Ties of a Contract のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 81 - チャプター 90

SophiaInside the ambulance, the world descends into chaos in a matter of seconds. One of the paramedics collapses unconscious while the other struggles with someone in the driver’s cabin. The babies start crying, startled by the jolts.“You’re so predictable,” Victoria’s voice echoes as she emerges from the cabin, dressed as a paramedic. “Always trying to fool me.”I instinctively put myself between her and the incubators.“How?” I manage to ask, while trying to discreetly reach for the emergency button.“Sweetheart, did you really think I didn’t have someone inside the clinic?” she smiles—a cold smile that’s terrified Alexander for so long. “That I wouldn’t know exactly which ambulance you’d be in?”The vehicle screeches to a halt, sending supplies sliding across the floor. Through the small window, I see we’re in some sort of abandoned warehouse.“The babies need their monitors,” I say, trying to buy time. “They’re premature, Victoria.”“I know exactly what they need,” she says, ad

Sophia“Noah! Oliver! Don’t run inside the house!” I shout from the kitchen, as I hear the sound of small feet pounding down the hallway.The noise stops momentarily, followed by identical giggles that make me smile. Even after six years, I’m still surprised by how physically alike they are, yet so different in personality.Noah appears in the kitchen first, always the more cautious of the two. His steps are measured, calculated, so different from his brother’s explosive energy. From a young age, Noah has always been the observer, the one who thinks before he acts. Like now, standing in the doorway, studying the situation before making his complaint.“Mommy, Oliver took my dinosaur book,” he says, his blue eyes—identical to his father’s—full of indignation. “I was in the middle of important research on the Triceratops.”“I did not!” Oliver shows up right behind him, hiding something behind his back, his dark hair disheveled from running around. “I was just… borrowing it. And the Tyran

SophiaThe soft lighting in the restaurant can’t hide the excitement in James’s eyes as he slides a folder across the table.“Look at these numbers, Sophia. Your book isn’t just selling—it’s breaking records in every market we’ve entered.” He leans forward, his subtle yet noticeable cologne wafting through the air. “Especially the Asian market. They’re practically begging for you. Just the pre-orders in Japan…”I leaf through the pages, trying to focus on the figures instead of the guilt churning in my stomach. Three missed calls from Alex. A message about an incident at school involving the boys.“Everything okay?” James’s hand hovers near mine, not quite touching but close enough for me to notice.“The school called Alex,” I say, pulling my hand back to check my phone again. “Something about Oliver.”“I’m sure Alex is taking care of it,” James dismisses with a wave. “We need to talk about the tour. Three weeks might not be enough—we should consider extending it to a month. We have t

JamesThe coffee in front of me grows cold as I reread Sophia’s message for the tenth time: “Two weeks. It’s the most I can do. I’m sorry.”My fingers drum on the café table. Two weeks. Half the time we needed. Half the opportunities. Half the potential.“More coffee, sir?” the waitress asks.“No,” I reply, then reconsider. “Actually, yes. And bring me the lunch menu, please. Looks like I’ll be having a meeting here.”After sending a quick message to Sophia, I put away my phone and open my laptop. The sales spreadsheets shine on the screen, the numbers telling a story she seems reluctant to accept.Twenty minutes later, she arrives, looking more casual than usual in jeans and a simple blouse. No makeup. No high heels like she normally wears to our meetings.“James,” she greets, sitting down. “I’m sorry, but I only have an hour. I promised the boys I’d watch their presentation at school.”“About dinosaurs, I assume,” I comment, unable to hold back my ironic tone.She raises an eyebrow.

AlexanderSophia’s laptop is open on the kitchen table, the new book document minimized in favor of the emails she’s replying to. I watch as she bites her lower lip in concentration, her fingers flying over the keyboard.“The publisher isn’t happy,” she says without looking at me. “James must have spoken to them.”I set a cup of coffee next to her. “That was expected.”“They threatened to cut the tour’s budget,” she continues, finally looking up. “As if that would make me change my mind.”“Will it?”She smiles, taking the cup. “No. Actually, it only made me more certain.”The sound of hurried footsteps upstairs interrupts our conversation. Moments later, we hear Oliver’s voice:“Noah! Give me back my karate uniform!”“It’s not yours, it’s mine!” Noah snaps back. “Yours is in the laundry because SOMEONE spilled juice on it!”Sophia rolls her eyes, amused. “Your turn.”I head upstairs to find the twins engaged in a tug-of-war with the white uniform.“Boys,” I say firmly. “The uniform.”