Bound by debt; Freed by love のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

Elena's POVMy chin trembles in anger and my eyes well up with tears but I refuse to let them out and give Mrs Hawthorne the satisfaction she wants. A harsh sting flows through my hands as they heavily land on my desk but I don't care in that moment. “You will not talk about my mother that way, Mrs Hawthorne”, I warn, still trembling from anger and my resolve to not cry slowly crumbles when a lone tear slides down my cheek. “You can call me names all you want but, my mother is out of this. Out of your lips!”, I continue, fighting the temptation to tear that victorious smirk off her face, openly mocking my outburst. “Why are you so worked up about it Elena?”, says Mrs Hawthorne in a much gentle tone, a pleased smile tugging the corner of her lips as she advances closer until her hands rest on my desk returning my challenging glares with a look of disdain. “I didn't ask your hero of a father to be a theif and a coward at the same time, letting his precious daughter pay for his crimes”

ELENA'S POVThe golden sunset covered the sky in all it's glory as I walked home in slumped shoulders and a depressed aura. Heavy beads of sweat clings to my pores while I tiredly drag my feet home, too exhausted to think anymore. I couldn't deny the facts any longer. Alicia was right. Perhaps Lucas and I once had something together but, things were never going to be the same again. At least not for us. I pushed the gate open, stepping inside the familiar villa now known as my home. Releasing a long sigh of exasperation to my usual reality behind those doors, I instantly plan to sneak up to my room peacefully. Just for tonight. As usual, the maids begin to whisper at the sight of my arrival and most do not bother to hide the contempt on their faces when they see me. Thankfully, I'm a grown ass independent woman who gladly loves to do things by herself. While my classmates and colleagues always called me a “spoiled princess”, I was a normal, average hardworking girl indoors. My mot

ELENA'S POVKaren wouldn't tell anyone in the company right? She would be smart enough to think about Adrian's reputation since she's his supposed fiancee. Damn Adrian! Damn him! My usual sharp tongue couldn't utter a single word in front of her. How could I deny my smudged lipstick and glistening eyes which was actually due to anger. But someone like Karen would gladly take it the wrong way. My heart raced faster than my legs as I tried to foretell the lengths Karen would go just to hurt me with the information she found out about Adrian and I. Sure enough, there were more eyes on me today than usual but, I returned each one with a shaky wave and an awkward smile, subtly gritting my teeth in annoyance. Karen did it. Everyone knew. Great! I rushed straight to my office, sighing in relief as I settled down alone, away from the judgemental stares of everyone out there. Turning on my computer and going straight to my emails as I always did every morning, the first email instantly cau

ELENA'S POV My eyes startled in surprise on seeing Adrian at the foot of the staircase with hands glued in his pockets as he coldly threw out the question “Where have you been?”. I quickly regained my composure, walking past him like he was thin air up to the room we now shared. “I'm asking you for the last time, Elena”, he said, striding towards me and catching up in no time as he slammed the door heavily behind him. “Nowhere that's any of your business to start with”, I said, taking off my simple jewelries and preparing to take a shower. “You're my wife Elena. So start talking”, he ordered, crossing his legs in an arrogant manner. “I doubt you know the difference between a wife and a slave Adrian”, I reply, meeting his cold glares with a challenge in my eyes. “And take a good look at me Adrian, I am not the latter”. “Is that so Elena?”, Adrian asked rhetorically, advancing towards me like a predator about to pince on its prey. “Because from what I know, you are my wife and also

LUCAS POV My grip tightened around the glass in my hand as I raised it to my lips, watching Elena and Adrian on the television with bright smiles on their faces. Elena wore a turtleneck sweater hiding the bruises on her neck from last night while her pale face was plastered in heavy makeup as she acted all loving with Adrian. The hate grew stronger in my eyes as I glared at Adrian planting a light kiss on her lips. How dare he even touch her after his display of wickedness last night? He didn't deserve to be even a breath close to her after last night. I was going to make him pay dearly for it. Even if Elena gave up on herself, I would die before I gave up on her. However, the thought of Elena never coming back to me gave me a burning sensation in my chest, slowly spreading to every part of my body.The look in her face when she left my place gave me reason to believe I had totally let her down. My eyes burned as I replayed the turn of events that led to the ugly situation ea