Share

Chapter 66

Author: Keren Michael
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-16 17:24:01

I don’t wait to see what Neveah will do next. My legs move on their own, propelling me out of her room and down the hallway. My pulse pounds in my ears as I rush toward Autumn’s room. I fling the door open without knocking, startling her where she sits by the window, bathed in the faint glow of the evening.

"Mrs Grayson?" she says, turning her wide eyes to me. Her voice is soft, almost fragile.

"Autumn, listen to me." I kneel in front of her, gripping her hands. They’re warm, a stark contrast to the icy dread spreading through me. "I need you to stay in your room. Lock the door, don’t open it for anyone—no matter what. Do you understand?"

Her brow furrows. "What’s going on? You’re scaring me."

"I’ll explain later," I say, forcing a calmness I don’t feel into my voice. "But right now, I need to know that you’ll stay here. Please, Autumn."

She hesitates, her gaze searching mine. Finally, she nods. "Okay. I’ll stay."

I squeeze her hands in gratitude, my heart aching at the worry etched a
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 67

    "You’re the worst, Niveah," I say, my voice trembling with fury as tears stream down my face. "The worst wife, the worst mother, the worst mother-in-law. You’re a monster."Her lips twitch, her brows arching as if she’s amused by my outburst. "No, Elaine," she murmurs, her voice cold and venomous. "It’s not me—it’s the world that made me this way. The people around me shaped this. My father, my mother—they were never happy. They forced their failures onto me. I never had a husband who loved me. All I had was my title."My hands clench against the ropes binding me to the chair, my nails digging into my palms. "Your husband may not have loved you, but he gave you children who did," I spit out, my voice rising despite the fear pressing down on my chest. "Ethan adored you, Niveah! He adored you so much that every fight we had was about how to please you. To make you proud."Her mask cracks for a fleeting moment, but she forces it back into place, her icy demeanor hardening."And what abou

    Last Updated : 2025-01-16
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 68

    The pain in my arm blurs my vision, but I push through it. I can’t stop now. Not when Elaine’s life is hanging by a thread. I stagger to my feet, using my uninjured arm to steady myself, but Dogue’s already there, looming like a shadow. He charges at me again, his fists like wrecking balls, but I’m ready this time.I sidestep him at the last second, using his momentum against him. With a grunt, I slam him into the wall with enough force to rattle the concrete. My head spins, but I force myself to focus, ignoring the blood pouring from my wound. I can’t afford to lose now. Not when I’m this close.But Dogue’s no amateur. He recovers quickly, spinning around to face me, eyes wild with fury. This time, when he lunges, I’m too slow to dodge. His fist connects with my gut, knocking the wind out of me. The impact is so sharp, so sudden, I stumble back, my knees threatening to buckle.Before I can regain my footing, he’s on me again, grabbing me by the collar and slamming me into the floor.

    Last Updated : 2025-01-17
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 69

    Autumn pulled back just enough to look at me, her bright eyes searching mine. “You’re my mom. You’ve always been my mom. And I’m so happy you’re okay.”I couldn’t stop the tears that welled up and spilled down my cheeks. I wanted to hold her tighter, to tell her how much I loved her, but my body felt like it had been weighed down with lead.Diana touched my arm gently. “You’ve been out for three days. The doctors said you needed time to recover. You gave us quite a scare.”Three days. The words echoed in my mind as I tried to process them. Flashes of memory came back—the warehouse, the flames, Neveah’s twisted smile, and Lucas... Lucas fighting to save me.“Lucas...” I murmured, my heart clenching. “Is he—?”“He’s fine,” Diana reassured me quickly. “A little banged up, but he’s tougher than he looks.” She smiled faintly, though the worry still lingered in her eyes. “Now, let me call the nurse to check on you.”She stepped toward the door and pressed a button on the wall, summoning the

    Last Updated : 2025-01-17
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 70

    TWO WEEKS LATERELAINE’S POVMy fingers trace the delicate patterns etched into the stone, the cool texture of Ethan’s name grounding me as the breeze stirs the wildflowers planted near the edges of his grave. The faint scent of earth and blooms fills the air, mingling with the rustle of the surrounding trees. Autumn walks ahead of me, her small figure illuminated by the soft sunlight breaking through the clouds.She kneels beside the stone, her little hands carefully placing a pair of daisies at its base. Her chestnut hair is pulled back into a neat bun, accentuating her delicate features. Even now, with her bright eyes and curious demeanor, the weight of loss lingers in the curve of her shoulders. My heart tightens, and I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently. A silent gesture of solidarity.We step back together, standing in quiet reverence. Five years. It’s been five long, tumultuous years since Ethan left us. Since my life was torn apart, my freedom stolen, and my daughter take

    Last Updated : 2025-01-17
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 1

    Tacoma, Seattle — 2016, June 12thAt the Rivera MansionThe mansion loomed in darkness as I stumbled through the grand double doors. The polished floors glinted faintly under the soft moonlight that filtered through the towering windows. I wasn’t drunk, but my head buzzed slightly from the margaritas Ashley insisted I try during our talk. She was a bartender after all, and mixing drinks was her language of comfort—I couldn’t blame her.My heels clicked faintly against the marble as I made my way to the kitchen. The cavernous silence of the house pressed against my ears, broken only by the sound of the faucet as I filled a glass with cold water. The icy liquid rushed down my throat, quenching the sudden dryness that came with the memory of my fight with Ethan.The argument played back in vivid fragments: harsh words hurled like daggers, his sharp retorts, and the ever-present shadow of his family. I set the glass down, gripping the counter as frustration tightened its grip on me. I knew

    Last Updated : 2020-05-23
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 2

    Four Years LaterSeattle State PrisonThe sharp clang of metal echoed through the cellblock as two guards strolled past my cell, their conversation low and filled with disinterest. The pungent smell of cigarettes wafted into the room, making me cough. I’d never liked the smell of cigars, but tonight, I’d have to endure much worse.I sat on the thin mattress of my cot, staring at the cracked ceiling, counting each second that passed. My heart raced with anticipation and fear. It was Saturday—the day prisoners were allowed a semblance of freedom. Some roamed the perimeter; others congregated in the cleaning house. This small reprieve was my opportunity.The sound of keys jangling broke my thoughts. A female guard appeared outside my cell, her face hardened by years of service.“Sadie Manchester. Elaine Rivera.”I stood, exchanging a glance with Sadie, my cellmate and closest ally. Together, we followed the guard down the cold corridor toward the cleaning house. Sadie had been my lifeline

    Last Updated : 2020-05-23
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 3

    Author’s POVAt the Rivera mansion, the air was heavy with the scent of freshly brewed coffee as Nicole curled up on the plush armchair in the living room. The steady patter of last night’s rain still lingered in the chilly morning air, making her crave the warmth of her mug. Her gaze darted between the numerous newspapers spread before her, her sharp eyes scanning every headline and detail with an intensity only she could muster.Delaney, the house help, walked in carrying yet another stack of freshly delivered papers, her arms burdened with the weight of the day’s news.“There seems to be a lot of buzz today,” Nicole remarked, setting down her half-empty mug. Her voice carried a tinge of curiosity as she spoke to her husband, Copper, who had just emerged from their bedroom, still buttoning his shirt.“Let’s hope the stock market’s dipped in our favor. That would be news worth celebrating,” Copper replied dryly, his voice betraying the fatigue of another long day managing the Rivera C

    Last Updated : 2020-05-23
  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 4

    The day I fell into that water was the day I died. Not physically—no, that would have been easier—but mentally. The part of me that was hopeful, forgiving, and naive was stripped away by the cold rush of the river. I let my old self wash away with the current. What emerged was someone colder, harder, with a single mission etched into my very bones: to find Ethan’s murderer and make them pay.Pay for separating me from my daughter. Pay for throwing me in jail. Pay for taking my husband from me in cold blood. Whoever they are, they’ll face justice—my kind of justice—and when I find them, God help them.After I was shot in the back and the ankle, the river became my salvation. I’d never been much of a swimmer, but survival has a way of sharpening your instincts. I clawed my way to the riverbank, gasping and shivering, and let fate decide what was next. It brought me to the doorstep of a common villager who found me, half-dead, and nursed me back to health. For a month, I lingered in the s

    Last Updated : 2020-05-23

Latest chapter

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 70

    TWO WEEKS LATERELAINE’S POVMy fingers trace the delicate patterns etched into the stone, the cool texture of Ethan’s name grounding me as the breeze stirs the wildflowers planted near the edges of his grave. The faint scent of earth and blooms fills the air, mingling with the rustle of the surrounding trees. Autumn walks ahead of me, her small figure illuminated by the soft sunlight breaking through the clouds.She kneels beside the stone, her little hands carefully placing a pair of daisies at its base. Her chestnut hair is pulled back into a neat bun, accentuating her delicate features. Even now, with her bright eyes and curious demeanor, the weight of loss lingers in the curve of her shoulders. My heart tightens, and I reach for her hand, squeezing it gently. A silent gesture of solidarity.We step back together, standing in quiet reverence. Five years. It’s been five long, tumultuous years since Ethan left us. Since my life was torn apart, my freedom stolen, and my daughter take

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 69

    Autumn pulled back just enough to look at me, her bright eyes searching mine. “You’re my mom. You’ve always been my mom. And I’m so happy you’re okay.”I couldn’t stop the tears that welled up and spilled down my cheeks. I wanted to hold her tighter, to tell her how much I loved her, but my body felt like it had been weighed down with lead.Diana touched my arm gently. “You’ve been out for three days. The doctors said you needed time to recover. You gave us quite a scare.”Three days. The words echoed in my mind as I tried to process them. Flashes of memory came back—the warehouse, the flames, Neveah’s twisted smile, and Lucas... Lucas fighting to save me.“Lucas...” I murmured, my heart clenching. “Is he—?”“He’s fine,” Diana reassured me quickly. “A little banged up, but he’s tougher than he looks.” She smiled faintly, though the worry still lingered in her eyes. “Now, let me call the nurse to check on you.”She stepped toward the door and pressed a button on the wall, summoning the

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 68

    The pain in my arm blurs my vision, but I push through it. I can’t stop now. Not when Elaine’s life is hanging by a thread. I stagger to my feet, using my uninjured arm to steady myself, but Dogue’s already there, looming like a shadow. He charges at me again, his fists like wrecking balls, but I’m ready this time.I sidestep him at the last second, using his momentum against him. With a grunt, I slam him into the wall with enough force to rattle the concrete. My head spins, but I force myself to focus, ignoring the blood pouring from my wound. I can’t afford to lose now. Not when I’m this close.But Dogue’s no amateur. He recovers quickly, spinning around to face me, eyes wild with fury. This time, when he lunges, I’m too slow to dodge. His fist connects with my gut, knocking the wind out of me. The impact is so sharp, so sudden, I stumble back, my knees threatening to buckle.Before I can regain my footing, he’s on me again, grabbing me by the collar and slamming me into the floor.

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 67

    "You’re the worst, Niveah," I say, my voice trembling with fury as tears stream down my face. "The worst wife, the worst mother, the worst mother-in-law. You’re a monster."Her lips twitch, her brows arching as if she’s amused by my outburst. "No, Elaine," she murmurs, her voice cold and venomous. "It’s not me—it’s the world that made me this way. The people around me shaped this. My father, my mother—they were never happy. They forced their failures onto me. I never had a husband who loved me. All I had was my title."My hands clench against the ropes binding me to the chair, my nails digging into my palms. "Your husband may not have loved you, but he gave you children who did," I spit out, my voice rising despite the fear pressing down on my chest. "Ethan adored you, Niveah! He adored you so much that every fight we had was about how to please you. To make you proud."Her mask cracks for a fleeting moment, but she forces it back into place, her icy demeanor hardening."And what abou

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 66

    I don’t wait to see what Neveah will do next. My legs move on their own, propelling me out of her room and down the hallway. My pulse pounds in my ears as I rush toward Autumn’s room. I fling the door open without knocking, startling her where she sits by the window, bathed in the faint glow of the evening."Mrs Grayson?" she says, turning her wide eyes to me. Her voice is soft, almost fragile."Autumn, listen to me." I kneel in front of her, gripping her hands. They’re warm, a stark contrast to the icy dread spreading through me. "I need you to stay in your room. Lock the door, don’t open it for anyone—no matter what. Do you understand?"Her brow furrows. "What’s going on? You’re scaring me.""I’ll explain later," I say, forcing a calmness I don’t feel into my voice. "But right now, I need to know that you’ll stay here. Please, Autumn."She hesitates, her gaze searching mine. Finally, she nods. "Okay. I’ll stay."I squeeze her hands in gratitude, my heart aching at the worry etched a

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 65;

    "Neveah," I choked, forcing her name past the tightness in my throat. My voice sounded steady, but inside I was spiraling. Had she seen what I was doing? How long had she been standing there, watching?She stepped forward, her feet barely making a sound on the wooden floor. The soft click of the door closing behind her felt like the echo of a prison gate slamming shut."I always wondered if curiosity would get the better of you," she said, her tone light, almost conversational, but her gaze stayed sharp, unwavering. She called me by my name. She recognized me but since when? I try to act like I hadn't heard her call me Elaine. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me.I swallowed, feeling the pen pressing into the skin of my forearm where I’d hidden it. "I—" My voice faltered, the words tangling in my throat. "I didn’t mean to intrude. The door wasn’t closed, and I..."Her lips twitched—whether it was an attempt at a smile or a sign of displeasure, I couldn’t tell. "The door wasn’t c

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 64

    As I move down the hallway toward Nicole and Cooper’s room, a flicker of movement catches my attention. My steps falter, and I glance to my left. Neveah’s door is ajar—unlocked for the first time since I’ve known her. The crack in the door reveals a sliver of warm light spilling into the hallway.I hesitate, my curiosity gnawing at me like a persistent itch. Neveah is nothing if not meticulous. Her room is usually a fortress, sealed off from the rest of the house like a shrine to her carefully curated life. But now, it stands slightly open, an invitation I can’t ignore.Glancing behind me to ensure no one’s watching, I nudge the door further with the tips of my fingers, slipping inside without a sound.The room feels like stepping into another era. It’s vintage to its very core, with heavy, dark wooden furniture that gleams under the soft amber glow of an oil lamp on the bedside table. The air carries a faint hint of lavender, mingled with the musk of aged wood. A sprawling four-poste

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 63;

    The moment I step through the door, I call Lucas. My fingers tremble as I press his name on the screen, and he picks up on the first ring, his voice steady and laced with concern.“Tiff, are you alright?”“Yeah,” I reply, my tone subdued, though my racing thoughts make it sound hollow.There’s a pause, followed by the faint sounds of movement on his end. I can hear him rustling papers, the soft scrape of what I imagine are his keys being picked up. He’s getting ready to leave, to come straight to me. I close my eyes, the tension in my chest easing slightly, and add quickly, “I’m fine, really.”The sounds stop abruptly. He’s listening intently now. “What’s wrong?”I swallow hard, forcing the words out even though they taste bitter on my tongue. “It’s just... the culprit for the Simpsons murder—it was actually the wife.”My voice falters at the end, cracking with unspoken fears. The admission feels like a confession, as though I’m baring something about myself I’d rather keep hidden. Th

  • Death Of A Rivera   Chapter 62;

    Diana, Jacob, Ryan, Lucas, Mrs Niveah. Those where the people present at the house that night. An information I already knew but only confirmed with the. help of the cctv. I;d say the only thing i gained from witching the clips was seeing Ethan again.I play the clips all over. in my head again as I jog along the lake road, Ellie at my heels, her tongue dangling out and excited to be outdoors again. The clip; Ethan comes home, I know what happens next because i was there. He handed me a single rose like he did most days he got back from work and a letter of approval for Autumn to get in an all girls boarding school the next year.I disagreeed because i felt she was too young, to be away from me, from her father and the home she was most comfortable in. Mrs Niveah wanted it so bad, said all her kids where sent away at a young age to a princeton high college for better education. But not my baby. Not Autumn. I wanted things different for her. A normal life where she could come home to h

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status