You're Mine Until the Contract Burns

Chapter 1 The Runaway Bride

The sky was still dark over Granwy Mansion, but inside, figures moved swiftly through the hallways.

Today was the day—the union of the Harrison and Field families, two powerful clans, would be sealed in marriage.

Ella Field sat like a lifeless doll, her body pliable in the hands of the attendants who dressed and primped her without a word.

'I have to get out of this madness,' Ella's mind raced.

It was beyond belief. Her father, Benjamin Field, had raised her to be the pride of the Field family. Yet now, he was forcing her to marry Carlos Harrison, a stranger.

What happened to all that talk about favor and pride? In the end, she was nothing more than a pawn in a convenient marriage—a mere tool to cement a family alliance.

Ella couldn't accept it. Not when she had someone she truly loved.

Jack Mitchell. Her college classmate. They'd been together for three years, and their bond was built on deep affection and shared dreams. Thinking of Jack filled her with enough courage to take action. She couldn't marry this man—this stranger. She had to find her love.

Her makeup was flawless, but there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. When the designer brought over the stunning wedding gown, Ella barely spared a glance at its beauty. She snatched it from the attendant's hands and said, "I'll change myself. I'm not comfortable being seen when I change."

The designer, slightly taken aback, hesitated before stepping out of the room.

Ella locked the door behind her and then turned her attention to the room around her, searching for an escape.

Granwy Mansion was heavily guarded, with trained security at every corner. It wouldn't be easy to slip past them.

Meanwhile, Carlos' black Rolls-Royce sped towards Granwy Mansion.

It was his wedding day, but an international video conference had delayed him, leaving him no time to change before rushing to the venue.

His posture was regal, his every movement exuding an air of dominance, as though he owned the world.

As the landscape rushed by outside the car window, Anthony, his bodyguard and assistant, glanced at Carlos and said, "Sir, no need to worry. We still have plenty of time."

Carlos didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. Anthony cursed under his breath, "s**t!"

Out of nowhere, a woman in a white wedding dress appeared, practically falling out of the sky and landing in front of their car.

It was Ella.

She had barely made it out of the second-floor window when the mansion's security caught sight of her. That giant wedding gown had been impossible to hide, and she had no choice but to scramble like a monkey, jumping over the railing and scaling the wall.

In the end, she landed right on the road.

And then, sheer luck—of all the places she could have ended up, a car just happened to be passing by at that exact moment.

Anthony was about to get out of the car to check on her when Ella swiftly opened the door and slipped inside, her eyes darting nervously at the bodyguards chasing her. She clasped her hands together and urgently whispered, "Please, sir, I'm in trouble. Can you drive away quickly?"

When she looked up, she met Carlos' gaze. His sharp features caught her off guard, and for a moment, neither of them moved, both captivated by the unexpected attraction.

Anthony exchanged a glance with Carlos, raising an eyebrow before asking, "Uh... miss, what exactly is going on?"

"Drive. Please. Hurry!" Ella begged, her voice trembling with urgency.

Without hesitation, Anthony slammed his foot on the accelerator, speeding away and leaving the bodyguards far behind.

Once the car was safely away, Ella let out a sigh of relief. She smoothed out her wedding gown and sat up straighter, trying to collect herself.

Carlos studied her, his eyes cold yet filled with a quiet intensity.

This was his bride, the woman he was supposed to marry—yet she had run away from him.

What audacity. That was definitely a bold challenge to the Harrison family.

"Running away from your own wedding?" His voice was low and controlled, his anger barely contained.

Ella, feeling slightly embarrassed, ran a hand through her wild curls. "It's obvious, isn't it?" She gestured to the wedding dress she was still wearing.

"Why?" Carlos' voice was icy, his gaze unwavering.

Ella responded as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "I don't even know him. Why should I marry someone I've never met? Besides, I already have someone I love. His name's Jack Mitchell, and he's a gentleman. A handsome one," she added with a soft smile, her face lighting up at the thought of him.

Anthony, who had overheard, couldn't help but feel a little nervous for her.

Carlos was being cuckolded?

Ella continued, "And my father... I don't know what he was thinking. Suddenly, he wants to marry me off to some rich old man, not even considering how I feel."

Anthony's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Was she seriously saying this?

"Rich old man?!" Carlos' grip on the armrest tightened, his teeth gritting as he asked through clenched jaws, "Who told you that?"

The air in the car turned frosty.

Quick on his feet, Anthony jumped in, "Uh, ahem... miss, where exactly are we going?"

Ella smiled, unfazed. "Oceanview Heights. Thank you!"

Carlos narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning from her to the window. So, she was planning to meet her lover, wasn't she?

And on their wedding day, no less.

Perfect. This was the woman his grandfather, John Harrison, had picked for him. The so-called pride of the Field family.

Soon, they arrived at the familiar apartment building. Jack's place. Ella couldn't contain her excitement and quickly darted up the stairs, lifting the hem of her dress.

Carlos followed closely behind, but Anthony tried to block him. "Sir, please. Don't do anything rash."

"Move!" Carlos snapped, shoving Anthony aside as he stalked after her.

Ella, her heart racing with anticipation, pushed open the familiar door. But the moment she entered, the loud music, the thick smoke, and the overpowering stench hit her like a punch in the face.

She wrinkled her nose and waved her hand through the smoke, but what she saw next was enough to freeze her in place.

The once spacious living room was now filled with half-dressed men and women.

They howled and groaned like animals, their bodies entangled in raw, primal lust, moving together in a haze of desire.

Ella's eyes immediately found Jack. He was in the middle, trapped between two others, enjoying himself in a way that made her stomach churn.