 “I don’t know,” I said desperately, my voice breaking. “I was there, yes, but I didn’t touch her. She—she slipped, James. It was an accident.”

“An accident?” he spat, his eyes narrowing. “Just like my sister’s death was an accident? Just like our baby—” He yelled, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Don’t,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “Don’t bring our child into this.”

 “Why not?” he said, his voice rising, his eyes blazing with fury. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? You take life, Ella. That’s all you know how to do. My sister, my child, and now Victoria’s baby. It’s like you’re cursed.”

******

Ella's childhood was marred by Cecilia's relentless bullying, only to be wrongfully blamed after a mysterious drowning incident. Years later, to save her wrongfully imprisoned brother and ailing grandfather, she is forced to marry James—her childhood crush who now despises her.
In this marriage built on revenge and lies, betrayal, miscarriage, and carefully orchestrated setups eventually push her to the breaking point. Ella resolutely leaves, raising her child alone, building her business, and finding true love with someone from her past.
When James discovers her years later with the truth finally revealed, can he make amends for the pain he caused and win back her heart?


The Contract Wife: Marriage Of Malice

Twenty Five

The following afternoon, I was sitting with my grandfather, helping him get comfortable at home after his discharge, when a sharp knock on the door startled me. I opened it to find a tall, sharply dressed man standing there.
“Miss Montrose?” he asked, his tone polite but formal.
“Yes?”
“I’m Mr. L...

The following afternoon, I was sitting with my grandfather, helping him get comfortable at home after his discharge, when a sharp knock on the door startled me. I opened it to find a tall, sharply dressed man standing there.

“Miss Montrose?” he asked, his tone polite but formal.

“Yes?”

“I’m Mr. L...

Thirteen