All Chapters of The Christmas Contract : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

171 Chapters

Christmas Eve In New York

Tara stood by the window of her apartment, holding her phone in one hand and her lipstick in the other, watching snow fall like someone was gently shaking feathers out of the sky. The city was loud as always, it was Christmas Eve and everyone was running around preparing for tomorrow. Christmas music leaked out of passing cars. Somewhere, a bell rang, and she couldn’t tell if it came from a church.She looked at her reflection in the mirror again and shook her head slowly. “Look at you,” she muttered to herself. “Nervous over a movie? What is wrong with me?”This wasn’t her.Tara didn’t get nervous over men. She didn’t get nervous over dates. She didn’t even go on dates. Her life had always been simple and robotic, work, home, sleep, repeat. She liked control. She liked routine, knowing exactly what tomorrow would look like.And now here she was, checking the time for the fourth time in five minutes because Daniel had said he’d be here in thirty minutes.She had taken three days off w

Christmas Eve In Malibu

MalibuShe had chosen something simple, fitted jeans, ankle boots, a cream sweater that hugged her body just enough to be flattering, and a light coat she could easily take off later. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard, but she also didn’t want to look like she didn’t care.Camila was taking her to the Christmas market. She smiled faintly at her reflection, then reached for her bag. She wasn't very happy but she was excited about leaving the house. What happened during dinner last night still made her feel a type of way.Logan following Dr. Celeste outside.The way both their mothers had pushed it, and he had gone along with it. He hadn’t fought it, he hadn’t said no. She was expecting him to reprimand his mother for insulting her but he just sat there mute. And that had hurt more than she wanted to admit.She was still tying the ends of her dress when the door opened behind her.“Hey.”She didn’t turn because she knew who it was. “Hey.” Her voice came out colder tha

Christmas Day In SnowBrook Valley

SnowBrook ValleySnowbrook looked like something out of a postcard. The streets were white and clean, roofs covered in snow, fairy lights still blinking lazily from the night before.Their living room glowed with soft yellow lights from the Christmas tree. Gift boxes were stacked under it, some big, some small, all wrapped neatly. But inside the kitchen, Cynthia was already exhausted, he had been up since before dawn.to prepare for the day. They would be expecting friends and colleagues to drop by later and celebrate with them, especially since they haven't really entertained guests for a while.The turkey was already in the oven. The sauce was on low heat and the kitchen counter was crowded with half-prepared dishes. Her sleeves were rolled up, her hair tied carelessly, and there was flour on her cheek that she didn’t even bother to wipe away. She looked at the time and shook her hand. She asked Brandon to quickly help her pick up something, but the traffic today would be crazy.Me

Christmas Day In New York

New York Tara stood in her kitchen, barefoot, wearing one of her Christmas themed green sweaters, her hair tied carelessly at the back of her head. The window above the sink was fogged from steam, and the smell of chicken stew filled the apartment.She didn't really enjoy cooking, but somehow today feels different. It was Christmas morning. She stirred the pot slowly, absentmindedly, then checked the rice on the other burner. Everything was going well. Her spicy chicken sauce for the grilled chicken was ready. She checked the timer, there was still time.She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, picked up her phone from the counter, and stared at the screen for a few seconds before typing. Merry Christmas, sugar pie.She sent it to Melody, then dropped the phone back on the counter. She hasn't heard from her friend and it's not weird because she knows too well how busy Melody would be over there at Malibu.She turned back to the stove, tasted the stew, added a little salt, then nodde

Christmas Day In Malibu

Malibu Melody woke up to the dim light in the room, the curtains had not been drawn so everywhere was a bit dark. For a few seconds, she stayed still, her face buried in the pillow, her mind floating somewhere between sleep and reality. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something sweet, Logan’s cologne, mixed with the clean, airy scent of the ocean that always seemed to find its way into the house no matter how tightly the windows were shut.When she finally opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was how warm the room was. He turned on the heater because he knew she didn't like the cold too much.It was a special day today, her favorite day of the year. Christmas Day. Something looked off in the room and it took her a moment to understand why the room looked different. Gift bags.They were arranged neatly on the bed, right beside her legs, some big, some medium, some small. For a second, she thought she was still dreaming. She blinked once. Then twice. Then she pushed

Hanni Is Back

As they came downstairs, smiling and laughing in each other's arms, a servant came to let them know that Mrs. Russo would like to see them and she's out there at the back, facing the beach.Melody was still holding Logan’s hand when he opened the glass door. The air outside was cold, the sky a soft, cloudless blue. The garden at the back looked beautiful and properly maintained. Melody loved it out here although she's been there only twice since she came here. She noticed almost immediately that Diana wasn't alone.The moment Melody saw the woman standing beside Diana, something cold settled deep in her stomach. She was tall and very beautiful. Long blonde hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, skin like porcelain, a body that looked like it had been sculpted rather than born. She was dressed elegantly but simply, in a cream-colored coat that probably cost a fortune. She looked like she belonged there.Logan stopped walking. Melody felt it immediately, the slight stiffness in

Trouble In Paradise?

Melody had not imagined her first Christmas dinner with Logan’s family would end this way.When she thought back to the morning, it felt almost unreal. She had woken up feeling light, safe, almost foolishly hopeful. The kind of morning where you believe that things are finally falling into place. She had smiled at her reflection, at the ring on her finger, at the life she thought she was stepping into.Now she sat on the edge of the bed, her back straight, her hands folded in her lap, staring at nothing. The room was quiet, Logan was still downstairs entertaining his mother's annoying attitude and Hanni's flirtatious advances. She could still hear faint voices from downstairs, laughter drifting up from the living room where guests lingered over wine and dessert.She felt miles away from all of it.Her mind replayed the evening on a loop, each moment sharper than the last.Diana’s voice, animated and deliberate.“Oh, Hanni, do you remember that summer in Saint-Tropez?” She smiled, star

Boxing Day In Malibu

Melody woke up this morning with home sickness. She hadn't felt this way even when she first left SnowBrook for New York. She wanted nothing more than to be in the midst of her family during this festive season.She stared at the ceiling of the bedroom she shared with Logan, the gigantic chandelier glistening under the light, listening to the quiet hum of the house. Somewhere downstairs, she could hear faint movements, doors opening, voices passing, the sound of cutlery clinking. The house was awake. The servants were working tirelessly, everyone trying to please.The night before replayed itself in fragments she couldn’t fully arrange. Dinner. The forced laughter. Diana’s carefully chosen stories. Hanni’s presence, polished, effortless, invasive in a way that signaled red lights. Logan’s reassurances afterward. His words had been calm, measured, even tender.And yet, Melody pushed herself upright and rested her elbows on her knees. She felt composed on the outside, steady enough. Ins

Only Truths

By the time the boat eased away from the dock, Melody already felt like she was breathing differently. She tried to remind herself that Hanni’s hold on her man wasn't working anymore. She was in charge now.Breakfast had been served almost immediately, silver trays, covered dishes, fresh fruit, warm bread, plates that kept coming even when everyone thought they had enough. It was too much food, too much choice, too much cheer. Everyone kept reaching for something, laughing, commenting on how good everything tasted.Logan stayed close.“Baby, do you want juice or coffee?”“Are you sure you’re okay?”“Try this, it's actually good.”He said all this, while holding her hands and planting light kisses on her shoulders and palms. He did everything to make sure she was okay.She shook her head more than she answered, smiling when she needed to, letting him fuss. And she let herself feel it, the reassurance, the intention behind every small question. Logan wasn’t distracted. He wasn’t distant

Bathroom Sex

When Melody stepped back onto the deck, the first thing she noticed was the quiet.The laughter had dipped. The energy had shifted.Camilla was leaning against the rail with Luke, both of them talking in low voices, glasses in hand. Logan’s chair was empty. So was Hanni’s.She slowed her steps.“Where’s Logan?” she asked.Camilla looked up. “Oh. He said he needed to use the bathroom.”Melody nodded. “And Hanni?” She didn't trust that bitch.Camilla shrugged. “I’m not sure. She got a call or something right after you left.”“Oh.” Melody forced a smile. “Okay.”She sat down, smoothing her dress over her thighs. She told herself not to think. Logan had done nothing wrong. He’d been attentive all morning. Protective, even.Minutes passed, five, then ten. She checked her phone, then looked up again.“How long have they been gone?” she asked quietly. She was a bit uncomfortable, she trusted Logan but she can't say the same thing for Hanni, especially since she's been trying a bit too hard t

...

6 7 8 9 10

...

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP