Bound By Contract, Claimed By Fate

WANT AND WAR

Katherine

"Between the one who broke me and the one who burns me."

“Did I interrupt something?” Bianca’s voice cut through the room as she stepped in, her lips curved into that too-sweet smile I hated.

“No, we were… just talking,” Dominic replied quickly, tightening the towel around his waist.

“Talking?” She raised a brow, her gaze sliding over to me. “Didn’t look like talking to me.”

Her tone made my jaw clench. Before I could bite back, she turned to Dominic. “Anyway, I’ve got a message for you.” She handed him a letter—an actual letter, which already felt suspicious.

Dominic opened it lazily, scanned the words, and scoffed. “Oh… looks like she still hasn’t given up,” he muttered before tossing it onto the floor like it was trash.

“What’s it about?” I asked, curiosity bubbling up despite myself.

“Some woman who won’t move on,” he said flatly. “Been ignoring her emails and texts, and now she’s resorting to letters.”

“Can I read it?” I bent down to pick it up, but Bianca’s hand shot out, stopping me mid-reach.

“Don’t you think you’re prying?” she said sweetly, that fake innocence dripping from her voice.

Bianca always had a way of trying to humiliate me. Not today. Not in front of him.

“Well,” I said, straightening up with a smirk, the letter already in my hand. “He’s my husband. I’m not prying.”

Her smile tightened. She leaned in close enough for only me to hear. “Is he? Don’t forget your place, Kathy.”

Her words hit like a punch to my chest. The air left my lungs, and the confidence I’d built up wavered.

“Bianca, you can leave now,” Dominic said firmly, his tone colder than usual.

Just in time. I was seconds away from falling apart.

“Oh, I’m sorry for interrupting your… little talk,” she said, flashing that smug grin before walking out.

When the door closed, I finally let out a shaky breath and turned to the letter.

“Dear Dominic,

Just give me a chance to prove my love for you. Answer my texts, then we’ll fix a date. I can’t wait to be in your arms again.

Love, Rosa.”

I scoffed. “Pathetic. Desperate for a man who probably doesn’t even remember her name.”

Dominic chuckled softly. “You just admitted I’m your husband. Impressive.”

I glared at him. “I wish I hadn’t. But unfortunately, that’s what the contract says.”

He just smiled and took a slow sip of whiskey, like this was all a joke.

“You’re unbelievable,” I snapped, tossing the letter at him. “Try having a little dignity—at least enough not to make me look like a fool.”

I turned and stormed toward the door.

“I didn’t think it would bother you,” he called out behind me, his voice calm, almost teasing.

I didn’t answer. I just slammed the door hard enough to make the walls shake.

I stormed down the hallway, my chest tight with fury. I didn’t even know which part of me was angrier—at Bianca, for always trying to humiliate me, or at Dominic, for treating me like I was just part of some game.

“I didn’t think you’d be bothered.”

His words kept replaying in my head, over and over, cutting deeper each time. He was right—I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t. But I did. And I hated that I did.

I was too lost in thought to notice where I was going until I crashed straight into someone. My balance gave out, but before I could hit the floor, a pair of strong hands caught me.

“Katherine? Easy,” the familiar voice said.

My heart skipped. Adrian.

He steadied me effortlessly, his arm still around my waist. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle, his expression warm.

“Yeah,” I muttered, quickly stepping back and smoothing down my clothes to hide my fluster.

He reached out again, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Better now,” he said softly, smiling in that same way he used to—back when everything between us still made sense.

For a moment, it felt like time rewound. Like we were us again—before the lies, before the betrayal. Adrian had always been good at noticing the small things, the little details that made me feel seen. If only he hadn’t thrown it all away.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice unsteady.

He just nodded, that soft smile still lingering as I turned to leave. But when I glanced back, he was still standing there, watching me.

What was he up to? Why did his presence still stir something in me after everything?

Adrian reminded me of a love I once craved but could never have again. And Dominic… Dominic was everything I swore to hate, yet my body betrayed me every time he was near.

How did I end up trapped between the man who broke my heart and the man who makes me lose control?

I closed my eyes briefly and whispered to myself, Oh Lord, please… help me.

I finally made it to my room, shutting the door behind me as if I could lock the entire world out. The bed welcomed me like a quiet refuge—soft, safe, the only place that didn’t demand anything from me. I sank into it, letting out a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding.

Just as my body began to relax, my phone beeped. I reached for it lazily, only to see a message from my mother.

“Remember what you’re here for. Don’t lose focus.”

Of course. That was the only time she ever reached out—when it was about the job. Never to ask how I was holding up, never to ask if I was okay. Just a reminder that I was here for a reason. A pawn in her game, just like always.

I tossed the phone aside and closed my eyes, but peace never came.

Then came a knock.

I froze, not ready to face anyone. I didn’t want to see Dominic—especially not after what had just happened. But the knock came again, patient but firm.

“Come in,” I muttered reluctantly.

The butler stepped in, polite as always. “Your husband requests that you get dressed for dinner,” he said with a small smile.

I forced one back. “Thank you. I’ll be down soon.”

As soon as the door closed, I exhaled sharply, the fake smile vanishing from my face. Dinner with Dominic was the last thing I wanted right now. I wasn’t ready to face his smugness… or the confusing way he made me feel.

Before I could think too long about it, another knock came—lighter this time. I frowned. “Now what?” I muttered, opening the door.

And there he was.

Adrian.

“Hey,” he said softly, his voice uncertain but warm.

“Adrian?” My voice came out barely above a whisper. My heart skipped again, betraying me.

He scratched the back of his neck, smiling in that boyish, disarming way that used to melt me. “I didn’t mean to bother you,” he said. “I just… wanted to make it up to you—for earlier. You almost fell, and I felt bad.”

I blinked, unsure where he was going with this.

He hesitated for a moment, then added, “Maybe we could have dinner tonight? Just the two of us. To talk.”

My breath caught.

Dinner? Now?

A wave of confusion crashed through me. Dominic had just summoned me for dinner—and now Adrian was standing here, asking the same thing. My chest tightened as I tried to process it.

Dominic, the husband I couldn’t stand but couldn’t ignore.

Adrian, the ex who broke my heart but still made it flutter.

Two dinners. Two men.

And one heart caught in between.