Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Today was Friday. I sat in my office watching the clock hands move slower than usual. Through the window I could see Maddox and the rest of the team on the ice. They were training hard for the playoffs, pushing themselves like every practice could be the one that decided everything.

I have never been a big sports fan, even though I work in sports medicine. This is my first time with a professional tear, but I found myself hoping they won. I’d watched them drag themselves into rehab after injuries, sit through treatments, and come back the next day to do it all over again.

I could see how much effort they put in every single day. A championship would look good on my resume too I had started thinking more seriously about my future plans.

I saved most of the money from the settlement for a reason.

A tab was still open on my phone from last night. Apartments in Toronto. Another one for Seattle. I scrolled throughythe listings absentmindedly. Rent prices. School districts. Nearby hospitals.

I stopped at a two-bedroom apartment overlooking Lake Ontario.

Too expensive.

Not impossible anymore, though.

I opened another tab and typed: Moving to the U.S. from Canada with a child.

The search results alone made my head hurt. Visas. Custody paperwork. School transfers. Healthcare coverage.

And Zara.

Irubbed my forehead and locked my phone.

Moving myself was one thing. Moving a five-year-old who hated taking medicine and cried when her favorite cartoon got canceled was something else entirely.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the rink.

Mom had helped me raise Zara from the moment she was born. I would never stop being grateful for that. But lately, I had started wondering what life would look like if I stood on my own two feet again.

Maybe after the contract ended.

Maybe after I helped Mom sort out the clinic.

Maybe then I could finally build something that belonged to just Zara and me.

I stood up and stretched my arms high, letting my back crack. The day was finally over. I started packing my things to head

home.

I said goodbye to the nurses at the front desk and wished them a good weekend.

“You seem to be bonding with Edna,” I smirked as Leo and I walked down the hallway.

“We’re not bonding,” he replied, rolling his eyes.

“You are. You two have been chatting,” I said.

“I was just being polite,” he answered grumpily.

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Chapter SS

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” I chuckled.

“She’s very…” He paused and made a small gesture with his hands, searching for the right word.

I folded my arms and waited. Leo stared at the ceiling, then the floor, then made another vague gesture with his hands bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.

“Sunshiny,” he finally said, snapping his fingers. “That’s the word.”

I burst into laughter. It was the perfect description. “You could use some sunshine in your life.”

“Yeah. I don’t think so. I’d probably get sick from all those ultraviolet rays,” he scoffed.

I giggled to myself as we kept walking. I had finally found something to tease him about.

My smile faded the moment I locked eyes with Maddox further down the hallway.

“Damn, did you upset your Mrs that badly?” Jasper called out. The whole group laughed, including the coach. Maddox shot them a death glare.

“Go sort whatever it is out,” the coach said, giving Maddox a light push.

“See you later, Doc,” they chorused as they walked away.

“We have a conversation later, Nia,” Liam said with a smile.

“Okay,” I replied, grinning. I had been waiting for an update from him.

“Can we talk now?” Maddox asked. His voice lowered the energy around us.

“Not at this moment,” I replied politely. “I don’t really have anything to say.”

Leo took a small step back and stared very intently at a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall, as if it had suddenly become the most fascinating object in the building.

“Hmm.” Maddox ran his fingers through his hair. “Can we schedule a day at least?”

“Yeah,” I answered. “But I’ll have to get back to you on that. I already have plans for the weekend.”

“Okay,” he exhaled. “Have a lovely weekend then.”

I watched him walk away.

He didn’t turn back.

Usually, Maddox carried himself like he owned every room he walked into. Today, his shoulders were slightly hunched, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

I would have preferred if he’d argued. If he’d been angry. If he’d been Maddox I knew how to fight.

I didn’t know what to do with this version of him.

I continued down the hall to the parking area.

“Take me straight home please,” I told Leo as he opened the car door for me. I had not driven myself today.

He pulled up in the driveway when we reached the house.

“Thank you very much,” I said as I stepped out.

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Chapter 88

“Mama!” Zara ran toward me the second I opened the door. Her little arms wrapped around my legs

“How are you doing, my love?” I picked her up and spun her around once.

“I’m fine,” she said, smiling big.

“How are you doing?” I asked the babysitter.

“I’m doing okay. You?” she replied.

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