All Chapters of BOUND TO THE CRIPPLED CEO : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

DANICAAfter tucking Valerie into bed with her nonstop chatter about how she made two new friends and colored the best butterfly in class, I gently kissed her forehead and pulled the covers to her chin.“Goodnight, sweetheart,” I whispered.She yawned, her lashes fluttering. “Goodnight, mummy. Tell my yellow dress not to miss me.”A small laugh escaped my lips. “I will.”By the time I stepped into my room, the whole place was still and quiet. The kind of stillness that begged for some alone time. There were a few things I hadn’t gotten around to earlier, and tonight felt like the perfect time to get them done.The clothes Ivan had purchased were still untouched, lined up in moderately fancy paper bags, leaning lazily beside the large brown wardrobe. I reached for them one by one and emptied everything on the bed. Silk, cotton, and lace tumbled out in waves, transforming the dull room into a mini runway.My fingers grazed each piece like I was seeing them for the first time and not the

IVAN“You parade around here like you’re innocent,” I continued, my eyes fixed on hers. “But look at you, Danica. You barely even put up a fight.”“Ivan, that’s not fair—”I stepped closer, my voice low and deliberate. “You say you're keeping the terms of the contract, but you were seconds away from letting me take you against that door.”More color drained from her face.“Tell me,” I added, my voice like ice, “is that how it happened with the man who got you pregnant? Did he whisper a few sweet lies and you spread your legs for him too?”A low sound broke from her throat— something between a cry and gasp. I held her gaze. Hurt swam in her eyes, but I ignored it.“I thought you were different,” I hissed before walking out, leaving the door widely open and her stunned face frozen behind me.Each step toward my room felt heavier than the last. Sleep, which had teased me earlier, vanished completely. I lay in bed tossing, replaying everything. What the hell just happened back there?I ra

DANICAMy heart raced three times faster than normal, with my stomach doing backflips at the unexpected question. “Uhh, my mum passed away when I was still an infant. She was a single mum” I said, in a low voice. “I grew up with my grandma, but she also passed on.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something flicker across Ivan’s face— concern? It was gone before I could be sure.“I see,” she said, her tone unimpressed, but she didn't waste any time before leaping straight to the next thing on her mind. “What about your father? Surely you must know something about him.”“I-i don't,” I stammered, fidgeting with the hem of my dress beneath the table. “It was just my grandma and me.”Geraldine's lips quirked up. “What do you do for a living?” A tightly drawn smile appeared on her face. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind me learning more about who my son decided to bring home.”“Not at all." I straightened slightly, trying hard to sound composed. “I’m a physical therapist.”“Physical therapis

IVAN“I know it might not be easy to accept her or even like her right now, but could you at least acknowledge that she’s my wife and give her the same respect you give me?” I pressed on quickly, hoping she’d absorb my words without a fight.But the next thing she said proved I was wrong.“And why should I accord respect to a nobody you decided to pick from God knows where, when she doesn’t deserve it?” she hissed, the polite smile she wore earlier long gone. “If anyone had told me a Clarkson would drag such a disappointment home, I wouldn’t have thought it’d be you. Everyone knows Nolan to pull reckless stunts like that, but you, Ivan? Never.”“Mum!” I called, clenching my teeth to stop myself from yelling. “Did you even listen to a word I just said?”“What you said doesn’t deserve to be listened to!” she snapped, her voice rising. “Gosh, I can’t believe this is you talking.” Her eyes shimmered, the sadness in them sharp and bitter. “I raised you better, but no, you’re determined to

DANICA“Christ! Are you okay? How scary was Tom Clarkson up close? Did you get a warm reception from anyone at all?”“Hold up, Dave.” I chuckled faintly, shifting on the bed to get comfortable. “One question at a time. My brain’s still trying to process it all. And no, the reception was anything but warm.”“Damn, Dani. And here I was thinking you’d prepare a whole TED talk before going.” His voice crackled through the speaker.“Maybe I should’ve. I wasn’t prepared, Dave. At all. His mother? She practically sliced me open with her words and smiled while at it.”Dave whistled low. “Ouch. That bad, huh?”“Worse. She questioned my existence. And the best part? Ivan decided to announce the pregnancy right there like we’re some happy Hollywood couple.”“Wait, he told them? Without giving you a heads-up?”I groaned, rubbing my forehead. “Exactly. Dropped the bomb like it was casual dinner talk. I just sat there, playing the dutiful, dumbfounded wife.”Dave cursed under his breath. “That man’