All Chapters of Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride: Chapter 171 - Chapter 179

~~~~But he didn’t come.No matter how long I waited, Eric wasn’t there. I kept glancing at the door, listening for the sound of his car, hoping to hear his voice. Nothing. The longer I waited, the heavier my heart became.After dinner, we moved to the sitting room. At least the mood stayed light. We laughed, tackling some long-standing family issues like we’d always wanted to—without the usual shouting.I was mid-conversation with Dad when Lisa leaned closer and whispered, “Oh, sis, we still haven’t told Mom and Dad the good news.”I blinked. “Sorry, what good news?”She gave me a little nudge. “The new job… remember?”“Ohh,” I nodded and glanced sideways at her and Lara. “Wait, why haven’t you two said anything yet?”Lisa shrugged. “There wasn’t time. I mean, after we got back, you called us again, and everything

~~~~Wait... Eric was crying? I couldn’t believe my eyes.My heart pounded in my chest; without thinking, I reached for him. I didn’t realize when I started moving toward him until my hands were gently on his cheeks, lifting his chin lightly. He raised his head without resistance. When Eric’s eyes met mine, I saw the tears he’d shed, and my heart broke.“Stay here,” I said sharply, loud enough for my mother and everyone present to hear.Mother stormed toward me, furious, while Nora stayed still. “What do you think you’re doing, Mary? Get back here! This meeting isn’t over,” she snapped.“Seriously, Mother? Is that really necessary?” I asked, my chest tightening with tears. “Do you have to speak to him like that?”“What? Talking back now, just because of your boss?” she scoffed. “How long will you keep disobeying me? You know

~~~~~Mr. Johnson stood at the foot of the stairs, quietly watching as his family disappeared down the hallway above. Slowly, his eyes drifted to Eric and Nora Black—the only two left in the room. A mother and son, yes, but now more than that. Somehow, they’d become part of his family, too.He folded his arms and let out a slow breath, like a man preparing for a conversation he didn’t see coming.“I guess now I understand why you were so generous with everything,” he said, his voice calm but weighted. “Was that your way of bribing me… for today?”Eric gave a small, sincere smile. “No, sir. Never. It wasn’t a bribe—especially since it was never mine to begin with.”Mr. Johnson raised an eyebrow. “The farm… It’s not yours?”Eric shook his head. “No. It belongs to your daughter. Long before you all came to New York, Mary had this serious pass

Sometimes, everything changes in a single moment—one cry, one breath, one heartbeat. And just like that… a new life begins.~~~~~Eric stood frozen, staring at the closed double doors as the sounds outside faded behind him. His hands were clenched, and his jaw was tight. He didn’t move until Nora and Mrs. Johnson arrived.“Has it started?” Nora asked, her voice hushed.“I think so,” Eric muttered, barely able to meet her gaze. He looked like a man trying to stay afloat in a sea of panic.Mrs. Johnson stepped closer and gently rested a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine,” she said quietly.Eric dropped into the nearest chair like the weight of the world had just landed on his back.Soon, Lisa, Lara, and Mr. Johnson joined them. Then came more—some expected, some not.The hallway filled up quickly with concerned faces. Even Diana somehow showed up, though no one could say how she’d heard

As I close the final chapter of Mary Black ~ The Paid Bride, I find myself filled with a deep sense of gratitude and humility.Thanks be to God Almighty for his wisdom and strength that carried me through, even though I was almost giving up, but he was there to guide me.To the Goodnovel platform, thank you for giving me the opportunity to bring this story to life and share it with the world. Your support for writers and storytellers means more than words can express.To my editor, your guidance, patience, and sharp eye helped shape this story into something I’m truly proud of. Thank you for walking this journey with me. To my fellow writers in the community, your encouragement, camaraderie, and shared passion for storytelling kept me going on days when the words didn’t come easy. You reminded me I wasn’t alone.And to every reader who stayed with Mary Black through every twist, heartbreak, and triumph—thank you for your time, your hearts, and your love for this story. Whether you rea