All Chapters of The Contracted Alliance; Accidental Marriage : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Cleff’s POVShe laughed and it shook me.I heard it across the garden wall, light and carefree...Niina rarely laughed like that, at least, not around me.And definitely not because of me.I lingered in the shadows beneath the cedar tree, watching her and Zack. They looked… good together.Too good.The sapphire bracelet shinned on her wrist as she brushed her hair back, her eyes were glowing beneath the soft garden lights. He leaned close and whispered something, and then she tilted her head toward him like gravity favored him now.I should’ve walked away.But I didn’t.Couldn’t....For months, I told myself I was just her protector. Leena had ordered me to watch over Niina, and I followed the assignment like every other silent, precise and detached.But somewhere along the way, the lines became blurred.And now?Now I was standing here, watching a woman I never planned to fall for… slip through my fingers.Again...The moon was climbing high when I left the gardens, I walked the estat

LEENA'S POVThe aroma of coffee, warm vanilla, and early morning dew filled the sunlit kitchen, Leena stood barefoot on the marble floor, inhaling softly as she stirred a pot of cream for the cinnamon rolls baking in the oven... The estate was quiet for once..no phones ringing, no meetings, no urgent knocks. Just peace, at least for now.She glanced at the clock, it was 7:42 AM.Ethan would be back from his run any moment, his usual way of dealing with stress. Not that he ever admitted to stress. But Leena knew better. Being CEO, managing Mr. Davis’s directives, handling family matters, it was a load no human should carry alone.She poured herself a cup of tea, inhaling the citrus-sweet steam. Then she caught her reflection in the glass oven door, barefaced, hair tied in a messy bun, one of Ethan’s shirts hanging on her like a nightdress, then.She smiled.This was the version of her she never showed the world, not the poised woman from charity galas or boardrooms, Not the mysterious w

Zack's POVThe elevator doors closed behind me, and for an instant, the soft hum of the city beyond the large windows vanished into stillness. My office was located on the 42nd floor, yet today it seemed even higher, as if I were hovering over a life that truly didn’t belong to me. I placed my briefcase on the desk and allowed my gaze to drift over the Manhattan skyline. Individuals were bustling about like ants beneath. Significant gatherings. Relaxed brunch gatherings. Covert relationships. Existence, persistently moving on with or without consent. Yet here I stood. Still caught up in the same situation I never intended to join. Leena. She had consistently been the incorrect type of correct. The girl you saw before anyone else entered. Her voice didn't insist on attention but it gained it. A bit unruly at times, elegant when it was unintentional. Intelligent. Obstinate. In a union. To Ethan Grayson. That name once conveyed ideas of power and control, but now… it seemed worn ou

Niina Willis POVThe tap of her heels resonated softly in the marbled hallway of the penthouse suite. Niina Willis had traversed numerous lobbies throughout her life, but none compared to this one, where her heart raced within her chest, fluttering like silk in a tempest. Her arrival was anticipated. Not through the boardroom or her typical group of tech pioneers and brand experts, But by that person.Willis Grayson. Niina halted at the entrance, smoothing a hand over her smooth bun and inspecting her lipstick in the reflection of a shiny frame close by. For a change, she wasn’t clad in professionalism. This evening, she had swapped the power suit for a graceful black slip dress featuring a low back and a smooth satin texture. At risk. Genuine. The door swung open just as she was about to knock. Willis remained in place, with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his tie thrown casually behind him, showcasing the strong comfort in his shoulders. His deep, inscrutable eyes remained on

Charles POVThe elevator buzzed as it ascended to the penthouse. Charles modified the cuffs of his dark suit, his stance rigid, gaze fixed on his reflection in the mirrored doors. Today, a fissure appeared in his typical composure, with something unstated simmering behind his keen gaze. Kara had sent him two texts. He did not respond. It wasn't evasion; it was self-control. She required a partner who embraced emotions, not a man who hid behind obligation and quietness. As the doors opened, the hallway in front was vacant. Silent. Neat. Hazardous. Exactly how Charles preferred it. He passed by, gesturing with a nod to the security personnel. They separated for him immediately. Being Mr. Stanford's most reliable associate came with unseen privileges. However, this evening, he was present for personal matters. He stopped briefly outside the guest suite. Kara's accommodation. He lifted his hand to tap. However, the door swung open before he had the chance to touch it. She remaine