You're Mine Until the Contract Burns

Chapter 8 The Perfect Match

"No..." The gossipy women looked at Carlos in panic.

Carlos turned his gaze to Ella, a grin spreading across his face like a tyrant. "Sure."

Ella hadn't expected him to agree so quickly.

She paused, then leaned towards Carlos' ear, and whispered, amidst the desperate wails of the women, "They're insulting you to provoke me. I'm only doing this for the dignity of both families—I don't care how many women you've been with."

Carlos pinched her cheek gently. "My sweet girl, whatever you say goes."

His fingers tightened slightly, making Ella wince in pain.

But she endured it, forcing a sweet smile, even as she fought the discomfort.

'f**k him...'

Flora, predictably, was drunk again, her padded chest stuffed with business cards from the male guests.

Benjamin, fearing she'd embarrass herself at such an important event, decided it was time to take her away.

Ella and Carlos escorted them to the door, but Ella wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.

Before they left, Sophia grabbed Ella and gave her a few last-minute instructions.

Meanwhile, a drunken Flora leaned her whole body against Carlos, whispering seductively in his ear.

"Carlos, brother-in-law, have you slept with Ella yet? Want to try something different?"

Flora's advances made Carlos visibly uncomfortable. He had no interest in a drunk woman at all.

Swiftly, he dodged her hand, which had reached out to him, and leaned in to her ear, his voice low. "I hate being touched by others, especially filthy bitches like you."

Even in her drunken state, Flora felt the sting of his harsh words.

She spun around, her face flushing with anger. "What did you say? Say that again!"

Ella, noticing the tension, immediately left Sophia's side and stepped towards them.

Carlos, unfazed, calmly wiped his fingers and ear with a handkerchief, completely uninterested in engaging further with Flora.

"You've had enough! There's a time and place for everything!" Ella stepped in front of Carlos and scolded Flora.

Flora only laughed. "Sweetheart, you should keep an eye on your husband. Do you remember Jack?"

Ella gritted her teeth, fighting to keep her anger in check. Her shoulders trembled slightly. "A b***h and a bastard—you two are a perfect match!"

Flora laughed even harder. "I dumped Jack. Don't you know? I mean... you didn't even want him, so why would I keep him? But Carlos? Believe me. Before long, he'll fall in love with me just like Jack did!"

Benjamin overheard and slapped Flora hard across the face. "Shut up! Do you even know what you're saying?"

Flora crumpled to the ground, her cheek instantly swelling. Sophia rushed to help her up.

Flora, humiliated, shouted at Benjamin and Sophia, "Why? Why do you always take Ella's side?"

Flora climbed to her feet, her eyes filled with venom as she stared at Ella. Her thoughts darkened—this wouldn't be over. She stormed out, furious.

Benjamin, unconcerned by Flora's emotional collapse, turned to his beloved daughter, Ella, with a loving smile.

"Ella, my dear, as Carlos' wife, you need to learn to be tolerant and gracious. You'll have to work things out with Carlos. Understand?"

Ella, though not fond of Flora, couldn't ignore the stark contrast in how Benjamin treated her versus Flora.

But this was who he was—pretending to care for Ella while using her as a pawn for his own interests.

And as for Flora, he let her get away with anything, never holding her accountable.

In a way, they were both victims.

Outside Rosewood Manor, the family drama was just a small blip in the evening. No one noticed the pair of eyes lurking in the shadows, watching every move they made.

As the night grew deeper and the guests began to leave, Ella found herself dreading the wedding night.

Though they had signed a contract, the awkwardness of being alone with Carlos was unavoidable.

Carlos was in the bathroom, showering, and Ella couldn't help but feel uneasy as she sat there, fidgeting.

Soon, he emerged from the bathroom, casually tying his robe.

It was hard to deny that Carlos was perfect in every way—his looks, his body, everything about him screamed flawlessly.

The white robe barely concealed his well-toned frame, water droplets glistening on his chest, catching the light as he moved.

Carlos glanced at Ella, noticing her tension. A sly smile tugged at his lips, remembering the sharp wit and fiery attitude she'd shown at the wedding.

He deliberately approached her, leaving just enough distance to make the air between them charged. Ella instinctively pressed her hands against his chest, pushing him back. "What are you doing?"

"You tell me," Carlos smirked, and before Ella could react, he leaned down, gently pinning her to the bed. His warm hand found its way to her slim waist, his fingers slipping under the hem of her nightgown, grazing her soft skin.

A jolt of electricity ran through Ella, her muscles tightening at his touch. Carlos, seeing her react so strongly, couldn't help but be drawn in further.

As his touches became bolder, Ella quickly reminded him of their agreement. "You liar! We made a deal! You can't do this to me!"

Ella didn't realize just how much stronger he was.

Despite her best efforts to break free, Carlos held her firmly beneath him. His breath quickened, and his kisses, though warm, felt intense and consuming.

His hand traced her curves, and as his fingers brushed against her, Ella gasped and instinctively bit down on his shoulder, unable to control her body's reaction.