Chapter 74

Katie sat alone in the cozy corner of her favorite coffee shop, a steaming cup of mocha warming her hands. The atmosphere was comforting, and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. She stared out the window, watching raindrops trace their way down the glass, as if mimicking the tears that had fallen from her eyes just moments ago.

It had been weeks since her arrival at Sean's luxurious mansion, weeks filled with opulence and extravagance. But amidst the shimmering façade, Katie had felt a gnawing emptiness inside her. The contract that brought her here had tethered her heart to Sean's, yet it seemed to grow heavier with each passing day.

With a deep sigh, Katie reached into her handbag and pulled out a faded photograph. It was a picture of her adoptive mother, a woman who had loved and nurtured her throughout her childhood. The memories flooded back—the warm embrace, the kind smile, the gentle touch. But they were tinged with grief, for her mother was no longer with