Contract marriage: broken vow

all, meaningful ways. It was never grand gestures-no bouquets, no sweeping proclamations. Instead, he was sim

g at her in meetings, his gaze filled with something she couldn't quite name. He'd ask about her projects, show genuine interest, and sometimes he'd leave small notes

udgment, Lily found hers

t a cozy Italian restaurant on the edge of the city. Over wine and candlelight, the conversation flowed mor

with a slight smile, "remember

ime you insisted on 'exploring' without a map? We end

it was an adventure! And we d

miling. "You were so stubbo

softening into something more vulnerable. "I was blind

red secret. She felt the weight of the unspoken, the ache of p

h, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers. The city lights glowed softly around them as

, predatory grace. It was Vivian, Daniel's ex-the woman he had once left Lily for. Her lips curled into

awled, crossing her arm

m Daniel's arm. She felt his tension bes

, his tone controlled. "

ing it's funny, seeing you two together after everything. Isn't it, Li

t she squared her shoulders, meeting Vivian's gaze with a steady ca

eet, laced with mock concern. "Men like Daniel...

d firm. "Enough, Vivian. Whatever you th

Daniel. I'm done with you. I just thought I'd save L

quarely in the eyes. "I don't need advice from someone who do

her eyes before she recovered, shrugging with a casual

ay, her footsteps echoing in the night. Lily felt the lingering chi

on her. "Don't," she said quietly, her voice strong

his expression tr

an's words don't mean anything to me. But I need to know that you're not

uch was gentle, his gaze filled with a tenderness she'd never seen before. "Lily, I'm here becau

rounding her, quieting the doubts swirling in her mind. She wanted to belie

began, her voice

quiet intimacy of the moment. He grimaced, pulling back slightly, but

ay?" she asked, s

phone with a sigh. "Something came

ed in her chest, but she brushed

lingering on hers. "I

him a small

et him in, allowed herself to believe in the possibility of change. But Vivian's wo

own terms. But letting Daniel back in meant risking everything she'd rebuilt. And with Viv

built over the past weeks. But despite his best efforts, a part of her held back, hesitant and guarded.

ched across the table, taking her hand in his. She

akes. And I know it's going to take time to prove myself to you. But I

armth of his touch, the steady beat of her ow

voice barely audible. "But trusting you... it's not

er her knuckles. "I'll give you all the

e of peace settle over her, a tentative belief

hat the shadows of their past were still lurking, waiting to resurface. And with Vivian's warning st