All Chapters of The CEO's Contracted Heart: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

THE HIDDEN THREATI didn’t expect fear to have a sound, but it did.It was the little click—the soft, almost harmless click—of Chloe’s bedroom door as I pushed it open that morning.The room was quiet, filled with the faint scent of lavender shampoo and the sunshine filtering through her lace curtains. Her tiny shoes were lined neatly by the dresser. Her plush bunny sat on the pillow, its floppy ears arranged like someone had tried a little too hard to make it look “normal.”Something felt… off.I crossed the room slowly, my slippers brushing against the warm carpet. Chloe was downstairs already, having breakfast with Rosa. She had left her school folder on the bed earlier—bright purple with glitter hearts. Now, it wasn’t there.But that wasn’t what made my stomach tighten.Her window was unlocked.I froze.I always locked her windows. The security team checked them, too. And last night, I remembered very clearly—Cade himself had locked it. I had watched him twist the latch after tuc

VANESSA’S GAMESI should have known today would go wrong the moment Cade said, “It’s just a small luncheon. You’ll be fine.”Nothing about Cade Ashford’s world was ever small.The mansion was buzzed with activity from early morning — staff carrying silver trays, florists adjusting centerpieces, Victor issuing orders like the estate was preparing for diplomatic warfare. Chloe twirled around the front hall in a pale blue dress, the closest thing to excitement I’d seen from her since Vanessa’s reappearance.Me? I was a bundle of nerves wrapped in a dress I borrowed from the mansion’s wardrobe room. Cade said he wanted me close today. “Visible,” he added with that unreadable tone. I didn’t ask why. I didn’t need to. After the note in his office and Vanessa’s little message on the security camera, being visible meant being protected.Or at least that’s what I told myself.The luncheon wasn’t even five minutes in before I felt eyes on me. Guests, staff, strangers. Some curious, some judgin

Late Night ConfessionsThe mansion never truly slept.It only softened after midnight—lights dimmed, footsteps faded, and the echoing halls seemed to breathe more slowly, like a giant holding its breath. I learned this during my third week here, pacing quietly between Chloe’s room and the sitting area, listening for nightmares or whispered cries.Tonight, Chloe slept peacefully.Her chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, one small hand clutching the corner of her blanket like it was an anchor. I lingered longer than necessary, smoothing her hair back, memorizing the soft curve of her cheek. Moments like this reminded me why I stayed. Why I endured the tension, the scrutiny, the whispers.Why I tried not to think too hard about Cade Ashford.I closed her door gently and turned——and nearly collided with him.I gasped, hand flying to my chest. “You scared me.”Cade stood just outside Chloe’s room, sleeves rolled up, tie gone, dark hair slightly rumpled like he’d dragged his fingers thro

The Mansion Under SiegeThe sound shattered the night.Glass exploding—sharp, violent, unmistakable.Chloe screamed.I was out of bed before my mind caught up, heart slamming against my ribs as another crash echoed through the mansion. The alarm followed half a second later—low, howling, relentless.“Lila!” Chloe cried.I ran barefoot into her room just as she bolted upright in bed, eyes wild, hands shaking. Another loud crack thundered from somewhere below.I scooped her up instantly, pressing her head into my shoulder.“It’s okay,” I said, though my voice trembled. “I’ve got you.”The lights flickered.That was when real fear set in.This wasn’t a mistake.This wasn’t coincidence.This was intentional.“Stay with me,” I whispered, grabbing the emergency phone from her nightstand with one hand. “We’re going to the safe room.”She nodded, clinging to me as I moved into the hall. Doors were opening, staff voices rising, radios crackling with clipped commands. Somewhere below, glass cr

Choices and ConsequencesI found the sabotage by accident.That was the part that frightened me most.It was late afternoon, the kind of hour where the mansion held its breath—staff shifting quietly, sunlight slanting through tall windows like something fragile and breakable. Chloe was in the playroom with Mrs. Ender, laughter floating down the corridor in soft, uneven bursts.Safe.I kept repeating that word in my head as I walked toward the east wing office, carrying a tablet Victor had asked me to return. My footsteps slowed when I noticed the door was ajar.That office was never left open.Something in my chest tightened.I pushed the door gently, peering inside.Nothing looked disturbed at first glance. Desk pristine. Chairs aligned. Screens dark. But the air felt… wrong. Too still. Like a room that had just exhaled after holding a secret.I stepped inside.The tablet slipped from my fingers when I saw the open drawer.Cade’s private file cabinet.Unlocked.My pulse roared in my