Contracted Hearts

ter being escorted by the emplo

ding in front of the door t

the employee's smile before turning her attention

r, holding the business card Frans had g

Ella muttered, taking a deep breath befo

d then a man's voice from i

y before she paused, taken a

saw Frans with a woman on his lap in his office chair. T

arley seemed unbothered when

, why did he offer me a contract marriage?' Ella wondered, as Fra

d to accept my offer?" Frans a

nded slightly hesitant, Ella s

darling?" Harley asked, giving Ella a

lied calmly and gently, s

bit? I need to talk to her," Fran

Frans. She's not a good match for you, even for a contract marriage," she

darling. It's just a contract marri

herself back from leaving, secretly g

ey got off Frans' lap and moved to sit on

nding near the door. Harley, meanwhile, was fiddling with her phone bu

," Frans ordered, hi

dly sat in the chair across from

pted, waiting fo

ns a mix of uncertainty and urgency, struggling to

r, as long as I get whatever I ask for," Ella said smoothly, even though she

t, whatever you want, I'll grant i

!" Harley interjected fr

tly, giving his girlfriend a thin smile.

'm just desperate,' Ella thought t

want?" Frans repe

's medical treatment until he recovers," E

s long as you can win my family's approval for our pretend

tract that Frans had prepared, and Ella signed it. Frans ha

ime, so be ready!" Frans stated firmly,

ney to your account s

l, I'll take my leave," Ella

*

perating room, anxiously bit her nails. She was worried about her b

thly," Ella whispered, praying in the silenc

ta

her focus on the operating room door. She was still deep

ll

a turn toward the sound. She saw a woman a

Los Angeles?" Ella asked,

s, Ella, I went to your house, but you weren't there, so I came straight here sin

helped her many times before. That's why Ella didn't want to ask Shanne for hel

o now?" Sh

lied wearily, prompting Sha

Vico will recover soon," Shanne said, h

st? Should I pay f

ne's words, unsure of wh