
CONTRACTUALLY MARRIED
NewEraCulture · Completed · 121.9k Words
Introduction
Do you know what consist of that 'so-called' arrangements? Well, let me tell you... it's just me and my name who and which is going to be tied 'contractually' to the end of the name of my jerk of a (so-called) husband.
You heard that---Contractually? Yes. We're just going to be 'contractually 'married' for five years.. for five long years. And since it's only for five years, we don't have to act like those typical husbands and wives or a lovey-dovey-couple that you can see everywhere holding each other's hands while walking, hugging, kissing.. and ohh.. eating each other's face. Because that's exactly the opposite situation of our 'marriage'.
He hates me with all his guts and the same with me, although I really don't know why and where his hates coming from.
So, here I am... Arriana Angela Kelley- Smith, married to Alexander Jonathan Smith who is known to be one of the successful and richest bachelor 'slash' womanizers in the whole business state of California.
Hmmp! little did they know, he was already married 'to me' four years ago.
Chapter 1
It's only 7:30 am on my bedside clock, but here I am getting ready for my 10:00 am appointment with our president and some higher officials in the publishing company where I am currently working as an editor in chief.
But today's appointment is actually a contract signing for me as one of their romance and fiction writer. Well, you can't blame me for seeking another job..it's not that I am in need of so much money, but writing is actually my passion aside from singing of course. I already finish two stories and when I tried to pass it to one of my bestfriend --- Gavin who is also an editor, he said I must try to give it on board because we are currently in need of professional writers. So, that's the story behind this contract signing.
"Good morning." I greet my friend and apartment mate Cari when I walked to the kitchen to grab some breakfast.
"Good morning. It's Saturday... you're going to work?" she has a furrowed eyebrows while getting her bottled water. She probably comes from jogging based on her outfit and sweats on her forehead.
"Nope. I'm actually going to the office but not for duty." I take my seat and open the cover of my favorite chocolate pancakes on the table. Thank you for this girl for being my breakfast maker.
"But for what?"
"Guess what?" I shoved the first pancake in my mouth.
" Wait--- for higher position?" she's already seated beside me.
"No, but for another position. Uhm... additional position."
"What? What do you mean?" her eyebrows were almost knitted in line.
I grab her water bottled water and take a drink before answering her question.
"It's actually a contract signing of me being one of the writer of our company."
"Wow, really? Congratulations." she said in a wide eyes and hug me. "But how about your current position? It's not easy having two jobs in the same company. How are you going to balance that?" she take her seat again while waiting for my answer.
"Don't worry, I already have plans for that and besides, my job is in the morning and since I go out at four in the afternoon, I always have time and plenty of time to write." I answered her with a wink.
"Okay. All I can say for now is good luck. But I'm warning you, Rian. I want to be the first one to have the copy of your books." she playfully narrowed her eyes on me.
"Of course, you'll always be my priority."
"Oh, you make it sure ah."
"I'll promise." I said with a giggle while hugging her.
"By the way, what's you're planning for today after your contract signing?" We're now going back to the living room.
"I don't know maybe going to the supermarket and buy some stuffs. Why?" I look at her with a raised eyebrow because she has this familiar grin on her face.
"Well, it's Saturday today...and..."
"And?"
"And...it's time to have some fun again! You know Saturday nights with girls and the boys!" she said excitedly while I just rolled my eyes. See? That type of grin on her face... I knew it.
"What can you say? We're going to invite our girlfriends Jenny and Sierra. You can also invite Gavin and Nick. Ahh... I'm so excited."
"Oh, don't forget Sierra's boyfriend."
Yeah, one of our friends have already been engaged. It's Sierra whose boyfriend is one of the top model in California's time magazine. While Jenny, Cari, Gavin and Nick are still single. And me... I'm married. Although not the typical marriage that everybody knows but I'm still married. And only Cari and Gavin knows it among the group.
We're not living in one roof since our wedding. I still lived with my parents, while him... he already had his own penthouse back then because he was already the CEO of their family's company. We never had a date or a formal meeting until I graduated in college and decided to live on my own, although only here around California.
"Of course! You know Paolo is so possessive with Sierra!" I was back in trance when I heard Cari's voice. "As if his girlfriend was made of crystals and diamonds. Hello!" she said with disgust expression on her face.
And that is the time for me to laugh. I really love Cari. She's always more a sister to me than a friend sometimes. It's a different story with Gavin, because he's one of my workmates and he's gay. But that's a big secret that me and our friends only know about it.
After the contract signing with Gavin on my Side, we decided to go to the supermarket where Cari is already waiting for us. We didn't take so much time in buying groceries, actually we spent all our precious time shopping on some dresses, shoes, makeups and accessories for our girls and gangs night's out tonight. And of course for the following occasions that needs formal dresses and accessories. As for Gavin, we accompanied him to some men's boutique as you all know his real him is still unknown to others.
After our long hours of shopping, we just stopped by to a pizza's store inside the mall for our lunch and then we headed our way home.
"Girls, I'm going to pick you up at 8 tonight. Be ready." Gavin said while kissing our cheeks.
" Sure. Take care, Gav." I also copied his gesture.
"Okay. Make sure with your style and outfit, you're going to turn the club upside down tonight."
Me and Cari just shook our heads and said our goodbyes to him.
When it's already 6 pm, Cari and I were both rushing in our each room taking a bath, because for sure we're going to use our remaining time on putting our dress and facial accessories----you know----makeups.
Well, not for me...but for Cari, yes. I'm not really a fan of it. It's just Cari who always insisting on putting some colors on my face. If it's just me, I will only put mascara, foundation and lipstick, but since it's her...you need to shut your mouth when she's in front of the mirror doing magic on your face.
"Okay done." I let out a long sigh of relief after almost an hour waiting for her to finish whatever she's doing on my face.
"Wow!" that's all I can say. She made my eyes alive by the eyeshadows she put on it, that also compliment to the dress I'm going to wear tonight.
"See? You know, you really are beautiful. You just don't know how to appreciate your beauty and use it sometimes." I don't know if she's really scolding at me because her tone is a little bit softer than scolding.
"Ouch." I jokingly place my right hand on top of my left chest.
"No. Seriously. You're beautiful. How can you explain those numbers of men who want to pursue you if you just really want to give them a chance."
-'haist...this conversation again'-
I thought while rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
"Well, because I don't want to. And I still can't feel the spark, the electricity that runs down my spine whenever they touch me." see... I'm a hopeless romantic.
Now it's her turn to roll her eyes on me.
"And besides, you and Gavin knows that I'm married. That I'm still married." I show her again my finger with my engagement ring...not my wedding ring because I already took it off and put on my favorite necklace as a pendant.
"Married? Forgodsake! Arrianna Angela! Your marriage was just on papers!"
Whoa..she almost screamed while throwing her hands on the air. She's not pissed by that.
"Yeah, I know. But still it's legal----"
"Legal? Spell legal, Rian?"
-'seriously? she want to spell the word legal...'
"What I'm just saying is that you're only married to him on papers and nothing more! Four years of being married for nothing! I mean look a him, still having the bachelor's title while the truth is... he's already been married to you. For christ sake!"
...ding...ding...
-'Oh! Thank God!'- I can't help myself not to let a silent prayer. Thank you for whoever is on the front door for saving my life.
"What time is it?" she suddenly stopped her tracks when she also heard the doorbell ring.
-'time for you to stop your preaching because its only Saturday today and not Sunday'-
I want to answer her that, but of course being me I won't do that.
"Well, it's 10 minutes before 8."
"Oh, I think that's Gavin. Let's go." she already headed to the door.
"Okay." I just got my purse, containing my first thing accessories...phone, lipstick, foundation, extra cash and my credit card.
I am currently heading downstairs when I realized that I haven't sprayed my favorite cologne. How did I forget that? So I climbed up again and go back to my room. After spraying some amount on my neck and some parts of my dress, I put it on my purse and decided to go back to the living room where Gavin, Nick, Jenny and Cari were already seated on the couch.
"What took you so long? I thought you're already behind me." Cari asked me with a crunched eyebrow.
"I forgot to spray some cologne, you know."
She just rolled her eyes.
"Hi, Rian." Nick kissed me on my cheek while Gavin on my forehead. And Jenny, we hugged each other.
"I missed you girl. I missed this night out." she excitedly throws her hands in the air.
"Me too."
"Come on guys, let's go. We're not going to our usual club tonight." Nick stated while standing up and walked towards the front door.
"What? Why?" all us girls asked in unison.
"Well, Paolo suggested that we can try to this newly opened bar not far from our usual night place." Gavin was the one who answered.
"Oh, okay. Let's try something new tonight."
Last Chapters
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Last Updated: 1/21/2026#51 Chapter 51
Last Updated: 1/21/2026
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I put away the divorce agreement with a wry smile.
When he and my son completely disappeared, he finally panicked.
Three months later .
He knelt down on the streets of Chicago in despair, begging me to remarry him.
My six-year-old son looked coldly at his biological father and said, "Get lost, you bad uncle! You don't deserve to be my dad!"
I Loved You in Silence, You Betrayed Me in French
At my birthday party, my husband whispered to his mistress in French that he missed her. His voice was low, but I heard it all—the black lingerie, the bit about how pregnancy makes you more sensitive. His French clients around us were laughing. He turned and put his arm around me, claiming he was just helping his clients come up with sweet nothings.
He doesn't know I understand every single word. Just like he doesn't know that inside my body, I'm carrying his other surprise. And his mistress—she's pregnant too. Two wombs, one secret.
Confrontation would be too cheap. Tears are worthless. I quietly started cataloging the hidden networks my father left behind, activating the Swiss accounts.
In seven days, Zoey Smith will cease to exist. And what will my husband's reaction be?
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.
**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate
What? No—wait… oh Moon Goddess, no.
Please tell me you're joking, Lex.
But she's not. I can feel her excitement bubbling under my skin, while all I feel is dread.
We turn the corner, and the scent hits me like a punch to the chest—cinnamon and something impossibly warm. My eyes scan the room until they land on him. Tall. Commanding. Beautiful.
And then, just as quickly… he sees me.
His expression twists.
"Fuck no."
He turns—and runs.
My mate sees me and runs.
Bonnie has spent her entire life being broken down and abused by the people closest to her including her very own twin sister. Alongside her best friend Lilly who also lives a life of hell, they plan to run away while attending the biggest ball of the year while it's being hosted by another pack, only things don't quite go to plan leaving both girls feeling lost and unsure about their futures.
Alpha Nicholas is 28, mateless, and has no plans to change that. It's his turn to host the annual Blue Moon Ball this year and the last thing he expects is to find his mate. What he expects even less is for his mate to be 10 years younger than him and how his body reacts to her. While he tries to refuse to acknowledge that he has met his mate his world is turned upside down after guards catch two she-wolves running through his lands.
Once they are brought to him he finds himself once again facing his mate and discovers that she's hiding secrets that will make him want to kill more than one person.
Can he overcome his feelings towards having a mate and one that is so much younger than him? Will his mate want him after already feeling the sting of his unofficial rejection? Can they both work on letting go of the past and moving forward together or will fate have different plans and keep them apart?
Omega Bound
Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life.
Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
The Human Among Wolves
My stomach twisted, but he wasn’t finished.
"You're just a pathetic little human," Zayn said, his words deliberate, each one hitting like a slap. "Spreading your legs for the first guy who bothers to notice you."
Heat rushed to my face, burning with humiliation. My chest ached — not from his words alone, but from the sick realization that I had trusted him. That I had let myself believe he was different.
I was so, so stupid.
——————————————————
When eigteen-year-old Aurora Wells moves to a sleepy town with her parents, the last thing she expects is to be enrolled in a secret academy for werewolves.
Moonbound Academy is no ordinary school. It's here young Lycans, Betas and Alphas train in shifting, elemental magic, and ancient pack laws. But Aurora? She's just...human. a mistake. The new receptionist forgot to check her species - and now she's surrounded by predators who sense she doesn't belong.
Determined to stay under the radar, Aurora plans to survive the year unnoticed. But when she catches the attention of Zayn, a brooding and infuriatingly powerful Lycan prince, her life gets a lot more complicated. Zayn already has a mate. He already has enemies. And he definitely doesn't want anything to do with a clueless human.
But secrets run deeper than bloodlines at Moonbound. as Aurora unravels the truth about the academy - and herself - she begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Including the reason she was brought here at all.
Enemies will rise. Loyalties will shift. And the girl with no place in their world...might be the key to saving it.
Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
Surrendering to Destiny
Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.
From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.
Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Shattered Girl
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Was that too much?” I could see the worry in his eyes as I took a deep breath.
“I just didn’t want you to see all my scars,” I whispered, feeling ashamed of my marked body.
Emmy Nichols is used to surviving. She survived her abusive father for years until he beat her so severely, she ended up in the hospital, and her father was finally arrested. Now, Emmy is thrown into a life she never expected. Now she has a mother
who doesn't want her, a politically motivated stepfather with ties to the Irish mob, four older stepbrothers, and their best friend who swear to love and protect her. Then, one night, everything shatters, and Emmy feels her only option is to run.
When her stepbrothers and their best friend finally find her, will they pick up the pieces and convince Emmy that they will keep her safe and their love will hold them together?
After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms
From first crush to wedding vows, George Capulet and I had been inseparable. But in our seventh year of marriage, he began an affair with his secretary.
On my birthday, he took her on vacation. On our anniversary, he brought her to our home and made love to her in our bed...
Heartbroken, I tricked him into signing divorce papers.
George remained unconcerned, convinced I would never leave him.
His deceptions continued until the day the divorce was finalized. I threw the papers in his face: "George Capulet, from this moment on, get out of my life!"
Only then did panic flood his eyes as he begged me to stay.
When his calls bombarded my phone later that night, it wasn't me who answered, but my new boyfriend Julian.
"Don't you know," Julian chuckled into the receiver, "that a proper ex-boyfriend should be as quiet as the dead?"
George seethed through gritted teeth: "Put her on the phone!"
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
Julian dropped a gentle kiss on my sleeping form nestled against him. "She's exhausted. She just fell asleep."
The Lycan Prince’s Puppy
“Soon enough, you’ll be begging for me. And when you do—I’ll use you as I see fit, and then I’ll reject you.”
—
When Violet Hastings begins her freshman year at Starlight Shifters Academy, she only wants two things—honor her mother’s legacy by becoming a skilled healer for her pack and get through the academy without anyone calling her a freak for her strange eye condition.
Things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that Kylan, the arrogant heir to the Lycan throne who has made her life miserable from the moment they met, is her mate.
Kylan, known for his cold personality and cruel ways, is far from thrilled. He refuses to accept Violet as his mate, yet he doesn’t want to reject her either. Instead, he sees her as his puppy, and is determined to make her life even more of a living hell.
As if dealing with Kylan’s torment isn’t enough, Violet begins to uncover secrets about her past that change everything she thought she knew. Where does she truly come from? What is the secret behind her eyes? And has her whole life been a lie?
Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully
My back hit the desk. Pain exploded through my skull.
"Girls like you don't get to dream about guys like Kai." Bella's breath was hot on my face. "You don't get to write pathetic love letters."
She shoved me again. Harder.
"Maybe if you weren't such a desperate little—"
I fell. My head cracked against the corner.
Warmth trickled down my neck. Blood.
Their laughter turned to gasps.
The door slammed.
I tried to stand. Couldn't. The room was spinning, fading to black.
Someone... please...
Angelina, the most powerful Alpha who conquered forty-nine packs, dies in a yacht explosion—only to wake up as Aria Sterling, a fifteen-year-old Omega's daughter who just died from bullying.
The original Aria's life was a nightmare. Humiliated when golden boy Kai Matthews posted her love letter online, then shoved to death by his girlfriend Bella Morrison. But that's not all her family faces:
"You got until Monday," the tattooed gangster sneered at Aria's mother. "Ten grand cash. Or I'm taking collateral—your kids' organs fetch top dollar. That pretty daughter of yours? She could make us money another way too."
Now Angelina's lethal combat skills awaken in this fragile body. No more hiding. No more fear.
Armed with an Alpha's ruthlessness and a mysterious blood-red pendant, she'll dismantle everyone who hurt this family—one calculated move at a time.












