All Chapters of Contracted to Deceive : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

60 Chapters

Chapter 41 - A slice of heaven

(Gloria)The event passes in a blur of flashing cameras and perfectly rehearsed smiles and Gabriel never strays far from my side, his presence a silent command that keeps the questions from getting too intrusive. Every time a reporter directs a question my way, he gestures slightly, like he’s inviting me to speak, and I play my part well, smiling, answering smoothly and confidently, making sure I look every bit the perfect assistant by his side.And damn it, I admire him. The way he carries himself, how he handles the press and the power he gives off with just a glance, it’s impressive, way too impressive.An unsettling feeling twists in my chest, a creeping realization that I shove down as fast as it comes.I cannot, will not… fall for him.That was never part of the plan.The moment we step into the elevator, the tension shifts again and the air is heavy with unspoken words. He presses the button for our floor, his shoulders rigid. I should be grateful for the silence after the cha

Last Updated : 2025-04-02

Chapter 42 - All shades of Sus

(Gloria)I’m sitting at my desk, pretending to be productive but in reality I can’t stop thinking about last night. The feel of Gabriel’s hands on me, the way he looked at me like he knew exactly what he was doing to me. My body still hums with the aftermath, but I can’t focus on that right now. No, I have work to do. And it’s not the kind of work I’m used to, this is the kind where I have to figure out why Damon Clark and Kate are being so… shady.I’m at home today, because Gabriel decided I needed the day off. It’s a nice gesture, I guess, but I’m not exactly the type to sit around and relax, especially not when I’ve got so many things swirling in my head. Things that, let’s be honest, I’d be better off ignoring. But I can’t help myself. I’ve got a whole damn mystery on my hands now, and I’m going to figure it out, one way or another.I take another sip of coffee, the bitter taste just as sharp as the thoughts in my mind. I don’t trust Damon. Hell, I don’t trust anyone

Last Updated : 2025-04-03

Chapter 43 - Rivalité

(Gabriel)The office felt different without her.I stared at my screen, the words blurring together as my fingers drummed against my desk. Emails were stacked up, calls went unanswered, and my focus was shot to hell. It was ridiculous. I gave her the damn day off because i wanted space, needed it, after what happened last night. Yet here I was, noticing her absence like a lovesick schoolboy.I should feel satisfied and in control. I took what I wanted. She wanted it too, but instead, I felt… raw. Like I’d ripped something open inside myself and now I didn’t know how to close it back up.This was why I kept my distance. Why I didn’t get involved. I’d slept with my secretary. Worse, I’d let my guard down with her, let her see a side of me no one should. I wasn’t that kind of man, the kind who let emotions cloud his judgment, who lost himself in a woman. And yet, ever since that damn stunt she pulled when she fainted after I fired her, she’d been wedging herself deeper

Last Updated : 2025-04-03

Chapter 44 - Poking the storm

(Gloria)I walked into the office like any other day, my coat draped over my arm, heels clicking like I was walking into war. Because I kind of was, just that no one else knew it yet.Kate was already behind her desk, perfectly poised like she hadn’t spent the weekend stabbing people in the back with her red bottom heels. Her expression didn’t even twitch when I walked in.“Morning, Kate,” I said, sweet and polite. She didn’t look up, she just kept typing like I was invisible.Cute. I bit back a smile. Please. I had bigger things to worry about.I headed to the break room and made Gabriel’s coffee from muscle memory. My hand was steady, but my heart wasn’t. It thudded against my ribs, not because of the coffee, not even because of her, but because of him.Things had changed between us. Ever since that work event. Ever since the heat… and the look in his eyes like I wasn’t just a girl behind a desk.And now everyone had something to say about it. I took the mug to his office and gave

Last Updated : 2025-04-05

Chapter 45 - A date with the Boss

The office was as quiet as a tomb and the only sound was the hum of the lights, which had become as familiar to me as my own breathing. The end of the workday was in sight and Kate was long gone, her heels clicking loudly as she strutted out of the building, no doubt headed straight home to prepare for her date with Damon.Grabbing my purse, I shoved my things into it a little too forcefully. It was time to leave. I was almost out the door when I saw him, Gabriel, standing there at his desk looking like a very handsome storm waiting to happen. I froze mid step. I was this close to walking out and following Kate, but damn it, I couldn’t just ignore him.“Gloria,” he said, his voice soft in the quiet din. “Before you go, I wanted to ask you something.”I just stood there, looking at him, trying not to let the heat I felt in my chest show on my face. “Yeah?” I finally managed to say, crossing my arms, like I wasn’t completely thrown off guard by his voice.He looked up at me from his pa

Last Updated : 2025-04-05

Chapter 46 - The Attack

(Gloria)At The Lysander, Gabriel’s eyes never left mine as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing the edge of his wine glass. His smile was small, but his gaze, those piercing blue eyes, made me feel like he could see right through me. I fought the urge to check my phone again. The seconds were ticking away, but I couldn’t afford to look anxious. I was supposed to be on a date with him and not planning my next move.“So, Gloria,” Gabriel said, breaking the silence between us. “What’s something about you that I don’t already know?”I froze for a second. My mind was so focused on the time that I almost didn’t catch the question. “Hmm,” I muttered, tapping my fingers on the edge of my glass, pretending to think. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you everything important, Gabriel. Unless you’re interested in more personal details.”His lips curled into teasing smile. “I like personal details,” he said, his voice low, the words lingering between us. “Maybe I’ve been reading the wrong p

Last Updated : 2025-04-06

Chapter 47 - Aftershock

(Gloria)The beeping is the first thing I notice when I wake up. Slow, steady, and annoying as hell. Then there’s this sting in my head, like someone cracked it open and poured regret inside.I blink against the harsh white of the ceiling. My throat feels like sandpaper and my limbs feel heavier than wet cement. It takes a second for the fog to lift, then everything slams into me like a goddamn freight train.The Lysander. Kate and Damon. The photos. The voice recording.The envelope.Shit.I jerk up, or I try to, and pain shoots through my side so fast it nearly knocks me out again. I groan, my head falling back against the pillow and breathing through my teeth like that’ll make it hurt less.The parking lot and that bastard who kicked me…His boot connecting with my ribs savagely like he had a vendetta. All of it gone, the proof, the evidence. The one thing I had to burn their whole little game to the ground. It was all on my phone and in my bag, tucked with that envelope I swiped f

Last Updated : 2025-04-07

Chapter 48 - Post-hospital outing

(Gloria)So far, I’ve successfully dodged the GI - Gabriel Interrogation.Barely.He hasn’t asked again about the envelope, but the way he keeps looking at me? Like he’s waiting for a confession or a crack or maybe just for me to trip over my own guilt, it’s exhausting. I’ve spent the last day pretending to nap, sipping lukewarm soup, and mentally running laps around how I came to lose everything.And now, finally, I’m getting out of this hospital.The door swings open and in walks Gabriel in a fresh suit, coffee in hand, and… a box.I blink. “Please tell me that’s not another fruit basket.”He smirks, then he walks over and places it on the bed beside me. “Nope. Just thought you might want your life back.”I peel back the lid, and there it is… a brand new phone.“Gabriel,” I say, stunned, “you didn’t have to…”“I wanted to,” he says simply, settling into the chair. “Besides, you need a way to ignore my texts again.”I laugh, but it hurts my ribs, so I wince instead. “Still not funny.

Last Updated : 2025-04-08

Chapter 49 - The Blackmail

(Gloria)“So are we gonna pretend that look he gave you at the door wasn’t straight out of a romance novel or…?”I don’t even bother looking up from my phone. “Elena.”“Oh come on, Gloria.” She throws herself dramatically onto the couch beside me before bouncing back up again, clearly too excited to sit still. “He practically undressed you with his eyes. You guys are so in love.”I grunt. “We’re not in love.”“Sure,” she says, heading into my kitchen. “Just sharing tender hospital hand holding and making googly eyes on the front porch. Totally platonic.”“I was nearly murdered, Elena. That wasn’t a googly eye moment, it was a ‘thank God you’re not dead’ moment.”“Same thing.” She starts opening cabinets. “Do you even have food, or am I making a miracle out of stale cereal and bread?”“Middle shelf. There’s pasta and the sauce you like.”“Ha! Knew I was your favorite.”I roll my eyes, sinking further into the couch, with my blanket tucked around me like protective armor. My ribs still

Last Updated : 2025-04-08

Chapter 50 - Dilemma

I come back to my senses with the sharp sting of a slap that feels like I’ve been yanked from a deep, suffocating dream. My head spins, and everything is blurry for a moment. “Elena…” I murmur weakly.Her hand is warm and shaking as she holds my face, the slap was just her frantic attempt to bring me back.“Gloria! What the hell… Gloria! Should I call the hospital?” she asks, her voice rising in panic. “Should I call Gabriel?”I push her hand away weakly, trying to sit up, “No… no hospital,” I mutter, my voice unsteady. “I’m fine. Just… too much.”I try to stand, but my legs betray me and give out beneath me. I stumble forward, barely catching myself against the edge of the coffee table.“Elena, I…”But before I can say more, I crumble, tears welling up in my eyes and spilling over before I can stop them.“Gloria?” Elena asks, confusion in her voice. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”I shake my head, unable to answer. “I’m… I’m just so… overwhelmed.” The sobs shake my whole body, and

Last Updated : 2025-04-09

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