DAMIEN'S CONTRACT WIFE のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as I sped through the streets, my hands trembling on the steering wheel. Detective Collins’ call had shattered the fragile peace I had found at Bennett Accounting. Dad was alive. The words repeated in my mind like a mantra, but they brought equal parts relief and terror. What had happened to him? Why now, after months of silence? I wove through traffic, barely registering the honks behind me, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from my chest.I fumbled for my phone at a red light and called Ethan. My brother answered on the second ring, his voice laced with concern. “Soph? What’s wrong?”“Ethan…” My voice cracked. “They found Dad.”Silence stretched across the line, heavy and disbelieving. Then, “What did you just say?”“He’s alive.” The words tasted both miraculous and fragile.Ethan’s breathing became uneven, ragged with emotion. “Where is he?”“The police didn’t say much. I’m on my way now.” I swallowed hard, fi

Sophia's POV I woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the heavy curtains of the guest bedroom in Damien’s mansion.The house was quiet. A quick glance at the clock told me it was still early, but the space beside me in the vast bed felt emptier than usual.Damien had already left for Hart Global. No note, no message, just the faint trace of his cologne lingering in the hallway as I descended the stairs.Our marriage was barely days old, yet routines like this already felt strangely familiar. Business as usual for him. My phone buzzed on the nightstand as I finished dressing.A text from Ethan. ‘Dad slept through the night. He’s awake now. Come when you can’. Warm and immediate relief washed over me. After yesterday’s chaos, I needed this small mercy.I quickly gathered my things and headed out, the drive to the hospital passing in a blur of city traffic and anxious thoughts.When I arrived, the atmosphere in my father’s room was markedly calmer than the day before.

I pushed open the heavy front door of Damien’s mansion, my body heavy with the kind of exhaustion that no amount of coffee could fix. The events of the day, my father’s fragile recovery, the fruitless search for Margaret Ellison, and the mysterious box I’d carried from Bennett Accounting, pressed down on me like an invisible weight.Mentally drained, I climbed the stairs to the guest bedroom, the dusty cardboard box tucked under my arm. Once inside, I locked the door behind me, needing the illusion of control in a life that had spun wildly out of it.The long, hot shower helped wash away some of the tension, steam filling the marble bathroom as I let the water cascade over my shoulders. Afterward, I slipped into a simple satin camisole and matching shorts—comfortable enough for an evening of solitary reflection, though the silky fabric clung in ways that felt unintentionally flattering.I sat on the edge of the bed, placing the box in front of me like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Ta

Sophia's POV I left Bennett Accounting feeling more frustrated than when I arrived. The conversation with Mr. Lewis kept playing over and over in my head. Just as I was about to walk out the front door, I spotted him hurrying down the corridor toward the back exit. Something in my gut told me not to let him go. I hurried after him.“Mr. Lewis… wait!”He slowed down but didn’t turn right away. After a few seconds, he finally faced me, looking tired and a little nervous. “You shouldn’t be following me.”“Then don’t walk away when you’re in the middle of telling me something important,” I shot back.He sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”“But you did.” I took a step closer, lowering my voice. “Who was the third person my father trusted?”Mr. Lewis glanced around the empty hallway before answering. “Your father trusted very few people. Far fewer than people believed.”I moved even closer. “Then tell me.”He shook his head slowly, looking genuin

Sophia's POV The morning light felt too bright as I came downstairs, dressed in the nicest outfit I could find that still looked simple. I kept checking myself in the hallway mirror, tugging at the sleeves of my blouse and smoothing my skirt. I felt completely out of place, like I was playing dress-up in someone else’s life.This wasn’t me. I was more comfortable in work clothes or jeans, not whatever this elegant version of Mrs. Hart was supposed to be.Damien was already waiting in the living room when I walked in. He looked up from his phone, and for a brief second, he just stared. He forgot whatever he was about to say. I noticed right away.“What?” I asked, feeling self-conscious.He cleared his throat. “Nothing.”I narrowed my eyes. “You’re staring.”A faint smile appeared on his lips. “You clean up well.”I rolled my eyes, trying to hide how nervous I actually felt. “That’s your compliment?”Damien picked up his car keys. “It’s the best you’re getting.”We left together, the s