บททั้งหมดของ His Reluctant Bride: Contracted To My Enemy : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Liora HayesI never thought I’d see Tristan Cole again.Not after what he did.But here I am, inside Cole Enterprises.The name alone felt like a bitter pill scraping down my throat as I forced my feet to move forward, each step feeling heavier than the last.I handed the black card I’d received, along with the most recent letter to the receptionist.She barely glanced at it. “Take the elevator to the top floor. You’ll see a glass door on your right.”“Alright. Thank you.”Cole Enterprises was a reputable beast in the business world, powerful, untouchable. And when the CEO Tristan Cole got involved, nothing good ever came out of it. So yes, every fiber in me screamed not to be here.I stepped into the elevator and closed my eyes, letting the mechanical hum drown out my thoughts. And as the elevator doors slid shut, I shoved every conflicting thought to the back of my mind.By the time it reached the top floor, I was feeling numb.I stepped out into a sleek, open-plan hallway, and to

Liora Hayes The days fly quickly, The club is closed tonight, leaving me with nothing to distract me. After dinner with Caleb, I had made it to the clubhouse only to learn the place is being completely shut down by some exclusive customer, so our services won't be needed tonight. I dragged myself home each step feeling heavier knowing by tomorrow I'll be entering into a contract marriage with Tristan. By the time I reached the apartment, I fumbled for the light switch as I stepped inside, only to trip over something heavy. My breath caught as I grabbed the wall to steady myself before I fell. My hand quickly found the light and flickered it on to see Florence, sprawled across the floor. Empty bottles of cheap beers and wine littered the space around her. Her hair was a tangled mess, her clothes stained and dirty. She groaned, rubbing her temple before squinting up at me. “Who the fuck is that?” she slurred. I guess recognition finally dawned on her, and she let out a mocking

Liora “What are you doing here?” I asked, staring at him, unable to hide the confusion in my voice, or on my face, given that this street was too run-down for someone like him to glance, let alone walk down it, after all, he made that clear. So yeah, I had to ask. “What do you mean, ‘what am I doing here,’ Liora, do you…” his voice trailed off as soon as his eyes dropped to the suitcase by my feet. Then his gaze snapped back to me. “Where are you going?” His tone changed completely. His brows furrowing, “It’s none of your business where I’m going. Step aside, Ryan, I need to get out of here.” My voice was calm as I tried to move past him, dragging my suitcase behind me, but his hand shot out and shoved me back roughly, like he had the right. “Answer the damn question,” he snapped. “Where do you think you’re going with that heavy suitcase, huh?” “What are you doing, Ryan?” My voice trembled, but I forced it steady as I asked, “What am I doing?” he repeated, “You’re seriously

Liora“What bullshit!” I snapped, shoving him hard in the chest.He barely stumbled a step as he lifted his hands in mock surrender with that infuriating smile still tugging at his lips.“Whoa, easy there, tigress.”“Don’t call me that,” I snapped, glaring at him.“You’re Mrs Cole now.” He took a step forward, eyes narrowing. “Don’t you think you should at least try living like it?”I stood my ground, chest rising and falling fast as I tried to keep it under control, “You don’t get to decide how I live. And just because your name is on a piece of paper doesn’t mean you own me.”“Mm,” he hummed, his gaze dropping briefly to my lips. “Paper or not, you're still my wife.”I clenched my jaw and balled my fists at my sides, my heart hammering. God, he was so good at pushing and taunting, I knew arguing would only entertain him.So I did the only thing I could think of.I turned, stepping out of the closet and into the echoing quiet of the bedroom, crossing to the chair by the window. Sat o

Tristan Cole Flashback “Are you okay?”The voice was small, soft like the flutter of wings, and it reached me before I could bury myself completely in silence.I lifted my head slowly, my eyes stinging from the weight of everything I wasn’t allowed to feel. And there she was. A little girl with wide beautiful eyes and a chocolate bar clutched in her tiny hand.She held it out to me without saying anything else.“I don’t want it, leave.” I mumbled, ducking my head and curling tighter into myself, my arms folded over my knees. I didn’t need charity. I didn’t need pity.But she didn’t leave. She definitely will when she's tired. That's what I thought,However I couldn't help but peek after a few minutes, she was still standing there, still staring at me, like she hadn’t even heard me refuse her bluntly. And unexpectedly so, her gaze wasn’t judgmental. It wasn’t sad either. Just…expectant… Then she smiled. And that smile, it was too bright for a child that small, “Daddy said you’re