When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 99

Noah

I stood in the Manhattan Cemetery, the soft pattering of rain hitting my umbrella as I stared at the fresh gravestone before me. Only three of us were here - my parents and me. My mother's soft sobs cut through the silence as she leaned against my father for support.

I crouched down, placing a bouquet of white lilies at the base of the stone. My face remained expressionless - a mask I'd perfected over years in the business world. The gravestone bore the simple inscription: " Nathan Miller"

My father said, noticing my gaze lingering on Nathan's name. "Your mother wanted Ashley to return to her original name. After all, Nathan was her only brother, and Ashley his only daughter."

My mother dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "At least he's at peace now," she whispered.

My father squeezed her shoulder gently. "Leave it, dear. It might be for the best. Nathan's been struggling for years. Leaving... it might not be the worst thing for him."

I remained silent.

As we prepared to leave, my father placed a hand on my shoulder. "Go see your cousin," he said, his voice firmer now. "Find out what happened to her leg. How does a professional opera performer end up with a broken leg? Who did she anger this time?"

I nodded. "I'll go to the hospital after this," I promised. "And I'll stop by the company to handle that investment project you mentioned."

The drive from the cemetery was silent, the rhythmic swish of windshield wipers matching my heartbeat. I pulled over my Bentley and dialed Ethan's number, waiting through three rings before he answered.

"Did you break Ashley's leg?" I asked without preamble, keeping my voice cool despite the tension I felt.

"That's quite an accusation to start a conversation with," Ethan replied, his tone equally measured. "I do everything above board. Her leg isn't my work."

After Ethan hung up, I headed toward the private hospital.

I found Ashley propped up against pillows as I made my way to her room, her right leg encased in plaster. Her face was pale, stripped of the meticulous makeup she usually wore. Gone was the haughty demeanor that had been her trademark. I barely recognized this vulnerable version of my cousin.

"I had your name changed back," I announced without greeting. "You're Ashley Miller again. Officially."

Her head snapped up, eyes flashing with familiar anger. "You had no right," she hissed, her voice breaking. "No right at all."

"It was Mother's decision, not mine," I replied calmly. "Uncle Nathan was her only brother. You were his only child."

Ashley's composure crumbled entirely. "And now I'm nothing," she said, tears welling. "Not a Randal. Not a performer. Do you know what the doctors said? It's not just the fracture. I tore a tendon in my ankle. My career might be over."

I felt a twinge of sympathy despite myself. Opera was everything to Ashley. It was the one thing she'd legitimately worked for, without shortcuts or manipulation.

"Who did this to you?" I asked, my voice softening slightly.

"Who do you think?" Ashley spat. "Your precious friend Ethan. He couldn't stand that I told his wife about the child."

My expression hardened. "Don't throw accusations without proof, Ashley. Ethan doesn't operate that way."

"Of course you'd defend him!" Her voice rose hysterically. "You always take his side! I'm your cousin, your blood, but you choose him!"

Tears streamed down her face as she continued, "The Metropolitan Opera's summer showcase... I had the lead. Do you know how hard I worked for that? Years, Noah. Years of training, of sacrifice. And now?" She gestured wildly at her leg. "Now I have nothing."

I stepped closer to the bed, keeping my voice low and firm. "I'm arranging for you to be transferred to a rehabilitation center in Switzerland. The best in the world. You'll have a private medical team."

Ashley looked away, her profile sharp against the hospital window. "It won't matter."

"It will if you want it to," I said. "But understand this - Ethan made a business decision to have you removed from the American market. That decision stands. No amount of tantrums will change it."

I moved toward the door but paused when I reached it. "I'll have everything arranged by tomorrow."

As I left, I caught a glimpse of Ashley's reflection in the window - her eyes had narrowed, the tears drying on her cheeks, replaced by a cold, calculating look that I recognized all too well. The flame of revenge burned bright in those eyes, alongside a hatred so deep it seemed to physically darken the room. A chill ran down my spine. Ashley had always been dangerous when cornered.

In the hallway, I pulled out my phone again, this time calling James.

"Do you know what time it is?" James answered, his voice thick with sleep.

"I need you to find out who broke Ashley's leg," I said without apology.

"Is this really worth waking me up for?" James grumbled, but I could hear him shifting, sitting up.

"She's blaming Ethan."

"It won't be Ethan," James replied immediately. "He doesn't operate that way. Have you considered your future brother-in-law? Julian has quite the protective streak when it comes to his sister."

There was a pause before James added, "Or have you forgotten how Ashley drugged you that night so you'd sleep with Olivia? Perhaps Julian is returning the favor."

I stopped walking, the revelation hitting me like a physical blow. "I... I hadn't thought of that."

"Of course you hadn't," James said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "That's why you need friends like me."

As I ended the call, the pieces began falling into place. Julian defending his sister's honor. It made perfect sense. And if that was true, then Ashley had brought this on herself, just as she had orchestrated so many other catastrophes in her life.

I continued down the hospital corridor, leaving Ashley and her bitterness behind, at least for now. The weight of family obligation hung heavy on my shoulders, but some battles weren't worth fighting. Ashley's war against the world was one I could no longer afford to be part of.