THE CONTRACT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

AVA’S POV “I will be needing $1000,” Bella said casually from the dining table, shoving a spoonful of food into her mouth. I paused, from packing the food into a flask, and turned to look at her. “Do you even know what a thousand dollars is? And maybe, just maybe, you should ask for it like someone with manners?” Bella didn’t even flinch. Instead of apologizing, she put her spoon down, pushed her chair back, and stood up. I stepped in front of her before she could take a step. “Sit.” She sighed dramatically. “I’ll be late—” “Sit down, Bella,” I said, my patience thinning. “I need to catch up with—” She tried to move past me. “Bella, don’t let me slap you,” I warned. She huffed, crossing her arms. “Mom, I’ll be late. You know Miss Lilian—” The second she mentioned that woman’s name, her teacher, I stepped aside. But I wasn’t letting this go. “I can take you to school myself, you know. But instead, you cancel me and choose to follow her.” Bella grabbed her bag. “I’m

The taxi driver had just put a cigarette in his mouth when he noticed Bella watching him through the rearview mirror. With a sigh, he hesitated, then pulled it back, shoving it into his pocket instead.Bella barely noticed. She leaned her head against the window, her thoughts far heavier than the smell of smoke, even though she hated it. This night was supposed to be different. She had imagined knocking on the door, seeing her father’s face, feeling the warmth of him again. But instead, she had stood outside for nearly an hour, knocking until her hands ached. No one answered. Not even the maid.The only stroke of luck she had was that the taxi driver who had dropped her off earlier was still there—his car had broken down.That gave her time to think.Her father’s company.It was her last chance.When she told the driver where she wanted to go, he immediately recognized the name. Maybe everyone in the city did. But before agreeing, he demanded double the fare, but they’re finally on th

AT NEW YORK CITY“Ava’s POV“So, that’s it?”Miss Lilian and another teacher stood in front of me, a female police officer beside them. They had just explained how my daughter went missing.“We’re doing our best already,” the officer added.I looked at Miss Lilian. She was panting, probably scared. I placed a hand on her shoulder, then turned around. I could feel their eyes on me. Maybe they expected me to grab the teacher’s collar, scream at her to bring back my child. But no. That’s not it.Their explanation was clear. I already knew who to fight.Bella was left alone in her hotel room. The hotel’s CCTV showed her getting into a cab. The police found the driver. He dropped her off at The Diamonds Company.So, the answer to my missing child pointed to just one place.For now, I don’t really want to know why Bella goes there…*************“Mr. John William!” I shouted Raymond Father's full name as I stormed through the hallway.I turned into the living room. Then the dining area.One

Ava’s POV“Do you really have to do it?” Sandra asked, her brows pulled together in a worried frown as she leaned against the counter, arms crossed.I had just finished explaining the plan—how I was going back to the city with Raymond, but Bella would have to stay back here in England. I could already feel the weight of Sandra’s silence even before she spoke again.“Do you really think this is going to work?” she added, her voice soft but firm. “You should consider the fact that Bella might be angry with you again. You just got her trust back, Ava.”I lowered my eyes for a second, staring at my own fingers as they fidgeted in my lap. I had already thought about that, probably more than Sandra could imagine. But I couldn’t let guilt stop me. Not now.What if… What if one day, Bella looked at me and asked why I didn’t try harder to fix things? What if, by trying to keep her close, I actually ended up hurting her more in the long run? I didn’t want her growing up like me—broken, scared,

AVA’S POVI wasn’t really having a sound sleep.My eyes were closed, but my mind wasn’t at rest. I kept tossing, turning, opening my eyes every few minutes. The room was quiet, but not the kind of quiet that brings peace. Just the heavy, awkward kind.Then I heard something.A weird sound.At first, I thought it was coming from outside. But then I turned a little and realized it was Raymond.I sat up straight.He was right beside me, but he wasn’t sleeping peacefully. His head kept moving from left to right, his eyebrows were drawn tight, and his lips were mumbling something I couldn’t make out. His whole body looked tense—like he was fighting something in his sleep.A nightmare.I didn’t need anyone to tell me. It was written all over his face.“Raymond?” I said softly, leaning closer.No answer. He just kept moving, sweating, like he was trapped in some dark place and couldn’t find a way out.I didn’t even think. I reached out and touched his arm gently, hoping he’d calm down.“Raym