Ties of a Contract のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixes with the constant noise that already fills the diner. Another day begins, where I, with my inseparable worn apron, force a smile on my face. I haven’t had many opportunities in my life, so I’ve resigned myself to taking what comes and smiling, even if the world is crumbling at my feet."Table three, Sophia!" shouts Charlie, the manager, from behind a towering stack of plates she balances with precise movements."I'm on it!" I reply, grabbing another tray loaded with sandwiches, hot coffee, and muffins.The in-and-out of people is relentless. Some mumble a good morning; others don’t even notice my presence. After all, to most of them, I’m just here to serve. But that’s okay. I know I’m more than that. I’m a daughter fighting to give my family some comfort and juggling to keep them togetherdespite my mother… I sigh without realizing it. Also, an older sister trying to give my younger brother a better future than mine, even though he doesn’t seem

The way back home is a blur of streets, buildings, and anonymous faces. My feet move forward almost automatically while my mind remains trapped in that cold office, where everything seemed to transform into something I can’t name.Alexander Hawthorne.I knew he’d be intimidating. There’s no way a man with his reputation wouldn’t be. The ruthless magnate, the heir who built an empire with his own handsor at least that’s what they say. A man many would call untouchable, unapproachable.But no story, no rumor, no financial magazine article could have prepared me for him in person.Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a perfectly tailored suit that seemed molded directly to his body. A sculpted face, striking features, eyes as cold as the ice that seemed to run through his veins.And yet...He’s beautiful in a way that unsettles me. Not just because of his physical appearance, but because of his presence. Alexander Hawthorne fills the space with a quiet strength, with an authority that demands

I’m back at the building where it all began.The skyscraper of Hawthorne Corp rises before me, an imposing structure that seems to swallow the sky. Its mirrored facade reflects my pale face and the tension in my eyes. I should feel confident, strong for being here again.But the truth is, I’m terrified.My mother’s words echo in my mind since leaving the hospital: “Fix it. No matter how.”And here I am, ready to sell my dignity, my freedom, in exchange for her survival.I step into the building with hesitant steps, the sound of my shoes echoing in the luxurious lobby. The atmosphere is cold and elegant, just like him. Every detail is perfectly arranged, with no room for mistakes or imperfections.I’m announced at the reception desk, and soon an assistant guides me to the private elevator leading to the top floor. My hands are trembling, but I clench them into fists, trying to control my anxiety.When the elevator doors open, I’m greeted by the oppressive silence of Alexander Hawthorne

The night drags on, slow and suffocating. The silence in Alexander’s penthouse is so heavy that every soundthe ticking of the clock, the rhythm of my own breathingfeels amplified.After what I witnessed, my heart is restless. It shouldn’t matter, but it does. It shouldn’t hurt, but it does.Alexander is with another woman. I heard muffled laughter, saw the intimate touch. I don’t know what I was expecting. He made it clear from the start that this marriage was nothing more than a contract. A cold agreement, with no room for emotional involvement.But the scene shook me more than I’m willing to admit.Without thinking too much, I get out of bed. I need to talk to him. Ask. Confront him, even though I have no right.Barefoot, I cross the cold floor of the penthouse to the hallway leading to his office. The light is on, but the door is now closed. I hesitate for a moment before raising my hand and knocking.“Come in.”Alexander’s voice is low but firm. There’s no hesitation.I take a dee

The black dress Alexander chose for me slides over my skin, a constant reminder that tonight, I am not just Sophia Carter. I am Sophia Hawthorne.My reflection in the mirror is elegant, yet far removed from who I truly am. The diamond earrings sparkling in my ears could cover months of my mother’s hospital bills. And the delicate necklace around my neck, Alexander's choice, weighs more with its symbolism than with its gold. “Are you ready?”His deep voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn to see him standing in the doorway, flawless in a black suit that seems tailor-made for his body. The man watching me now is not the Alexander I’ve known in the privacy of his penthouse. He is the ruthless magnate, the man everyone either reveres or fears. “Ready,” I reply, trying to ignore the nervous knot tightening in my stomach.Alexander studies me for a moment longer than necessary. His eyes take in every detail, and for a brief moment, I see something resembling approval in his gaze. “Let’s