MasukShare
Chapter 18
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-20 23:32:08
Bab terkait
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 19
I paced my room restlessly, the carpet muffling the sound of my dragging steps, but it did nothing to quiet the storm raging inside me. Every stride felt heavier than the last, as though the weight of my anger was physically anchoring me to the floor, grinding me down until I was nothing more than a shell driven by pure, seething rage. My chest heaved, heart pounding so loud it rang in my ears—louder, it seemed, than the silence suffocating the room.And it was all because of him. Adrian.God, why? Why the hell did it have to be him?Out of everyone—every miserable bastard this wretched city had to offer—why did fate tie my life to his? It didn’t feel like destiny. No, this wasn’t fate—it was a punishment, cold and calculated, delivered by a universe that must’ve hated me from the start. A cruel joke played at my expense, and the worst part? I walked right into it. Blind. Foolish.I threw my head back, a bitter, humorless laugh ripping from my throat—dry and broken. The sound echoed o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-22THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 20
Matthew's POV "Wow, this is awesome," Noah exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement, and I couldn't help but agree.It wasn’t as if we weren’t all rich—we were—but the kind of wealth Jordan wielded was in an entirely different stratosphere. The kind that made even the comfortably wealthy feel like they were still reaching. Jordan, of course, basked in it, making sure his exclusivity remained undeniable. This particular outing wasn’t just about indulgence, though. Jordan never did anything without an agenda, and I had a strong feeling his carefully curated guest list had everything to do with Adrian. The man never let a slight go unanswered, and this was his way of proving a point."That’s the perk that comes with being the wife of a billionaire," Kyle teased, his grin sharp as he flicked me a knowing look.My eyes snapped toward him in warning, and he immediately straightened as if I had physically struck him."No hard feelings," he added quickly, hands lifting in mock surrender,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 21
Maverick's POV A thick, almost tangible silence settled between us, stretching for what felt like minutes. The only sounds were the occasional soft drip of condensation and our steady breathing, deep and measured as we let the heat of the room seep into our bones. Steam curled around our bodies, clinging to our damp skin, soaking us in a relentless, humid embrace. Beads of sweat trickled down my temples, carving a slow, deliberate path along my jaw before slipping down my neck like warm fingers. It was suffocating, yet strangely liberating—like standing on the edge of something vast, unknown, and giving in to the fall.I leaned back against the heated wooden wall, surrendering to the sensation, my eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion lured me into a quiet lull. A deep sigh left my lips, my chest rising and falling with the slow rhythm of release. The stress, the anger, the weight of everything beyond these walls—it all melted away, dissolving into the thick air. For once, I felt unbur
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 22
Matthew's POV After our sauna, we freshened up, the heat still lingering on our skin as we stepped into the cool evening air. A shared sense of relaxation settled over us, but hunger quickly took over. With the card still in my possession, I decided to make the most of it, ordering an extravagant spread of dishes that would have put a feast to shame.The table overflowed with delicacies—succulent steaks, buttery mashed potatoes, crisp salads glistening under the soft restaurant lights, and desserts so rich they melted on our tongues. We ate like kings, or at least we tried to. Despite our efforts, there was still far too much left. Laughing at our own excess, I practically forced my friends to take the leftovers home, pushing takeout boxes into their hands before they could protest.Minutes passed, and the inevitable moment of parting arrived. Kyle and Noah were the first to leave, exchanging lazy waves before disappearing into the night. Jordan, however, lingered, his gaze steady on
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 23
Matthew's POV The car rolled to a smooth stop before the massive mansion, its towering presence casting long, creeping shadows under the dimming evening sky. The weight of the day pressed against my shoulders, but the moment I opened the door and stepped out, the cool breeze kissed my skin, momentarily easing the exhaustion clinging to me like a second layer.I rolled my shoulders, stretching my legs as I took in the sight before me. The estate loomed in the dying light, its vast windows glowing faintly against the darkening sky. Despite having seen it countless times, the sheer grandeur still held a quiet, suffocating presence.I turned toward the trunk, but before I could reach it, Jordan strolled up beside me, whistling low as his gaze swept over the mansion.“Wow,” he muttered, shaking his head as if in disbelief. “Now I get why you were in such a rush to get back. Damn, this place is huge.” He scoffed right after, shrugging as if the sight didn’t impress him. “Not that I care, t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-03THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 24
Matthew's POV Morning arrived with a golden glow filtering through the curtains, warm and inviting. My body stirred to life, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I awoke with an unshakable sense of peace. I had slept like a baby—no nightmares, no restlessness—just a deep, uninterrupted slumber that left a lingering smile on my lips. Even in sleep, something within me had been content, and the happiness clung to me like a stubborn scent, refusing to fade.But that contentment was short-lived.The moment I sat up, a dry, searing pain scraped against my throat, making me wince. It felt like I had swallowed sandpaper in my sleep. Desperate for relief, I threw off the covers and stumbled out of bed, my bare feet pattering against the cold wooden floor as I rushed down the stairs, my sole mission being water—cool, soothing water.As I reached the kitchen, the sight before me brought my urgency to a halt.Adrian stood at the counter, dressed in a fitted black apron, his sleeves
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 25
Matthew's POV "You are insane," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I lowered my head to my plate. The once-appetizing meal before me blurred into an unappealing mess. My appetite had all but vanished, replaced by a heavy weight pressing against my chest, making it hard to breathe.Adrian is mad—there’s no other explanation. How could he, in his right mind, even entertain the thought that there was ever an us? That there could be an us? The sheer audacity of it made my stomach twist. It was absurd, laughable even, if not for the fact that he had said it so effortlessly, with a straight face, as if the idea weren’t completely delusional."Let's start all over," he said, his voice laced with something that made me pause.The words struck like ice-cold water poured down my spine, shocking me so much that I inhaled wrong. A sharp burn clawed at my throat as I choked on my food, the sudden spasm racking my body. My chest constricted, and my vision blurred with tears as I coughe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-05THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 26
Matthew's POV I tipped the glass to my lips and swallowed the last of the whiskey in one punishing, deliberate gulp. The burn hit instantly, searing its way down my throat like wildfire, leaving a trail of raw, relentless heat that forced a grunt out of me. It clawed at my insides, but even that pain felt hollow. Not enough. Nowhere near enough. I wanted it to do more than just sting—I needed it to scorch away the thoughts that kept crashing through my skull like a wrecking ball. The guilt. The shame. The helplessness that gnawed at me, hour after hour. If only whiskey could char memories the same way it torched my throat, I might’ve stood a chance tonight.The low thrum of music drifted through the lounge, a slow, rhythmic pulse that vibrated through the floor and up into my bones. The dim lighting pooled in corners and crept across the faces of strangers, none of whom cared who I was or why I was there. Just how I liked it. The beat echoed the chaos spinning in my mind, steady and
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-06
Bab terbaru
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. unedited
Adrian paced outside Noah's house, fists clenched at his sides, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. Ragged breaths tore through him as he locked eyes on the heavy door. He’d already screwed up once. Now he stood there, begging for another chance—one he wasn’t even sure he deserved. But he had to try. Only Matthew could help him. Only Matthew could drag him back into the game, back where he belonged.He knocked once. Before the sound could echo back at him, the door swung open. Noah filled the frame, tall and unyielding, his face a cold mask.“Adrian,” he said, voice low with a blade-sharp edge. “You need to leave. Now.”Adrian’s chest constricted. “Please, Noah. I—I’m sorry. I know I messed up. But I’m asking for just one more shot. Matthew will listen, I know he will. I can fix this.”Noah’s lips twitched into a thin, humorless smile. “You had your chances, Adrian. And you blew them. If I were you, I’d turn around before I have to spell it out.”Adrian stepped forward, despe
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 49
Author's POV Adrian paced outside Noah's house, fists clenched at his sides, heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. Ragged breaths tore through him as he locked eyes on the heavy door. He’d already screwed up once. Now he stood there, begging for another chance—one he wasn’t even sure he deserved. But he had to try. Only Matthew could help him. Only Matthew could drag him back into the game, back where he belonged.He knocked once. Before the sound could echo back at him, the door swung open. Noah filled the frame, tall and unyielding, his face a cold mask.“Adrian,” he said, voice low with a blade-sharp edge. “You need to leave. Now.”Adrian’s chest constricted. “Please, Noah. I—I’m sorry. I know I messed up. But I’m asking for just one more shot. Matthew will listen, I know he will. I can fix this.”Noah’s lips twitched into a thin, humorless smile. “You had your chances, Adrian. And you blew them. If I were you, I’d turn around before I have to spell it out.”Adrian stepped
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. ttt
Matthew turned his back to Adrain, his spine rigid, like a wall hastily rebuilt after a collapse. His shoulders quivered as he scrubbed at his face with both hands—rough, trembling palms dragging down skin already raw. He wasn’t just wiping away tears. He was clawing at the storm beneath them, desperate to rid himself of the weight, the filth of what he felt. The emotion clung like grime soaked deep into his pores, no matter how hard he rubbed.His breath hitched, uneven and sharp, like each inhale scraped along the inside of his chest. The silence that pooled between them wasn’t passive—it pressed down like a lead blanket, heavy with all the words neither of them could voice. It screamed without sound, teeming with every cut left to fester, every truth withheld, every apology that came too late.Adrain could hear the chaos inside Matthew’s body—the ragged way he breathed, the stiff way he held himself like he was about to break or bolt. Then Matthew shifted, just a fraction. His foot
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 47
Adrain's POV Happiness.That’s all I felt in my heart—pure, unfiltered happiness. A feeling so foreign, it almost scared me with how good it felt. They say, "It doesn’t always rain," a phrase I used to brush off like dust on my jacket. It sounded like one of those cliché lines people throw around when they don’t know what else to say. But standing here now, breathing in the calm that’s slowly wrapped itself around my chest, I think I’m finally beginning to believe it.For the longest time, home was just a word. Just letters stitched together with no weight, no warmth, no anchor. A concept, not a feeling. But when Matthew said it… when he said it, the word didn’t just sound different—it felt different. It didn’t feel hollow. It didn’t pass through me like wind. It settled—warm and solid—in the center of my chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, I believed him. I believed in the idea that I could belong somewhere. That I could belong to someone.He was my home—my peace, m
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 46
Everything had been going perfectly—so perfectly, in fact, that I dared to believe the universe was finally giving me a break. Our time together felt like a dream I never wanted to wake from, a fleeting slice of heaven stitched together with laughter, silent glances, and stolen kisses. Just like how we had arrived—excited and wrapped up in each other—we rode back home, the weight of the world forgotten for those few precious hours.The wind outside hummed against the car, but inside, it was quiet. Comfortable. Safe.But somewhere along the way, something clicked in me. Or maybe it unraveled. I looked over at Adrain—always composed, always in control—but there was a fire in his eyes whenever he looked at me. A wild, unspoken intensity that said everything his mouth didn’t. That man may come off like ice to others, but when it came to me... he burned. He was obsessive, overbearing even, never letting me drift too far. And though it should've felt suffocating, strangely, it didn’t. I nev
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 45
Rudolph gave a stiff nod, his face pulled tight in a strained, unnatural smile as he shot a fleeting glance at me over Adrian’s broad shoulder. His usual easygoing charm had all but evaporated, leaving behind a raw, uncomfortable shimmer of regret and unease in his eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen him look so thoroughly out of his depth.I scraped together a small smile in return, barely more than a twitch of my lips. It was the least — and honestly, the only — thing I could offer him at that moment. Anything more felt impossible, too heavy for the fragile air hanging between us."I'm sorry," Rudolph muttered, voice low, scratchy with tension. His words seemed to trip over themselves as he shifted backward, pressing himself deeper into the corner of the elevator like a boy caught red-handed. His gaze dropped to the floor, unable or unwilling to meet either of ours, his whole body language screaming apology and shame.Adrian, by contrast, didn’t move an inch. Every line of h
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 44
Matthew's POV I grabbed the last bag sitting on the bed, giving the room one final, lingering glance. The walls, once so familiar, now seemed foreign, stripped of everything that made them ours. It felt strange, leaving like this — a bittersweet tug in my chest I couldn't explain, a quiet ache blooming under my ribs. Tightening my fingers around the handle, I drew in a slow breath, grounding myself, then stepped out and headed downstairs. Adrian was already there, waiting at the bottom of the staircase like a sentinel carved out of shadow and light. The moment my foot touched the ground floor, he moved, closing the distance between us with a few quick strides. Without a word, he took the bag from my hand, his touch casual but lingering — like he wanted to take every burden off me, not just the physical ones but the ones stitched deep into my bones. Wordlessly, I followed him out. The air outside wrapped around me, crisp and cool, tinged with the damp, earthy scent of rain still cl
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 43
Matthew's POV After that raw, sinful night, everything between Adrian and me shifted—tilted on its axis so subtly, yet so irreversibly, it felt like we’d crossed a threshold we couldn’t come back from. It wasn’t just lust anymore, though that still burned hot beneath our skin. Something deeper had taken root in its place, something quiet but unshakable. It curled around us like ivy wrapping itself around an old stone wall—slow, inevitable, and impossible to ignore. I found myself drawn to him in ways that had nothing to do with the bedroom. Every day peeled back a new layer of who he was beneath the bravado. He had these strange little quirks that both fascinated and softened me. Like his irrational hatred for vegetables. He loathed them with every fiber of his being but still shoved them down his throat just because I said they were good for him. He’d glare at me across the table, chewing like I’d just sentenced him to death, eyes narrowed with a betrayal so dramatic it was almos
THE TIES THAT BINDS US. Chapter 42
Matthew's POV Adrian sank heavily onto the couch, his breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, his eyes already burning with a hunger that eclipsed everything else. It wasn’t just desire—it was something darker, something primal. And I could feel it, too, swirling inside me, pulling me toward him like gravity. I followed his lead, my legs slipping around his waist as I straddled him, the heat of his body colliding with mine in a rush that set every nerve on fire. Our bodies slammed together like two storms, tearing through each other, both of us desperate to be pulled apart and stitched back together in a single, violent union.There was no room for hesitation. No time for restraint. Our lips crashed together, urgently, demanding, a collision of fire and needed to obliterate everything else. The outside world vanished in that instant, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth: nothing mattered but this, nothing could ever matter more.We kissed like the earth was ending. Like the world had
