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Chapter 60: Justification
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2024-09-23 21:12:54Related chapters
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 61: Bad News
It had been a week since the reunion, and I had unconsciously fallen into a routine with Rominic — or rather, Rominic had orchestrated this routine for us. Every morning, he made sure to steal a kiss or two, whether in front of the children or in private. We always ate breakfast together, and at night, we would cuddle and make out before falling asleep.The most agonizing part about this routine wasn't that I was angry about it, but because of Rominic's half-hearted approach. He would kiss me until I was a wet, trembling mess, my body consumed by desire, and then he would abruptly stop. His excuse was that he had promised himself he would never do anything I didn't want him to do — in other words, he wanted me to ask him directly before he would take things further.Rominic knew that my pride would never allow me to make such a request. No, he was well aware that with enough diligent preparation, he would eventually break down my defenses and make me give in to my desires. The bastard
Last Updated : 2024-09-24It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 62: Concern
I let out a heavy sigh as I gazed absentmindedly out the window. My mind was in turmoil, consumed with worry for Rominic's well-being. The situation was far graver than I had initially thought.Even though Rominic always backed up his files in a secure cloud, he had been unable to find evidence of the crucial blueprint. He was not only in shock from the knowledge that his secret cloud had been compromised but also from the fact that the perpetrators had effortlessly accessed his password and shut down his security system without any warning.The only silver lining was that his other important files were stored in a different secured box, protected by a randomly generated password that he had carelessly crafted. He had failed to secure the particular file in question, however, because he needed to access it frequently, and the additional security measures seemed like too much of a hassle.Rominic's password was the pet name my mother had used for me, written in reverse with the additio
Last Updated : 2024-10-01It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 63: Healing Conversation
I quietly walked into my therapist's office, a heavy weight pressing down on my heart, diminishing any sense of joy. Miss Beira Sinclair raised her head from the book she had been reading and offered me a warm, empathetic smile. But when she saw the distress etched across my features, her expression fell. She closed the book and clasped her hands before her, dropping the professional demeanor she typically maintained. Beira spoke to me then as a friend and a mother, using whatever means necessary to ensure I would listen.I dropped my bag on the desk and plopped down in the chair with a heavy, exhausted huff. "I'm so fucking exhausted," I confessed."I can see that. I'll assume things with Rominic are not going well," she stated matter-of-factly. I sighed deeply in response. Beira leaned back in her chair and gave it a gentle spin, humming softly. "How have you been?""I just said I'm exhausted, in every possible way. Rominic can't seem to see anything beyond his work right now, and i
Last Updated : 2024-11-26It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 64: Seduction
Beira was absolutely right. I knew from the very beginning how to calm Rominic down, but I had allowed myself to convince myself that I was powerless to help. This time, however, things were going to be different. I had a plan, and the children were eager to help me execute it.The living room all the way up to our bedroom was dimly lit, with the warm glow of rose and lavender-scented candles casting a soothing ambiance. Rominic's favorite soul music played softly in the background, creating a relaxing atmosphere.As Rominic opened the door and stepped inside, a heavy sigh escaped his lips as he tugged at his necktie. He paused, his eyes widening in surprise at the transformed environment. I stepped forward so that he would be able to see me as he entered the house, his gaze sweeping over the scene in confusion and awe.Clearing my throat to get his attention, I watched as his eyes fell upon me, a seductive smile spreading across my face. His jaw dropped, and I knew exactly how he fel
Last Updated : 2024-11-26It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 65: Breakthrough at Midnight
Lavender's viewpointI sat on the edge of the bed, silently observing as my eldest and youngest sons engaged in a technical discussion, while Rominic paced around, on the phone with his lawyer. I must admit, I didn't fully comprehend the intricacies of the scientific jargon that Zayne had spewed out, nor Rominic's precise response. Fortunately, Zach stepped in to help me interpret the situation.The general gist was that Zach had been scouring through the secure cloud Rominic had created, searching for any useful information, but had come up empty-handed after a prolonged effort. However, Zayne then decided to take a closer look and noticed something Zach had overlooked. Apparently, Zayne had discovered that there was something locked away within the cloud, but he had been hesitant to share his findings, not wanting to raise false hopes. This had occurred nearly two weeks ago. Today, Zayne finally cracked the secure layer and revealed that Rominic had an AI system integrated into the
Last Updated : 2024-11-28It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 66: A Sticky Situation
The news struck me hard, and my eyes widened in shock. "What did you mean? How could this have happened?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief.Rominic let out an annoyed huff. "His damn neighbors didn't even notice the stench of the corpse for two whole months! Sure, the body was dumped in the bathroom tub with water, but that still didn't explain why no one caught on for that long!" he exclaimed, frustration evident in his tone.I quickly swung my legs off the couch and slipped on my slippers, eager to remove myself from the children's presence. "But how did that explain why they didn't notice?" I tried to interject, only to be cut off by Rominic again."The water could have slowed the decomposition by keeping the body cooler and preventing some bacteria from reaching it. It might have trapped the odor, making it less intense and noticeable to the neighbors. But I could still smell it from the floor of that building. It's clearly a murder case — someone must have hired him and the
Last Updated : 2024-11-30It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 67: The Secrets We Keep
The cat was out of the bag—again. It was as if the universe was determined not to give me a break. I could see the glimmering excitement and intrigue for juicy gossip in Giovanna's eyes, and I knew from that look alone that I would never be able to convince her otherwise. All I could do now was admit the truth and try to figure out a way to convince her to keep her mouth shut.Giovanna walked beside me, her gaze fixed on my face, clearly eager to hear the details. Of course, all I had to do was tell her that I was the supposed dead fiancée of Rominic Verlice, but I knew that wouldn't be enough to satisfy her curiosity. She insisted that I tell her where I'd been and if I'd been with Rominic the entire time.Frantically, I spun a web of lies, telling her that I hadn't come back sooner because I had lost my memories, and the family who had taken me in were an elderly couple with no idea who I was. I explained that after regaining my memories, I had returned to Rominic, and we had decide
Last Updated : 2024-12-01It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 68: A Reunion of Sorts
I stood before the full-length mirror, meticulously inspecting my outfit for any flaws. I had chosen a bold, stylish ensemble—a black off-the-shoulder top adorned with delicate floral embroidery. Paired with that was a pair of dark red leather leggings that hugged my legs elegantly. To complete the look, I had slipped into a pair of sleek, black over-the-knee boots. My hair was styled in a messy, loose updo, with a few soft tendrils framing my face. This allowed my statement earrings, which perfectly complemented the dramatic necklace resting comfortably on my neck and chest, to take center stage. I had put extra thought into my appearance tonight, as I knew the people I was meeting typically dressed in a very fashionable, almost daring manner. However, my final outfit choice was ultimately influenced by the fact that Rominic was the one picking me up from the bar. His "trip" had taken him out of the country for the past week, and he was finally returning. Rominic had insisted on co
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 95: The Great Escape
The heavy metal door clanged shut, and Zayne's shoulders tensed as the muffled voices of his earlier captors faded. He exhaled a shaky breath but had little time to compose himself before the door swung open again.Tucson was the first to stride in, his boots thudding against the concrete floor. He ran a hand through his greasy hair and sneered, "Ugh, it's the brat again. Why do I always get stuck with this crap job?"Behind him, Morris entered, his presence immediately commanding more respect. He was a tall, dark-skinned man, standing just over six feet. His broad frame filled the doorway, his bright green eyes contrasting starkly against his ebony skin. He was a stark contrast to Tucson's rough edges, but there was no kindness in his expression.Zayne kept his head down, his small frame curled in the corner as if trembling in fear. He buried his face against his knees, letting out soft sobs that echoed faintly in the empty room.Tucson barked a laugh, the sound loud and grating. "Fi
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 94: Shadows in the Room
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 93: Bound in Transit
The muffled hum of idle chatter seeped into Zayne's consciousness, tugging him from the depths of unconsciousness like a persistent mosquito's whine. His eyelids felt glued shut, and his temples throbbed with an ache that pulsed in time with the low rumble of an engine.At first, the voices grated against his senses. The inane conversation was a jumble of vulgarities and half-formed thoughts, an assault on his already-frayed nerves. He wanted to groan, to shout at them to shut up—but then clarity struck like a lightning bolt.That kind of idle banter wasn't supposed to be anywhere near him.His eyes snapped open, the transition from darkness to dim light making him wince. For a disorienting moment, the world swam in blurred shapes and muted colors. He blinked rapidly, his focus sharpening. He was seated awkwardly on the floor of a car, his legs bound tightly together with coarse rope. His wrists were similarly tied, though the knot was haphazard at best, the frayed strands scratching
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 92: A Call From the Past
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 91: Between Passion and Plans
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 90: One Word
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 89: A Bold Transformation
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 88: Rylee's Crossroad
I stepped quietly into Rylee’s bedroom, the familiar scent of black cherry with a subtle touch of ‘black rose’ filling the air. My hands were shoved deep into the kangaroo pockets of my hoodie, fingers curling into fists. I stopped at the foot of the bed, watching her fragile figure huddled in the middle, clutching her knees to her chest, her face buried in the folds of her arms. The bedsheets, deep red with scattered flaming stars, were tangled around her legs, a stark contrast to the gray sadness that seemed to engulf her. Seeing her like this—so vulnerable—twisted something deep inside me. Rylee never showed her softness, not to anyone. But I knew better than to offer comfort too soon; she would push me away. Being sweet didn’t work with her. When she felt cornered, she lashed out.I exhaled a heavy sigh, the kind that weighed more than just air. I sat down at the edge of the bed, my body turned sideways so I could still see her face, or at least what was left of it beneath the ve
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 87: Trouble on the Homefront
Lavender's viewpointI waited patiently in Rominic's and my bedroom, my legs stretched out comfortably on the bed while my back rested against the headboard. My eyes skimmed over the words on the page, racing through each line, but my focus was fractured. I was worried about Rylee, who Rominic had said was in tears. That wasn't something he would lie about, nor was it unusual for me to hear.Rominic was usually the first person Rylee turned to whenever she faced a problem. It always struck me as strange how they could barely stand each other's presence yet relied on one another during emotional turmoil. Their relationship was perplexing, but I had come to understand it was a unique bond. It reminded me of my own children, Zach and Savia. They bicker and fight more than any other siblings I know, yet their love and understanding for each other run deep. It seemed that Rominic and Rylee shared a similar dynamic—even after ten years, their connection remained unchanged.What truly worried
