His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 133
[MIA]
I woke up with the other side of the bed being empty and cold, and I stirred. I had fallen asleep last night when I excused myself
to rest after dinner (courtesy of the medicines) in Alex’s bed.
He wasn’t here.
How I woke up the last time I was here fills my memory, with his hand strangling me.
I missed his touch.
I missed my husband’s touch.
My eyes flickered open to see him sprawled across the couch, and my heart fell a little bit. He was so big, literally. Taller than the
length of the couch, his legs on the arm rest and his palm below his head because there was no space to rest it elsewhere.
He slept on the couch because of all the times I had screamed at him to get away from me when he tried to come closer. He
hadn’t even worn a blanket despite the freezing temperature the room was at.
I took the blanket I was wearing, softly spreading it over him, careful not to wake him.
I just stared at his peaceful face, no frown lines whatsoever, and jumped when his eyes snapped open.
“Good morning,” he wished me in a raspy voice.
My heart skipped a beat. “Did I wake you up?”
“No. I was already awake.”
“You looked asleep,” I say in a small voice. “I thought you might be feeling cold. It’s freezing in here.”
“I tried raising the temperature when I came to the room, but you started stirring awake. I guess my wife likes the freezing
temperature, huh?” He teased.
My wife.

Oh, dear heart,
“I’m sorry you had to sleep on the couch because of me.”
“Don’t be. I was working here and I fell asleep.”
Cheap 185
“Okay.” Thite my lower lip. “It’s pretty early still.
It was seven in the morning.
“Ahm.” He buzzes, getting up and straightening his spine before cracking his knuckles. His bruised knuckles. How did I not
notice them earlier?
“Why do your knuckles have dried blood, Alex?” I ask in a smaller voice than earlier, contemplating if I should sit on the empty
space beside him.
“was working out back at home, and I took it too far.” He chuckles like it’s not a big deal. “Are you hungry? You barely had dinner
last night.”
1 nod, my stomach rumbling a little.
“Do you want to go out?” He offers. “There’s this breakfast place around the corner. We can go?”
I nod enthusiastically, a small smile breaking out on my face.
A half hour later, we were both showered, dressed and walking on the sidewalk.
“No car and no guards?” I teased when we walked side by side. “Does Alex King really do such mundane things?”
“I figured it would make you happy... to do ‘mundane things“.”
“So happy.” I smile, “So, what’s the story behind this breakfast place?”
“They’ve got world–famous bagels,” Alex grins. He actually grins and it’s so sweet, I wanted to capture it. “When ! and Aurora
were six and Ronan must be like one? We used to grab breakfast here before Dad left for work. Breakfast and dinners were
mandatory together till we were fifteen. My parents were huge on family time. Checking out new restaurants, annual vacations.”

“Wow.” I can’t help but smile too. “That must be such a lovely way to grow up.”
“It was,” He replies. “I think I had some manufacturing defect, always had the knack for destruction. Loved watching things burn.
My parents weren’t exactly shocked when I figured out what Uncle Damien actually did, or when I wanted to spend time with him
over the my summer holidays. They were just terrified for my life, but they didn’t want to lose me by trying to control me. Hence, I
joined the mafia. You always ask, here’s the reason.”
“That’s it?” I would lie if I said I wasn’t disappointed. “A knack for adventure?”
“What did you expect? A sob story?”
“Yeah. Of sorts.”
2/4
“Some people are just born psychopaths, baby. I wasn’t made.”
“You’re not a psychopath.” I bite my lower lip. “You’re crazy, but not psychopathic.”
“Is that a compliment, cupcake? Should I be flattered?”
1 blush while Alex pushes the glass doors of the cafe for me, holding it like a total gentleman.
“Seems like you’re not the only one who loves this place,” I mutter to Alex, and he blinks in confusion before following my gaze to
see his twin sister sitting in one of the corner tables opposite a man.
The man, as good looking as he was with his broad shoulders, muscular arms and roughed–up appearance, looked older to
Aurora. He must have a good six–eight years on her, and he wasn’t a stranger judging by my husband’s stiffening posture.
“Why don’t you go order the bagels?” His hand lingers on my lower back subconsciously while his other hand digs inside his
pocket to remove his card and he hands it over to me. “I’ll be behind you in a sec.”
I freeze under his touch, nodding quietly and fleeing the spot to go towards the counter. There was a small queue, which was
surprising considering how small the place was. I could see Alex walk up to his sister’s table, who looked flustered upon seeing
him. The man seemed unbothered.
Alex talked to them while looking at me every few seconds as if he was scared to take his eyes off me.

I was safe here, or at least I hoped I was, but Alex’s concern felt nice. Warm.
The
queue cleared up and I stepped ahead to the counter when it was my chance, taking my eyes off my husband only then.
“Good morning. Can I take your order?” The voice was unfamiliar, but the ginger hair in front of me wasn’t.
The ginger in his beard coincided with my kidnapper’s. I stood there, frozen, terrified, feeling his hands all over me like they had
been.
Feeling his weight over my body. His erection pushing into my stomach while his hands held me down. His lips trying to land on
mine while I kept shaking my head frantically.
Run. Mia, Run.
Scream for Alex.
Anything.
I couldn’t.
16:30 Fri, 19 Jul
Chapter 133
I hyperventilated, lips parted, staring at the man. Staring at my kidnapper. My abuser.