Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The words landed like a slap shot straight to the throat.

“Maddox and Bella are engaged.”

For a second the entire table went dead silent. No clinking of silverware. No breathing. Just the roar of blood rushing in my

ears.

I gripped the edge of the heavy wooden table until my knuckles turned bone white. Bella’s hand landed on my arm like se already owned the right. Her smile was bright. Triumphant. I wanted to shove it off me.

“What?” The word came out flat. Hollow.

Next to me. Beck looked like someone had punched him in the stomach. His eyes darted from our father to Nia. And Ni fuck.

She had gone pale. Her fingers trembled around the stem of her wine glass. The emerald dress that had looked so good on her suddenly seemed too fragile. Like it might tear under the weight of this moment. She wouldn’t look at me.

Victor leaned back in his chair like he had just closed a simple business deal. Calm. Satisfied. That small, cold smile playing on his lips made my stomach turn.

“You’ll thank me later,” he said smoothly, cutting another piece of steak as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on all of us.

Rage burned up my throat so fast I nearly stood up and flipped the whole damn table. My jaw locked tight enough to ache. I wanted to shout. I wanted to tell him exactly where he could shove his engagement. But the words died in my throat.

Because this was Victor Kane.

One wrong move and he would destroy everything in front of me. Nia included. He had done it before.

Bella squeezed my arm tighter, leaning in like we were already celebrating. I shrugged her off harder than necessary She pouted but stayed quiet. Smart. She knew the limits when my father was watching.

My eyes kept finding Nia. She stared at her plate, pushing food around with her fork. Her shoulders were pulled tight. When Nia finally looked at me, the hurt in her eyes hit harder than anything my father had said all night.

I brought her into this house thinking I could control the damage. Instead, I sat there while my father carved her apart piece by piece. I promised six months of protection. Instead I sat here like a coward while my father treated her like trash and announced I was marrying someone else.

Beck tried to speak. “Father, this is-”

“Not the time, Beck,” Victor cut him off. Then his voice softened. “You always know when to speak and when to stay silent That is why you succeed where others struggle.”

The comparison hit exactly where he intended.

Right in the middle of my chest.

I felt Nia’s eyes on me again. Disappointment. Maybe even disgust. It burned.

The rest of dinner dragged like torture. Every polite laugh. Every time Bella touched my arm. Every subtle jab from my father about how Beck handled things better. I barely touched my food. My appetite was gone.

The second the plates were cleared, I pushed my chair back.

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14:34 Tue, Jul 7 M

Chapter 14

“Excuse me.”

I didn’t wait for permission. I walked out of the dining hall, shoulders tight, fists clenched. The cool night air hit me as soon as I stepped outside. I ripped off my suit jacket and threw it over the stone railing.

Heavy footsteps followed.

“Maddox.”

Nia’s voice cut through the darkness. She was right behind me.

I kept walking.

“Maddox, I’m talking to you.”

I stopped on the curb and dragged a hand through my hair. My heart was still hammering. “Not now, Nia.”

“Not now? That’s all you have to say?” She crossed her arms, eyes flashing with anger.

“Yes, Nia. Leave me alone. Please. Now isn’t the time.”

She stared at me for a long second. The wind pressed her green dress against her body. Even angry, she looked beautiful. It made everything feel heavier.

Beck appeared then, draping her coat gently over her shoulders. “You’ll catch a cold. Come with me. Your fingers are freezing.”

Nia looked at me one last time. The bitterness in her eyes cut deep.

“You call yourself the Beast,” she spat, “but you’re just weak.”

She turned and walked away with Beck. I stood there watching them disappear down the garden path lined with apple trees and soft lights. Beck’s favorite spot. Of course she looked comfortable with him. Of course he knew how to calm her down while I only seemed to hurt her.

My chest felt tight. Not just anger. Something heavier. Guilt. Regret. And a sharp, ugly twist of jealousy as I watched her walk away with my brother.

I leaned against the cold stone wall and let out a long breath. The night air felt sharp against my skin.

My mother was the only person who ever looked at me and saw something worth saving. Even after bad games. Bad fights. Bad headlines. She used to sit beside me after practice and tell me I was better than the anger everyone saw. She made this house feel human.

Then she left us for good. And sometimes I still wonder if losing me was what killed her first. She made this house feel like home.

I slammed my fist against the wall once. Pain shot through my knuckles. It felt good. Real.

Whatever my father was planning with this engagement, I would not let Nia get crushed in the middle of it. Even if she hated me. Even if she walked away with Beck.

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