Contract Marriage: I’ve Always Loved You

After putting the twins to sleep, we gently place them in the crib. Then, we lie in the bed, embracing each other.

A thought crosses my mind, and I apologise, breaking the peaceful silence. “Grace, I’m sorry.”

She lifts her head from my chest and looks at me, narrowing her brows in confusion. “Huh?”

“Grace, I just remembered how I once locked you in the bathroom for the entire day after you shouted at the servant.” I gaze at her with guilt in my eyes. “I should have understood you, but I always blamed you.”

I can’t shake off the image of her in such a terrible state this morning. It’s making me regret my past actions even more. I wish I had inquired about why she was being so harsh with the servants and why she was so emotionless.

“Steve, there’s no need to feel sorry. Your reaction was justified because you didn’t know what I was going through.” Stroking my stubble, she continues, “That day, I didn’t just misbehave. I threw a cup of coffee at him. I deserved the punishment you gave me. Back then, my resentment towards servants blinds me. I couldn’t see that not every servant is evil. Now, I recognise my past mistakes and understand that my childhood trauma influenced my mistreatment of people.”

I just stare at her in amazement. Her insight and wisdom leave me speechless.

“When did my Grace become so wise?” I ask, a teasing smile playing on my lips.

She responds, grinning. “When I got such a sage husband. You know I have been influenced by your company.”

I let out a chuckle upon hearing her words.

“I’m glad I influenced you,” I confess, playing with her hair and fixing my intense gaze on her. “The woman you have become now is perfect, and I feel so lucky to have you.”

“It happened because of you, Steve. Your love transformed me into a completely new person. The woman whom you’re looking at now is your creation. You’ve made me better. For the world, there is God, but for me, there is you.” She confesses, gazing deep into my eyes, touching the core of my heart.

I just move closer to her and capture her lips in a gentle kiss, but soon our kiss turns passionate. As we devour each other’s lips, she straddles me and grinds herself against my hardness.

“Let me please you, husband.” She whispers against my lips, slipping her hand into my joggers, gazing at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Go ahead, Wifey,” I respond, grabbing her hair, and then I suck her lips hard, tugging at her hair.

As we break the kiss, she moves down, fixing her intense gaze on me, her lips curved in a smirk. Her expression makes my hard membrane throb.

This woman!

Her boldness has always ignited a fire within me, and tonight is no exception. And I missed her. My bold Wifey.

I watch with eagerness as she deftly removes my joggers, revealing my throbbing shaft. With a seductive smile, she takes me into her mouth, sending waves of pleasure through my body.

Fuck! I feel pleasure-immense pleasure, feeling her lips around my hardness. Just the warmth of her mouth brings me to the edges.

I moan in ecstasy, clutching her hair as she expertly moves her tongue, teasing and pleasuring me.

Oh God! She is so damn good at this.

***

After Grace falls asleep, I head to my father’s room to clarify what happened to her in the morning.

As I tell him everything, he falls silent for a few seconds, trying to absorb the cruel reality of her life.

“Steve, take care of her.” His words carry concern. The challenges Grace has faced in her childhood melt his heart. Finally.

I nod, grateful for his support. “Dad, I will. I won’t let her face these demons alone.”

He places his hand on my shoulder. “She’s been through a lot, and now she has you. Make sure she feels secure and loved. And don’t worry about her security, I’ll take care of it. You just focus on her.”

I hug him. “Thanks, Dad, for putting your anger aside and understanding the pain she went through. It means a lot to both of us.”

With a reassuring pat on my back, he speaks, “Even though I haven’t fully forgiven Grace, I’m not so cold-hearted that I can’t empathise with the pain she endured during her childhood.”

***

As I return to my room, I find Grace still sleeping. After settling beside her, I marvel at her strength and resilience.

Before leaning in and pressing my lips on her forehead, I promise myself to cherish and protect her, creating a haven where the scars of her past can heal.

A soft cry from Giana fills the room, catching my attention. I rush towards the crib because I don’t want her to disturb the sleep of her mommy and little brother.

“Shh, it’s okay. Daddy is here, sweetheart.” I scoop Giana into my arms, cradling her gently. She’s so tiny. Her soft cries gradually subside as she nestles against my chest.

As she cries again, I understand she is hungry. I take her to the balcony with the bottle of milk, conversing with her. “You’re hungry, right? Daddy is just going to feed you.”

As I feed her the milk, sitting on the swing, I admire my little princess. She is beautiful, like an angel.

Oh God, the way she always keeps her tiny eyes filled with innocence fixed on me while having her milk, it’s a sight that warms my heart.

As she curls her tiny fingers around my hand, I lean in and press my lips on her forehead.

When she finishes drinking her milk, I gently burp her, eliciting a soft giggle from her. After standing up, I gently sway her back and forth to put her back to sleep.

***

Grace’s P. O. V.

“Daddy! Help me! Where are you?”

“Daddy!”

“Leave me!”

“Daddy! please come!”

I scream and scream as the butler of my house pins my hands against the mattress, and a male staff member advances towards me with a lecherous grin.

“Dad-” he stuffs a cloth in my mouth to stifle my screams.

My eyes widen in terror as he takes out a knife from his pocket, a sinister smile gracing his lips.

No! Daddy!

The scenes of that traumatic night replay in my mind, each moment etched with pain and fear. Their cruelty crushes my spirit, and I feel the suffocating darkness enveloping me.

Just as despair threatens to consume me entirely, I hear a soothing voice. A voice that echoes like a distant melody, pulling me away from the haunting memories. It’s Steve’s voice, assuring me, “Baby, I’m here with you. You’re safe.”

I awaken abruptly, my heart pounding in my chest. Again a nightmare! Fuck! How many times do I have to relive that horrific night? It kills me.

Steve is by my side, concern etched on his face. I just stare at him, sweating, panting, and despaired.

“Love, are you okay?” Stroking my hair, he asks, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

“No, I’m not okay, Steve.” As I just bury my face in my chest, I burst into tears. “I had handled myself with great difficulty, picking up the pieces of my shattered and scarred soul every day. I moulded myself into someone brave, courageous, unbreakable, tough, and resolute, facing these nightmares every night. But again, I’m growing weak. Steve, I can’t endure all that pain again. I just can’t bear it.”

“It’s okay, baby.” He wraps his arms around me, providing a shield against my fears, and pulling me closer to himself. “You don’t have to be always strong. We’re humans, we become weak at some point. And I’m here for you, Love. We’ll face these demons together.”

I feel his comforting embrace, and for the first time, I allow myself to lean on someone else for strength. As the warmth of his presence soothes my racing heart, I know Steve is the only person who can help me get myself back, shielding me from the memories of my past.

He continues to reassure me, constantly rubbing my back. “You’re not the same scared girl anymore, baby. You’re stronger, and you’ve got me. I won’t let anything harm you. We’ll build a future where these nightmares can’t reach you.”Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

I nod, clinging to his words like a lifeline. His unwavering support gives me a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I can overcome this darkness with him by my side.

He gently lifts my face and wipes away the tears with his thumb, gazing deep into my eyes. “You don’t have to face this pain alone. I’m here, baby. And you’ll be fine.”

His words touch my heart deeply, and I sigh with relief as the heaviness in my chest fades away. I find comfort in him, finally allowing myself to embrace the vulnerability I’ve kept hidden for so long.

“Steve, I’m grateful to have by my side. I love you.” I whisper, resting my head on his chest, realising that the strength I found in being alone is nothing compared to the power of having someone who truly cares.

“I love you more, baby. The brave you, the sassy you, the vulnerable you, the entire you. I love every facet of Mrs. Grace Grey.” As he holds me close and kisses my head, the echoes of my nightmares begin to fade, replaced by the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat.

Now I understand healing takes time. Just when you think you’ve healed completely, something happens which triggers past trauma and bomb! You’re back to where you began.

Healing isn’t an instant process, but a journey, and I’m not walking it alone anymore. Now, my husband, Steve, is with me, who loves me immensely. I know his love will become the balm for my wounded soul, mending the scars of my painful past.