Contract Bride, Eternal Obsession: My Husband Refused To Let Me Go

Deep into the night, Aloridge was battered by relentless, pouring rain.

When she reached the hotel, Bethany Nelson was drenched from head to toe, her hair clinging damply and chaotically to her face.

She paid no attention to her disheveled state, focusing instead on the bag she held tightly.

About thirty minutes earlier, Gavin Harrison, her fiancé, had sent her a message explaining that he had spilled red wine on his shirt and asked her to bring a fresh one for the next day.

The downpour had caught her off guard, and she had stepped out of the car without an umbrella. Luckily, the new shirt for Gavin had been carefully wrapped inside her coat and remained untouched by the rain.

She quickly made her way upstairs and found Gavin's room.

The door stood slightly open. When she thought of Gavin, a quiet warmth spread through her. She reached forward to push it further open.

Without warning, a strong arm shot out and dragged her inside.

Darkness swallowed her vision instantly, followed by the weight of a scorching body pressing her down, while a man's hand gripped her throat, cutting off any chance to cry out.

"You dared to drug me? You've brought this on yourself!"

The voice was filled with rage and threat, striking Bethany with such force that it left her stunned.

And it clearly did not belong to Gavin.

Who was this stranger, and why was he inside Gavin's room?

Panic surged through Bethany like a tidal wave. Grabbing his wrist, she forced the words out through clenched teeth. "I don't even know you. I came here to see my fiancé."

"Oh? You still have the audacity to lie?" The man appeared unable to restrain himself as he lowered his head and bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, the metallic taste blending with her sweetness and stirring something darker within him.

His hold around her throat gradually slackened as he lifted her up and tossed her onto the bed before climbing over her.

"No..." Her protests were completely silenced by him as her damp, cold clothes were removed, leaving her caught between the lingering chill of the storm and an overpowering, suffocating heat.

Three hours passed before he finally found satisfaction.

The man eventually moved away from her, his bare upper body marked by the aftermath of intense passion.

Bethany curled beneath the blanket, her cheeks still flushed while her slender frame trembled slightly.

In the darkness, his voice rang out with a mocking edge. "I doubt I'm your first. Who are you trying to deceive with this innocent act?"

Convinced that she had drugged him, he despised her so much that he refused to even spare her a glance and walked straight into the bathroom to wash up.

The sound of running water filled the room as Bethany's unfocused gaze gradually cleared, her eyes fixed on the bathroom door without moving.

She forced herself upright despite the ache in her body, then reached out clumsily to switch on the light and retrieve her phone from the floor.

Unlocking the screen, she was met with a series of missed calls and unread messages.

The moment she read them, her expression tightened instantly. She dressed in a rush and hurried out of the room without a single glance behind her.

Some time later, Connor Roberts emerged from the bathroom wearing a robe, walking forward with unhurried strides, his expression calm and his entire demeanor carrying a relaxed, satisfied air.

Suddenly, he stopped and scanned the well-lit yet vacant room, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He walked over and yanked back the covers, only to find the bed empty, save for a faint trace of blood staining the sheets.

The sight caught him completely by surprise.

Seriously? She had been a virgin?

Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number, his tone turning cold. "The woman who set me up has escaped. Track her down and bring her back right away. I'll handle this myself."

The person on the other end sounded puzzled. "That woman was already apprehended an hour ago. Do you want us to send her over now?"

Connor's brows drew together. "An hour ago?"

"Yes. We discovered your brother had hired someone to enter your room and create a false scene, making it appear as though you forced yourself on her to damage your reputation. However, our men intercepted her before she even reached the hotel."

After finishing the explanation, the subordinate asked carefully, "Then, which woman are you talking about?"

Connor went silent.

In truth, even he had no idea who that woman actually was.

His eyes drifted back to the bloodstain on the sheets, and for some reason, the sight of that red mark became difficult for him to face.

His breathing slowed but deepened, a strange tightness forming in his throat.

Had he been wrong about her all along?

At the hospital, Bethany stepped out of the taxi and hurried upstairs, heading straight for a doctor's office. She pushed the door open and asked anxiously, "Doctor, is what you said in your message true? Has my mother's donor withdrawn?"

The doctor sighed heavily before nodding. "Yes, it's true. I tried to persuade them, but they insisted they're not in suitable condition to proceed with the donation."

A surge of despair instantly overwhelmed Bethany.

Shirley Clark, her mother, had been battling leukemia. Months earlier, they had finally found a compatible bone marrow donor who was willing to help, and Bethany had been filled with hope.

The transplant had been arranged for today, and Shirley had already completed conditioning, leaving her bone marrow entirely nonfunctional. For the donor to withdraw at this stage was no different from sentencing her to death.

"I need to talk to the donor," Bethany said, her voice shaking uncontrollably.

The doctor hesitated briefly before answering, "It goes against regulations for donors and recipients to have direct contact."

Then what was she supposed to do about her mother? Was she expected to stand by helplessly and watch her die?

Bethany felt the urge to scream, but she knew venting her frustration on the doctor would change nothing.

The moment she stepped out of the office, she immediately called Gavin.

The Harrison family held significant influence in Aloridge, and perhaps Gavin could help find another donor, even if the chances were slim.

The call connected, only to be cut off almost instantly.

Refusing to give up, she tried calling once again.

Suddenly, a familiar ringtone echoed through the otherwise silent hallway.

Bethany froze in place, then slowly turned her gaze toward a nearby hospital room with its door slightly open.

Gavin was here as well? Then why had he sent her to the hotel earlier?

Questions flooded her mind as she quickly walked over and reached for the door, peering inside through the narrow opening.

What she saw inside struck her instantly, leaving her rooted to the spot in shock.

Inside the upscale hospital suite, a phone buzzed repeatedly on the table, ignored as the couple nearby remained fully absorbed in their heated embrace.

"Gavin, Bethany keeps calling you again. Tell me, between the two of us, who matters more to you?"

The woman's expression was playful and seductive-she was Nicole Nelson, Bethany's half-sister.

Gavin silenced the phone and pulled her closer, his tone full of indulgence. "You, obviously. Bethany is unbearably boring-she can't compare to you at all. The only reason I've stayed with her is because she's supposed to inherit part of your family's shares. Without that, she wouldn't even be worth my time."

A calculating light flickered in Nicole's eyes. "Those shares are still in the hands of her unstable mother. Bethany won't receive anything until she marries, but honestly, that day will never come."

"Why not?" Gavin asked, intrigued.

"If Shirley dies before Bethany marries, the shares will revert to my father for redistribution." Nicole's lips curved into a cold smile. "Shirley has leukemia, right? And guess who just happens to be a perfect donor match?"

Just as Bethany reached for the door, her movement froze as a dreadful realization began to form in her mind.

"It's me!" Nicole laughed smugly. "Bethany would never guess that the donor is actually me. As long as I refuse, her mother has no choice but to wait for death. And once she's gone, I'll have my father transfer those shares straight into my name."

"You're brilliant, baby," Gavin said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "So, will you be my girl?"

Nicole tapped his chest lightly, smiling. "I've belonged to you for a long time now. Isn't the answer obvious?"

Their gazes met, filled with mutual understanding, before they drew each other close and kissed with intensity.

Outside the room, Bethany watched them, fury blazing in her eyes as a bitter metallic taste rose in her throat.

So it had all been nothing but deception.

Every word Gavin had spoken about loving her had been false. Even the donor who meant to save her mother was part of a lie. It had all been carefully planned.

The future they were so eagerly anticipating would be built upon her mother's death.

This was something she could never forgive.

A cold resolve formed within her-she would make them pay for this.

Casting one last venomous glance inside, Bethany turned and left in silence, heading toward the transplant unit upstairs.

Inside, Shirley lay asleep on the bed, an IV needle inserted into the back of her hand. After she underwent conditioning, her body had grown so frail that she could hardly sustain basic life functions without the IV.

Bethany remained outside the glass door, watching her as the doctor's message echoed repeatedly in her mind.

Without the transplant, Shirley wouldn't survive beyond a week.

Bethany didn't allow herself a moment of hesitation and began dialing every contact she had.

Nicole would never agree to donate, and Gavin, the man she once believed was her last hope, had proven himself to be nothing more than a cruel liar.

She was left with no option but to find another solution.

Yet among countless people, locating a compatible bone marrow donor on such short notice was nearly impossible.

Slowly, the first light of dawn began to appear.

Bethany had exhausted every contact in her list, but none of them could help.

A heavy knocking sound suddenly broke the silence, and Bethany lifted her head.

At some point, Shirley had climbed out of bed. Separated by the thick glass door, she was striking it repeatedly while grinning at Bethany, her expression erratic and unsettling.

Over the years, others had labeled Shirley as insane, but to Bethany, she had always remained the same gentle and caring mother.

But at this moment, Bethany found herself unable to face her.

It felt as though there was no solution left to find.

Bethany instinctively stepped back, unable to meet Shirley's eyes.

With nowhere left to retreat, Bethany found herself cornered. Meanwhile, Shirley continued to stretch her neck toward her, smiling innocently, completely unaware of the fate awaiting her.

Unable to hold back any longer, Bethany sank to the floor along the wall, burying her face in her hands as sobs overtook her.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.

Through tear-blurred vision, Bethany looked up to see several men dressed in black standing before her. "Miss, our boss would like to meet you. Please come with us."

Outside the hospital entrance, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan was waiting.

Inside the back seat, Connor sat dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. His composed features exuded authority, while his long fingers occasionally tapped against his knee, revealing a trace of impatience.

At that moment, a bodyguard knocked on the window and bent slightly as he spoke respectfully. "Sir, we've brought her."

Bethany was completely confused as she was guided into the car, having no clue what was going on.

A low, firm voice sounded from beside her. "So, you're Bethany Nelson?"

A shiver ran through her entire body.

There was something strangely familiar about that voice.

She lifted her gaze and saw a man with sharply defined features, his eyes beneath thick brows cold, intense, and intimidating.

He was strikingly handsome, carrying a powerful and commanding presence.

A man like him was not someone one could easily forget after seeing once.

Bethany was certain she had never crossed paths with him before, and the familiarity she felt must have been nothing more than her imagination.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she lowered her gaze slightly and answered, "Yes, and who might you be?"

The man observed her closely, his gaze searching. "I'm Connor Roberts. There was once a marriage arrangement between our families, and I've come to fulfill it."

What?

Bethany faltered, her voice unsteady. "You mean... you intend to marry me?"

"You could say that," Connor answered calmly.

Bethany was completely stunned, unable to process it. Was this some kind of absurd joke?

Connor simply watched her in silence, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

His eyes were piercing and intense, as though they could see straight through her.

Her instincts immediately warned her that this man was dangerous.

Unease filled her to the point she could barely remain still. "Um-"

"When was the last time you showered?" Connor interrupted suddenly, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You don't smell very good," he stated flatly, as if unaware of how harsh it sounded.

Bethany's face instantly turned bright red.

A surge of embarrassment and humiliation washed over her.

She awkwardly adjusted the hem of her clothing, which was wrinkled, damp from the rain, and stained with dust from the hospital walls. She truly looked disheveled.

The redness spread down her neck as she dropped her gaze to her shoes, too ashamed to move.

Connor looked away and instructed the driver in a cold tone, "Take us to Iridale."

Without giving Bethany any chance to object, the car quickly drove off.

Iridale was a high-end neighborhood.

After arriving, Bethany got out and saw a two-story house standing prominently under the sunlight. Connor directed a maid to escort her to a bathroom.

Still affected by Connor's earlier remark, Bethany thought she noticed the maid subtly wrinkle her nose as she approached.

Feeling embarrassed, she quickly said, "I can take care of it myself."

The maid passed her a set of fresh clothes before stepping back a few paces. "Each room on the second floor comes with its own bathroom. You may use any, except for the third room from the east."

Bethany only wanted to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere. She nodded quickly, grabbed the clothes, and rushed upstairs without delay.

The second floor was lined with numerous rooms. She opened the room nearest to the staircase and headed straight into the bathroom.

As she removed her clothes, her body came into view, marked with patches of red. Overlapping hickeys and bite marks stood out clearly against her delicate skin.

She had expected some marks, but not to such an extent.

A sudden wave of sadness hit her, tears gathering in her eyes as she avoided looking at her reflection. She turned on the shower and let the hot water flow, blending with the tears running down her face.

It had been her first time having sex. She had intended to give it to the man she loved, only for it to be taken in such an unexpected and absurd way by someone else.

Worse, she didn't even know what that man looked like.

She scrubbed at her skin frantically, overwhelmed by sorrow, completely missing the faint sound of the bathroom door opening beneath the noise of the running water.

It was only when a chuckle cut through the sound that she realized someone else was in the room.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" Connor asked.