The Ceo’s Contract Lover

“I’m fine. Just a little tired,” Jayden replied weakly, his eyes still closed. “I’ll be alright after sleeping for a while.”

His reassurance didn’t ease Nina’s worry, though.

Her heart pounded in her throat, and she could not calm down.

Wiping away her tears, a trace of stubbornness appeared in her eyes as she left the ward.

Once again, Nina found herself standing in front of the imposing estate.

This time, she came alone and did not alert anyone.

Although Jayden forbade her from contacting Isaac, fear overrode her senses.

She couldn’t shake the haunting image of waking up to his cold, lifeless body one day.

The door creaked open, and Nina slipped inside, her eyes scanning the elegant foyer. She knew she was pushing her luck, but she had to convince Isaac no matter what.

Turning a corner, she found herself in the expansive living room.

There, seated on the sofa, was none other than Emilia Moore.

After suffering multiple setbacks in life, nothing seemed to have changed for Emilia. She was still the proud and arrogant rich missy.

Emilia crossed her arms, leaning behind the couch with arrogance.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Nina, the uninvited guest,” Emilia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “What brings you to our humble abode this time?”

“I came to see your father. Is he around?”

Emilia’s gaze hardened. “My father is busy, and is not seeing any visitors.”

Before Nina could respond, she saw Isaac climb downstairs from the corner of her eyes.

Isaac’s brows furrowed with annoyance when he saw Nina in the living room.

“Mr. Moore, please, save Jayden,” Nina took a step closer, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Isaac regarded her with a stern expression. “How many times do I have to tell you I won’t save that bastard?” he snapped. “Please, just leave.”

Nina fought back tears that threatened to resurface. “Please, I know our history is complicated, but I’m begging you. Jayden needs your help, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make amends.”

The tears and helplessness in Nina’s eyes tugged at something within Isaac, and he almost wavered.

“Dad, don’t tell me you will really save him after all he has done to us?” Emilia’s voice turned sharp in disbelief.

“Did you forget how he chased us out of the country? How he cut my legs and make me handicapped? Have you forgotten how Mom has been under so much stress because of this disgusting couple? And you, Nina,” she said, turning her attention to Nina.

“On what grounds do you think we should save Jayden? Someone who humiliated me and made me a laughingstock, causing me to be violated by beggars. Someone who cut my legs and made me handicapped, why should I save him?” Emilia’s voice dripped with resentment as she recounted the painful events of the past.

Nina’s eyes flickered as she took in Emilia’s empty pants, but she did not feel any sympathy for her.

Especially when she recalled that it was Emilia who had revealed her whereabouts to Kristen.

Isaac winced the memories resurfacing with brutal clarity.

The pain of the past was still fresh, and Emilia’s words served as a haunting reminder. He shut his eyes, attempting to push back the memories of the daunting nightmare.

When he opened them again, his eyes turned cold, devoid of any emotion. “Leave,” he ordered coldly.

But Nina was persistent.

Jayden’s life was hanging barely by a thread and she couldn’t afford to give up.

With tears welling in her eyes, she pleaded, “What can I do for you to save him? No matter what the price is, I’m willing to pay.”

However, Isaac remained silent, his patience wearing thin. He was about to summon the guards to chase her out when he heard Emilia speak.

“Are you sure you’d do anything we say?”

Nina nodded resolutely.

A sinister smile played on Emilia’s lips as she suggested, “Kneel and beg me. We should at least see your sincerity, right?”

Nina hesitated. “Will you save him if I kneel?”

“Kneel first, then I’ll consider. If you don’t go on your knees, I won’t even consider it,” Emilia’s gaze turned cold as she repeated.

She desired to see them suffer in agony, to taste the humiliation she had endured back then.

“Emilia!” Isaac shouted at her.

Thud

With a loud thud, Nina fell to her knees. However, she did not kneel in front of Emilia but Isaac instead.

“Mr. Moore. Please, save my husband,” Swallowing her pride, she begged with tears in her eyes.

Isaac averted his gaze uncomfortably.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

It was unknown why, but he could bear to see her beg in front of him.

If it was someone else, he would’ve long made them beg him for mercy. Yet, he could not bring himself to be ruthless in front of her.

An unfamiliar feeling gripped his chest, a sense of discomfort that he couldn’t easily dismiss.

Isaac felt that it was because he had become soft-hearted recently.

Yes, that must be the case. He tried to convince himself.

Emilia narrowed her eyes.

Though she had finally made Nina kneel for her, she did not feel any satisfaction about having gotten her revenge.

She wanted to corner Nina so that the latter could never lift her head, but Isaac suddenly interjected. “Get up, Nina.”

Nina rose to her feet.

“I’ll tell you this one last time. Don’t make me repeat myself. I will not save your husband.” He declared, enunciating each word.

Summoning the butler, he instructed him to escort Nina out.

Despite her struggles, Nina was unwillingly dragged away from the room.

Emilia’s dissatisfaction was palpable as she watched Nina leave. She felt her father was going too easy on her.

Isaac felt a spitting headache. He turned around, only to freeze.

Standing before him was his wife, Alaina, looking at him with eyes full of disappointment.

Isaac did not know how much she had heard or seen.

“Alaina, I-” Isaac began, attempting to reach out to her, but she avoided his touch. “Is that true?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.

Isaac hesitated to answer but knew he couldn’t keep her in the dark. After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly.

Alaina was filled with disbelief.

She knew her husband wasn’t a saint, but she did not expect him to disregard human life easily.

“Isaac, have you forgotten your profession?”

Without waiting for his reply, she continued, “I remember when we were young; you would always tell me how you wanted to be a doctor because you loved saving people’s lives. I remember how much you cherished your role and the responsibility that came with it. What happened now? When did you become so inhumane, Isaac?”

Every word Alaina spoke brought a wave of shame over Isaac.

“Alaina, he hurt Emilia. He hurt you,” Isaac spoke softly, the pain evident in his eyes. “No matter how strong-willed I am, I can’t bring myself to save the man who destroyed my family.”

Alaina looked at him, her gaze unwavering. “Is that what you really want? Will you be able to get rid of the guilt after watching him die, knowing you could’ve saved him?”

She knew her husband well.

He wasn’t heartless, but sometimes his love and concern for his family would cloud his judgment.

Deep down, they all knew that Jayden had never targeted them.

It was their own daughter, Emilia, who had repeatedly tested Jayden’s limits.

Isaac met Alaina’s gaze, and she could see the turmoil within his eyes.

Seeing the scene unfold before her, hatred appeared in Emilia’s eyes. “Mom, have you gone out of your mind? You want Dad to save that man? How can you ask him to save someone who ruined our lives? How can you turn a blind eye to the pain he’s caused me?”

“I can’t believe you’re prioritizing a stranger’s life over your own daughter’s feelings! Is this how much I matter to you? I’m disgusted by both of you! How can you put your selfish ideals above my emotions? You’re just as heartless as that man you want to save!”

Emilia failed to realize that the root of all the problems was her.

The one who caused her to be in this state was herself.

Every word that spilled from Emilia’s mouth poked needles at the couple’s hearts, who had always doted on her with love and support.

Unable to contain their hurt, Alaina turned around, and a tight slap landed on Emilia’s cheek.

The room fell into a heavy silence as Emilia held her stinging cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“What have you become, Emilia? I can’t believe you are the same person I’ve once considered my pride.” Alaina looked at Emilia with heartache in her eyes.

Isaac, though taken aback by the sudden slap, shared in Alaina’s heartbreak over Emilia’s behavior.

Emilia couldn’t believe that her gentle mother, who had never once raised her voice at her before, had slapped her because of a stranger.

“Have you forgotten who your daughter is, Mom? Why does your heart ache for that woman?” Emilia screamed, her emotions spiraling out of control.

With a twisted expression, Emilia grabbed a knife from the nearby table and placed it near her wrist. “Since you won’t let me live in peace, I might as well die in front of your eyes.”

Emilia’s drastic actions shocked Alaina. She reacted swiftly, pouncing on Emilia, and attempted to take the knife from her hand.

However, Emilia refused to stop.

The room erupted into chaos as the two women engaged in a struggle.

Amid the struggle, the sharp blade cut across Alaina’s arm, causing her to bleed profusely.

“Ah…” Alaina held her arm, staggering backward.