Chapter 8 When the contract's up Serena watched Kaia walk out , looking straight stunned . Is she just kidding , or is she really gone ? XXXXX +2 Bonus " Luna , you gotta be more careful , " Alden said , keeping it soft . " You know your health isn't up to par . Why not move into Graves Manor ? " Big fat tears started rolling from Luna's bambi eyes , dripping right onto Alden's hand . Watching her cry like that hit different - had Alden's chest feeling tight . " Luna , I didn't mean to come at you like that … " he said , his voice laced with remorse . Luna sniffed , wiping her face with her sleeve . " I get it , Alden . I know I'm no good at taking care of myself . But what choice do I have ? " Her voice went all quiet . " You're the only one in this whole family who actually cares about me . " Alden dropped the cotton swab he'd been holding and pulled her in close . " Hey , cut the waterworks . I was being too tough just now . Listen - from here on out , nobody's gonna mess with you . I got you . " 1/6 16:57 Chapter 8 When the contract's up **** & +2 Bonus Early in the morning , Kaia made a beeline for the law firm . Rachel Hartley , her assistant , caught her at the door . " Thank God you're here ! Jude's about to lose it . He's banking on you to sort out the mess . Vanessa and Warren really screwed up that court case yesterday . " Kaia gave her an okay gesture and knocked on the conference room door . " Come in ! " a voice barked from inside . She walked in to find Vanessa Redmond and Warren Wright looking like kicked puppies , while Jude Halston was ready to breathe fire . " Finally ! Kaia , how did that Starshine Capital guarantee contract hearing go yesterday ? " Jude asked . Kaia dropped into a chair . " Smooth as silk . They're down to settle . " " Now that's how it's done ! Maybe if you two took notes , I wouldn't need these damn blood pressure meds . " All right , you two can leave . Kaia , stick around . " He gestured to the door . 2/6 16:57 Chapter 8 When the contract's up +3 After they got out , Kaia took a deep breath . " Jude , I've got something to run by you . " +2 Bonus Jude always had extra patience for this star lawyer on his team . " Shoot , " he said . " That legal - counsel service contract with Alfly Entertainment's about to expire at the end of this month . Thinking of handing it over to Warren or Vanessa . What's your take , Jude ? " Alfly Entertainment was just another piece of the Graves Group empire , with Alden running the show . Now that they'd broken up , Kaia didn't want anything to do with him anymore . Jude's face scrunched up . " You landed Alfly yourself , and now you want to pass it on ? Are you in your right mind today ? " Alfly Entertainment might be small potatoes , but the Graves Group backing it ? That was the real gold mine . Jude had actually called her in hoping to network with Graves Group bigwigs . If their firm could lock down even one contract with Graves Group's main operation , they'd be swimming in cash for years . 3/6 16:57 Chapter 8 When the contract's up & +2 Bonus Only industry insiders knew about Kaia and Alden's engagement . Regular folks outside New York's elite circles had no clue she was supposed to marry into the Graves family , let alone that she was the heiress of Domley Tech . " Jude , I know what I'm saying . To be honest , I only got Alfly because my ex pulled strings . Now we're done , it's weird if I stay on . " This was news to Jude - first time hearing her boyfriend had anything to do with Alfly Entertainment . " But … aren't you two getting married ? " he frowned . Kaia cracked a bitter smile . " Not anymore . " Jude drummed his fingers , thinking . " Alright . I'll handle it when the contract's up . " ***** By eleven - thirty , Kaia finished her work and checked her phone . Zero messages from Alden . Typical . She let out a soft scoff , hardly surprised . " Still going for a light lunch today , Kaia ? God , you're already skin and bones . Not like you need to squeeze into a wedding dress anymore , " her coworker called out . 4/6 16:57 Chapter 8 When the contract's up & +2 Bonus Kaia's face lit up with a smile . " Diel's over . What are you guys getting ? Count me in . " " Well , well ! Look who's finally breaking her three - month health kick , " someone teased . " Nothing to break . Just no wedding dress to worry about anymore . Come on , let's move before the elevator gets packed , " Kaia urged . Her coworkers traded looks . No wedding dress ? Isn't she supposed to get hitched this month ? ***** Alden had crashed on the living room couch after staying up all night talking to Luna . With his beloved sister snoozing in the bedroom just about 30 feet away , he'd slept more soundly than he ever had . When he finally woke up , it was already noon . And that's when it hit him - he was supposed to get his marriage license today . Alden grabbed his phone , bracing for Kaia's angry texts , but 5/6 16:57 Chapter 8 When the contract's up found nothing . Just some messages from his buddies . His head throbbed as he rubbed his temples . +2 Bonus He got up real quiet , trying not to wake Luna , who was still knocked out in the next room . After scribbling a quick note for her , he bolted back to the villa . Heart racing , he practically flew up the stairs and burst through the door . 3 Write your comment Gifts 6/6