Semua Bab TIED BY CONTRACT : Bab 11 - Bab 17

KATE'S POV: The sudden roar of thunder pulled me out of sleep. I blinked at the ceiling, disoriented for a moment before the relentless pounding of rain against the windows snapped me to full awareness. Rain. My garden. The roses, lilies, and lavender I just planted. The rain will ruin them. I threw the covers off and jumped out of bed. No time to change out of my pajamas. I needed to save the flowers. I had only planted the roses and lavender yesterday, and they were far too delicate to withstand such a harsh downpour. My bare feet slapped against the cold marble floors as I rushed down the grand staircase, heart racing, adrenaline fueling my every step, still on my pajamas and no footwear. By the time I reached the garden, the hem of my pajamas was soaked and clinging to my legs. I grabbed a roll of plastic wrap and a nylon sheet from the gardening shed, shielding them under my shirt as I bolted back into the rain. With trembling fingers, I began covering each plant, the

KATE'S POV: Dinner was ready.Aunt Leda and I had walked back in after our conversation at the garden. The long dining table gleamed beneath the soft golden lights that hung from the ornate chandelier above. Rows of crystal glasses, polished silverware, and gleaming white plates awaited the first course. Everything was pristine, precise, perfect. I took a step back, admiring how everything had come together.Everything looked so perfect and expensive, I must say, Nikolai has quite a taste for good things. Pia stood beside me, brushing a few invisible crumbs from the end of the tablecloth, and gave me a nod. "It looks lovely, ma’am. And thank you for helping." I smiled back at her. "Thanks, Pia. Let's just hope the guests think so too. And you guys did most of the work, I just tagged along." Nikolai's relatives began trickling into the dining room, led by Della. Each of them wore varying expressions of curiosity, amusement, or quiet skepticism as they took their seats. I recog

NIKOLAI'S POV: The sun had barely started peeking through the thick velvet curtains when I felt it soft, warm, and alarmingly snug. My eyes peeled open to the sight of a pale arm curled tightly around my waist. Her fingers, dainty and relaxed in sleep, were fanned across my abdomen like she belonged there. And as if that wasn’t enough, the second thing I noticed was a sharp, painful hardness pressing against the fabric of my briefs. Great.How did this even happen, I just hope she couldn't feel it. I winced, closing my eyes again and exhaling through my nose. I tried to will it away, but it throbbed in protest, unbothered by my internal scolding. Her scent was everywhere. Sweet, earthy a mix of lavender and whatever she used on her skin, maybe cinnamon I don't know. And the damn pillows I had used to mark a line between us? On the floor. All of them. Betrayed by inanimate objects. How did the even happen? The damn pillows were supposed to help keep us apart, but now they were o

KATE'S POV:After everyone had dispersed after breakfast, I had left Evelyn at the dinning table and headed to the garden. I didn't need her ruining my day as she did breakfast for me. I took the front entrance walked through the garden. The sun filtered softly through the garden canopy, dappling the freshly turned soil with golden hues. Morning dew still clung to the petals of my lilies, their heads swaying gently with the breeze. Della had instructed that a canopy be fixed for the garden in case of when it rains. And it was the kind that could be closed and opened either for rain or direct sunlight for the plants. There was a certain kind of peace that came with tending the garden, its silence was meditative, its rhythm grounding. After breakfast, I had decided against changing into something different, I didn't care about the mud staining my dress or my feet, and made my way to the garden with my gloves, a small trowel, and a heart that longed for escape. I wasn’t alone this