Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

rare laugh that had escaped him when I showed him my keychain. For a few hours, he had not been the Beast. He had just been… Maddox.

I’ve kept the phobia I have of birds to myself. I haven’t been able to say it to anyone. I’m scared of being shamed for it. My dad did a good job of engraving that shame into my soul; he made me feel very dumb for expressing the fear I got through a traumatic experience. The memory of his laughter still echoed sometimes, sharp and mocking, making my skin crawl

even now.

I understand where mom is coming from although I’m feeling really hurt by some of the words she said to me. She has a valid reason to think like that though. My dad traumatised her, equally as he did to me.

His affair was public for quite a while before he finally left us. My dad’s mistress was an auxiliary nurse that my mom was training in her clinic. The betrayal had played out in front of everyone, whispers following Mom everywhere she went.

Dad and his mistress were shameless about their affair, travelling from state to state on vacations, taking her to work and family functions. It wasn’t a secret. His mistress herself didn’t miss any opportunity to disrespect and taunt my mom at any chance she got, her smiles sharp and victorious.

As the scandal got messier, Daddy dearest purchased a property for her in Milan and moved her out of the state. He sent Mom divorce papers, leaving her with a home that he hadn’t completed the mortgage on yet. He never paid child support, despite all the cases Mom filed against him in court, the legal battles draining what little strength she had left.

At one point she gave up. She didn’t have a choice but to.

So, I understand her animosity. I’ll be a fool not to. The pain in her eyes tonight was the same pain I had seen for years, the kind that never fully healed.

I walked upstairs to my room and set the vase on my bedside table. I’ll get some fresh flowers for it tomorrow. “Some tulips will be nice,” I said aloud to no one in particular, my voice echoing softly in the quiet room.

I took off my clothes and hopped into the shower. The hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the sweat from the day but not the heaviness in my heart. Today has really been a long day. It was more fun than I care to admit. The conservatory, the crafts, Maddox’s unexpected laugh, all of it lingered in my mind like a half-remembered dream.

I can’t help but wonder what else he has planned for us during the course of our contract. The thought both terrified and intrigued me, a dangerous mix that I knew I should not entertain.

The next day I drove to the grocery store blasting Lucky Daye and singing from my heart, the music filling the car and pushing away the lingering tension from last night. I parked in front of Walmart and headed inside, the automatic doors sliding open with a soft whoosh.

I really enjoy grocery shopping. It is very therapeutic browsing through the store with an oversized cart, going through overpriced groceries, the aisles familiar and comforting in their routine.

“Nia,” I heard a voice call from behind me.

“Beck??? What are you doing here?” I asked, shocked, turning to see him pushing his own cart, a warm smile spreading across his face.

“The same thing you’re doing,” he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Getting groceries.”

“Oh okay, I just didn’t peg you to be the um… how do I put this correctly?” I tried to collect my thoughts, feeling a little flustered.

“To be the cooking type I guess,” he replied, chuckling softly, the sound easy and light.

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Chapter 37

“I’m sorry.” I said, cringing slightly at my assumption.

“It’s alright,” he said smiling, his gray eyes warm and kind. “One of these days I’ll invite you over for dinner.”

“That’ll be nice. I would love that very much,” I replied, the idea bringing a genuine smile to my face.

“Are you prepared for Friday?” he asked, his tone turning more serious as we walked side by side down the aisle. “Today is Wednesday. We have two days left.”

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