CONTRACTED TO THE BEAST
1
The grand drawing room of the Laurent family estate in the French countryside echoed with the sharp click of crystal
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*slammed his whiskey glass onto the mahogany table*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
I don’t understand, Miss Beaumont *voice laced with irritation*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Our families have known each other for three generations.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
The marriage makes perfect sense. There is no reason to refuse
Miss Beaumont
*Crossed her legs and gave a delicate, practiced smile that didn’t reach her eyes*
Miss Beaumont
Theo darling
Miss Beaumont
You’re handsome, you’re obscenely rich, and you’re… well, you. But I’ve heard the stories. The boardroom tantrums.
Miss Beaumont
The way you fired your last PR director in the middle of a gala. I need a husband, not a hurricane. My father agrees. I’m sorry
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*jaw tightened*
Miss Beaumont
Perhaps your brother Austin would be more… suitable.
Miss Beaumont
*stood smoothly*
Miss Beaumont
He has your money and none of your… temperament
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Get out
Miss Beaumont
*swept out, heels clicking across the marble floor*
The moment the door closed, another set of footsteps entered, slow, deliberate, and irritatingly familiar
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
Theodore Laurent, what have you done this time *yells*
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
*trailing behind her like an angry shadow*
Both in their late sixties, dressed in perfectly tailored clothes that screamed old money, they looked like they’d stepped out of a painting titled Disappointed Aristocrats.
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
Another rejection ?
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
That’s the third heiress this month. The board is breathing down our necks, boy.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*rolls eyes*
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
The company needs stability. Heirs. Legacy. You’re twenty-eight, not eighteen
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
*pointed a jeweled finger at him*
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
We raised you better than this. That temper of yours has scared off every decent girl from Paris to Monaco. 💢
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
Intimidating! What kind of man is intimidating to a woman who should be grateful? 💢
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*rubbed his temples, already feeling the headache coming*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Mother. Father. Please. I’ve heard this speech a hundred times
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
And you’ll hear it a hundred more until you fix this! 💢
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
Your father and I are not getting any younger. Austin is twenty-four and already has three girls chasing him
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
Three! And none of them are even suitable, but at least they look at him.
From the doorway, Austin’s voice floated in lazily, though the younger man himself didn’t enter.
Austin Laurent/ ML'S YOUNGER BROTHER
Leave me out of this, Mother. I’m just here for the drama
Austin Laurent/ ML'S YOUNGER BROTHER
*stuffing popcorn*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Shut up , Austin
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
The board wants to see progress by the end of the quarter, or they’re going to start talking about restructuring leadership again.
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
You need a wife. You need children. Stop playing around and do your duty
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*stood up abruptly, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the room*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Enough. Both of you. Get out of my sight before I say something I won’t regret. Now.
Elena Laurent/ ML'S MOM
*opened her mouth to protest*
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
*grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door, muttering*
Vicor Laurent/ ML'S DAD
Come on, Elena .He’s in one of his moods again.
When the door finally clicked shut
AUTHOR
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2
When the door finally clicked shut
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*let out a long, frustrated breath*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*walked over to the tall windows overlooking the manicured gardens, loosening his tie*
That's when he saw her...
Valentina Ross/ FL
*on her knees in the rose beds, wearing a simple white sundress*
Valentina Ross/ FL
*long dark hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, a few strands sticking to her neck*
Even from this distance, her beauty hit him like a punch,full lips, high cheekbones, and a body that curved in ways that made his blood run hotter than the whiskey he’d been drinking.
The maid’s daughter. Twenty-three. Forbidden fruit in every sense.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*turned and headed for the French doors leading outside.*
Valentina Ross/ FL
*looked up, wiping dirt from her hands onto her dress*
Valentina Ross/ FL
*Little nervous* Did I do something wrong with the flowers?
Theodore Laurent/ ML
This isn’t about the garden. Sit down
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*gestured to the stone bench nearby*
Valentina Ross/ FL
*hesitated before sitting*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*looking down at her like she was both a problem and a solution*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
I’m going to be blunt with you, Valentina. I don’t have time for games. You know my situation.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
No decent family will let their daughter near me because of my temper. The company needs an heir. I need children. A legacy.
Valentina Ross/ FL
*hazel eyes widened*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
You’re beautiful. More than beautiful,you’re fúcking stunning.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*gaze roaming over her face then body*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
And you’re here every day. Your mother is dying. The hospital bills are crushing both of you. I’ve seen the numbers
Valentina Ross/ FL
*looks down embarassed*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Marry me. Bear my children. In return, I’ll pay every single one of your mother’s medical bills,immediately
Valentina Ross/ FL
*extremely shocked and looks at him* what---
Theodore Laurent/ ML
No more debt. No more struggling. After we’re married, you’ll never worry about money again.
Theodore Laurent/ ML
You’ll live here as my wife. You’ll have everything.
Valentina Ross/ FL
*stared at him, stunned. Her full lips parted in shock*
Valentina Ross/ FL
You… you can’t be serious , Sir
Valentina Ross/ FL
I’m the maid’s daughter. You want me to… to marry you and give you babies? Like some kind of contract?
Theodore Laurent/ ML
Not a typical contract, it's a real marriage Valentina....with benefits
Theodore Laurent/ ML
I won’t lie to you. I need an heir. You need security. Your mother needs to live without pain. Think about it.
Valentina Ross/ FL
*stood up quickly, her hands trembling*
Valentina Ross/ FL
This is insane. I… I need time. One day. Please. I have to speak to my mother
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*studied her face for a long moment, then gave a single nod*
Theodore Laurent/ ML
One day. Tomorrow evening, I want your answer. Don’t disappoint me, Valentina
Valentina Ross/ FL
Y...yes sir
Theodore Laurent/ ML
*turned and walked back toward the mansion without another word*
AUTHOR
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3
That night, in the small staff quarters at the edge of the estate
Valentina Ross/ FL
*sat beside her sick mother*
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
*frail and thin from illness, leaned against the pillows, her breathing labored*
Valentina Ross/ FL
Mamma *holds her hand softly*
Valentina Ross/ FL
Sir Theodore offered me a proposal
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
*frowned*
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
What offer
Valentina Ross/ FL
*took a deep breath and told her everything,the proposal, the marriage, the children, the bills, the money.*
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
*face had gone pale*
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
No *firmly*
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
Absolutely not. I will not let my daughter sell herself to that angry man. I’ve seen his rages, Valentina.
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
I’ve cleaned up the broken vases after his tantrums. You are beautiful, smart, and kind. You deserve love, not a contract to breed heirs
Valentina Ross/ FL
But Mamma , the bills--
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
I'm dying anyways
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
Let me die with dignity. I don’t want you suffering for the rest of your life just to pay for my last few months
Valentina Ross/ FL
*eyes filled with tears, but she shook her head.*
Valentina Ross/ FL
Mamma, listen to me. I’ve thought about this all evening. He’s difficult, yes.
Valentina Ross/ FL
Everyone knows that. But he’s offering us security. Real security. No more watching you cry at night because of the hospital letters.
Valentina Ross/ FL
No more choosing between medicine and food. If I do this… you can have the best doctors. The best care. Maybe even more time.
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
*tried to speak*
Valentina Ross/ FL
And I won’t be a servant anymore. I’ll be his wife. I’ll have power, money, protection. I can help you properly
Valentina Ross/ FL
I’m not naive..I know it won’t be easy. But I’m strong. You raised me to be strong. Let me do this for us. For you.
A long silence filled the small room. Maria looked at her daughter’s determined face, then closed her eyes, exhausted.
Romia Ross/ Fl's MOM
You’re going to regret this, my sweet girl
Valentina Ross/ FL
*leaned forward and kissed her mother’s forehead*
Valentina Ross/ FL
Maybe. But I’d regret doing nothing more.
AUTHOR
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