Chapter: The Thin Line Between Fear and Resolve Chapter 44:The Thin Line Between Fear and ResolveThe silence of the house wasn’t comforting anymore. It was suffocating. Every creak of the floorboards, every hum of the fridge sounded like a warning, a reminder that peace was a luxury we couldn’t afford. Reid’s laughter from earlier that day still echoed in my ears, but now it felt distant, almost like a cruel memory of something I might lose. I stared at him as he slept, his tiny hand clutching the edge of his blanket. He looked so peaceful, so unaware of the storm that was circling us. I couldn’t sleep. My body refused to rest. Instead, I sat in the dim light of the living room, my legs folded under me on the couch, eyes fixed on the door. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming. Alex was somewhere in the shadows, pacing like a restless predator. His movements were silent, but I could feel him. I hated that his presence both unsettled me and brought me a sliver of comfort. “You should get some rest,” he said
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: The Last step before the Fall Chapter 43:The Last Step Before the Fall“Reid, get behind me!” I snapped, yanking him toward the wall as Alex stepped forward, gun in hand. The room felt too small, the walls closing in as heavy footsteps echoed outside. Alex’s eyes darted between me and the door, calculating every possible move, while Precious clutched the arm of the couch, frozen in place. “Stay quiet,” Alex whispered, his voice calm but laced with urgency. I could barely breathe. My pulse hammered in my ears, and every second felt like an eternity. Reid clung to my leg, his tiny fingers digging into my jeans. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look calm—for him. The knock came. Three sharp raps that sent my heart plunging into my stomach. Alex didn’t move. His grip on the gun tightened, his finger hovering near the trigger. I could see the sweat dripping down his temple, though his expression remained unreadable. “Open up,” a voice called from the other side. It was deep, firm, and entirely unfamilia
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: The Price of Trust Chapter 42: The Price of Trust The rain pelted against the window, each droplet a small hammer tapping at my nerves. The storm outside mirrored the chaos inside the house. Alex was pacing again, his brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. I sat at the edge of the couch, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, trying to suppress the tremor in my fingers. Precious was in the next room with Reid, keeping him occupied with one of his puzzles. It was the only thing that seemed to calm him these days. “How much longer do you think we have?” I asked finally, breaking the heavy silence. Alex stopped mid-step and turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Not long. They’re closing in.” A chill ran down my spine. His words confirmed what I’d been feeling for days—that the walls were closing in on us, that no matter how far we ran, we couldn’t outrun the past. “What do they want, Alex?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why can’t they just leave us alone?” He hesit
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: The Unseen War Chapter 41: The Unseen War I wasn’t prepared for the silence that greeted me. It wasn’t the comforting stillness that usually meant safety—it was oppressive, like the air was holding its breath. Every step I took felt like walking on glass, the tension threatening to shatter at any moment. Alex stood near the window, his body taut like a coiled spring. He didn’t turn when I entered the room, but his sharp whisper cut through the quiet. “They’re here.” My stomach twisted. “Are you sure?” He pointed outside, where faint shadows flickered against the glow of a distant streetlamp. They were subtle—too subtle for someone who wasn’t looking. But Alex had always been good at spotting the invisible threats. “What do we do?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts. “Stay calm.” He finally turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “Get Reid and Precious into the basement. Now.” Basement. My heart sank. Reid hated small, confined spaces. I’d barely convinced him t
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: The Price of Silence Chapter 40: The Price of Silence I slammed the door behind me, my heart racing. Reid’s panicked cries echoed in my ears as I pressed my back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. “Where is Alex?” I whispered under my breath, scanning the room. The safehouse had never felt smaller, its walls closing in on me. Every creak, every shadow felt like a threat. “Mum?” Reid’s voice wavered from the corner of the room. His little hands clutched Precious’s sleeve as she crouched beside him, trying to keep him calm. I forced a smile, though my chest felt like it was caving in. “It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m here.” He didn’t look convinced. “Adeline, we can’t stay here,” Precious muttered, her voice barely audible. I nodded. She was right. The safehouse wasn’t safe anymore, not with Alex gone and no plan in place. But where could we go? Every option felt like a trap waiting to spring. “Pack your things,” I said, keeping my voice steady for Re
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
Chapter: Shattered illusionsChapter 39: Shattered IllusionsI barely registered the cold metal of the handcuffs biting into my wrists as they locked me into the chair. My thoughts spiraled, every nerve in my body screaming to fight, to run, but I forced myself to stay calm. If I panicked now, I’d lose everything. Across from me, the room was empty except for a single table and the shadowed figure leaning against it. His face was cloaked in darkness, but I didn’t need to see him to feel the weight of his presence. “You’ve been busy, Ms. Peace,” he said finally, his voice low and smooth, like a predator toying with its prey. I glared at him, refusing to respond. He wanted a reaction, but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction. He stepped forward, the light catching the sharp angles of his face. I recognized him instantly—Cole. He was one of *them*. Alex’s warnings about people like him echoed in my mind. “What do you want?” I spat, my voice steadier than I felt. Cole smirked. “It’s not about what I want
Last Updated: 2025-01-25
SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, I WANT YOU BACK LILA
."Ever have that feeling nothing you ever do matters?"
This is Lila Vitale's story, being overshadowed by her elder sister all her life no matter the efforts she puts in.
Finally, she is put in the spotlight when her elder sister, Lily, abandons her husband because he went blind, and she ( Lila) has to be the replacement by pretending to be her.
Lila is not happy about this at first but steps up to the challenge as she is finally seen and relied on by those she cares about.
Lucien, a year later regains his eyesight due to surgery. Lila, hopeful to be set free by the truth, gets disappointed when her sister Lily miraculously appears to take back the place she abandoned and the man Lila had grown to love.
To make matters worse, Lila realizes she was just a pawn being used all along and overhears death plots about her unborn child.
As the betrayal deepens, Lila tries reaching out to Lucien who treats her like a pest, hurting and giving her no choice but to disappear. Not too long after, Lucien figures out the truth and seeks out for her but isn't he too late?
Will Lila ever want to let him back into her life again, especially when she is hell-bent on revenge?
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Chapter: Five years Later CHAPTER SIX.LILA.Lucien.Five years Later.It's been five years now and Lila was still nowhere to be found. It was just like she disappeared from the surface of the earth."I hope you are okay?" I whispered under my breath, my hands under my chin as I let out a sigh, feeling tired. For the past few days now, I have refused to step foot at home.It doesn't even feel like home anymore. All the decorations were suddenly changed, and when I asked why, Lily said her taste had just changed, which was obviously a lie.Another reason to prove she wasn't the one who stood by me in my hardest for a year. The air at home felt suffocating and empty. Countless times, I tried moving on, to pretend Lily was whom I made love to all these years, but nope.Even the sex was terrible. I always forced myself to cum. It got to a point, I couldn't bear to touch her again. I needed my strawberry girl, the woman I couldn't do without putting my nose into her neck every time I gave her little bites that made
Last Updated: 2025-01-24
Chapter: I DID ITCHAPTER FIVE.I DID IT.Lila."You okay?" Olivia asked me as she entered my room to find me on the bed brooding. I nodded positively, giving her a weak smile despite finding it hard to move.It's been months since we left New York City and came here, to Tuscany. Life hasn't been boring. Olivia and her father treated me like an egg, barely letting me do anything while also showering me with love.I couldn't be more lucky to have them by my side, especially at a moment like this."You miss him, don't you?" Olivia whispered as she sat beside me on the bed. I stiffened and hid my face away, not wanting her to see I was growing teary again.These days, I have been having terrible mood swings. If I wasn't crying, I was lashing out at innocent people, but they all took it gently with me, knowing it was pregnancy hormones.I placed my hand on my belly, as I felt a sharp kick to my abdomen. I swallowed a groan, my face twisting in pain as I rubbed my belly, which was already so big I feared I
Last Updated: 2025-01-24
Chapter: GOODBYE CHAPTER FOUR.GOODBYE.LILA.I covered my mouth, my eyes widening in disbelief as I overheard my mother telling my sister to drug my meals so I could lose the baby.'How could she?' I pondered, going out of breath. I knew she always hated me but I never thought it would be to this extent.I needed to get out of here. Now and fast, or risk losing my life too. Quietly, I tiptoed away from the corner I was hiding in, in search of Olivia.She needed to hear this. I dashed to her office, and thankfully, she was in there now, pacing around, her hand under her chin like she was deep in thought."Olivia". I called, rushing to hug her immediately. She was taken aback, but wrapped her hands around me regardless, stroking my back tenderly.How I needed this. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes and I sniffled."I am so sorry Lila. It's so heartbreaking to see how cruel these people are to you. Are you alright?" She asked, disengaging from our hug, to cup my face in her hands.I shook my head si
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
Chapter: ITTERASHAI. CHAPTER THREE.ITTERASHAI.LUCIEN.'Why did my heart clench tightly when I saw the look of hurt flash over her expression?' I pondered, walking down the hallway, lost in thoughts.It seems like I was missing something. I should be happy and relieved. I mean, finally, I get to see again and be with the woman I love fully, but why was my heart feeling empty?"Lucien". I heard Lily squeak and before I could turn around, she already flung herself on my back, clutching me tightly, her hands wrapped around my waist."I have missed you so much. It felt like ages when I had to stay away from you". She said, placing a kiss on my neck and I shook.That wasn't what caused my reaction. It was what she said. Ages? We were barely away from one another even during my surgery. Yes, I had a bandage wrapped around my eyes, but I could always feel her hands holding mine."We were continuously together. What do you mean, ages?" I questioned, holding my breath for her response. I noticed her hands holding
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
Chapter: GET RID OFCHAPTER TWO.GET RID OF.LILA."What?" Lily shrieked, getting away from Lucien immediately, whose eyes widened from shock."How come, sis?" He inquired with care and that did it. I burst into tears immediately. Clenching my fists, while trying to fight back the stinging agony of rejection I was feeling in my heart.'Was this how little I mattered, could he not figure things out?'Olivia immediately dashed to my side and began stroking my hair softly as she looked at me. I noticed her eyes glistened with tears as she whispered."It's alright. Let it all out". Her words twisted my heart, and I cried so much, startling everyone, including the doctor who was scratching his hair nervously."Why are you crying sis? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to up....". Lucien tried saying but my sister butt in."You did nothing Lucien. Perhaps the father of the child abandoned her or something".To think she was right made my chest hurt more, as I tried to breathe. Everywhere was suddenly suffocating.Th
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
Chapter: PREGNANT CHAPTER ONE.PREGNANT.Lila."Do you think I can go in to see him now?" I asked my best friend, Olivia, who worked as a therapist in the hospital.Currently, we were both in her office waiting for my husband whose bandages were to be removed today. He had his eye surgery two or three days ago."Sure, they should be done by now". Olivia, responded, her head buried in some sort of counseling book.My heart gave a kick start out of excitement, Joy radiating through my chest as my face crumbled into a smile. At the same time, I began breathing heavily, my palms growing sweaty."Someone is anxious". Olivia teased with a smirk, as she peeped at me from her book. I shrugged, not denying her claim."You can't blame me. For a year now, he thought I was his Lily. How do you think he is going to react when he finds out he married me instead?" I questioned, feeling a lump in my throat."Oh please! You did him a favor when that bitch ran, so please get a grip of yourself and go claim your man". Ol
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
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