Novel & Cerita Time-limited Engagement

The earliest report, detailing the removal of my damaged kidney five years ago, brought tears streaming down her face. It hit her why I hadn't wanted to donate my kidney; I only had one. All those years, I'd hidden my pain to keep them from worrying. Mom broke down sobbing. Then there was that report from six months ago confirming my end-stage brain tumor. Despite my fight and treatments, the illness progressed uncontrollably. The day before the camping trip, the doctor delivered my death notice—I had only ten days left. It was also the day I signed the kidney donation consent form.

He was right, and she detested it. However, she needed this deal. As Adrian explained the conditions of her captivity, she sat there, her spine stiffened, and listened. The Principles for Their Engagement Adrian opened the contract and tapped the first clause with a long, accurate finger. "Our engagement will last for six months. You will act as my loyal fiancée during that period, going to events, living with me, and making sure that this arrangement is seen as genuine. Leila felt sick to her stomach. Cohabitating with him?

"I want a date confirmed by the end of the month." "Tiziano and I haven't discussed a specific—" "Discuss it." His eyes moved to mine. Flat. Certain. "The alliance requires formalization. The engagement serves its purpose for a limited time. Beyond that it becomes a liability rather than an asset." I held his gaze. "I understand." "Do you." It wasn't a question. He set his fork down with the precise quiet of a man making a point through stillness. "You've seemed distracted lately. Unfocused. Several people have noticed."

Toward it. Ezra’s voice cuts through immediately. “Aidan.” “I’m fine,” I say. “You’re not pulling back.” “I’m not supposed to.” “That’s not what I meant.” I know. But I don’t answer. The presence sharpens. Focus narrowing. Attention locking. This is what it wants. Engagement. Commitment. Proof. So I give it something. Not everything. But enough. “I am limited,” I say. The words feel heavy. Real. Because they are.

"Tell me you're not a witch." She chuckled. "I am not a witch." "How did you know I was standing there?" She rolled her eyes. "I always know." He chuckled. "Wow. So, it's been finally decided, huh?" She sighed. "Yeah. I'm finally engaged to James Morgan. I'm getting married to him in two weeks." She said and laughed. He turned to her, watching quietly while sipping his wine as she whispered something to herself and then chuckled. "You sound like you're trying to convince yourself." He said.

She gushes. “Yes, well,” Councilman Leer coughs, “Shall we move on to the binding of your contract?” He looks between Tawny and I. I must remember, they don’t know we are already mated, as I reach for her and then draw my hand back. “Is a contract really necessary?” Tawny asks Leer. “To ensure the future of Cambiador - yes.” He says “The terms will be as follows: Your contract of engagement will last the standard year. At the end of that period-“

" When you announce an engagement between the both of you, let the merger finalize, then call it off later. Quietly. Respectfully." I stared at him. "You want me to fake an engagement? Lie to everyone?" "I want you to be strategic." He walked to the door. "One year. Two, maybe. That's all." "I can't do that for even one minute, Dad." My voice hardened. "I won't." He paused at the door, his tone cool and final. "You have one week to decide. Agree to the engagement or I'll make sure everyone knows this merger failed because of your selfishness."

Governing well was choosing not to obstruct it. The simplicity of it was the most significant thing. The message from Kaer arrived six days after the birthday. The northern governance council — forty-seven packs, the largest formal governance body in the Extended Engagement Process. Kaer had been working with the educational framework for three years and had been feeling the combined shifts for two.

"Before we get into logistics, I have terms." "Terms?" Ayra looked up at me. "If we're doing this, t's on my terms." I leaned forward. "No time limit. This engagement lasts until I say it's over." "What do you mean until you say—" "I mean no contract with an expiration date. No 'let's revisit this in six months' clause. No ending it when the PR crisis dies down." I held her gaze. "We're engaged until I decide we're not. That's non-negotiable."

“I really can't say as of now, just send in their info and I’d be able to check that out. But we have no options than to tread that path” “Why?” “See Lord, things are getting more complex and even the government and these individuals are tightening up their sleeves, we really are left with no choice” Isabella said, sounding pissed “No problem then, you’ll get their details in a jiffy but I hope you’re aware with our contract terms” “Yeah, so what about it?” “Our deal doesn’t end with the death of the targets, it’s a three year deal and we only are left with 2 years and some months”