All Chapters of His One Year Contract Bride : Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

NORA“Welcome, Mrs. Nora,” the maid greeted me with a forced smile, her eyes darting nervously toward the floor, clearly startled by my sudden return.I didn’t miss the hesitation in her voice, nor the way her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the tray of food in her hands. It was as if she wasn’t expecting me to be home so soon.“Where is my husband?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though the tension in my chest was anything but.She stiffened, her face blanching just a little. “He… he’s in his office,” she muttered, a quick glance flicking toward the hallway.“No.” I raised a brow, an amused smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Where is Thomas?”Her eyes darted toward the door to the left, and I knew immediately that she wasn’t telling me everything.“Mira.” I addressed her more directly, keeping my voice light but firm. “Where’s Thomas? I have good news for him,” I added, waving the papers in my hand—papers that were about to change everything.Her gaze flickered, and

NORAThe air thickened instantly.I blinked, stunned by the bluntness, the weight of those four words.“We are?” I asked, like maybe I hadn’t heard him right.“Yes,” he said again, calm and firm. “It’s part of the arrangement. Natural conception. No doctors unless necessary. No artificial methods. Just us.”I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “Right.”His gaze never wavered. “You can back out now.”“No,” I said, voice rough. “I said okay.”He nodded once and stepped closer. Not invading, just… present. “Then we’ll begin tomorrow. Tonight, you rest. You’ve been through hell.”I couldn’t argue with that.Ivory appeared at the doorway like she’d been waiting for the cue. She didn’t look surprised—just efficient, already knowing what to do.“This way, Mrs. Wilson,” she said, her voice smooth as silk.I flinched. “I’m not—”“You will be,” Kian cut in.His certainty made my stomach twist. It wasn’t romantic. It wasn’t hopeful.It was inevitable.Ivory led me through the pristine hallw