Chapter 5

One year later.

"What should we bring for your parents?" Liora asked Xavier, who was sitting at his desk.

"Hm, I'll leave it all to you."

Liora closed the suitcase. Their trip—accompanying her contract husband to meet with several major investors across Asia—had gone well. She looked at Xavier, knowing there were only a few months left until their contract marriage ended. Their relationship had run smoothly without feelings involved—at least, that's what Liora kept telling herself.

Xavier Wrenford's icy blue eyes stayed fixed on Liora as she changed her clothes right in front of him. Her figure, her smile, her eyes—everything about her, he quietly took in.

Once she'd slipped into her pajamas, Liora climbed into bed. She checked the calendar on her phone, counting down the days until her divorce from Xavier was finalized.

"Oh, just six more months and our contract marriage will be over. I can't wait to end it properly. Right, Mr. Wrenford?" she asked.

Xavier didn't answer. He only clenched his hand, his face tightening at her words.

"I'll finally be free—back to being an ordinary woman, maybe even find a man who actually loves me someday."

The room suddenly felt suffocating. Xavier stood and stepped out onto the balcony. Liora fell silent for a moment. Lately, Xavier hadn't spoken much—God knows what was on his mind.

She walked over to stand beside him, gazing out at the glittering Singapore skyline.

"Thank you for helping me. I hope someday I can repay you for everything," Liora said softly.

"You talk too much," Xavier snapped, annoyed.

"Fine, I'm going to bed then. I'm exhausted today," Liora replied, choosing to retreat rather than trigger his temper.

She padded back to the bed, pulling the blanket up over her head. Meanwhile, Xavier battled with himself—should he end this contract or extend it, to keep her near?

Yes, Xavier Wrenford, the man who never bowed to anyone, was reluctant to admit he'd fallen for Liora. But Liora showed no sign of wanting him back, as if this marriage was nothing more than a job to her.

When they returned to London, Liora handed out souvenirs to Xavier's parents and younger siblings. They refused to accept them, tossing the gifts to the floor instead. Xavier just watched Liora, who smiled as usual, even though she was hurting inside. She quietly retreated to Xavier's office with Max.

"Mr. Xavier, it seems you're starting to fall for your contract wife?" Max asked carefully.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm your personal assistant. I know your patterns better than anyone."

"It's still just a contract," Xavier shot back, opening his laptop.

Max nodded. He knew better than to push further.

Elsewhere.

Liora received a text from an unknown number asking her to meet. She knew immediately—it had to be Noah.

Not long after, she stood beneath a park lamp, wrapped in a long cream coat. She stayed alert, worried Xavier's people might be following her, but this time seemed safe. As soon as they'd arrived home, Xavier had been called away to a meeting with his partners.

Footsteps crunched behind her. Liora turned. Noah stood there, thinner, suit wrinkled, his face looking years older.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me," Noah said.

"What do you want? I don't plan to stay here long," Liora answered sharply.

Noah dropped his gaze. "I miss you."

"You're insane. I'm disgusted just looking at you," Liora spat.

Noah grabbed for her hand. "No! You still love me, don't you? I know you do! I see it in your eyes right now. You still carry me in your heart!"

Liora yanked her hand back. "You're too late. I'm Xavier's wife now."

Noah let out a bitter laugh. "Xavier's just using you! He doesn't love you! I can fix everything—just give me another chance, please!"

Not far away, a black car was parked. Inside, Xavier sat in the back seat. Through the tinted glass, he watched Liora and Noah standing far too close to each other.

His hand curled into a tight fist, jaw clenched hard. His phone buzzed on the seat beside him, but he ignored it.

"How dare she meet her ex-husband..."

Back at the penthouse, Liora slipped off her coat and placed her shoes neatly on the rack. The night air was cold, but she still needed to prepare dinner—otherwise, Xavier would be angry. Ever since they married, Xavier refused to eat food made by anyone but Liora.

Slow footsteps crossed the marble floor. Liora looked up. Xavier stood by the glass balcony door, still wearing the same black suit he'd had on in the car. His broad shoulders and cold posture made him look like a predator ready to strike.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?"

"Don't pretend nothing happened!" Xavier roared, his voice thunderous.

"What are you talking about?" Liora asked, backing away slightly.

"You think I don't know? You think I didn't see you standing in that park, letting that trash touch your hand?"

Liora's eyes widened. "You were following me?"

Xavier let out a dark laugh, then grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into his blue eyes. "How dare you—my wife—stand there like a beggar in front of the same man who threw you out like garbage?"

"I just wanted him to stop looking for me! I'm never going back to him, Xavier! Why are you so angry?"

Xavier didn't reply. His long fingers curled tightly at his side. His eyes raked over her face, swirling with emotions Liora still couldn't read—no matter how long they'd been locked in this insane contract.

He grabbed a file from the side table—a thick white document, stamped and signed by both of them. The marriage contract. Xavier threw it against Liora's chest. She staggered back, clutching the papers to her chest.

"I'm revising it. This contract marriage is no longer two years—it's for life."

"You're joking. Living with you for a year and a half is enough to drive anyone insane," Liora snapped, her eyes welling up.

Xavier's hand reached for her cheek. His touch felt cold, like a chain clamping around her throat. "Do you really want to run back to your ex-husband? Should I tell you something? Your parents died in that accident because Noah ran them down on purpose."

Liora's eyes widened, stunned. Tears slipped down her cheeks as Xavier leaned closer, whispering low in her ear.

"So choose. Go back to the man who murdered your parents—or sign this and stay married to me for life."

Liora felt her knees weaken. Marrying Xavier had already been a nightmare; if not for revenge, she never would have agreed in the first place.

"A life for a life. Help me destroy Noah. Make him regret it for the rest of his miserable existence!" she hissed.

Xavier's lips curved into a dark smirk. Mark stepped forward, handing him a new contract.

"Sign this lifetime marriage contract, and I'll deliver the sweetest revenge your ex-husband could ever imagine. I'll make him bleed, crawl, and beg at your feet," Xavier said softly, eyes burning.

Look at me, Noah Anderson.

Even if I have to live as Xavier's captive wife, I won't ever let you live in peace again.