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Chapter Fifty Seven

Penulis: Love Egbejale
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-22 03:34:17

Caesar lay stretched out on the living room couch, cradling a sleepy Amaliah against his chest as soft jazz filled the quiet space. The girls had already gone to bed after giggling their way through a movie, leaving the night to wind down in a rare, peaceful stillness.

“You look tense,” Amaliah murmured, sensing the weight in his silence.

He hesitated for a moment before responding. “I ran into Anastasia earlier. She seemed… unsettled. But someone like her doesn’t back down easily.”

Amaliah sat up slightly, concern flickering in her eyes as her brows drew together. “Do you think she’ll try something?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice low. “But I’m not taking any chances. When we leave tomorrow, I want you and the girls with me—in the same car. No splitting up.”

She nodded, resting her hand gently over his. “Okay. I trust you.”

His voice was low, steady. “I’ll keep you safe, Amaliah. No matter what.”

Later that night, when the house had gone still and the world outside lay quiet
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  • A Second Chance   Chapter Fifty Eight

    Amaliah’s unease deepened as the car wound its way through the increasingly narrow and secluded roads. Something felt off. Too isolated. Too far from the resort. They’d been driving for hours, and there was still no sign of the helipad Marco had claimed they were heading toward.“Marco?” she called out, her voice tight, laced with suspicion. “Where exactly is this helipad?”Silence.Her heart kicked up a notch. She glanced at the girls beside her—both lightly dozing—and reached for her phone again.No signal. Still nothing.“Marco, stop the car,” she said, this time with more urgency. “Right now.”He didn’t respond.She leaned forward, gently nudging the girls awake, her instincts screaming.Then she caught it—his eyes in the rearview mirror. Cold. Distant. Unfamiliar.“Stop the damn car!” she snapped, panic lacing her voice.When he still didn’t, she unbuckled her seatbelt, lunged forward, and yanked the gear out of drive.The vehicle jolted violently, skidding to a halt.“Out—get ou

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Fifty Nine

    The midday sun bathed the rooftop garden in a golden glow, transforming it into a serene retreat above the hum of the tech company below. At a sleek glass table, Amaliah sat across from Caesar, the remnants of their lunch scattered between them. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers, lifting strands of her hair, and for the first time in a long while, she felt… at peace.Returning to work had been refreshing, yet a part of her still longed for Tuscany. She wondered, almost absentmindedly, if Caesar would ever take her back. After their return, he had hired a landscaper to fill the once-barren rooftop with flowers—simply because she had mentioned, in passing, that it would make the space more beautiful. But he hadn't stopped there. A gazebo had been built, complete with a glass table and two chairs. When he had shown it to her, she had been speechless, overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture.Her fingers instinctively found the pendant resting against her skin. She had neve

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-30
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty

    “Can I come in?” Rafael asked, stepping forward.Amaliah stiffened, her jaw clenching at his audacity, and then she slammed the door in his face, turning the lock as well. On wooden legs, she walked back to the living room and settled down on the sofa, feeling her chest tighten. She rubbed the spot with the heel of her hand as memories flashed through her mind at lightning speed.Memories flooded her mind—the late-night call from the police informing her of her husband's death, the horrifying sight of his charred body after his car exploded with him inside. The funeral, the agonizing weeks that followed, and the dark thoughts of ending her own life. And yet, he was alive? He had faked his death? Amaliah struggled to grasp the reality before her.Her breath hitched. The room tilted. Her vision blurred at the edges. She gasped, willing herself to stay present, but the pressure in her chest only worsened. With trembling fingers, she reached for her phone and dialed the first number in h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-31
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty One

    A week later Amaliah had just ended her phone call with Caesar when the doorbell rang. Caesar was away on a business trip in Thailand, and she had been worried sick after seeing reports of the tsunami that had struck part of the country. Relief washed over her when she finally got through to him, and he reassured her that he had left Thailand a day before the disaster occurred.With that peace of mind, she made her way to the door, expecting the delivery guy Caesar had mentioned. But when she opened it, it wasn't the delivery she had anticipated—it was Rafael, standing there with a bouquet of red roses.Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. She had desperately hoped it had all been a dream—that he was gone, that he hadn't returned. But the sharp, undeniable reality settled in as she felt her babies kick inside her. This was no dream."Hello, Amaliah," Rafael greeted, a small, cautious smile playing on his lips.Amaliah gripped the door handle, steadying herself. This

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Two

    A few days later Word of Rafael’s miraculous “resurrection” spread quickly among Amaliah’s friends and family. The girls were thrilled that their father was back, but Amaliah refused to let them see him, much to Rafael’s annoyance. Still, he soon realized there was little he could do to change her mind.Despite her refusal, Rafael became relentless, calling Amaliah every hour. If she didn’t answer, he’d try her house or even Sheila. When Caesar returned from his trip, he bypassed going home and went straight to Amaliah’s place.Amaliah had been working from home, but she found herself missing the office, especially with Rafael’s constant calls and visits. She ignored every attempt—every call, every knock—but it didn’t stop him. Caesar had just stepped out of the car when he spotted Rafael loitering near the house.Their eyes locked. Rafael’s gaze burned with hatred, and Caesar stood still, waiting for him to approach. It had been over seven years since they'd last crossed paths, and

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-04
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Three

    When Rafael refused to stay away from Amaliah despite her repeated pleas and continued stalking her at both her home and workplace, Caesar urged her to file for a restraining order. A police officer served Rafael the legal documents within the week.Not even seven days later, Amaliah’s new attorney—Denise Jordan, a sharp and seasoned professional recommended by Caesar—served Rafael with divorce papers. Enraged by what he perceived as betrayal and furious that Amaliah would dare end their relationship without giving him another chance, Rafael swore vengeance. Specifically, he vowed to ruin whatever relationship she had with Caesar.A few days later, Amaliah received a chilling call from the twins’ school: Rafael had come to pick up Madisyn and Micaela—and they had gone with him willingly. Her heart pounded as she tried calling his number, but it was switched off. She suspected right away that he had gotten rid of the phone to avoid being tracked.Panic-stricken and barely able to thi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Four

    Caesar leaned heavily against the mahogany desk in his study, rubbing his temples in frustration. His phone buzzed again. Amaliah. No—still no response. He let it ring out, hoping it would dull the gnawing ache in his chest. It wasn’t her—it was the detective, calling with another update.Still nothing.He’d been working quietly with the police behind Amaliah’s back, desperate to locate the place Rafael was hiding the twins. But every lead had turned cold.He ended the call with a heavy sigh, but before he could sink further into his thoughts, a knock broke the silence.“Come in,” he called, straightening slightly, not looking up.The door creaked open, revealing Anastasia Knight in a sleek black dress that clung to every curve, her lips curled into a sly smile. A smile that screamed trouble.“Long time, Caesar,” she purred, eyes drifting over the study before landing on him.He stiffened. “Anastasia? What the hell are you doing here?” Where were his staff? He'd given one of the house

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-08
  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Five

    The night air was thick with tension as Caesar crouched behind the car parked out front, his gaze fixed on the cabin ahead. The floodlights were off, the only sound was the soft murmurs of the police officers positioned around the perimeter. They had parked a good distance away, choosing to approach on foot to avoid alerting Rafael to their presence.Detective Briggs crouched beside him, his expression tense as his eyes scanned the surroundings. “Surveillance confirms the twins are inside. They’re in the back room. Guarded by one man—Rafael’s cousin. Also... there’s a woman with them.”Caesar’s chest tightened at the mention of a woman. He already had a sinking feeling he knew who it was. “Who is it?” he asked, his voice cold, steady.“Miss Anastasia Knight,” Briggs replied, confirming his worst suspicion.The name struck Caesar like a punch to the gut. He clenched his jaw and fought to suppress the flare of anger. “We go in silent. No mistakes.”Briggs nodded sharply, his eyes steel

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-10

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  • A Second Chance   Chapter Seventy One

    Two weeks after the baby shower and just days before Rafael’s second trial, Caesar pulled into the circular driveway of his house and turned off the engine.“We’re here,” he said, glancing at Amaliah with a soft smile.She gave him a curious look. “Okay… but why the secrecy?”“You’ll see. Come on.”He helped her out of the car and led her inside, one hand gently supporting the small of her back. They walked through the quiet halls and up the grand staircase.“Caesar…” she started, but he just shook his head with a teasing grin.“No peeking,” he said, stopping in front of a closed white door. He turned the handle slowly and pushed it open.Amaliah’s breath caught in her throat.The room was bathed in soft, natural light from the large windows. The walls were painted a calming shade of sky blue with tiny golden stars scattered across the ceiling. Two white cribs stood side by side against one wall, each draped with a sheer canopy. Above them, wooden name signs read Noah and Nathaniel.

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Seventy

    A few weeks later At Caesar’s gentle insistence, Amaliah began her maternity leave. She’d tied up the final details of her project, sent the report to his office, and quietly stepped away from work — a pause she hadn't realized she needed until now. As always, the temporary driver Caesar had arranged was waiting to take her home, punctual and discreet, a small part of the care he wrapped around her like a second skin.Today felt different — brighter, softer, like something beautiful was waiting just around the corner. Sheila had planned a surprise baby shower for her, carefully stitching joy and love into every detail. What Sheila didn’t know was that Amaliah had already found out… and she was quietly, deeply moved.Her hand rested on the swell of her belly, feeling the gentle rhythm of the two little lives growing inside her. They were her miracles — unexpected, overwhelming, and loved more than words could hold. And Caesar… he had been there through every moment, steady and unwav

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Nine

    Caesar had just climbed out of the pool, water still dripping from his frame, when one of the maids approached to announce his mother's arrival. Surprised—but genuinely delighted—he grabbed a towel, dried off quickly, and darted into the house.Taking the stairs two at a time, he changed clothes in record time and was racing downstairs like an excited child. Barely five minutes had passed when he burst into the living room.His mother was just setting her teacup down on its saucer when he entered. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she rose gracefully to her feet, opening her arms. He didn’t hesitate—he pulled her into a tight embrace."How are you doing, darling?" she asked, pressing soft kisses to his cheeks."I'm good, Mom. This is a pleasant surprise," he replied, settling beside her on the sofa. "But I’m happy to see you.""Well, it’s been a while since you left the hospital," Charlotte said. "We’ve only talked over the phone. I happened to be in the area and thought I’d drop b

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Eight

    Amaliah sat stiffly behind the glass, her fingers curled tightly around the pendant Caesar had given her, clutching it like a talisman. Two weeks had passed since the first trial, and Rafael had been requesting to see her ever since. Both Caesar and Sheila had warned her against it, urging her not to go. But her mother’s voice echoed in her head—“Just see him one last time.”Caesar had postponed an important meeting just to drive her to the correctional facility. He was waiting outside, unwilling to let her face this alone. Knowing he was nearby gave her the strength to remain seated as the door buzzed open and Rafael was led in, handcuffed and flanked by an officer.He sat across from her, the cold metal chair screeching as he pulled it out. For a moment, he simply stared at her before reaching for the phone mounted beside the glass. Amaliah hesitated, then mirrored his action, pressing the receiver to her ear."I'm here. What could you possibly have to say that hasn’t already been

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Seven

    The first witness, Detective Briggs, was called to the stand.“I was the lead officer on the kidnapping case. We obtained CCTV footage showing one of the defendants—Rafael Rivers—leaving the school premises with the children. The girls were reported missing hours later. The cabin they were kept in was rented under a false name—Anastasia Knight’s cousin.”“Was there any indication the children were harmed?” the prosecutor asked.“They weren’t physically harmed, but they were confused, disoriented, and crying for their mother. Upon their arrest, Mr. Rivers grabbed an officer’s gun and shot Mr. Masterson, who had been comforting the girls at the time.”Amaliah’s breath caught in her throat, and Caesar’s grip on her hand tightened.The next witness, a child psychologist, took the stand, having interviewed the girls.“They were confused and terrified. They were told they were going on a ‘surprise vacation.’ But as days passed without contact with their mother, the older twin began crying e

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Six

    Amaliah arrived at the hospital with her daughters, who had insisted on accompanying her to see Caesar. Knowing his room number, they took the elevator to the second floor, stepped out when it arrived, and walked down the hallway to his room. His name was displayed on a plaque that was on the wall near the door, but she hesitated, glancing at her outfit—a short-sleeved green floral maternity dress paired with green sandals and her hair pulled into a ponytail. The girls wore matching white and pink polka dot dresses with white shoes."Are you ready, Mama?" Madisyn asked.Amaliah chuckled softly, nodding. "Yeah, I think so."Micaela raised her small hand to knock on the door, but before she could, it slid open. Amaliah froze as Caesar's mother, Charlotte, stood in the doorway. Amaliah quickly pulled the girls to her side as Charlotte stepped out, leaving the door open and brushing past her without a word.The girls went inside first, their excited chatter breaking Amaliah from her thou

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Five

    The night air was thick with tension as Caesar crouched behind the car parked out front, his gaze fixed on the cabin ahead. The floodlights were off, the only sound was the soft murmurs of the police officers positioned around the perimeter. They had parked a good distance away, choosing to approach on foot to avoid alerting Rafael to their presence.Detective Briggs crouched beside him, his expression tense as his eyes scanned the surroundings. “Surveillance confirms the twins are inside. They’re in the back room. Guarded by one man—Rafael’s cousin. Also... there’s a woman with them.”Caesar’s chest tightened at the mention of a woman. He already had a sinking feeling he knew who it was. “Who is it?” he asked, his voice cold, steady.“Miss Anastasia Knight,” Briggs replied, confirming his worst suspicion.The name struck Caesar like a punch to the gut. He clenched his jaw and fought to suppress the flare of anger. “We go in silent. No mistakes.”Briggs nodded sharply, his eyes steel

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Four

    Caesar leaned heavily against the mahogany desk in his study, rubbing his temples in frustration. His phone buzzed again. Amaliah. No—still no response. He let it ring out, hoping it would dull the gnawing ache in his chest. It wasn’t her—it was the detective, calling with another update.Still nothing.He’d been working quietly with the police behind Amaliah’s back, desperate to locate the place Rafael was hiding the twins. But every lead had turned cold.He ended the call with a heavy sigh, but before he could sink further into his thoughts, a knock broke the silence.“Come in,” he called, straightening slightly, not looking up.The door creaked open, revealing Anastasia Knight in a sleek black dress that clung to every curve, her lips curled into a sly smile. A smile that screamed trouble.“Long time, Caesar,” she purred, eyes drifting over the study before landing on him.He stiffened. “Anastasia? What the hell are you doing here?” Where were his staff? He'd given one of the house

  • A Second Chance   Chapter Sixty Three

    When Rafael refused to stay away from Amaliah despite her repeated pleas and continued stalking her at both her home and workplace, Caesar urged her to file for a restraining order. A police officer served Rafael the legal documents within the week.Not even seven days later, Amaliah’s new attorney—Denise Jordan, a sharp and seasoned professional recommended by Caesar—served Rafael with divorce papers. Enraged by what he perceived as betrayal and furious that Amaliah would dare end their relationship without giving him another chance, Rafael swore vengeance. Specifically, he vowed to ruin whatever relationship she had with Caesar.A few days later, Amaliah received a chilling call from the twins’ school: Rafael had come to pick up Madisyn and Micaela—and they had gone with him willingly. Her heart pounded as she tried calling his number, but it was switched off. She suspected right away that he had gotten rid of the phone to avoid being tracked.Panic-stricken and barely able to thi

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