Between Contracts and Complicated Hearts

Chapter 1

Elena Brightwood was just nineteen when she unwittingly caught the attention of Sir Cedric Hawthorne, a notorious figure known for his fickle temper and charming smile. Their entanglement wasn't something either of them had planned; it was an arrangement—a "companion" contract that was supposed to last a year. They had crossed the boundaries meant to hold them back, but love was never part of the deal. For Elena, it was simply about surviving in a world where she didn’t belong, while Cedric kept her at arm's length, never allowing affection to disrupt his carefully curated detachment.
To the outside world, Cedric was a playboy—his reputation as a heartbreaker was well-established. Many women dreamed of being swept off their feet by him, but most didn’t realize that he had a particular taste for keeping relationships shallow. Elena was special, in a way; she was the first woman he took in with the terms of a companion. Yet, before their year was up, he abruptly severed their arrangement, disappearing without a word.
Five years of silence stretched between them. Elena moved on, or so it seemed, while Cedric buried the memories of her deep down, casting aside the name “Elena Brightwood” as if it were a bad dream. But fate has a way of spinning the wheel again. When their paths crossed unexpectedly, Cedric found out that Elena was not only unmarried but also pregnant with their child—a daughter he never knew existed. Discovering this truth thrust him back into the complicated emotions he thought he had escaped.
No one understood why the name Elena Brightwood haunted him, nor did they know how deeply Cedric had fled from what he feared most: the tender power of love. All those years, he had deliberately ignored the impulse to reach out, terrified that fondness for the woman connected to that name might leave him vulnerable.
As tensions reignited, both stumbled through the pangs of rekindled connection, caught in a web woven from love, regret, and the unspoken promise of what could have been. Cedric was eager yet wary, while Elena was caught between hope and disillusionment, each trying to navigate the complex maze of their tangled past. The clock was ticking, and time alone would tell whether they could forge something lasting from the shadows of their history, or if they would end up as mere echoes of what might have been.

Chapter 2

It was just the beginning of summer, and the humidity was already unbearable in the northern part of The Isle of Caelum. Twenty-one-year-old Sir Cedric Hawthorne had just finished his junior year and, taking advantage of the summer break, had invited a group of friends over to swim in the pool at Hawthorne Manor.
Located not far from the city center, Hawthorne Manor was a residence among a cluster of luxurious villas inhabited by wealthy families, with House Hawthorne being the wealthiest of them all.
These impressive structures had been built years ago by Hawthorne Enterprises. Sir Cedric’s parents fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle and scenic surroundings, deciding to keep one villa for their personal use. So, even before Sir Cedric graduated from elementary school, he moved with his parents to this affluent neighborhood.
Thanks to its proximity to the city and Sir Cedric attending a prestigious private school, he didn't have to transfer institutions. The friends he had grown close to over the years were also students at the elite school. However, after graduating high school, some chose to study abroad while others remained in The Isle of Caelum for their college education.
Sir Cedric, one of the privileged few who stayed on the island, didn’t feel much difference between studying here and abroad. Furthermore, his mother, Lady Margaret, suffered from health issues; his father, Lord William, wished for his son to stay close to her.
Sir Cedric was also exceptionally bright, majoring in architectural engineering. House Hawthorne thrived in construction, and over the decades, they had become the leading firm in The Isle of Caelum's building industry while diversifying into various other sectors. Hence, Lord William hoped Cedric would eventually take over the family business he had worked so hard to develop.
During the summer break, Cedric gathered a few friends from both domestic and international locales. After spending nearly a month in The Kingdom of Eldoria with them, they all flew back together to The Isle of Caelum.
As the only child, Cedric loved having a lively atmosphere. Whenever his parents returned to the old house to visit his grandfather, he would instinctively invite a large group of friends over. Most of them were former classmates, and he occasionally added others to the mix, knowing that young people would quickly bond.
Today, a flood of friends arrived at Hawthorne Manor to enjoy food, drinks, and swimming. Unable to withstand the noonday sun lounging by the pool, the crowd decided to move indoors, where the staff had already prepared snacks.
“Cedric, should I order a few pizzas and some fast food?” Gerald the Bard, Cedric's closest friend, asked as he popped the top off a beer can and took a long gulp. Leaning against the armrest, he gazed at Cedric, who was deeply engrossed in a video game on the large seventy-two-inch TV.
Cedric had just returned from his room after rinsing off and changing into casual attire. He cast a quick glance at the others in the room and then returned his focus to the screen, casually responding, “Sure.”
Seeing that Cedric was back to gaming, Gerald leaned closer, resting his elbow on Cedric's shoulder. “But what’s this about Gwenyth Fairchild being here? I thought you said you weren't interested in her and didn’t want any romantic involvement,” he said, nodding toward three girls sitting in the corner, one of whom was Gwenyth Fairchild.
Gwenyth Fairchild, now a freshman, was close friends with Cedric’s cousin, Lady Isolde Hawthorne. Two years ago, after Gwenyth had just returned home, she had a few encounters with the dashing and rebellious Cedric, who had made quite an impression on her. Rumor had it that she confessed her feelings for him back then but was outright rejected. Still, it seemed she was determined not to give up on Cedric, as her attempts to pursue him over the past two years had become an open secret.
Gerald had seen Gwenyth a few times and thought she was stunning, intelligent, and well-spoken, embodying the attributes of a refined young woman from a wealthy family. However, she had an air of aloofness and seemed dismissive of other suitors, only having eyes for Sir Cedric.

Chapter 3

Gerald the Bard didn’t know much about Gwenyth Fairchild—she wasn’t someone he’d grown up with. The only thing he’d heard from his parents was that she had been switched at birth and only returned to her biological family two years ago. The Fairchild family also had a younger son, Thomas, who was a sophomore, but he and Gerald had never really hit it off, which is why Thomas wasn’t here today.
“Isolde invited her. I couldn’t say no,” Gerald said with a shrug. After all, Gwenyth was the friend of his cousin, Isolde. Besides, Sir Cedric Hawthorne hadn’t paid any attention to Gwenyth’s advances over the last two years, so he figured it was none of his concern. He would keep to his own business, and Gwenyth could do what she wanted.
“You might not care, but she definitely keeps looking at you. Didn’t she just ask you to teach her at the pool? I noticed you were all over her,” Gerald said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He glanced at Gwenyth, who, despite being a bit of a trophy, could likely become even more stunning as she grew older.
Sir Cedric snorted in response. “I’ve got plenty of girls after me. Am I supposed to date every attractive girl just because she’s got curves?” He’d only ever dated one girl seriously, a woman chosen by his mother, Lady Margaret Hawthorne, but he broke up with her after six months. He couldn’t handle her spoiled attitude, regardless of how much she chased after him.
“If you were open to it, that might not be such a bad idea. But if you run into another clingy girl, good luck getting rid of her,” Gerald teased, recalling the pain that his buddy had undergone with that past girlfriend.
Sir Cedric ignored him and continued with his task. “Stop jinxing me. All those girls who pursue me have connections with my parents. If anything serious happens, my parents would be right in my face,” he said, knowing well that he had more than enough to worry about, particularly when it came to his mother. Lady Margaret could get emotional, and once those tears flowed, he would generally be at her mercy. It was the reason he lasted three months longer with his last girlfriend than he intended.
“Good point; they’re all from wealthy families. Anyone tied to House Hawthorne is someone to take seriously. If anything happened, you’d definitely have to marry her.”
Gerald had a reputation among his friends for being a bit of a playboy. While he didn’t date many girls, he certainly had his fair share of flings. As long as he found a girl attractive, he didn’t mind having fun with her, but once it got serious and started to feel like a commitment, he wasn’t so keen on sticking around.
“Just keep your thoughts to yourself. I’m here today for Isolde's sake. Gwenyth is her friend, and that’s all there is to it,” he said. Although Gwenyth was pursuing him, she was being respectful—for now—avoiding anything that would really get on his nerves. If she didn’t, he would definitely ensure she didn’t show her face to him ever again.
After sharing a laugh, Gerald stood to order some pizza and other fast food, but Sir Cedric called out, “By the way, where’s Aunt Agnes today?” He had promised Aunt Agnes they would go out for dinner before leaving the country, yet he hadn't seen her at all, and he expected her to be here.
“She said she had plans with some friends.”
“Is it with Baron Aiden Sinclair?” Sir Cedric asked, his tone indifferent.
“Probably not; he hasn’t returned to The Isle of Caelum this year. You remember they had a falling out a long time ago, right?”
“Maybe it’s for the best. Aunt Agnes should definitely find better company than Aiden. The sooner they’re apart, the easier it will be for her to move on to someone better,” he said casually.
“Hey, don’t say that just because you and Aiden can’t get along. He’s still my friend, and besides, it’s clear he cares about Aunt Agnes,” Gerald replied. The tension between Sir Cedric and Baron Aiden Sinclair had been ongoing for years, and Gerald had never been able to mediate a real reconciliation between them.
“Can you call Aunt Agnes for me? I’d like to see if she’s free for dinner. I’ve been back from abroad and still haven’t caught up with her.”
Gerald nodded in agreement and headed off to make the call.

Chapter 4

Cedric Hawthorne had just settled in to continue his online game when he caught a glimpse of Gwenyth Fairchild approaching from the corner of his eye. Deciding not to engage, he stood up and headed upstairs, leaving Gwenyth looking surprised.
Unexpectedly, Sir Cedric Hawthorne hadn’t seen Aunt Agnes the entire summer, but as the season was drawing to a close, he ran into her—and also caught sight of Elena Brightwood, whom he hadn’t seen in two years.
Since being reunited with her biological parents, Elena had changed significantly; she had moved and transferred schools. Once close friends with Lady Isolde Hawthorne, she had become a ghost in Cedric's life.
Elena's former friends had drifted away, too. After all, she was no longer the cherished daughter of the wealthy Tong family. Her biological parents were just average educators, with no comparison to the Tong family's vast fortune. Wealthy people can be rather pragmatic, and it seemed that Elena’s previous standing had fallen out of favor for them.
However, it appeared Aunt Agnes hadn’t forgotten Elena. The two of them were walking together, chatting and laughing, indicating that their bond had remained strong.
Meanwhile, Lady Margaret Hawthorne had asked Lady Isolde to accompany her on a shopping trip, but when Lady Isolde discovered that Sir Cedric would be driving, she decided to bring Gwenyth along for company, making Cedric’s reluctance to leave the house even more evident.
Shopping was an absolute ordeal for a guy like Cedric. He liked to avoid it at all costs, but as the only son of Lady Margaret—who had been often bedridden since he was born—Cedric found himself in a bind. Lord William, ever devoted to his wife, couldn't say no to her, and when he learned of her desire to go out, he called his son—who had just rolled in after a long night out—and ordered him to take his mother shopping, attached to his job as temporary porter.
Though Cedric had a rebellious streak, he was fundamentally a dutiful son. He often ignored his father’s whims, but when it came to Lady Margaret, he found it in himself to suppress his irritation and follow along. After the call, he reluctantly dragged himself out of bed after barely two hours of sleep, showered to wash away the remnants of last night’s escapades, and dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, resigning himself to a day of driving.
As expected, the shopping trip dragged on interminably, with each of the three women needing to linger in front of every window display. While Sir Cedric was left trailing behind, glancing nervously at his watch, he found himself carrying an array of bags filled with their purchases.
Just as he slumped down onto a bench at one of the brand-name counters, hoping for a bit of rest, he spotted Aunt Agnes leading Elena right toward him.
He watched as the two young women made their way over. Aunt Agnes was dressed casually in faded denim shorts and a plain white T-shirt, her long legs stealing the spotlight. Beside her, Elena wore slightly longer denim shorts paired with a pink tank top.
Neither of them seemed to notice him until he called out, “Aunt Agnes.” This brought both women to a halt, their gazes shifting in his direction.
Upon seeing him, Aunt Agnes broke into a smile as she strolled over, playfully tugging at Cedric’s tousled curls. Cedric allowed her to mess with his hair before he tied it back, his appearance giving him a slightly wild edge—a stark contrast to the polished models he was used to seeing in advertisements.
“What are you doing here?” Aunt Agnes asked.
Cedric ran a hand through his tousled hair in mild irritation and gestured toward the shopping bags and counters, “I’m here with my mom. What about you?”
“We’re just passing the time before going to a movie,” Aunt Agnes replied, pointing at Elena. “You remember Elena, right?”
Cedric certainly hadn’t forgotten about Elena, though they weren’t particularly close.
Elena flashed a polite smile, her delicate features showcasing an air of reserve. She had always been quiet, hesitant to warm up quickly to those she barely knew.

Chapter 5

Elena Brightwood felt a twinge of unease as she stood before Sir Cedric Hawthorne, a tall and handsome man she recognized but hardly knew. They had barely exchanged words before, not even enough to call themselves friends.
“It’s been a while,” he said, flashing a friendly smile in her direction. “You used to come to my house with Lady Isolde. I remember you, Elena Brightwood.”
“Lady Isolde visited a few days ago with some friends. Why didn’t you join them?” He looked genuinely curious.
Caught off guard, Elena hesitated. “I haven’t spoken to Lady Isolde in a long time.”
“Did you two have a falling out?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Seeing her stiffen at the question, Cedric’s smile faltered. He quickly decided to change the subject, but Aunt Agnes, who had been observing the exchange, interrupted them.
“Sir Cedric, why play the detective? It’s none of your business whether Elena and Lady Isolde are getting along. Can you show a little restraint?”
Cedric shrugged, clearly uninterested in gossip. “I was just asking.” It wasn’t like he had nothing better to do than pry into the affairs of the girls.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Aunt Agnes, Cedric noticed Lady Margaret stepping out from behind a display case, flanked by two familiar figures.
He immediately rose from the couch, rushing over to take the shopping bag from Lady Isolde's hands, while Lady Margaret caught sight of Aunt Agnes and greeted her with a warm smile.
“Aunt Agnes!” Lady Margaret called out, her voice cheerful.
Aunt Agnes pulled Elena closer, stepping into view of Lady Margaret. “Lady Margaret!”
Aunt Agnes then noticed Lady Isolde and Gwenyth Fairchild, who were chatting happily together, ignoring their presence altogether as they walked over to a nearby display.
Elena echoed Aunt Agnes, giving Lady Margaret a polite greeting. She had met Lady Margaret a few times during her visits to Hawthorne Manor, but the lady rarely appeared in public due to her frailty. Lady Margaret was in her forties, elegant and beautiful; it was easy to imagine how stunning she must have been in her youth. Cedric bore a striking resemblance to his father, Lord William Hawthorne, and it was apparent that if Lord William were younger, he would mirror Cedric's looks.
Lady Margaret nodded and smiled back at Elena, then turned to Aunt Agnes and asked, “Aunt Agnes, it has been a while since you visited.”
Aunt Agnes pouted playfully, “Too busy with schoolwork!”
“Do come by more often! I’ll have the staff make your favorite desserts,” Lady Margaret replied kindly.
“You’re too sweet, Lady Margaret.” Aunt Agnes beamed, stepping forward to hug her. “I’ll make a trip in a few days.”
“Would you like to go shopping together? I’d love to pick out some pretty dresses for you,” Lady Margaret said, her eyes sparkling at the thought. She had always longed for a daughter to dress up and spoil, and she couldn't resist the urge to buy beautiful clothes for the girls she encountered.
“I’m meeting friends for a movie later, but I’ll go shopping with you next time,” Aunt Agnes said, glancing at Elena.
“Mom, didn’t you say you wanted to help Dad pick out a tie? Shouldn’t we do that now?” Cedric interjected, sensing his mother's enthusiasm was about to lead to a lengthy conversation.
“Oh, yes! I completely forgot,” Lady Margaret acknowledged, letting Aunt Agnes know they’d schedule another shopping trip.
Before leaving, Cedric gestured for Aunt Agnes to call him later, who responded with a thumbs-up.
Once they departed, Aunt Agnes turned to Elena, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Can you believe Lady Isolde didn’t even say hello? She practically dragged Gwenyth away from here. It’s ridiculous—here you are, standing right in front of her. I can’t believe you two used to be close friends…”
“It’s fine,” Elena said, shrugging it off. After all, she was no longer the affluent Miss Tong, and any ties to Lady Isolde felt distant now. They had once been close, but that was a long time ago, and now Lady Isolde was too wrapped up in Gwenyth to give her a second thought.
Now that she had returned to the ordinary life of a Brightwood, Elena had learned to accept this new reality. If former friends didn’t reach out, she wouldn’t be the one to chase after them, and even if they crossed paths, she wouldn’t feel compelled to speak first.

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