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Home / Romance Short Story / A Long-Planned Love / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of A Long-Planned Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

27 Chapters

Chapter 1

When I got the pregnancy test results, I still could not believe it.Pregnant. Charlie Newman and I were married for a year under a business contract. We were meticulous–careful to the point of paranoia. There was no way this should have happened.So where did the tiny life inside me come from?First, I never betrayed him.Second, I have never been with anyone else.Third, if it was not his; Whose could it possibly be?And yet, of all times, it had to happen now.In just a few days, our marriage contract would expire.Once the date hit, we would part ways–clean and simple. No lingering ties. If we passed each other in the future, we wouldn't even need to exchange greetings.What about now?I let out a long breath, my hand unconsciously resting against my stomach.A memory surfaced–something I once asked him casually."Do you like children?"He sat on the sofa, posture relaxed but face cold as frost. His eyes were dark and unreadable.Three words."Don't like them."No

Chapter 2

"Keep the baby."Charlie's voice cut cleanly through the silence.I froze, lifting my head in disbelief.His expression did not change."I need a child to appease my parents.""Oh," The sound slipped from me before I could stop it. I lowered my eyes quickly, hiding the flicker of disappointment and confusion.So that was all it was.He continued, calm and detached. "If it's a boy, we're even."A boy.The Newman family empire was vast. Of course, they needed an heir. But what if it was not a boy?I asked carefully, almost timidly, "And if it's a girl?"He paused, then answered in a voice cold enough to frost glass."Then we keep trying until there's a son."I met Charlie through an arranged marriage.He needed a wife to satisfy his elders.I needed to save the crumbling Sullivan family business.It was a clean deal. A one-year marriage contract. Purely transactional.At least, that was what I thought.Until Charlie made it clear he had no intention of living in a sexle

Chapter 3

After my shower, I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.One sentence kept echoing in my head: "Have a son, and we'll be even."I knew there was someone in his heart.However, after sleeping beside him for so long, was there really not even a trace of feeling?Or was it only women who grew more attached the longer they shared a bed with someone?I let out a bitter laugh and forced down the resentment rising in my chest.Charlie stepped out of the bathroom, bare-chested. Seeing that I was still awake, he frowned."Is something wrong?"I swallowed the ache in my throat. "No. The line at the hospital was too long today. My back's sore from standing."He paused mid-step and walked over. "Why didn't you go to the Newman family hospital?"I shrugged. "I thought it was just an upset stomach."He tapped lightly at my waist. "Lie down."Then his hands covered the muscles at my lower back."No illness is minor. Next time, call me."His tone was calm–too calm–like he was giving ins

Chapter 4

I smiled and nodded, not sparing Charlie a single glance.I did not ask why the two of them showed up at the hospital together, either.When he reached out to grab my hand, I instinctively stepped back.His hand froze midair.Before he could say anything, I cut him off. "I'm heading home. I'm exhausted."Without waiting for his response–or his attempt to stop me–I turned and left.He was still in a suit, looking like he'd rushed straight out of some formal banquet.I knew things were weighing on his mind, unfinished business he did not deal with.So I did not try to hold him back.I did not expect him to come home so early that night.I was curled up on the sofa, munching on an apple, when the door opened. He walked in briskly, as if planning to head upstairs for a quick shower.I called out before he could leave the room."Charlie. I agree to what you said."He stopped abruptly and turned to look at me.I set the fruit plate aside and met his gaze–those dark, unreadable

Chapter 5

A loud boom went off in my head as a terrifying thought surfaced.Wait!Could it be that Charlie actually likes me?Just as the idea formed, he turned at the sound of my movement.Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, glaring at him, "Hey, Charlie, do you secretly have a crush on me?"The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them.He looked at me, something unreadable flickering across his face.That look made my scalp prickle. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear.I forced a laugh. "Ha. I was joking."He stood up, brushing dust off his knees, then walked toward me.He stopped so close I could catch the faint scent of pine on him."What do you think?" he asked quietly.I swallowed. "I think that's not very likely."After all, he has his first love.Charlie stared at me for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and ruffled my hair."Go to bed. Don't overthink it."I nodded stiffly and fled.Back in the guest bedroom, I bu

Chapter 6

The next morning, I woke up hungry.Early pregnancy ruined my appetite, but when hunger hit, it hit hard.I dragged myself out of bed, planning to find something in the kitchen.The moment I opened the door, I caught the familiar scent of food.Charlie was at the stove, frying eggs with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times before.Hearing me, he glanced over his shoulder."You're up?"I nodded, suddenly feeling awkward."Go wash up. It'll be ready in a minute."His words were still brief as ever.However, there was something softer in his tone.When I came out of the bathroom, breakfast was already laid out on the table–fried eggs, toast, milk, and a small plate of fruit.Not much, but everything was neatly prepared, almost delicate."Sit." He gestured to the chair.I obediently sat down and picked up my fork."Last night, you-" I started, then trailed off."Hmm?""Nothing."I lowered my head and focused on eating, not daring to look at him.Charlie d

Chapter 7

"So, I came back to the country."Suddenly, I remembered something Rachel once said."You were completely obsessed with BL novels back then, couldn't pull yourself out of it."I shot upright and stared at Charlie."That girl you said, it wasn't me, was it?"Charlie did not answer, but his expression said everything.I froze.How was that possible?We went to the same university. How could I have absolutely no memory of it?"Y-you, you pursued me?" I stammered."Yeah.""When?""Second year."I tried hard to think back to my sophomore year.Back then, I think I was completely obsessed with a fictional couple back then. Completely unhinged about it.I basically lived in the library, devouring fanfiction day and night. The real world barely existed to me."I really don't remember.""I know," Charlie said calmly, "you only had eyes for your novels."I was speechless."Later, I heard you were getting close to a senior, so I gave up."Suddenly, it clicked.In my sophomore

Chapter 8

"Okay," he said, "I'll be waiting."On the way home, something suddenly occurred to me."Oh, right–about Lynn.""She's just a business partner," Charlie replied, "I've already asked Henry to handle it.""Then why were you with her at the hospital yesterday?""She wasn't feeling well. I happened to be nearby and drove her there," he said, "then you texted about your prenatal checkup, so I rushed over."I fell silent.So I spent an entire day being jealous for absolutely nothing?"Olivia.""Hmm?""If you have doubts next time, just ask me."I nodded. "Okay."Back home, Charlie went into the kitchen to cook. I curled up on the sofa watching TV, my mood surprisingly light.My phone buzzed.Rachel.[Well? Did you ask him?][Yeah. You knew it was me all along, didn't you?][Obviously. The entire company knows.][Then why didn't you tell me sooner?!][If I had, would you have believed me?]…Fine.She had a point.Charlie came out carrying a plate of fruit. "Eat somethi

Chapter 9

"Well, Mr. Newman seems to be in a good mood today?"Charlie shot him a calm glance. "If you've got something to say, say it.""Lynn's here tonight."My fingers tightened instinctively.Charlie patted the back of my hand. "Don't be nervous."Before he even finished speaking, Lynn emerged from the crowd.She was wearing a striking red dress, her makeup flawless and elegant."Charlie, long time no see."He nodded once. "Indeed."Then she turned to me, her smile perfectly composed."Ms. Sullivan, we meet again.""Ms. Walters."The air between us felt delicate.I could feel several pairs of eyes around us, watching.Lynn lifted her wine glass. "Let me toast to you both. Wishing you happiness.""She can't drink," Charlie said immediately.Lynn paused. "Oh–I'm sorry, I didn't know.""It's fine," I said with a small smile, "I'll toast you with juice instead."A waiter handed me a glass of orange juice. I raised it and gently clinked it against hers.After finishing her drin

Chapter 10

He pulled me gently into his arms."Are you cold?""No.""If you're tired, tell me."I nodded.A few people nearby burst into teasing laughter."Mr. Newman, aren't you spoiling your wife a bit too much?""You're making us single guys jealous."Charlie ignored them. He lowered his head and asked softly, "What would you like to eat?""Anything.""Then I'll grab you some desserts."He let go and headed toward the buffet.I stayed where I was, suddenly feeling a little thirsty. Just as I was about to grab a glass of juice, Lynn appeared again."Ms. Sullivan, may I have a word?"I hesitated for a second. "Sure."I followed her out onto the balcony. The night breeze carried a slight chill.She turned to face me."There's something I'd like to say.""Go ahead.""I know you might have misunderstood me," she began, "but I want to clarify something. Charlie and I are just friends."I did not respond."Our families have known each other for generations. We grew up together,"

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