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CHAPTER 104
تاريخ النشر:
2026-08-23 13:41:09
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married for show CHAPTER 106
BENEDICTA soft knock at my bedroom door woke me up at eight sharp.I sat up, raking a hand through my disheveled dark hair, my mind momentarily flashing back to the middle of the night—sneaking out of Valerie’s room at five in the morning before the house staff started moving around."It's open," I called out, my voice rough.The door swung open, and Valerie walked in holding two steaming mugs of black coffee. She had already showered, her thick blonde waves cascading over her shoulders in soft, damp curls, wearing a oversized linen button-down and denim shorts. The heavy, bruised look under her hazel eyes from last night was gone, replaced by a quiet, clean warmth.She walked over to my nightstand, setting one of the mugs down with a soft clink."Thought you might need this," she said softly, her hazel eyes meeting mine. There was zero coldness left in her face—no distance, no high-society armor. Just a silent, heavy gratitude hanging between us for keeping her mess locked awa
married for show CHAPTER 105
BENEDICTJet lag is a persistent bitch.It was two in the morning, and my brain was still operating on Manhattan time. I stood in the darkened kitchen in a pair of gray sweatpants and a black tee, pouring myself a glass of ice water and staring out the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that overlooked the back courtyard.A sharp splash broke the quiet of the estate.I frowned, setting the glass down on the island and sliding open the heavy glass door. The cool night air hit me as I stepped onto the stone patio, scanning the grounds.Near the grand marble fountain in the center of the courtyard, a dark silhouette was swaying dangerously.It was Valerie. Her straw hat was gone, her blonde hair was a wild, messy halo around her shoulders, and her pale blue summer dress was wrinkled. She was balance-walking along the slippery stone ledge of the fountain, her heels held loosely in one hand, completely out of it.Just as I took a step forward, her ankle wobbled."Whoa—"I sprinted acros
married for show CHAPTER 104
BENEDICTThe icy slap of water hit my face like a freight train, shocking my system out of a deep, black sleep.I sat bolt upright in bed, gasping for air, slicking dripping dark hair back off my forehead. Standing at the foot of my king-sized mattress was Aunt Chloe, holding a broad-rimmed crystal pitcher and grinning at me like a cat that just ate a canary."Good morning, sunshine," she chirped, resting one hand on her hip while adjusting the silk lapel of her robe with the other. "Welcome to the land of darkness and early mornings."I wiped a sleeve over my dripping face, sinking back against the soaked pillows with a groaning sigh. "Aunt Chloe. It’s... what time is it?""Eight-thirty," she said smoothly, placing the pitcher down on the nightstand with a delicate clink. "Your mother called me at seven AM sharp from Manhattan to make sure you weren't sleeping in till noon like you do in NYC. Consider this my daily warm family welcome.""You're sadistic," I muttered, my voice r
married for show CHAPTER 103: The Exile of Benedict Ray
18 YEARS LATER.BENEDICTSeattle smelled like wet cedar and expensive real estate.I dropped my leather duffel onto the polished slate floor of the foyer, the heavy thud echoing off the double-height ceiling. My dark hair was a mess from the red-eye out of JFK, and the sharp bite of a Manhattan hangover was throbbing steadily behind my eyes. My dad’s ultimatum had been short, blunt, and non-negotiable: three months in Seattle under Uncle Julian’s roof to clear my head, or get cut off entirely.I rolled my shoulders, listening to the quiet hum of the estate. It was vast, sleek, and buried in the lush hills, a far cry from the continuous sirens and neon glare of my apartment in New York."Dad’s finishing a call with the legal team in his study," a voice said from the living room.I turned.Valerie stepped into the entryway, holding a ceramic mug with both hands. She was wearing an oversized grey sweater—unmistakably Julian’s—that swallowed her frame, her thick, wavy blonde hair fa
married for show Chapter 102: The Light After the Storm
The view from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of our Manhattan loft was nothing short of a winter miracle. Outside, soft, powdery snowflakes drifted down from the slate-gray December sky, dusting the iconic skyline of the city in a pristine blanket of white. Below us, the yellow cabs crawled through the festive avenues, their headlights bleeding into the dusk like amber jewels.It had been months since that rain-soaked night on 4th Street, months since the ghosts of my past finally stopped haunting my every footstep.I wasn't Julian’s assistant anymore. That title, along with the quiet intimidation of the corporate hierarchy, belonged to a different lifetime. Now, I walked into Thorne Architecture holding my head high, stepping off the private elevator not with a notepad, but with a quiet, unshakeable confidence. Julian and I didn't hide in the shadows or steal breathless glances in hallways anymore. We lived together—a real, messy, beautiful life carved out in a sprawling penth
married for show Chapter 101: The Blueprint of Redemption
The rusted window latch resisted with a harsh, metallic screech, biting into my palm as I threw my weight against it. Outside, the cold Seattle downpour beat a chaotic rhythm against the asphalt of the alleyway. The air smelled of wet pavement, exhaust fumes, and damp brick—a dismal, unforgiving backdrop to the wreckage of my life.Behind me, the motel door shuddered under a tremendous, bone-rattling crash."Chloe!"Julian’s voice roared through the splintering wood, vibrating with a panic so raw and fierce it felt almost violent.I didn't look back. Pushing the stubborn window open the rest of the way, I scrambled through the narrow opening, dropping heavily onto the wet gravel of the alley. The cold water soaked instantly through the thin fabric of my trousers, sending a violent shiver up my spine. My tote bag was clutched in a death grip against my chest.Footsteps slammed against the floorboards inside the room, followed immediately by the splintering crack of the door givin
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