Chapter: CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONEAlex stood in the hospital parking lot, his voice low, phone pressed to his ear, speaking to his friend, Officer Mike Daniels, the night air cool around him. “Mike, Lauren got a text from Dan. He’s got Emmy at a Tremont warehouse, wants her to come alone by midnight, no police.” His tone was urgent, his heart racing from Lauren’s resolve to face Dan alone, despite his warnings in the police station. “She’s going, Mike, but I need you and your team to follow, quietly. Keep my wife and daughter safe.”Daniels’ voice was steady, crisp through the phone. “Alex, we’ll set up a sting, no lights, no sirens. Where’s Lauren now?” Alex’s voice tightened, glancing back at the hospital where Lauren was with Priya. “She’s inside, talking to Priya. She told me not to tell anyone, but I can’t let her walk into this.” His breath was quick, Dan’s threat—Emmy’s life on the line—heavy. “She’s leaving soon, Mike. Be ready.”Daniels’ voice was firm, professional. “We’ll have units hidden near Tremont, tra
Last Updated: 2025-07-12
Chapter: CHAPTER EIGHTYLauren clutched Alex’s hand in the crowded police station, her voice trembling as they sat across from Detective Harris, the crumpled note from Dan—“You can’t catch me”—burning a hole in her pocket. The clock read 8:15 p.m, hours since Emmy’s kidnapping, every second a weight. Lauren’s voice shook, answering Harris’s questions. “It was a black van, no plates, old. He had a scar, right cheek, dark eyes.” Alex’s voice was steady, his hand tight on hers. “Last seen on Washington Street, heading east.”Harris scribbled, his voice calm. “We’re pulling every camera, Mrs. Magnus. Anything else you remember?” Lauren’s breath hitched, her voice breaking. “He looked right at me, smirked, like he wanted me to know he had her.” Her hands shook, Emmy’s scared face in the van replaying, her failure to catch him a knife.Her phone buzzed, an unknown number flashing, her voice a gasp as she opened the text: “Tremont warehouse, midnight. Come alone to get your kid. No police, no Alex, or she’s gone.
Last Updated: 2025-07-11
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINELauren’s scream tore through the school parking lot, her eyes locked on Dan’s black van as it sped away with Emmy inside, his scarred face smirking through the window. Her hands shook, fumbling for her keys, her voice choked. “Emmy, I’m coming!” She jumped into her SUV, the engine roaring, tires screeching as she peeled out, the school fading behind her.The Boston streets were crowded, cars honking, lights glaring. Lauren’s voice was frantic, gripping the wheel. “Where are you, Dan?” She spotted the van’s tail lights, her breath quick, Emmy’s scared face in her mind. A taxi swerved in front, her voice a shout. “Get out of the way!” She jerked the wheel, nearly hitting a minivan, the driver yelling, her hands trembling.At a red light, the van surged ahead, Dan’s head turning, his smirk taunting. Lauren’s voice broke. “You’re not getting away!” She floored it as the light turned, but a delivery truck blocked her, its brakes squealing. The van vanished around a corner. Lauren slammed
Last Updated: 2025-07-10
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHTLauren stood in the sterile hospital hallway, the antiseptic stench clawing at her lungs, her hands trembling as she gripped her phone, Elena’s words ringing in her ears: “Dan’s in Boston—safehouse, tied to that ColeTech vendor.” Her voice was a raw whisper, tears burning her eyes. “He shot Priya, and now he’s out there.” Alex stood beside her, his hand hovering near hers, their romance a fragile thread after the shattering betrayal of her drugged setup with Richard.She turned to Alex, her voice breaking, her eyes pleading. “Alex, we have to find Dan before he hurts Emmy.” Her heart pounded, the memory of Dan’s cold eyes at Emmy’s school pickup, his cryptic note (“You should’ve stopped digging,”) and Priya’s gunshot wound weaving a tapestry of terror. Her love for Alex, strained by his belief in her infidelity, was a desperate anchor, their kiss in Priya’s room a fleeting promise of unity.Alex’s voice was raw, his eyes red, his jaw tight with rage and fear. “Lauren, I’m trying, but
Last Updated: 2025-07-09
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVENLauren sat crumpled in her Langston Enterprises office, the moonlight slicing through the blinds, her body trembling as she clutched her phone, Alex’s voicemail echoing in her ears. “Alex, please, I was drugged. It wasn’t me with Richard.” Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her face, the cryptic note beside her—“You should’ve stopped digging”—a cold confirmation of Dan’s handThe memory of waking up naked on the cot, Richard beside her, clothes scattered, papers strewn, seared her mind. Her heart pounded, the setup a knife in her chest, her love for Alex a desperate anchor against the betrayal’s weight.She dialed again, her voice raw, pleading into the void. “Alex, I love you. It was Dan, not me. Please.” The silence on the other end was a fresh wound, his trust—already fragile from her secrecy about Richard’s twin status (Tom’s stolen brother) shattered by the scene he’d witnessed hours ago. Her head throbbed, the bitter aftertaste of Richard’s drugged mineral water. Elena’s
Last Updated: 2025-07-08
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIXLauren sat in the restaurant, her fingers trembling around her water glass, Elena’s call ringing in her ears—Dan’s burner phones traced to a ColeTech vendor, linked to sedatives. “Dan’s behind this.” Richard sat across, his smile smooth, discussing the Langston breach, his gaze lingering too long, Priya’s warning (“He’s playing you”) echoing. She pushed her coffee aside, its bitter scent off, her anxiety spiking, Dan’s school appearance and his text (“You’re digging too deep”) a cold weight.Richard leaned closer, his voice calm, his hand grazing hers. “Lauren, we’re nearly done with the servers. Relax, I’ve got you.” His touch lingered.Lauren pulled back, her voice sharp, standing. “Richard, focus on the report. I need it tonight.” Her suit was crisp, her CEO strength masking her fear, Priya’s warning and Elena’s lead (ColeTech’s vendor) fraying her trust in Richard’s platonic intent. She glanced at her phone, Alex’s missed call glowing, her heart aching for him, their romance str
Last Updated: 2025-07-07
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
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