Bound By Contract, Tied By Faith

ht, one

d in heels, coordinating interviews, answering calls, and making sure nothing went wrong on air. My blouse was wrinkled, my skirt tight, and my h

his black sedan, grinning like no

led, waving.

," I muttered,

usted," he sai

ething to make

e back seat. I raised a

the bag like it was a magic tric

can't. I'm so

gown. It was soft, silky, and hugged curves in all the righ

said, touching the fabric

Ivy, it's perfect. You're perfec

no, but I was to

ill of his cha

One n

id she had done well for herself but that would be a big lie, her paren

ly where to sit. My heels clicked against the marble steps.

ould see my reflection faintly in it, my hair slightly messy, my dress clinging too much, and I shivered as the cold night br

melled rich and welcoming, like someone had spent hours preparing it. Soft laughter, t

lusters. A long staircase stretched to the upper floor, polished wood shining, with

laughing, some dancing, some smoking, others holding glasses of champagne. I could see

ter, its candles flickering softly, the fro

through the crowd

it! I thought

Happy birthday, beautiful! Here's your gift. And look! Lucas brou

up the room like tiny stars. My chest tightened slightly, the dress hugging me so tightly I felt both exposed

while, and my exhaustion didn't let me relax completely. The weight of the day pressed down on me, the tight dress remind

the room and waved.

I asked quietly, tryi

I haven't seen him. He m

First, the pool area empty. Th

the laughter, the clinking glasses of the p

in my stomach. "Wher

nd shrugged. "I think I saw him he

Upstairs? I hadn'

but still worried, "If I catch him sneaking

about everything. Don't worry,

headed off toward the balcony to

ght. My heels clicked softly, echoing in the hallway. The fabric of my dress tugged against my thighs with each step, re

en door. A low sound floated out m

ed. "Some couples find

as? I laughed nervously, a little breathless. Had he brought that expensive

y heartbeat hammered in my chest. My fingers gripped the polished

ide, casting shadows on th

ss was pushed up to her stomach. His trousers were down slightly. He held her

My knees shook. My mouth went dry. I could smell the faint perfume she

g, "What dah fuck!!!Why...

looked at me, almost casually, as if she had expected

stomach burning. My chest ached, my throat tight. My dress clung in all

so fast it hurt.

ether as if they

ly. All I could do was watch... and feel my