Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The garden path felt longer than it should have. Beck walked beside me in silence, his steps steady on the soft grass. Every few seconds the little lamps under the apple trees cast warm circles of light across our path. It was beautiful. Peaceful Everything the dinner inside that house was not.

I pulled my coat tighter around my shoulders. My fingers were freezing.

“You okay?” Beck asked quietly.

I nodded even though it was a lie. My throat felt tight. The emerald dress that had made me feel elegant earlier now fel like a costume I couldn’t wait to take off. I kept seeing Victor Kane’s cold gray eyes. The way he looked at me like I was something temporary. Something cheap.

And Maddox… he just sat there.

I swallowed hard. “I just want to go home.”

Beck didn’t push. He never did. That was the difference between him and his brother. Beck made space for silence. Maddox filled every room with his presence until you couldn’t breathe.

We reached the driveway. My little Honda looked ridiculous parked between all the luxury cars. The valet had already pulled it forward. Beck opened the door for me.

“Text me when you get home,” he said. His voice was gentle. “Even if it’s late.”

“I will. Thank you, Beck.”

His hand lingered lightly at my waist for half a second longer than necessary before he stepped back.

And stupidly… I noticed.

He pulled me into a quick hug. His arms felt safe. Warm. Nothing like the storm I had just walked away from. For a second I let myself lean into it. Then I pulled back, got in the car, and drove away from the Kane mansion without looking in the rearview mirror.

The highway stretched dark and quiet in front of me. I turned the music off. I didn’t want noise tonight. I just wanted to

think.

Victor Kane’s words kept replaying in my head.

Temporary arrangements have a tendency to become inconvenient when emotions get involved.

He said it like he already knew I was catching feelings. Like he could see right through me. The shame burned in my chest. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything for Maddox. This was a job. Six months. Money for Mom’s clinic. A future for Zara. That / was it.

But when Bella announced the engagement, something inside me cracked.

I told myself it wasn’t jealousy. Maddox wasn’t mine. He never had been. But watching another woman touch him like she already owned him still felt like swallowing broken glass. But the way he sat there-silent, jaw locked, saying nothing while his father treated me like dirt, that hurt more than I wanted to admit.

For the first time since high school, Maddox Kane looked small to me.

Not powerful. Not terrifying.

Just weak.

14:34 Tue, Jul 7 M,

Chapter 15

I had called him that to his face and I didn’t regret it. The Beast. What a joke. He was just a man scared of his own father

The drive home took forever. When I finally pulled into the driveway, the house lights were still on. I wasn’t surprised. Mom was on night shift, but the nanny had probably given up trying to get Zara to sleep.

The second I opened the door, small feet padded across the floor.

“Mamaaa!”

Zara launched herself at my legs and hugged them tight. Her dark hair was messy from the pillow, and she was still in her favorite purple pajamas.

“Hi, Zar Bear.” I scooped her up and kissed both her cheeks. She smelled like baby shampoo and strawberry toothpaste. “Why are you still up. baby girl?”

The nanny gave me an apologetic smile from the couch. “I tried everything. She kept asking when you were coming home.”

“It’s okay. Thank you for staying. You can head out.”

After the nanny left, I carried Zara upstairs. She rested her head on my shoulder, little arms wrapped around my neck. My chest felt heavy. This was why I was doing all of this. For her. For the life she deserved.

I tucked her into bed and pulled the pink blanket up to her chin. She looked up at me with those big gray eyes that were so much like her father’s.

“Mama?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Is Hockey Man going to be your real boyfriend soon?”

The question hit me like cold water. I stared at her, heart pounding.

“He’s my special friend, remember?” I said softly, brushing hair from her forehead.

“I know. But my friends at school said they saw you on TV kissing him.” She giggled shyly, covering her mouth with both hands. “They asked if he was my Papa because we have the same eye color.”

Chills ran down my spine. I forced a smile even though my throat was closing up.

They asked you that?”

“Yes. I told them not to be silly.” She yawned, eyelids already heavy. “Goodnight, Mama.”

“Goodnight, Zar Bear.”

I kissed her forehead and waited until her breathing evened out. Then I sat on the edge of her bed and let the tears fall

I had lied to my daughter about her father. Told her he died in a plane crash when she was a baby. Every time she asked about him, the lie sat heavier in my chest. And now Maddox was so close. Living in the same city. Touching my back. Looking at me like he wanted to reach for me even when he knew he shouldn’t.

What kind of mother lies to her child every single day? Even if it’s to protect her?

I wiped my tears and walked quietly to my own room. The emerald dress felt suffocating now. I took it off, hung it carefully. and changed into my oversized college hoodie and shorts. Then I climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Beck.

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Chapter 15

Beck: Did you make it home safe?

I typed back quickly.

Nia: Yes. Thank you again for tonight.

Beck: Anytime. Get some rest. You don’t deserve any of what happened today.

I put the phone down and closed my eyes. Beck was kind. Safe. Everything Maddox wasn’t. But every time I closed my eyes.

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