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Chapter 61: Bad News
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2024-09-24 16:12:16Related chapters
It 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 : 2024-12-02It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 69: The Truth in Dream
I sat on the floor at the foot of my bed, rocking my body gently as I sang, my mother seated behind me on the edge of the mattress, brushing through my hair as she joined in softly. Her voice was louder and clearer than my own, the melodic tones blending together as we practiced the song "Over the Rainbow" — the very same piece I had been tasked with perfecting for my starring role as Dorothy Gale in the upcoming school play. I giggled as I thought about how my friend Ferris would be playing the part of the Cowardly Lion. He had been so vehemently opposed to the role that he'd nearly bashed his head against the wall in protest. But I knew, deep down, that Ferris would be able to embody that timid, yet cheerful character flawlessly. He was usually quite shy and reserved, only truly coming out of his shell when around me. And he had proven time and again that he would rise to my defense, no matter the danger, despite his own frailty—a fact that never ceased to amaze me, given that I wa
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 96: The Great Escape (2)
Tucson growled, his face twisted in rage as he tried to push himself up. But Zayne didn't give him the chance. His hands moved with trembling speed as he slammed another pin into one of Tucson's pressure points, his breathing ragged and shallow.The man's limbs went limp almost instantly. Tucson groaned, his eyes blazing with fury as he lay immobilized, his muscles betraying him. And not less than a few seconds, he collapsed.Zayne stood over them both, his chest heaving, his legs feeling like jelly. Sweat dripped from his temples, stinging his eyes, but he didn't wipe it away. His hands were trembling, his fingers still tingling from the adrenaline surging through him."Idiots," he muttered, his voice steady but laced with quiet anger.He dropped to his knees and began rifling through their pockets, his fingers fumbling in his haste. The cold press of metal against his skin told him he'd found a set of keys, and the smooth glass of a phone soon followed. His heart was still hammering
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
Zayne's POV Zayne sat hunched in the far corner of the large, barren room, his back pressed against the cold cement wall. The dim light overhead flickered faintly, casting erratic shadows on the unadorned gray walls. The air smelled faintly of damp concrete and old sweat. The only furniture in the room—a small, round table and two wooden chairs—sat near the door, like a cruel joke of hospitality.For the past three days, his captors had been relentless in their vigilance. The men guarding him rotated in pairs every twelve hours, their shifts as regular as clockwork. Zayne had counted fourteen different faces so far, each one more intimidating than the last. Not once had he seen a repeat. It was maddening to realize how methodical they were, making it nearly impossible to track patterns or exploit weaknesses.His wrists and ankles were bound securely with heavy locks and thick chains, leaving him no option for physical resistance. Every attempt to shift positions resulted in the cold
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
Lavender's POVThe cool, smooth leather of the office couch cushioned me as I sat cross-legged, my notepad balanced on one knee. I leaned forward, the pen in my hand moving swiftly, its tip scratching faintly against the paper. Around me, the soft, lingering scent of roses and bergamot filled the air—remnants of test bottles scattered haphazardly across my desk.Warm sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow. The golden light pools on the wooden floor and reflects off the edges of glass bottles, casting shadows across the walls. It's quiet except for the faint scratching of my pen and the low hum of the air conditioning. My gaze dropped back to the notepad where I meticulously outlined the ingredients for my latest obsession: a bold, layered perfume.The vision was vivid in my mind: the top notes would be sharp and citrusy, evoking the crispness of an early spring morning. The heart would be floral—a soft, comforting embrace, delicate yet unyieldin
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 91: Between Passion and Plans
Lavender's POVI stretched my legs out on the bed, crossing them at the ankles as I leaned back against the headboard. Papers, a file, and my laptop were scattered around me, the evidence of a day spent working. My phone buzzed faintly next to me, but I ignored it, too engrossed in the file I was reviewing.The sound of running water echoed from the open bathroom door. Rominic's voice carried through the space as he talked about his day, weaving details about a difficult client and a frustrating product launch into the hum of the shower. I half-listened, my eyes scanning the lines of the document in my lap."And then the old man had the nerve to criticize the campaign visuals," Rominic grumbled.I heard the sharp squeak of the shower handle turning, followed by the dull thud of water droplets against tile as the flow stopped. "Honestly, Lav, I don't know how I managed to keep my temper. Times like this, I wish Dad hadn't retired and left me to deal with this circus.""You handled it f
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 90: One Word
Lavender's POVI stared at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time, the faint glow of the screen casting shadows across my hands. The message sat there, glaring back at me, its words as sharp as the first time I read them:Your luck truly is magnificent, dearest Lavender. But how far does that luck extend to those around you?The number that sent it no longer existed, but the unease it left behind clung to me like cobwebs. For two weeks now, I'd replayed those words in my mind, dissecting every possible meaning. Was it a threat? A warning? A cruel joke?I rubbed my temple, trying to push away the thoughts that refused to leave me. Who could have sent it? Had I offended someone? My mind churned, dragging up memories from the past. There were people I'd cut out of my life over the years, but those falling-outs were so long ago—ten years, maybe more. And they'd been petty disagreements, nothing that would warrant this kind of cryptic hostility.Yet, the nagging thought remained: h
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 89: A Bold Transformation
I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to stay calm, tapping the arm of the chair rhythmically. Plans had changed last minute, and we had to cancel on Giovanna. But this wasn't a trivial decision; it was because of Rylee. I couldn't leave her alone—not in the state she was in. Anna, Tyra, and Ginger agreed without hesitation. Rylee had become part of our circle, and right now, our priority was coaxing her into facing her mistakes. We gave Giovanna the ticket as a peace offering, hoping she'd understand.Anna, Tyra, and Ginger had practically moved in to help me keep an eye on her. Suzanne couldn't be here physically, but she regularly sent messages of support. Phineas frequently checked on Rylee through me, and Nic, despite his lingering frustration with his sister, never missed a chance to ask after her. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how alike the two of them were in their stubbornness and loyalty.I was seated in the living room, Tyra gently braiding my hair whi
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
