All Chapters of Contractually Married my ex-mate's father: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Chapter Sixty OneAriaThe night of the ball arrived wrapped in gold and expectation.The Great Hall had been transformed into something almost celestial. Cascades of crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, scattering light like fractured stars across polished marble floors. Silver threaded banners draped from the vaulted ceilings, each one bearing intricate sigils woven to catch the candlelight. Long banquet tables curved along the perimeter, heavy with wine, sugared fruits, roasted meats glazed to perfection. Musicians lined the raised gallery, their strings and flutes weaving a melody that felt both regal and intimate.It was flawless.Every candle placed exactly where I had envisioned it, every seat arranged with intention, every alliance positioned like pieces on a board, and yet all I could see, was her.On her knees. Naked and in his office. Two days had passed, two sleepless, suffocating days, and yet, the image had not dulled. It had only sharpened.I remembered the way my ha

Chapter Sixty ThreeAriaThe applause did not fade all at once. It thinned, like rain easing into mist.Adeline was pulled to her feet by two guards, her white garments stained with streaks of marble dust and humiliation. Her hair, once immaculate, clung to her face in disarray. The crimson gown she had shed lay forgotten at the edge of the circle like a discarded lie.I stood where I had left her, breathing steady, with blood drying at the corner of my mouth. Without a word, they began to escort her toward the exit. The crowd parted eagerly, whispering already, devouring what they had witnessed, and then she laughed.It wasn’t loud, nor was it hysterical. It was sharp, so sharp it sent goosebumps racing down my spine.The guards tightened their grip, but she twisted just enough to look at me over her shoulder.“You think you’ve won?” she called, her voice carrying farther than it should have.A hush rippled outward, but I did not move. She smiled, and this time there was nothing thea

Chapter Sixty FiveAriaI almost didn’t go.The invitation had arrived an hour before sunset. It has been delivered without announcement, and sealed in Zane's signature. There was no flourish, and no audience. Just my name written in ink I recognized instantly.West chambers. Tonight.There had been something deliberate about the simplicity of it, and then there was the dress.It had come separately, folded in deep charcoal silk, softer than anything I owned. When I first touched it, I told myself it was just fabric, it was just another gesture, and just strategy.But when I held it against myself, I felt the intention behind it.The cut was elegant, high neckline, long sleeves, fitted waist, but the skirt the skirt was treacherous. Twin slits ran up both sides, daring and sharp, revealing flashes of thigh when I moved. The back dipped lower than modesty required. It wasn’t vulgar, it was intimate and I hated that I understood the meaning behind it.I stood before the mirror longer th

Chapter Sixty SevenAriaWhen the maid had told me that Zane had a surprise for me, I had no idea what I felt, but even in a million years,I never thought this was what Zane had up his sleeve.Was I complaining? No.Was I intrigued? Hell yeah.The moment the silk blindfold settled over my eyes, the world didn’t just go dark,it vanished and in a fucking good way.The flickering candlelight, the deep charcoal of my dress on the floor, the silver moon over the balcony, all of it was erased, only to be replaced by the terrifyingly sharp amplification of my remaining senses.Call me dramatic or whatever, but I could hear the heavy, rhythmic thrum of Zane’s breathing. I could smell his signature scent on his skin and the lingering, sweet spice of the lilies.Then, I heard the soft, ominous clink of metal against wood from the leather kit.Zane didn't touch me immediately. He was circling me. I could feel the shift in the air as he moved, his footsteps silent but his presence a heavy, predat

Chapter Sixty NineAriaI found out who had knocked the next morning.The summons lay folded neatly on the side table beside the bed, placed there with deliberate precision. Zane must have retrieved it after I fell asleep.Of course he had, and I knew this because the wax seal was already broken. I didn’t need to read it to know what it was.“The final hearing,” I murmured.Zane stood near the window, already dressed, already composed. If he felt any regret for ignoring it the night before, he did not show it.“They insisted,” he said. “They claimed it could not wait.”“And yet it did,” I replied evenly.“Aria.” His gaze shifted to me, slow and assessing. “Are you angry?”“No.” I met his eyes without flinching, then gave him a small smile. “I prefer knowing exactly where I stand.”A corner of his mouth twitched. “And where is that?”“Under scrutiny.”He scoffed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips,but he didn’t argue. Instead, he walked toward me , adjusting the cuff at his wrist. “