All Chapters of Contracted: Love In The Shadow: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

~~~~I marched to the west wing and stopped in front of a large silver door.I turned around, scanning the place, but this was the only door in the hallway. And it was massive.“This must be it,” I muttered. “What a show-off.”I knocked. Once. Twice. Then a third time. Still nothing.Seriously?As much as I wanted to just push the door open, I held back. I needed something from him, so… play nice. For now.“Husband, a word, please…” I called out, reaching for the handle.The moment I touched it, the door opened on its own.“It wasn’t locked? …Well, I’m coming in,” I said, stepping inside.But the second I entered, I stopped. My mouth actually dropped a little.The room was… huge. Not just big, but unnecessarily big.And the design… yeah, it was insane. Clean, expensive, almost unreal.I used to work in an interior company, so I know good design when I see one. And this? This was the kind people brag about without saying a word.Still… not the point.I snapped out of it and looked aroun

~~~~I ran away to free myself from the Dolman’s misfortune and find a solution to my predicament.I thought I was cured. I thought I was ready again to face this dead family. I prepared myself… or at least I thought I did. Emotionally. Physically. Psychologically. I was ready to face Nicolas and Rachael Dolman.But maybe I overestimated myself.Because I could already feel myself tilting toward the edge. I might lose it soon. As if that wasn’t bad enough…Now I have to live with a maid who reminds me so much of the woman I want to strangle to death. Isn’t that crazy?If it’s not making anyone else crazy, it’s making me crazy.I just hope nothing happens before I escape this shithole. It would be bad if innocent people suffered for something they knew nothing about… again.As much as I hate to admit it, all this stress and anger is getting to me.It’s like something unpleasant is trying to take over, just like four years ago.God…I pray I get out of here before I turn into the very th

---- After that eventful day, Lucian found himself buried in work. There was no time to sit, no time to think. Meetings kept stacking up, one after the other. Flights, deals, negotiations. He moved from one country to another like a man being chased. For a whole month, he didn’t stop. But now, finally, he could breathe. As the jet cut through the clouds on its way home, Lucian leaned back slightly, letting the silence settle in. He was grateful for the private jet. If Ken had to handle this trip the usual way, the man would have collapsed by now. Speaking of Ken… Lucian glanced back. His secretary was fast asleep, head tilted awkwardly, mouth slightly open. The moment they boarded, he knocked out like someone who had been running for years. Lucian looked at him for a moment. He wasn’t heartless. He knew hard work when he saw it, and Ken had done more than enough this past month. Once they got back, he would give him a proper break. Maybe even a vacation. He exhaled slowly.

~~~~ “What the hell happened?” Doc Thomas asked as he stared at the body on the bed. “Is she even alive?” “Yes. I checked her breathing,” Lucian replied. “Then what—” “Enough questions. Check her. That’s why you’re here,” Lucian cut in. Jake looked at him for a second. “This is a life and death situation. Try to remember that, and be happy that I came.” he said calmly. “Hm. You’re doing your job,” Lucian replied, not caring. Jake let it go and moved closer to Mira. He started with her hands. Her nails were broken, dried blood stuck under them. Her fingers were swollen, some cuts already turning dark at the edges. He moved up her arms. Bruises. Scratches. Some fresh, some older. Then her face. He gently lifted her eyelids, checking her pupils. His jaw tightened a little. He took a slow breath and looked over the rest of her body. Too light. “When was the last time she ate?” he asked. Lucian didn’t hesitate. “They said she hasn’t eaten for two weeks.” Jake nodded once.

~~~~~~~ Ken froze, a stiff smile struggling to form on his face. The sanity he had lost moments ago came rushing back, sharp and unforgiving. Slowly, he turned. Lucian was seated on a red sofa in the wide living room, looking completely at ease. Dressed in a brown T-shirt and black pants, he carried that same quiet authority. His hair was neatly combed back, and a full meal was spread out before him. They held each other’s gaze for a brief second. Ken exhaled, then turned back and walked toward him. “Ah… sir, I thought you were upstairs,” he said, forcing a polite smile. Lucian raised a brow. “Why would I be upstairs at this time of day?” His eyes scanned Ken from head to toe. “And why do you look like you’re about to commit murder?” Ken’s face paled for a split second before he quickly masked it. “Like what, sir?” “Like you’re about to strangle someone.” Ken blinked, playing dumb. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His tone was steady, even though just minutes ago, h