The Christmas Contract のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 81 - チャプター 90

NEW YORK Tara didn't know when she slept off last night. She had a great time with Daniel and his family. She opened her eyes, still feeling sleepy. The light from the opened curtain made her squint.She heard the door open and Daniel walked inside, balancing a wooden tray on his hands. He placed it gently in front of her like it was fragile.“Good morning, beautiful,” he said softly.She blinked, still half-asleep, then pushed herself up on one elbow.“What is all this?”“Breakfast.”She sat up fully now. “Wow, are you trying to overfeed me? This smells nice and I bet it tastes better.”He smiled. “You know the drill.”The tray was full. Waffles stacked neatly, sausages browned just right, bacon crisp without being burnt. A small bowl of fruits sat on one corner. Two mugs, one tea, one ginger tea. A small jar of honey. Tara stared at it like it might disappear. Just seeing this made her hungry.“You made this?”“Yes.”“You didn’t order it.” She was surprised, almost all the men she

Logan walked out of the bedroom and didn’t look back. The tension from the yacht still sat heavy in his chest, pressing down with every step he took across the polished floors of the beach house. His thoughts were a storm he couldn’t calm. Hanni. Melody. Hanni again. He sank into the familiar leather chair in his father’s library. The quiet hum of the heating system, the faint scent of old books and polished wood, did nothing to soothe him. He always loved it here, but somehow today feels different.He rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly together, and stared at the wall ahead. The morning had started like any other beautiful holiday morning, with smiles, laughter, the warmth of family. But one yacht ride had thrown everything into chaos. One person just happens to ruin everything good in his life. Melody had left the room for a call. He’d gone to the bathroom to catch a moment of peace, and Hanni had appeared. Locked the door. Pressed herself against him. He had res

Logan knew he shouldn’t be anywhere near Hanni. That truth had followed him the moment he left Melody in the bedroom, the echo of her words still ringing in his ears like a cruel joke he couldn’t shake. ‘I loved the money, the comfort that comes from being around you and that’s all.’ He replayed it over and over, each time it sounded just as devastating as the first.Melody wasn’t like that, she never had been. There was something different about her, she wasn't like other girls. She wasn't one to draw attention to herself, she listened to everyone and considered everyone to be equal. She didn’t cling to labels or status. She didn’t ask for things. Hell, half the time he had to convince her to accept what he offered. That wasn’t a woman driven by money. That wasn’t a woman who loved convenience.She was lying and she was doing it just to get back at him, to punish him for his mistakes yesterday. If the roles were reversed, he would’ve done the same.The thought didn’t make it hurt an

Melody walked to the bathroom the next morning feeling sore, as she washed her face and started back at her reflection, she looked sick. Her eyes were red and her voice was hoarse for crying herself to sleep, her body feeling heavier than it should. It was still cold outside so she wore something very thick and turned on the room heater. She should have been having a great time, but thanks to her inability to not ruin things, she was already having a shitty morning. She checked her phone again, still no calls and the only message she had was the one from her bank.Yesterday’s words kept repeating in her head, loud and sharp. She had said them. She had told Logan she loved him for money and comfort. She had told him she didn’t care. And she had meant none of it. None of it.Her chest tightened as the guilt rolled over her like waves, relentless and punishing. She had replayed every gesture, every conversation, every time he had smiled at her, gone out of his way for her, treated her l

SnowBrook Brandon’s phone buzzed just as he was tying his boots. Jamie’s name flashed across the screen.“Where are you?” Jamie asked immediately.“At home. Why?”“The match is starting soon. Can you stop by the supermarket and get beer on your way? We’re out.”Brandon glanced at the time. “Yeah. Anything else?”“Just beer. Whatever brand you see.”“Alright. I’ll be there in a bit.”Brandon grabbed his jacket and headed out. Snowbrook was unusually busy for the season. Outside, people clustered in little groups like they always did when something interesting was going on. Snowbrook loved gossip. It thrived on it.He didn’t think much of it until he got to the supermarket.The place smelled like bread, cleaning supplies, and cheap perfume. Brandon walked straight to the drinks aisle, grabbed two packs of beer, and turned toward the checkout.That was when he heard it.Two older women stood behind him in line, carts half-full, voices low but not low enough.“I’m telling you, it’s him,”