Predatory Marriage Chapter 40 Novels & Stories

“We’re heading to your favorite place the one with the chocolate volcano cake.” Elise clapped her hands with delight as we made our way out. Robyn walked a step behind us, and I could see her watching us with a look that made my heart flip. We’d built something real here a family in every way that mattered, even if our marriage was still technically just ink on paper. The restaurant was bustling, but the manager led us straight to our usual corner table. Elise climbed into her booster seat and scanned the menu intently, while Robyn and I settled in across from each other.

he chuckled kaya tumawa narin kaunti si Emily dito. "I never would've thought to see you again after how many years. Akala ko noong mga panahong iyon ay phase lang iyon ng buhay where you get to fall in love with someone although out your college life without pursuing that person. But then we met again, we met again in a restaurant where you defended a waiter over my brat date that my mother set up for me. You don't know how happy I was upon seeing you again. You don't know how my heart rejoice when I hear your voice and how my body isn't functioning well when you were near me, breathing the same air as me. From that day, I swore to never let you out of my sight and no matter how hard, I'll

Itinigil niya ang pagtatype sa laptop at tinitigan ako, “Sa tingin mo ba talaga may babaeng tatagal diyan sa ugali mo, Rowan?” “I'll pay. Kahit gaano pa kamahal ‘yan, just find me someone to marry.” Umayos siya ng upo at hinubad ang reading glasses, “Hahanapan kita ng babaeng hibang para magpakasal sa ‘yo.” Napairap na lang ako sa sinabi niya, “Pero kailangan mo siyang pakisamahan ng maayos at huwag kang reklamador.” THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

So that's how relationships are for them. Mabuti na lang pala, we are just a fixed marriage. No feelings are involved. Dahil kung nagkataon baka ganiyan din ang sapitin ko sa kaniya. Sabagay pareho lang naman pala kami ni Sydney. Because what we have is a marriage for convenience. He only married me para makuha ang kumpanya ni lolo at ang isla. Na hindi ko hahayaang mangyari. Ayos lang sa akin na makulong sa kasal na ito na walang pagmamahal basta maprotektahan ko lang ang mga pinaghirapan ni lolo at ang mga tao sa isla. I won't let myself fall for this bastard billionaire. Ayokong matulad kay Sydney

masungit kong usal at muling binalik ang tingin sa papeles. "Fine. Go f*cking read it." Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nabasa ko. Sa halagang limandaang milyon ay talagang magpapakasal siya kahit hindi niya ako lubos na kilala? Big time! Ibang klase! Ganito na yata kaboryo ang mga mayayaman sa pera nila. "Teka nga, puwede bang malaman bakit kailangan mong magpakasal?" usal ko rito.

Halatang nagulat si Varo sa huling sinabi niya. “I never thought you’d agree to consummate the marriage—” “Why not? So we can make it more believable.” “Aren’t you afraid you’ll fall for me?” tudyo ni Varo. “That’s why that’s my fourth condition. We can’t fall in love.” Varo looked at her straight in her eyes. “Why not?” Hyacinth chugged her wine. “Because it’s for the best. This is just another transaction, and I'm doing you a favor.”

Isipin palang niya na hindi na niya makakasama si Ali, dahil sa maiipit na siya sa ganitong sitwasyon ay nanggigigil na siya. Alethea will be forced to married someone someday, at hindi niya kakayanin na makitang may kasama itong iba. ***End of chapter***

There was no room for negotiation, no space for pleas, it's final. “May reklamo ka? You wanna help, right? Then do it.” Bahagya siyang yumuko, sapat para maramdaman ko ang bigat ng banta sa kanyang mga salita. "Or else… this marriage will end, along with your company.” At sa sandaling iyon, naintindihan ko. Hindi ako asawa. Isa lamang akong piyesa sa laro niya. And now, I am nothing more than another pawn to be gambled away.

And that changes the dynamic entirely. She thought she was three steps ahead. Now? We’re playing the same board. As she walks away, I don’t stop her. I don’t chase. I don’t demand. I watch. Study. Adapt. This isn’t about domination anymore. It’s about endurance. And if she wants to turn our marriage into a chess match— I won’t lose. Not because I need to win against her. But because I refuse to be irrelevant in her life. War is easy.

“Kung gayon, paano natin siya mahahanap?” Humakbang siya palapit sa akin. “Mahahanap natin.” Tinitigan ko siya. Sa pagkakataong iyon, alam kong wala nang atrasan. Ang kasal na nagsimula bilang isang simpleng kontrata ay unti-unti nang nagbubukas ng isang lihim na mas matanda pa sa aming dalawa. At ang pinakamasakit isipin—