Todos los capítulos de Contracted to the man who broke me : Capítulo 171 - Capítulo 180

Ethan's POVAdrian’s arms slid under my knees and back before I could fully step out of the shower. The world tilted; my head settled against the damp curve of his shoulder. I was still pliant, still warm from the water and everything that had happened against the tile. He carried me through the bedroom without hurry, the soft pad of his bare feet the only sound until he lowered me onto the mattress.The bed was wide and already turned down. On the low side table sat a small woven basket—condoms, a bottle of something clear, a remote. Around it, several thick candles waited in glass holders. The far wall was lined with vertical wooden panels of staggered heights, a large television mounted above them. Speakers were built into the false ceiling and the sides of the wall, almost invisible.Adrian set me down carefully, then moved around the room. He lit the candles one by one; the scent of something warm and resinous—sandalwood, maybe, or amber—rose into the air. He picked up the remote

Ethan's POVI woke to an empty bed. He wasn't on his side, and I frowned, still sore beneath the sheets, the ache settling deep as I lay wrapped in them. Groaning, I pushed myself up, and my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror. My body was painted with his marks, claimed in reddish patches across my skin. Heat rose in my cheeks as the memory of last night came rushing back, warm and giddy, curling low in my stomach."Jeez, Ethan. Stop blushing," I muttered to myself, and fled to the washroom.When I stepped out, a note was stuck to the mirror.*Come to the terrace,* it read.My cheeks warmed faintly. My heart thudded behind my ribs, dramatic and unreasonable, as I glanced at my reflection one last time before making my way upstairs, breath uneven, pulse caught in some soft, nervous rhythm.The moment I reached the terrace, my breath caught entirely. An infinity pool stretched before me, glinting under the morning light. Breathtaking."Wow," I breathed, stepping closer.A breakfast

The name hit him like a fist to the throat.Ethan stumbled back two steps hard. His heel caught the edge of the rug and the vase. Blue porcelain, the one Grandpa always kept filled with whatever flowers were in season, went over. It smashed against the floor with a sharp, final crack. Shards skittered everywhere. He didn’t look down. Didn’t feel the possibility of glass under his feet. The only thing that existed was the name still hanging in the air and the certainty that followed it like a shadow: "James was coming."James was already close enough to be spoken about inside this house.Adrian turned first. Grandpa a second later. Both of them stared at the broken pieces, then at Ethan’s face.“Are you okay?” Adrian’s voice was already moving toward him, hand half raised like he might catch him if he fell.Ethan heard the words but they meant nothing. His mouth shaped “I’m fine” automatically, flat and empty, and then his body just turned and ran. Not walked. Ran. He took the s

I sat in the car for quite long after the outbreak. Tired and exhausted, resting my head on the head rest with eyes closed. When my hands finally stopped shaking and breath got even. I wiped my face hard, dragged my palm down as if I could scrub the thought off. Then sighing deeply, I pushed the door open and stepped out into the afternoon air, telling myself that "I'm okay". But ended up buying a few more minutes to breathe. To fold my own storm back into its box before I had to face Ethan again. But I never got those minutes. The moment I rounded the driveway and went inside the house, I heard it. "Ethan dear, can you hear me. Please answer my child", Mrs. Rosamund yells. While her hands were banging the door. As she slammed her fists against wood. Frantic, relentless, the sound carrying all the way down to where I stood frozen for half a second, my body refusing to move before my mind had even caught up. "Ethan! Ethan, open the door!" Rosamund kept on chanting. Her voi

Ethan's POVWhen my eyes opened, everything seemed blurry. I wondered for a second if I was dead. Was I able to accomplish my idea? But when my vision got cleared I realised I was still alive.A deep breathe exhales out of my chest as disappointment. I was heart broken to know I survived. And closed my eyes again. "Survived to face all those disgrace, humiliation, pain and trauma," my subconscious said. And a electrifying jolt passes through my spine.I jolt up on the bed, and sit on my ass. My breathe heaving as James dangerous yet mockery filled laugh echoes in my ears. His face flashing right infront of me as he says, "You can't even do a task nicely. Pity on you, Ethan..."Tsk. Tsk. Tsk."No... I failed", I scream in panic. As two stong arms engulf me in a hug. "Please spare me...", I cried. Resisting to get out of that hold which was trying to grab and pull me back."Open your eyes, Ethan. You are safe... I'm there", a soft voice cooes in my ears. I jitter first but then slowly,