All Chapters of Bound By The CEO's Contract : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

(Third-Person POV, Past Tense) Lila's lashes flipped up and down, but she remained still after Alexander's words. “Whatever the hell you stole from that girl, return it. Now.” A slow smile touched Lila’s lips. She bent her head slightly, allowing the silence to stretch before speaking. “Aren’t you just being dramatic?” “Don’t play games with me, Lila.” Alexander's voice had twice it's initial fury now. “I’m done with you. Do you hear me? Done. Stay away from me, and return those damn documents.” Lila made a mocking expression before letting out a quiet chuckle, changing her posture slightly. “Oh, Alexander, you’re such a joker.” She paused to take a deep breath as if to calm herself. The look on her face after this, was one of amusement. Then, she continued, slowly and deliberately, each word reeking of an intention to trigger him. “What happened between us was normal in relationships. But if you thought my brief moment of stepping away meant you could run

(Alexander POV) My fingers were spread over the keyboard on this Wednesday afternoon, The spreadsheets, the investment reports, the endless flow of numbers that had occupied my mind all day everything had begun to merge together. I let out a deep calming breath, leaning back against my leather chair. The muscles in my shoulders ached from hours of tension, and I started to loosen my tie, tugging at the knot until I could breathe a little bit easier It didn’t help much though. Nothing had, not for the past few days. My mind had been a battlefield, torn between managing the company and all the personal mess I have been trying to put up with. And the first on that list was my ex, Lila. The mere thought of her name sent irritation round my skin. I had just discovered not too long ago that, that girl wasn’t just watching Natalie she was in fact keeping surveillance on her, like some obsessed predator. And as if that wasn't enough she had crossed another line, she had

Chapter 25(NATALIE POV)The rich scent of Sunday stew filled the air, I was sitting at the table with my mother and father, mechanically lifting my spoon to my lips, but the food tasted like nothing.I wasn’t actually the only one stealing glances.From the corner of my eye, I could notice my mother doing the same thing, her sharp, knowing eyes watching me in quiet scrutiny. And I knew why of course. Ever since my father had been discharged last Friday, ever since she had cornered me in the kitchen the moment I got home, to ask the very same question she had asked when I first paid off the remaining money for his surgery."Where did you get that kind of money, Natalie?"Her voice had trembled with a suspicion that instantly made me feel guilty.I had barely managed to stall, claiming to be exhausted from the long, draining process of bringing my father home. I promised I would explain everything on the weekend, arguing that workdays were too hectic. It took some moments of obse

(NATALIE POV)A heavy silence settled between us after Isabella's interruption.Alexander’s parents exchanged glances.My throat tightened and I could feel my heart beat in my ears. Was that suspicion I just noticed in their eyes? Or simply surprise?Beside me, Alexander shifted.He cleared his throat with his palms on his knee caps.“We…” He started, voice composed but slightly measured, as if buying time. But before he could find a direction, his father turned to me instead,“Why don’t you tell us then, Natalie?” His voice carried a polite warmth nevertheless. “How did you two meet?”A chill spread through my spine.I hesitated, glancing at Alex. He too was trying to hide his anxiety, his hands were clasped loosely together. My glance then went to Isabella who, as expected, was enjoying the shift in the air.She had settled back against her chair, wearing a wide smirk that formed maps on both cheeks.I wet my lips and forced a steady breath.Alexander hadn’t told me what to s

(Natalie’s POV)On the following Monday that followed, I was working through a list of meetings Alexander had scheduled for the week, cross-checking details. My desk was neat, save for a few scattered documents I had pulled out for reference. I had been at it for some time, when suddenly, my fingers started to slow. Then after that, they stopped entirely.A thought struck me out of nowhere.My recent confession and my parents reaction;Their unwavering gratitude and then that question."What happens if, before the contract ends, you fall in love with him?"I remember the shiver that had ran through me Because the question hadn’t just come from her. It had always been there, buried deep within me.What if I fall for him?And worse still… what if I was I already falling?I swallowed.A kiss had already happened. An unplanned, drunken kiss in his house, not long after I had accepted this deal. Alexander had been too far gone to even recall it the next morning.But I had remember