Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINEIt had been a year since the chaos, the lies, and the tangled web of deceit had unraveled. A year since Emmy and Carl had stood together, side by side, as everything around them had crumbled. Now, they were slowly building a new life, one without the shadows of their past hanging over them.The world had changed, but the love between Carl and Emmy remained unshaken.Carl had accepted a position at a different college, away from the constant scrutiny that had once followed him. He taught philosophy and ethics now, giving lectures that inspired young minds to think critically about the world. His days were filled with books and discussions, but in the evenings, he was still the man Emmy had fallen in love with—a man who held her close when the world seemed too big, too loud.Emmy, on the other hand, had found her passion in giving back. After the collapse of her family’s empire, she’d dedicated herself to running a foundation for children from broken homes. She poured every ounce of her
Last Updated: 2025-08-19
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT Emmy sat in the back of the car, the world outside a blur of rain and shadows. The weight of Carl’s news pressed down on her chest, suffocating her. Carl’s mother, arrested. And now, her own mother’s name dragged into a web of lies and betrayal. The promise of their perfect weekend, the quiet moments they shared, was shattered in an instant.Her thoughts spiraled in a thousand different directions. How could this be happening? How could her mother, her everything, be involved in something so dark, so destructive? She wanted to scream, to lash out, to deny it all, but she knew deep down, the truth couldn’t be ignored. Carl’s hand rested on hers, but the touch did little to calm her. She was slipping away, drowning in her own confusion.“Emmy, we’ll get through this,” Carl’s voice was low and steady, but even he couldn’t hide the tension that gripped him. “I’m here. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”Emmy swallowed hard. “But my mother… she can’t be a part of this. She’s everyt
Last Updated: 2025-08-18
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN The weekend had come like a breath of fresh air after a week of chaos. Carl had planned the getaway in secret, whisking Emmy away without warning, just like the first time they had spent a weekend together. When everything between them had felt so right. They drove for hours, the tension of the city life slipping away as the landscape outside the car window changed from concrete and glass to towering trees and winding country roads. Emmy had no idea where they were going, but the soft smile on Carl’s face told her everything she needed to know. He was trying, and that was enough for now.When they arrived at the cabin, nestled on the edge of a peaceful lake, Emmy’s breath caught in her throat. It was perfect—quaint, cozy, and utterly secluded. The tall pine trees surrounded them, their needles whispering in the wind. "This is beautiful," she murmured, turning to Carl, her voice soft. "You really know how to make up for things, don’t you?"Carl chuckled, his eyes locking with hers. "
Last Updated: 2025-08-17
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXThe sound of the rain against the window was steady, almost rhythmic. Emmy stood at the threshold of the living room, her heart racing as she saw Carl and his girl in an embrace. Then the memory suddenly struck her. The girl in the picture. Maddie. Emmy had seen that face before…a diary or a picture? She wasn't sure, but she knew she meant something to Carl. Was it his ex?Their bodies were too close, the kind of closeness that only familiarity could breed, and it hit Emmy harder than she ever expected. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. The girl, Maddie, was taller than Emmy, with dark hair that cascaded like a waterfall down her back, her hands resting on Carl’s shoulders as he pulled her in. From this angle, it looked innocent—like a greeting, but Emmy didn’t believe it. The hurt surged, and she turned sharply on her heel, fleeing the room before either of them could see her face.She couldn’t breathe. The air in her chest was tight, her pulse quickening with every step
Last Updated: 2025-08-16
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE Theo wasn’t supposed to be back. Not this soon, not after everything.Emmy stared at him across the coffee shop table, her fingers wrapped tightly around her warm mug, barely touching the drink. Theo’s jaw was tense, his eyes shadowed with urgency.“Your family's company is about to be hit with a lawsuit,” he said quietly. “It’s fake. Manufactured. And it’s coming from Carl’s mother.”Emmy blinked. “What? How—why?”Theo leaned closer. “I think she’s doing it to ruin the Langstons. And to get to you. Alicia, Carl's mother.”For a moment, Emmy felt like she was underwater, the air sucked from her lungs. Everything had been… quiet lately. Too quiet. After the chaos of Carl’s disappearance and return, after their tearful reunion and rekindled passion—she had foolishly let herself hope that maybe the storm had passed.Theo slid a manila folder across the table.“She’s using an offshore holding company to file it, but I traced the signatures back to one of her shell corporations. Carl doesn
Last Updated: 2025-08-15
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURThe letter was unmarked, folded neatly in a plain white envelope slipped under Emmy’s door sometime during the night.She found it just before leaving for class.There was no greeting. Just one cold line written in red ink:*“End things with Carl… or he’ll pay for what he did.”*Her stomach dropped. Tucked inside was a crumpled newspaper clipping. She unfolded it with trembling fingers.*“Fatal Crash: Local Woman Dies Swerving to Avoid Child.”*Her eyes scanned the faded text. The date was over a decade old. It described a tragic accident involving a child running into the road. A woman, swerving to avoid him, had crashed head-on into a tree. Died on the scene. The boy’s identity had never been made public.Emmy’s chest tightened. What does this have to do with Carl?***That night, Emmy stormed into his apartment, the envelope in her hand. He was on the couch, half-asleep with the TV still on.She didn’t say a word at first. She simply tossed the letter onto his lap.Carl blinked, sa
Last Updated: 2025-08-14
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVEThalia's POV EPILOGUE: SEVEN YEARS LATER The estate buzzed with life, Thanksgiving brunch was already underway, the air smelled of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and the hum of conversation mingled with the occasional squeals of children running through the halls. Sunlight poured into the garden through the tall windows, casting warm and golden streaks over everything, making the moment feel as heavenly as it was. I stood on the patio, holding a steaming mug of tea, my eyes scanning the lively scene before me.Theo and Elise, now four, were chasing each other around the fountain, their giggles echoing. Theo, the notorious mischief-maker, grabbed a handful of fallen leaves and tossed them into the air, pretending it was snow."Elise, look it's snowing!" "That's not snow, Theo!" she scolded, her little hands on her hips, but she was smiling, her dimples making an appearance just like Alexander's when he was amused."They're at it again" Alexander said, stepping up beside me with a plate
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURThalia's POV We stayed at the manor for two more days before heading back to Alexander's house, where Lorraine greeted us with another warm welcome. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a thoughtful display that felt genuine, I told her about my visit to Mom and Dad, and she listened intently, then suggested we go together next time, I agreed without hesitation. Later that evening, Cassie told me to get dressed, saying we were going somewhere, after some deliberation, I chose a silky whitedress with a Queen Anne neckline, pairing it with a touch of red lipstick, the look was simple but striking, just the way I liked it. As I descended the stairs, the soft fabric of my dress trailing behind me, I caught sight of Alexander standing by the doorway. Alexander was waiting, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp shirt and tailored pants, his hair was styled as usual, effortlessly tousled yet somehow flawless. But tonight, it wasn't just his looks, it was the way his eyes found mine,
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREEThalia's POV As much as I wanted to stay curled up in bed with Alexander all day, to enjoy the warmth of his arms and the peace he brought me, today wasn't a day for indulgence.Lilith, Tobias, and I had agreed to visit Mom and Dad at the cemetery this morning, it was something we had never done together and while it was never easy, it felt like the right thing to do. The drive to the cemetery was quiet, the kind of silence filled with unspoken words and shared memories. When we arrived, I pulled the folded picnic mat from the trunk and laid it out on the grass in front of their graves, the air was crisp but gentle, and the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting soft light over the headstones. Lilith knelt first, her movements slow and deliberate as she placed the basket of pastries Gladys had prepared for us on the mat. "Good morning Mom" she said, her voice soft but steady. Tobias and I echoed her, our voices overlapping in a quiet chorus.“Good morning Mom". We all chu
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWOThalia's POV Dinner had been a perfect end to an emotional day, laughter echoed through the house. But now, the night had deepened, and the warmth of family faded into a quieter kind of comfort. After we'd all gathered in the living room to watch an old childhood favorite, I found myself seeking something more than nostalgia. Something…Someone… Alexander. The house was silent by the time we made our way upstairs. I held his hand, guiding him toward my room, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath us the only sound. Despite the hour, exhaustion hadn't settled in yet. I wasn't tired, not in the way sleep could fix, at least. What I needed wasn't rest but him. We stepped into my room, and he paused just inside the doorway, his gaze sweeping across the space. His smile was soft but curious."Your room is lovely” he said, his voice warm and laced with amusement. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me."Thanks. I picked the one closest to the library" He arched a brow at me, his
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONEThalia's POV Justin staggered back, denial painted across his face, his panic concrete."It can't be. You were both dead!" he yelled, his voice cracking under the weight of his terror as his eyes darted between Tobias and Lilith. Tobias stood unyielding, his expression void of anything but icy contempt.“Guess you're not as precise a murderer as you thought you were," he said, his voice chillingly even, his cold gaze drilling into Justin. Justin's wild eyes shifted to Eugene, his desperation taking over."You! You set us up!" Justin roared, lunging forward. Eugene didn't flinch. He pushed Justin back with a force that sent him stumbling."Lay another finger on me” Eugene warned, his voice sharp “and I'll personally make sure you wind up on death row”. Brandon stepped forward, his fury burning hotter than Justin's desperation.“He's not winding up anywhere” Brandon seethed "You're right, Brandon. You both are” Tobias's voice broke the tension, and just as the weight of his words set
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY Thalia's POV Justin and Brandon thought Eugene was hiding out here, in this dingy downtown house-turned-office. Eugene, put on his acting mask and pretended to be frantic, packing like he had every intention of disappearing off the grid. The moment Justin and Brandon stormed in, my breath hitched because there he was. Justin. A man who'd ruined countless lives with his schemes. Just seeing him sent a surge of anger through me. I felt Alexander's hand squeeze mine firmly beside me, grounding me, to my left, Lilith stood tall, her sharp eyes fixed on the screens. Kirill was beside her, silent and unreadable as always. Tobias was leaning casually against the wall behind us, his posture deceptively relaxed, though I could see the alertness in his gaze, Katherine was beside him. Across the room, the tech team sat huddled near their equipment, four of them with headphones on, monitoring the live feed, they were oblivious to the drama unfolding before us, focused entirely on ensuring th
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
LOGIN
