All Chapters of Married by Contract to My Killer: Julia’s Third Life: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

Like my entire life, the main hall of the mansion where I lived was filled with choices that were never mine.Arrangements of white lilies, tall candles reflected on silver cutlery. The kind of décor that exuded power, luxury, and a legacy that, for all intents and purposes, did not belong to me.Ten years of marriage.Ten years of being Michael Sinclair’s perfect wife.And yet, I felt like a guest in someone else’s home.The last dinner guests had just left when Michael walked past me, impeccable as always, black hair slicked back, tall, tailored suit, straight posture, hard and unreachable expression.He didn’t even lift his eyes to look at me.It was always like this: the moment we were alone, the coldness and distance settled in.I had spent all those years trying to earn even the smallest trace of affection from him, and I never succeeded. Some would say it was naïve of me to think it would be any different on our wedding anniversary.And yet, something inside me still burned wit

I had some time to think before they came to get me for the ceremony.For all intents and purposes, this is my third life. “Third time’s the charm,” or something like that, that’s what people say, anyway. Well, now we would see if it was true.I walked over and stood in front of the mirror for a moment, looking myself up and down. I had not chosen that dress, much less the hairstyle.I would never wear my hair like that. As classic and elegant as the bun was, I hated it. And that dress… God, I hated the sleeves. The waist was barely defined. It felt like Michael wanted to erase me.I placed my hands on my hips and decided that this would be the first change, a subtle way to take control of my life again. Well, my third life.There was just one problem. I could not do it alone. This was a job for at least two people. I needed help.But almost everyone at that wedding belonged to Michael’s social circle. Only one person there was truly my guest. In my previous life, I probably would not

When the reception ended, it was already past two in the afternoon. The ceremony had taken place in the morning, but the reception included a generous lunch for the guests. As everything was coming to an end, the guests came to congratulate us.Caleb approached soon after speaking with Michael. He took my hand and kissed it delicately.“You look beautiful, Julia,” he said, lifting his gaze to meet mine with admiration and courtship.“Thank you,” I replied, offering him a seductive smile. “You look great too, and it was wonderful to have you here. I hope we can see each other again soon.”He raised his eyebrows, surprised by my comment, then smiled.“I hope so too.” For a moment he seemed to forget that we were at my wedding, but his eyes soon slipped away from mine and found Michael at my side, a possessive and disapproving air radiating from him. Caleb withdrew his hand and straightened his posture. “Have a good honeymoon with Michael.”As he walked away, I turned my gaze to Michael

Caleb.When my phone lit up with a message from Julia, I frowned, not quite believing what I was reading for a few moments. If it had been anyone else, I would have ignored it and continued with the meeting, but unlike how often I thought about her, she rarely texted me.I brought my hand to my chin, sliding my finger over my lower lip. What could she possibly want to talk to me about that Michael shouldn’t know? I had no idea, but if I was being honest, I would do anything to have some time alone with her.Michael might be my best friend, but he doesn’t want her, doesn’t even see her as a real woman. Even though I respect him enough not to cross any serious boundaries, I still can’t resist the chance to be with her.I type my reply and send it without thinking about the consequences.“Caleb?” Michael’s voice pulls me back. I lift my gaze to him. “Your opinion on the shares.”I adjust myself in the chair, looking at the folder in front of me and then at the charts projected on the sc