All Chapters of The Christmas Contract : Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

“It’s really cold tonight.” James kept his hands tight around the steering wheel as the car moved steadily through the quiet New York streets. Beside him, Melody stared out the window.She had barely spoken since the moment the word California had slipped into the dinner conversation like an unexpected storm.The silence in the car felt heavy. Every time James glanced at her, he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers rested stiffly in her lap. She was angry, and honestly she had every right to be. James swallowed quietly, he hated this. He hated the distance sitting between them in a car that had once been filled with laughter, teasing, and stolen kisses at red lights.Outside, the cold wind pushed against the car windows. Inside, the air felt even colder.He cleared his throat. “Do you want us to stop somewhere?” he asked gently.Melody didn’t turn her head. “For what?”“Maybe ice cream even if it's cold. You can get your cookies and cream flavor or we can gra

Melody stepped onto the familiar patch of grass, the afternoon sun spilling gold across the park, painting the edges of the trees with light. The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint aroma of baked goods from the nearby café stalls, and for a moment, she felt a wave of nostalgia hit her. This had been their spot back when she thought he was the one.She spotted him immediately, sitting on the bench that overlooked the fountain, the one where they used to share countless conversations and, occasionally, ice cream cones. Logan had already spread out a small paper tray in front of him, holding two waffles, each crowned with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream beginning to melt at the edges.“Hey,” she said softly, approaching.Logan looked up, his expression lighting up as he saw her. “Hey, Angel,” he said, standing just enough to hand her the tray. “Here you go.”She took it carefully, the warmth of the waffle box radiating through her palms. The ice cream had begun to me

The boardroom doors opened with a quiet click. One by one, the executives filtered out, their voices low as they continued fragments of conversations about projections, partnerships, and international expansion. The meeting had stretched longer than expected, but the mood had been positive, optimistic even.Logan stepped out last. He adjusted the cuff of his tailored charcoal suit as he walked into the sleek hallway outside the boardroom. The meeting had gone well.Their company’s expansion plan into the European market had finally been approved by the board. Months of negotiations, presentations, and endless revisions had finally paid off.Normally, Logan would feel the satisfaction of victory. But today he didn't really feel that way. His father would have been so proud of him, because it has always been his dream for the company to grow bigger.His mind had been drifting all afternoon to memories he didn’t want to revisit and to people he was trying hard not to think about.He exha

The city lights blurred past the windshield as Logan drove. Neither of them spoke for the first few minutes.Lily leaned comfortably against the passenger seat, her head tilted slightly as she watched the streets glide by. New York at night had a rhythm of its own, horns in the distance, people moving in every direction as if the city itself never slept.“You’re quiet,” Lily said eventually.Logan smirked faintly, keeping his eyes on the road. “I was thinking the same thing about you, a few minutes ago, you were talking nonstop.”She laughed softly. “I don't talk a lot when I’m nervous,” she admitted.“Nervous?” Logan glanced at her briefly. “Because you just left a bar with a stranger.”She shrugged playfully. “Well… when you put it like that. Mr. Stranger, maybe I'm a little scared that I've somehow walked into danger.”Logan chuckled. “I promise I’m not a serial killer.”“I figured,” she said lightly. “Serial killers usually don’t look this put together.”“That’s very comforting.”

“Are you sure you really want to go?” Tara leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded, watching Melody pack the last few things into her briefcase. The bedroom smelled faintly of lavender and freshly folded laundry, and the soft morning light filtered through the curtains.Melody didn’t look up immediately. She carefully folded a blouse before placing it inside the case, and her plain black dress for the funeral.“Yeah,” she said finally. “I have to.”Tara frowned slightly. “Melody…”Melody zipped the bag halfway before pausing. She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.“You know… even with everything that has happened between me and Logan,” she said quietly, “he was good to me.”Tara listened silently, even though she didn't think going for Logan's father's burial was necessary.“His father accepted me into their home. Treated me with kindness when he didn’t even have to,” Melody continued. “And Logan… he’s my friend.” Her voice softened. “So I’m supposed to be there for him.