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Chapter 67: The Secrets We Keep
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2024-12-01 18:32:17Related chapters
It 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 : 2024-12-02It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 70: The Truth in Dream (2)
You should have let your foolish, gullible, and utterly naive child know the full extent of his selfishness and callousness. You should have ensured that I came to hate him with an unwavering, burning intensity—a hatred that would have been impossible for anyone or anything to diminish. And most egregiously, you never should have designated him as my next guardian, should anything ever happen to you. That decision has only served to open the door for him to potentially re-enter my life and inflict even more pain and suffering.I can only imagine the turmoil and anguish you must have endured, Mom. The thought of that heartless, deceitful man betraying your trust and abandoning you and your unborn child fills me with a seething rage. You deserved so much better than the cruel hand fate dealt you. If only you had confided in me, I could have channeled that anger towards him, ensuring he never had the opportunity to worm his way back into my life.If you had instead entrusted my upbringin
Last Updated : 2024-12-03It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 71: A Promise to Keep
ELEVEN YEARS AGOI walked into the living room, and my mother's gaze immediately shifted from her laptop to me. Her lips curved downward into a deep frown, and her eyes narrowed with a palpable sense of displeasure upon seeing me. This had been her typical reaction to my presence for weeks, ever since I had proposed to Lavender. Mother had always been adamantly against my decision to reclaim what my maternal great-grandmother, her own grandmother, had lost to the greedy Wester D. McCabe, but she had never actively tried to stop me. That is, until I had introduced her to the granddaughter of the very man who had taken everything from her family.My mother, just like the rest of her family, firmly believed that it was a waste of time to pursue what Granny Lily had cherished the most. My great-grandmother had been the favored one among our relatives—old, yet remarkably agile, and undoubtedly the kindest person I had ever known, even more so than my own mother.Granny Lily had originally
Last Updated : 2024-12-03It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 72: Fractured Ties
A deep, agonizing sadness washed over me, constricting my chest as I buried my face in my palms. "Even if you won't admit it to yourself, you know that Lavender deserves more than your betrayal. That child deserves to be happy, to be with someone who will genuinely love her," my mother said softly, her voice heavy with conviction and sorrow."She can't leave, Mom. I need her for the plan," I pleaded.My mother placed her hands over mine and gently pulled them away from my face. "Rominic," she cried sorrowfully, "why can't you see what everyone else sees? Your sister didn't threaten your life to end things with Peyton because she's biased towards Lavender. Phineas isn't angry because he just hates Peyton—your father didn't turn his back on you because of either the woman or your plan to take everything away from The McCabe. They honestly deserve it—""Then what is the problem?! Why is everyone making me out to be the bad guy if you don't blame me or hate Peyton?!" I exclaimed, yanking
Last Updated : 2024-12-04It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 73: Morning After
I awoke to a gentle tap on my back. I groaned and whimpered, instinctively shrugging the hand off me. Undeterred, the person continued their ministrations, now stroking my hair soothingly. I huffed out a breath of pure annoyance, squeezing my pillow under my head in a tighter embrace and slightly shifting away from the persistent source of disturbance. My mind quickly began to stir, and I mentally cussed at whoever had dared to disturb my much-needed slumber.Wait, what had I been dreaming about?I snapped my eyes open, only to be greeted by a nasty, pounding headache. My mind instantly told me that the dream had been important, something I shouldn't have forgotten, but instead of helping me recapture the missing memory, the searing pain that blossomed within my skull effectively blocked out any lingering recollections."Fuck," I hissed under my breath, squinting my now twitching and stinging eyes. It suddenly felt as if an elephant had taken up residence on my head, the responsive an
Last Updated : 2024-12-05It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 74: The Devil's Anniversary
'Ugh, damnit! I'm never getting married in my next life or even having sex,' I grumbled internally as I dragged my weary body towards the kitchen. I had to admit, I was thankful that I had the foresight to bake the cakes and desserts ahead of time — if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had the energy to do anything.Rominic trailed quietly behind me, his hands clasped innocently behind his back, a maddening smile playing on his lips. He hummed softly as he kept a careful distance of about three paces, not daring to venture closer. I briefly regretted declining his offer to carry me, but I had been too embarrassed at the prospect of the children seeing him with his hands all over me.Glancing over my shoulder, I caught his gaze, and he flashed me a grin that only served to stoke the fires of my resentment. Why was I the only one suffering? Why did it always fall to me to bear the brunt of his desires?Huffing in annoyance, I finally made my way into the kitchen, only to pause at the doorway, t
Last Updated : 2024-12-06It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 75: The Weight of Regret
Rominic's ViewpointI ran a weary hand through my hair, a heavy sigh escaping my lips as I tried to focus on Stacy's frantic words. It was difficult to concentrate, my mind consumed by thoughts of my wife, who had locked herself away in her room and refused to come out.It had been five days since the article detailing her previous lifestyle had been uploaded to the media. The article did not paint her in a negative light; rather, it portrayed her as a saint, emphasizing the struggles and pain she had endured in order to care for our children. It also revealed the truth behind her purported "fake death." If anything, the article had succeeded in casting me as the cruel, heartless bastard I truly was. It seemed aimed at utterly destroying my reputation, tearing down the image I had worked so hard to cultivate.With such a damning article now public, my business and family were under critical attack. The article did not hide the awareness of my family and friends but lied about them sta
Last Updated : 2024-12-06
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It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 103: The Club's Unexpected Guest (2)
As she scurried away, still visibly dazed, Apollo watched her go with a satisfied grin. "Too easy," he murmured under his breath as he took a seat beside Phineas."You ever get tired?" I asked with irritation.Apollo shrugged, brushing his long hair over his shoulder. "Of what? Being this irresistible? Never."Phineas snorted, picking his phone back up.Apollo leaned back in his chair, the dim light catching the faint shimmer in his silver eyes. His smirk returned, sharper now, almost taunting. "You know," he said, his tone taking on a biting edge, "you're wasting your godly features on Lavender."My grip tightened around the glass in my hand, the faint creak of the strain barely audible over the music. "Careful," I said, my voice low and firm, each word deliberate. "Lavender is my wife, and you'll show her respect."His smirk faltered for just a moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite place—was it irritation? Jealousy? But just as quickly, he scoffed, looking away
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 102: The Club's Unexpected Guest
Rominic's POVThe music hit me the moment I walked into the club, a pulsing bass that vibrated through my chest and resonated with the faint buzz of the conversations around us. Strobe lights flickered in neon greens and purples, casting fragmented shadows across the packed dance floor. The air smelled of a heady mix of alcohol, sweat, and the faint sweetness of spilled cocktails.Phineas was walking ahead of me, running his fingers through his recently dyed reddish-blonde hair. He looked back with a playful grin, his sky-blue eyes gleaming under the ever-changing lights."You could have warned me you were dragging me into this circus," I muttered, adjusting my cufflinks and glancing down at my wristwatch—a Patek Philippe with a sleek platinum finish and a blue enamel dial. A gift from Lavender."It's called spontaneity, Nic," Phineas replied, his voice cheerful over the thumping beat. "And we both know Apollo couldn't shut up about it. He wouldn't have let us off the hook."My gaze d
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 101: The Unshakable Pest
Lavender's POVI sat curled on the plush armchair in the living room, the soft hum of background music barely registering in my ears. My phone was in my hand, the screen glowing with an all-too-familiar face staring back at me. The article on Apollo was everywhere, plastered across every major news outlet.I scrolled through it begrudgingly, my thumb moving slower than I wanted it to. Why am I even reading this? I thought bitterly, glaring at his perfectly curated image.Apollo Dean Stine. Even his name sounded ridiculous. The man wore charm like armor, his bright silver eyes twinkling with a cheerfulness I could only describe as infuriating. They had a strange quality to them, shifting colors subtly with different lighting. People always gushed about how unique and mesmerizing they were, but to me, they were nothing short of absurd."Who in the world has stupid eyes like that?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.I scrolled further, my eyes catching on his recent look. He'd
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 100: Smoothies, Realities, and an unwelcomed news (2)
I smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "He's back in school," I said, "but honestly, I'm worried. There's something he's not telling me. Rominic knows what it is, but…" I trailed off, my smile slipping.Mentally, I couldn't help but dwell on the search for the mastermind behind the abduction. Days of effort had yielded nothing—no clues, no leads. The frustration was like a weight pressing against my chest. What kind of person could target a child like that? And more importantly, what wrong did Rominic commit to them?Elias offered me a reassuring smile. "Everything will work out, Lavender," he said, his voice steady and calming.Ferris snorted softly, pulling a blue handkerchief from his pocket to wipe Jewels's mouth, which was smeared with muffin crumbs. "She's just jealous," he said, smirking at me. "Her kids are keeping secrets from her and telling Rominic instead."I narrowed my eyes at him, heat rushing to my cheeks. "How does that have anything to do with som
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 99: Smoothies, Realities, and an unwelcomed news
Lavender's POVI sat at the corner table of the smoothie bar, one leg crossed over the other, sipping leisurely from my Chocolate-Covered Cherry Smoothie. The thick, rich flavor of chocolate swirled with tangy cherry lingered on my tongue as I half-listened to Gael's voice, which had been droning on for the past ten minutes about his latest date."…And then she has the audacity to talk down to the waiter like he's beneath her!" Gael exclaimed, his steel-blue eyes widening with exaggerated disbelief. He leaned forward, his alabaster skin catching the soft afternoon light filtering through the windows. His blonde hair, styled effortlessly, only added to his charm, and his voice carried a lilt that could make even the dullest topics sound vaguely enticing.But Gael wasn't my type.Sitting across from him, I allowed myself a subtle smirk. Sure, he was a man blessed with a near-flawless appearance, abs included, but his constant skirt-chasing rendered any allure completely null. Not to men
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 98: A Moment of Laughter
Rominic's POVThe air in the room grew heavy with Lavender's mortification as her face turned a deep shade of crimson, the flush creeping down her neck. She stared at me, wide-eyed, before shifting her gaze to Zayne.Our son sat propped against the headboard, pale and fragile but very much awake, his winter gray eyes fixed on us with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. I could see the faint tremble in his body, likely from exhaustion, but his expression was laser-focused on his grievance: he had been forced to witness his parents kissing.The look on his face was enough to break the tension. I let out a soft chuckle, amused by the sheer absurdity of the moment. He wasn't disgusted by the kiss itself—it wasn't like we hadn't been affectionate in front of the children before—but he clearly hated that he had to be the one to see it now.Zayne's gaze shifted from Lavender to me, and this time it was sharper, more pointed. He wasn't just annoyed anymore—he was glaring. My smirk widened as
It Should Have Been Like This Chapter 97: He'll be fine
I sat on the edge of Zayne's bed, my fingers curled lightly around his small hand. The warmth of his skin was reassuring, a reminder that he was here, safe, and alive. My eyes drifted to his face—soft, peaceful, a stark contrast to the pale, exhausted look he'd worn when we found him. Now, his chest rose and fell in steady rhythm, the color slowly returning to his cheeks.Five days. Five long, agonizing days since he collapsed in my arms at the police station. Five days he had spent unconscious, his body fighting to recover from starvation and the sheer strain of his ordeal.My thumb brushed against the back of his hand, and I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. He hadn't eaten for nearly five days during the abduction, yet he found the strength to free himself, to outsmart those monsters, and to drive to safety. It was extraordinary, a feat beyond anything I could have imagined for a boy his age.And yet, my chest tightened painfully. He was nine. A child. My child.I closed my e
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
