Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

1 drove out of the cafe with a heavy weight pressing on my chest. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary. I had been genuinely excited about lunch with Beck. It was exactly what I needed in that moment-a galm space, a familiar face, a break from the chaos.

Only for Maddox to show up and shatter everything, like he always did. And of all people, he brought Bella with him

The same Bella who had been a constant thorn, posting suggestive pictures with cryptic captions and leaking the engagement news in her desperate attempt to erase me from Maddox’s life.

I was still angry that he had told her off in front of me today. A tiny spark of satisfaction had flared when he outright said he could never be with her. Just a tiny spark. At that moment I felt seen. Wanted. Like he was finally taking my side. I was tired of feeling like the whole world was against me-the comments online, Victor Kane’s cold voice, the constant judgment. For one brief second I had felt secure.

Only for him to ruin it again by barging into my peaceful afternoon.

It was obvious he wanted to ruin my mood completely. The way he flirted openly with Bella, letting her stroke his upper thigh right there in public without caring who saw. He seemed more bothered about me sitting with Beck than taking responsibility for his own mess.

And to think I had believed we had called a truce yesterday?

I should have known better.

I had forgotten my real role. I was just a pawn. An eraser used to wipe away the stains on Canada’s hockey sweetheart. No one cared about my feelings or my thoughts. I just had to do the job.

My phone buzzed in the cup holder, dragging my eyes off the road for half a second.

A notification.

A tagged post.

My stomach dropped before I even opened it.

Bella. Of course it was Bella.

A picture of her and Maddox at the café-her hand on his thigh, his face half-turned but still recognizable.

The caption read: “Some things never change.”

Comments were already flooding in.

Isn’t he engaged?

Who’s the other girl?

Messy.

I locked my phone and tossed it onto the passenger seat, my grip tightening on the wheel.

Of course he would turn it into a spectacle.

I still had five months and a couple of weeks left. I had survived the first week. I would survive the rest. I had no other choice.

14:37 Tue, Jul 7 M

Chapter 31

I pulled up in front of my childhood home. There was no way I could sleep at the condo tonight. Besides, it had been foo long since I last saw my baby.

“Mamaaa!” Zara screamed in delight the moment I opened the door.

“Hi Zar Bear, how are you doing?” She giggled as I scooped her up and spun her around.

“I missed you, Mama.” Her little arms wrapped tight around my neck.

“Hi Mom,” I said, pulling her into a side hug while still holding Zara.

“How are you doing, Nia? It has been a while.” She gestured for me to sit.

“It has only been a few days, Mom.” I chuckled.

“Time moves differently when you are not here. How are you really doing, my dear? You have not been overworking yourself, have you?” She studied me carefully.

“I am okay, Mom. Really, I am.” I plastered on a smile as I looked at her. I could not let her worry about me.

“You seem to have lost a few pounds,” she said, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“Mom, please.” I stood up and headed toward my room.

“Mamaa, Mamaa,” Zara tugged on the hem of my sleeve.

“Yes, baby?” I gave her my full attention.

“We had cookies in class today,” she said excitedly. “I spared one for you because I knew you would come home today.”

“None for Gigi?” Mom sighed dramatically.

“You can split it,” Zara replied, running to grab the cookie she had hidden in a little Ziploc bag. “Here you go.”

“It is so tasty. Thank you very much.” I gave her a peck on the cheek and continued to my room to freshen up.

I stood under the shower head as hot water sprayed onto my scalp. Images from the physio suite kept flashing through my mind. Maddox leaned forward slightly, his gray eyes locked on mine. The warm light catching on his dark hair. The way his gaze had held mine a second too long-like he was about to cross a line neither of us could take back. For a moment his usual cold eyes had looked softer. Warmer.

“Oh my goodness, what in God’s name am I thinking about?” I scolded myself out loud.

There was no way I was still harboring inappropriate thoughts about my high school bully. The same boy who had made my life hell.

I pushed every thought of Maddox out of my head, stepped out of the shower, and shivered as the cool air hit my skin. I did my skincare routine, slipped into my pajama bottoms and a tank top, and headed downstairs.

“Isn’t it too early for pajamas, Mama?” Zara asked, tilting her head.

“It probably is,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm. Children really had no filter.

“Would you like something to eat?” Mom asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No thanks. I will have something later.” I was not hungry. The little I had eaten at the cafe had been ruined by everything that followed.

“Come help me with my homework, Mama?” Zara asked, dropping two books on my lap.

Chapter 31

“Of course, baby. Come with me.” I led her to the dining table and lifted her onto the chair.

The rest of the evening passed in a gentle blur. Before I knew it, I had tucked Zara into bed and turned off her light.

I tossed and turned under my own covers, trying to get comfortable, when my phone beeped. I reached for it. A message from Victor Kane waited on the screen.

“Be here by 6pm on Friday.”

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