Chapter 1 Contract Terminated

The night following a lengthy separation was filled with unrestrained passion.

After slipping in and out of awareness multiple times during lovemaking, Natalie Simpson finally registered the familiar sound of water running in the bathroom.

Resting against the pillow, she felt completely drained, yet the moment the man stepped out, she gathered all her remaining energy and pushed herself upright.

Connor Hughes emerged shirtless, droplets still trailing from his damp hair. His skin, unusually smooth for a man, seemed to radiate an almost mesmerizing allure that was impossible to overlook.

He reached for a folder, placed it on the nightstand, and nudged it toward her.

"Contract terminated."

His words struck like an icy gust, leaving her frozen in place.

Her gaze landed on the bold heading-Sponsorship Agreement-printed across the document. A tremor ran through her as she fought to keep her tone composed.

"There are still three months left. Can't you wait a little longer?"

She had always known this day would arrive. After so many years by his side, it was inevitable. Yet, she had clung to the hope-just a little more time, just a little longer-to remain with him.

At least not now, when she had just been told she had only six months left.

The heavy silence between them gave her the clearest, most devastating answer.

"It was just a joke." Natalie lifted her shoulders in a casual shrug, trying to play it off. "Honestly, I've been meaning to end this for a while. My family's been urging me to settle down, and they've already lined up blind dates for next week. I was actually wondering how to bring it up to you."

She forced out a laugh, as if the situation was nothing more than a trivial matter.

Connor, midway through drying his hair, paused, his dark eyes flickering toward her. "You're going on blind dates?"

Natalie nodded, her expression giving the impression that it was the most natural thing in the world. "After all, I can't be with you forever; I need to settle down."

Given her fragile health condition, dreaming of a future with him was out of the question. All she wanted was to leave without making a scene.

Connor's eyes darkened. Irritated, he tossed the towel aside, pulled on his clothes hastily, and left his hair still damp.

"Dean will take care of the rest."

His voice was devoid of warmth, treating her less like a partner and more like an object he had lost interest in.

A sharp ache twisted in her chest. In that instant, every lingering thought she had held onto dissolved. She no longer harbored any illusions.

Connor's gaze landed on the torn blouse on the floor, realizing it was beyond repair. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "Stay here tonight. Dean will bring fresh clothes in the morning."

Natalie forced a smile and said, "Don't forget to remind him to bring birth control pills."

Connor's hand halted briefly as he adjusted his watch. Without looking back, he turned to leave. "Can't you tell him that yourself?"

The forced smile on Natalie's face stiffened before slowly fading.

The next morning, at exactly ten o'clock, Dean Williams, Connor's assistant, appeared at the door as expected.

He handed her a cup of warm water along with a familiar pill.

"Appreciate the cooperation, Ms. Simpson."

For three years, she had been taking these pills while with Connor. Every single time, Dean was the one who delivered them-always with that same polite, detached expression, ensuring she took them.

Natalie stared at the pill in her palm, an unsettling chill creeping through her veins.

"I brought warm water for you. Drink it before it cools," Dean said, his tone seemingly considerate, though she knew better.

He was merely making sure she wouldn't be pregnant with Connor's child.

Natalie smiled faintly, swallowed the pill, and took a slow sip of water before returning the empty glass.

"Thanks, but I prefer mine with ice."

Unbothered, Dean pulled out a stack of documents and began laying them out one by one.

"A villa at Aroma Estates, a penthouse at Bloom Towers, a suite in Spring Residences..."

As he continued listing properties, Natalie's thoughts wandered.

She had first visited Aroma Estates two years ago on her birthday. That night, she had casually mentioned to Connor that she had never seen the ocean before.

Despite having just returned from a trip to Uzrersey, he had driven for hours to take her to the coast, just so she could witness the stars shimmering over the waves.

She still remembered the salty breeze, the rhythmic crashing of the tide, the way her hair tangled with grains of sand-most of all, she remembered Connor's voice, whispering her name over and over.

That night had been the most unforgettable birthday of her life.