บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire’s Contract Bride: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

Oliver's POVPeople think being a kid means you don’t know stuff. That you can’t tell when something’s wrong just because your books still has writings in the margins. But I know when something’s off. I always have. Especially with Valentine. She gets this look in her eyes when she’s scared. Not the regular scared, deep down scared. The kind that makes her quiet, not loud. That’s when you know she’s in trouble. And lately, that look had been stuck on her face like it was glued there. Like maybe someone from our old life had snuck out of the shadows and crawled into her new one.I noticed it three mornings ago. She poured cereal into a bowl without looking. Didn’t even notice she’d grabbed the expired milk. Adrian took it away gently, replaced it without a word, but the way he watched her? That was the second clue. He looked at her like she might break. Today, I decided to do something about it. You know, like a responsible teenager. And after the confrontation with Adrian, things have

Adrian's POVShe spoke of it like a sin, like it was bitter in her tongue, "He's my ex."I stood still. Just like that. My boot kicked the dock, wood groaning beneath me. The waves still sounded the same, but everything else changed.I slowly turned around. Valentine stood stilll. Her hoodie was flapping a little on the breeze. She looked tiny in the darkness, hunched shoulders, lips trembling as if the wind had stolen the rest of what she had to say.I glared at her, long enough for the silence to feel agonizing."So," I said, my voice quiet. "All along… I've been fighting phantoms."Her eyes welled up. "Noooo, don't get it wrong.It's not like that." She cried."You lied.""I didn't lie, I just…" She stopped herself, frustration rising. "I didn't know how to tell you.""Then why did you tell me to trust you?" I shot at her. "Why make me go crazy for suspecting something when the whole time, there was someone lurking behind the scenes?"She walked towards me. "I never meant to hurt y

Valentine PovThe air in my bedroom was stood still. It was thick ans heavy, just light my breath at my realisation. I was bent over on the ground beside the bed where I had just made contact with someone. The tips of my fingers tingled from the sensation of skin as I rose slowly to my feet, eyes wide open, and did the only thing my body had the sense to do. I turned and ran towards the door.I took hold of the key in the lock and turned it with trembling fingers. The handle slipped once in my wet hand, but I clutched it again, and just as I was about to pull the door open, a hand reached out of the darkness and grabbed my wrist.I screamed in fear and as if it was a signal, the lights that had gone off without a warning flickered back on almost blinding me. I had been in the darkness for a while now so my eyes had gotten used to it. I blinked through it, eyes slow to focus, fear screaming in every nerve and when my vision finally cleared, the figure standing before me was no other p

Adrian's PovI held Valentine and rocked her continuously, and about an hour later, her exhaustion gave in, and her breath slowed. But I couldn't sleep. So first, I went to Olivers room to check on him. The young champ was sleeping peacefully with his comic book beside him. As I stared at him, I thought of the possibility of Damian trying to hurt him. It wasn't impossible, I know my brother. He could go through any and every length to get what he wanted. So, I swiftly swung into action, first starting with the security. I doubled the security in the building that morning. They were well-trained, well-armed guards at the gates, around the compound, and two inside the house. It was an invasion of privacy, but I couldn't afford to take the risk, not after last night. I also moved the driver into the staff quarters as well. I wanted him close as she wouldn't leave the hose without him anymore. And for Valentine? I provided two burly, competent bodyguards to move with her, and I couldn't t

Valentine's PovThe scream pierced through me like lightning. I turned to Adrian, eyes wide and afraid. His expression mirrored mine. My heart stopped and then started again, sprinting faster than my feet. I ran out of the study with Adrian right behind me, both of us running down the hallway like our lives depended on it. In a way, it did. Oliver’s voice was desperate and terrified, and it felt like my entire world was shattering with every second it took to get to him.When we reached the kitchen, I froze. Oliver was on the floor, water all over him, clutching his side in pain. The pot lay on its side, steam rising from the puddle of water. Bits of uncooked macaroni floated around him. His hoodie was soaked, face scrunched in a grimace, and his tiny frame looked so small, so vulnerable."Oh my God!" I rushed to him and fell to my knees. "Oliver! Ollie, look at me."Adrian was already pulling a towel from the counter, wrapping it around him. "What happened? What happened, kiddo?"Ol