บททั้งหมดของ LOVE UNDER CONTRACT : บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Cara woke up the next morning with her stomach in knot.She couldn’t believe Damien had just informed her of meeting his grandfather.Tomorrow had become today.She paced around the large room that now belonged to her in the penthouse. It was bigger than her whole apartment with Caleb. Even the bathroom looked like something out of a movie.Cara stood in front of the huge closet, staring at the rows and rows of clothes. Dresses, blouses, skirts, jacket, shoes all neatly arranged and brand new. There were more outfits here than she had ever owned in her whole life. The irony made her shake her head. Before, she barely had enough money to buy one good dress for special occasions. Now she was surrounded by clothes she didn’t even buy. She pulled out a long, soft blue dress and held it up against herself. Then she dropped it and tried a white one. Then a green one but none of them felt quite right. She wanted to look perfect; calm, sweet and respectable for Damien’s grandfather. The la

CARA'S POV I was finally getting used to my new life. For the first time in years, i didn’t have to worry about rent, food or having to check my account balance at every turn. The fridge was always full, my closet packed and I didn't’t even need to cook unless I wanted to. It felt strange having nothing urgent on my mind.Sometimes i laughed at how quickly things had changed. Just weeks ago, i was struggling to buy medicine for Caleb. Now, i had more than i could ever use. Life could be kind and cruel at the same time.That morning, with Damien at work, I took some time to look around the penthouse and familiarise myself with the environment. The maid was there as usual, but otherwise the place was quiet. I walked from room to room, admiring the wide windows, shiny floors, and expensive decorations that made the place feel both cold and grand.In the living room, I noticed a vase on a glass table near the balcony. It was tall and white, with blue patterns winding around the sides. It

I closed the front door gently behind me, leaning against it for just a moment. My heart was still racing from seeing Caleb. I hadn’t realized how late it was until I noticed Damien’s car already parked outside.When I turned, he was there in the living room, pulling at his tie, his dark eyes immediately finding me.“Where were you?” His voice wasn’t sharp, but it carried enough weight to make my stomach turn.I froze. A thousand answers ran through my head, colliding and scattering before I could grab one. Should I tell him? Should I admit I had gone to see Caleb? But no—no, I couldn’t. Caleb is the one piece of my life I can’t risk. He’s mine, my safe place. Handing Damien that knowledge would be like giving him a loaded gun that could go off at any moment.So I forced myself to shrug. “Out.”Damien tilted his head slightly, like he was studying me. “Out where?”The question felt like a spotlight. My chest tightened, heat creeping up my neck. If I tell him, he’ll want more details.

I stood in front of the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, smoothing down the sleek black dress I had chosen. My closet was overflowing now, thanks to Damien’s card but somehow, with all those options, I still couldn’t decide what made me look like the wife of a billionaire CEO. I looked… nice and presentable. But was that enough?Damien leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed, watching me. “It’s boring,” he said finally, his tone flat. “Elegant, yes. But too boring.”I turned, narrowing my eyes. “Boring? You make it sound like I’m going to war.”He smirked. “You are. A different kind of war. Business dinners are battlefields, Cara. People judge with their eyes before they even hear you speak.”I swallowed down the sudden nerves bubbling in my chest. “Well, this is what I’m wearing. Take it or leave it.”His gaze lingered on me, sharp, assessing. For a moment, I thought he might actually smile, but instead, he just muttered, “Fine. At least your face saves t

I stared at Damien across the breakfast table, his words still echoing.“A charity auction,” he’d said casually, as if announcing the weather.Apparently, his family had founded it years ago, and it ran annually to raise funds for orphanages across the country. Tonight, it was my turn to make my public debut as Mrs. Blackwood.Of course. Because surviving one dinner wasn’t enough.By the time we arrived at the grand hall, I was already regretting my life choices. The place glittered like something out of a movie, chandeliers dripping crystals, violins playing softly in the background, and waiters moving like clockwork with trays of champagne.Damien walked beside me, composed and magnetic in his tailored suit. He looked like he belonged to this world, and me? I felt like a kid sneaking into an adult party.“Relax,” he murmured, his hand brushing the small of my back. It wasn’t much, just a light touch, but it sent my nerves scattering.“Remember, tonight we’re perfect. And you...... h