All Chapters of Non~Contracted: The Heart Doesn't Need a Contract to Break: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

ϖϖϖϖϖIt was morning, and the sun was too bright in the sky.It pierced through the curtains like judgment, stabbing at Nora’s temples and dragging her out of her miserable sleep.She groaned, rolling over, only to regret the movement as her head pounded like a marching band had taken up residence in her skull.“Ah! My head,” she muttered, sitting up with a hand on her forehead. “It was just one damn bottle… and yet it feels like I drank an entire vineyard.”Her eyes squeezed shut. “Why didn’t that bastard stop me? Lucian could’ve at least said, Maybe don’t kill your liver tonight,” but nooo—he took one bottle and left me to drown in the other like a fool.”As if summoned by her misery, the door creaked open.“Wow,” Mira announced, sauntering in with a smirk. “You look terrible. Like… ghost-who-got-punched-in-the-face terrible.”“Blame your husband,” Nora growled without looking up.“Really? Because I don’t remember him forcing you to guzzle that wine like a pirate.”“Of course you'd

ϖϖϖϖϖNora walked down the grand staircase, lost in thought, so deep in it, she didn’t notice the eyes following her every step.Eyes clung to the sway of her hips, lingering on the curve of her silhouette, wrapped in a silver-stone gown that shimmered with every breath of light.With her hair cascading down her back and suede heels clicking on marble, she looked effortless—like a goddess who’d forgotten she was one.A whisper pulled her out of the trance.“You know,” Mira said behind her, “it wouldn’t hurt to match that dress with a smile.”Nora gasped and spun, hand pressed to her chest.“Jesus… Where did you come from?” she said, exhaling. “You scared the hell out of me.”Mira laughed, amused. “I was waiting for your grand entrance. If you weren’t lost in your head, maybe you’d have noticed me... and the audience you just walked past.”Nora’s eyes narrowed. “Audience?”Mira stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Let’s just say,” she nodded subtly behind her, “you’ve gathered quite th

ϖϖϖϖϖLucian stared at his wife’s face for a beat too long. “I know that look. You’re lying.”Mira blinked, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, honey,” she replied, and turned.But Lucian wasn’t done. He followed her, eyes narrowed. “Don’t give me that. You had that scary smile—the one that usually comes right before you ruin someone’s life.”Mira stopped abruptly and spun to face him, one brow lifted. “And that’s enough reason to assume I’m up to something?”Lucian tilted his head. “You’re literally always up to something.”“True.” She smiled sweetly. “But this time, I’m just helping a friend explore… options.”“That’s worse.”“You’ll live.” She patted his chest and turned again.Lucian groaned under his breath. “Seriously.” He replied in a louder voice, but thanks to the music blasting through the hall, nobody noticed. “And I just saw James walking hand in hand with Nora. Please tell me the options you were exploring had nothing to do with that?” he asked, his tone serious now.

ϖϖϖϖϖNoah stood frozen at the threshold, chest heaving, breaths uneven from the mad sprint he’d just made through the maze of corridors. His hands trembled at his sides—not from exhaustion, but from the rage rising inside him.The sight before him was ordinary, even: a man brushing hair from a woman’s face.Yet to Noah, it landed like a punch to the gut. Was I always this weak? He thought bitterly.Unaware of the storm raging inside him, James smirked. “What a coincidence,” he said, tilting his head. “Didn’t expect to see you here. If I recall, you’ve never been the type to show up at parties like this.”“I—eh,” Noah paused, trying to steady his breath. “Is that so?” he muttered, his voice hoarse as his gaze shifted to Nora. She was staring right at him.James cocked a brow, noticing his labored breathing. “Why are

ϖϖϖϖϖNoah pressed his ear gently against the door; James’s rant echoed distantly down the hall… frustrated.Then came the fading sound of footsteps.He exhaled slowly and leaned against the door, shutting his eyes for a second.“Persistent bastard,” he muttered under his breath before turning fully to face Nora.He was hungry for her.Nora stood a few feet away, trying to compose herself. She hadn’t realized how tightly her thoughts had knotted until now… how quickly logic had returned the second their bodies weren’t touching.Distance.It had cleared her mind just enough to admit what she’d been too scared to face head-on:She still loved this man. God help her, she did.And though Noah hadn’t said the words... not neatly, not romantically, what he’d declared out there, with James standing between them, had said more than any love confession ever could.“You’re mine... and I’m yours.”He wasn’t trying to claim ownership of her; it was what he truly felt.But her mind was a mess; Jam