All Chapters of Bound by Contract: Healed by Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The alarm rang at exactly 5:30 a.m.Ammie reached out from beneath her thin blanket and turned it off before it could wake the rest of the house. For a moment, she lay still, staring at the plain white ceiling above her—cracked slightly at the edges, but clean.Everything about their home was simple. Careful. Managed.Nothing was ever wasted.She sat up slowly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. The room she shared with her younger sister was small, but neatly arranged—two narrow beds, a wooden shelf filled with old textbooks, and a tiny wardrobe that had seen better days.Yet somehow, it never felt suffocating.It felt… safe.Ammie slipped out of bed and adjusted her neatly ironed blouse hanging by the wall. She had pressed it the night before, making sure every crease was perfect. Appearances mattered—especially when you had so little else to offer the world.In the kitchen, the soft sound of a kettle beginning to boil filled the air.“You’re up already?” her mother’s voi

Ammie didn’t realize how tightly she had been holding her breath until she stepped out of the building.The glass doors closed behind her with a soft sound, but her heart was still racing.That man.Who was he?She stopped just outside, adjusting her bag as she tried to steady herself. People walked past her without a second glance, cars moved, the city continued as usual…But for her, something felt different.That gaze.The way he had looked at her like he could see straight through every answer she gave.She shook her head slightly.Focus, Ammie.An interview was just an interview.Nothing more.Still…“I need it.”Why had she said it like that?She exhaled slowly and began walking away from the building, her thoughts tangled.That night, sleep didn’t come easily.Ammie lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything in her head.Her mother’s words.The unpaid rent.The deadline.And then—Him.His voice. His presence. That single word.Interesting.She turned to her s

That night felt longer than it should have.Ammie lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, but sleep refused to come. The room was quiet—her sister already asleep, the soft hum of the night wrapping around the house.But her mind…Her mind wouldn’t rest.The contract sat on the small table beside her.Waiting.Mocking her.I want you to marry me.She turned to her side, pulling the blanket closer.“This is insane…” she whispered.Yet—No matter how many times she said it…She didn’t push it away.Instead, she kept thinking.About the money.About the life it could change.About her mother.The unpaid rent.The quiet struggle hidden behind smiles.Her chest tightened.“This could fix everything…”Her voice was barely audible.“But at what cost?”She shut her eyes.But his face appeared again.Calm.Cold.Unreadable.The kind of man who didn’t ask twice.“You’re thinking too loudly.”Ammie’s eyes snapped open.She turned sharply.Her mother stood by the door, arms folded lightly, watchin

The morning felt heavier than the night before.Ammie stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself for a long time.Same face.Same eyes.But nothing about her life was the same anymore.Her phone buzzed.MumHer chest tightened slightly before she answered.“Hello, Mum.”“Ammie,” her mother’s voice came immediately, soft but alert. “Where are you? You didn’t come home last night.”Ammie closed her eyes briefly.She had expected this.“I… I got a new job, Mum.”Silence.“A new job?”“Yes,” Ammie said quickly. “It’s a live-in position. Training starts immediately, so I had to move in.”There was a pause on the line.“You didn’t tell me anything about this.”“It happened fast,” Ammie replied, forcing calm into her voice. “I didn’t want to worry you.”Her mother didn’t respond immediately.Then softly—“Are you okay there?”Ammie hesitated.Her eyes drifted around the massive room she was now in.“Yes,” she said. “I’m okay.”A lie.But a necessary one.“Alright,” her mother finally s

---Chapter Nine: The Girl They ChoseThe house had never felt this tense before.Not loud.Not chaotic.Just… quietly dangerous.Ammie noticed it the moment she walked down the stairs that morning.Adrian was already at the dining table.And beside him—His mother.Perfect posture. Expensive jewelry. Controlled smile.But her eyes…Her eyes were sharp.Like she had already decided something.Ammie paused slightly at the bottom of the stairs.“Good morning,” she said politely.Adrian glanced up briefly. “Morning.”His mother didn’t respond immediately.She looked at Ammie slowly.From head to toe.Then smiled.But it didn’t reach her eyes.“So this is her,” she said softly.Ammie stayed calm. “Ma’am.”“Sit,” Adrian said simply.Ammie obeyed.The silence at the table felt heavier than usual.Then—The front door opened.Heels clicked inside.Confident.Loud.Unbothered.A young woman walked in like she owned the house already.Expensive outfit. Heavy makeup. Designer bag swinging loose