All Chapters of Contract Over: You're Free to Go: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Standing at the kitchen island, Silas skillfully stirred a spoonful of honey into some water that had been heated to about 115 degrees Fahrenheit. It was the precise temperature he'd arrived at after three years of trial and error.When it was too hot, Teresa would frown in displeasure. Too cold, and it would aggravate the stomach she had already destroyed with years of iced coffees and way too much booze during the dinner meetings she attended for business.By the time he carried the cup out of the kitchen, the situation in the bathroom had already settled down.Louisa was half-supporting, half-carrying Teresa as she carefully helped her onto the oversized leather couch in the living room."Lean back slowly, Ms. Sloan."After exhaling a breath, with astonishing efficiency, Louisa took out a silver pill case from her tote bag, which seemed to contain anything one could possibly need. She popped two pills into Teresa's mouth before expertly propping her chin up while holding a bott

At 7:30 am, sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the sprawling apartment. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of pour-over coffee and the faint sweetness of butter-toasted bread.Silas, wearing a gray linen outfit softened through repeated washing, slid a perfectly cooked poached egg from the saucepan onto a porcelain plate. A pot of chicken soup was quietly simmering on another hob.He'd carefully selected this menu for a reason. Just two nights ago, Teresa had thrown up so much that she looked like she was about to fall apart. She also had far too much to drink last night. If she didn't eat something light and nutritious today, her stomach might end up failing for good.Just as he finished preparing the food, the bedroom door opened.Teresa emerged while looking down at her tablet, swiping furiously at it. She was already fully dressed in a sharply tailored, ash-gray business suit. Her hair was clipped up neatly, and a Bluetooth earpiece sat in

It was 2:00 pm on a Saturday. Inside Peninsula, a cafe in Bellmere, Alice Turner was biting down on her straw as she watched Teresa, who sat across the table. Teresa had just ended her third call and was now immediately switching back to her WhatsApp chat, her fingers tapping away furiously.As someone who had known Teresa for over a decade, Alice was long used to the CEO's workaholic tendencies. She herself was a clinical psychologist who spent most of her time listening to people from all walks of life sharing their troubles. Thus, on her off days, she liked being as comfortable as she could.Today, she wore a loose beige knit sweater and left the house without any makeup, which made her look like a graduate student working on her thesis instead of a working professional.Sitting across from Alice, Teresa wore a high-end business suit that made her look like a business tycoon. The two of them looked like they belonged to entirely different worlds.Just as Teresa was about to take

Soon, it was October 28th. Early in the morning, the soft light of fall draped across the kitchen island.On it sat a deep-blue velvet box, and inside it was a custom-made fountain pen Silas had made. The clip bore a thin, engraved inscription of the initials TS. Next to it was an envelope made of high-quality cardstock that held a note written on similarly high-quality paper.For Silas and Teresa's previous two wedding anniversaries, the note he'd written to her contained thoughtful and sentimental lines, such as reminders to take her meals on time and promises to see the northern lights with her.But this year, his hand hovered in midair for ages before he finally wrote a few curt lines. "Happy 3rd anniversary. Come home early."The master bedroom door opened. As usual, Teresa walked out in high heels, holding her tablet and scrolling rapidly. The sound of a professional voice negotiating in a foreign language came from her Bluetooth earpiece."Can you come home early today?" Si

Alas, in this world where authority and seniority reigned supreme, who cared if Teresa ended up drinking until she got alcohol poisoning?"You're absolutely right, Mr. Oswald. I'm being far too impatient. Allow me to toast in your honor."Teresa forced down the nausea rising in her throat and tilted her head back, ready to down the glass in one go.Suddenly, the door to the private room opened from the outside. "Now this is a little upsetting, Mr. Oswald. Why didn't you call me to join you if you're here drinking at Cedar Grove?"Carlton's pleasant, amused voice rang out, and he walked in a moment later with one hand in his pocket, looking relaxed and unhurried.Dressed in a dark gray turtleneck sweater paired with a casual blazer, he didn't look like someone who'd shown up to discuss business but a random passerby who came in to greet an old friend.The moment Jim saw him, his slick, bureaucratic demeanor melted away. He stood up to greet Carlton, his wrinkles scrunching as he s