The Contracted Heart

ted by an unexpected sight: her shop's rent had already been paid for a whole year. Stunned, she checked her phone and saw a messa

he deal, just as they promised. The s

make ends meet, and now, everything seemed to be falling into place, but at what cost? The weight of her decision pressed on her shoulders, making her wonder if she had truly done the right

e shop chimed. Elena turned to find her best friend,

of warmth, but she immediately noticed the worry on

drained and burdened by something far more than just the usual stress. She cou

today, decided to stop by and see me?" Ele

sha replied with a teasing grin. But then her gaze shifted, and she noticed

Did you get married recently?" Natasha's voice was laced with disbelief, bu

e truth spilled out anyway. "Yes, I'm mar

rprise and confusion in her voice. "How did

ory. You wouldn't believe it, but I married a man I don't even k

Arthur Sinclair had come into her shop, offering her a marriage contract with his grandson, Damien. It wasn't romantic

. But it felt wrong to Elena, especially with her past fears of marriage, largely fueled by Natasha's ow

ggling for so long, and I can't say I agree with everything, but if this helps you get out of the fin

a's words were heavy, and her gaze dropped to the floor. "My husband-" she faltered, her lips pressing tightly together, "he's not what I thought he would be. He says

gth, but now, hearing about her struggles, Elena could feel her own worries intensifying. What if her

't want you to worry, though. I just don't want you to get hurt like I have. But yo

age. The thought of her own new life with Damien, a man she didn't know and hadn't chosen, filled

r 'husband'?" Natasha asked, her to

move into his apartment. It's at Gateway Estate," she said quietly, then hesitated. "Natasha... c

henever she had time off from work, she would visit and lend

teasing her as she accepted the key. "I'll make sure the shop st

a mix of relief and anxiety.

tightening in her chest as she began to pack her belongings. She moved quickly, folding clothes into a travel bag, and packing shoes and bags that sh

ething many women might dream about, her situation was different.

ng to Jake. She had to let h

him. "Hey, Jake, I'm home. I need y

time, and Jake sensed something was off. A

ooking puzzled. He immediately saw the packed bags

g on, Elena?" Jake asked, his

g," Elena s

derstanding why. "Leaving? B

she wasn't doing it out of love. She had to do it for her surviv

d seen Elena sacrifice so much for him, and now she was l

on your treatment, and in a week, you'll be better and able to take care of yours

n man, Elena. You don't need to worry

behind without knowing he was okay. "I'll always call, J

her things. Jake helped her move th

e soft but firm. "Take care of yourself.

felt an emptiness. Elena was doing this for him, but

teway Estate, she realized that the world she once knew was slipping away

his life for herself, and yet here she was. As she stepped out of the car, her heart raced