing through the dimly lit room and the fading music still echoing in her ears. She pulled it out with trembling hands, watching Adrian monitor her from over her shoulders.“Rossi? This is Dr. Mendel from St. Claire Hospital. It’s u

  • THE TERMS OF OUR MARRIAGE    CHAPTER EIGHTEEN : JUDGEMENTAL MIND

    The balcony wind whipped through Elena’s hair as she turned sharply, ready to storm back inside. Heat and frustration radiated from every fiber of her body. She had been cornered, questioned, accused and she was not about to bend.“I’m done answering,” she snapped, voice sharp, eyes blazing. “You d

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