Share

Chapter 88

Author: ONYINYE
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

**Truth Unraveling**

Lillian sat in her car, her pulse thundering in her ears as she stared at the message on her phone. **David.** The brother who had reappeared, offering help, only for her to discover he was tied to Derrick. And now, after everything, he wanted to talk. The irony was so thick it almost made her laugh. But there was nothing funny about any of this.

She leaned back in her seat, her fingers gripping the steering wheel as her mind raced. Luke’s confession still rattled in her chest, echoing over and over again: **Derrick’s men are closing in.** And now David was reaching out again. Could it be a coincidence? Was this all part of some elaborate trap that she couldn’t yet see?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of her phone again. Another message from David: **“It’s urgent. Please. Trust me.”**

Trust. That word meant so little now, after everything she and her family had been through. She had trusted Luke once, and look where that had gotten them. She had wante
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 89

    **Beneath the Surface**The drive back to the house was eerily silent. Lillian’s thoughts spiraled as the words David had spoken echoed in her mind: **Someone higher than Derrick. Someone who’s been watching your family for years.**The weight of it all made her chest tight. They had been running from Derrick for so long, convinced that he was the one orchestrating their misery. But now? Now there was an even greater threat lurking in the shadows, and worse—whoever it was, they thought the family had something valuable. Something worth all this pursuit, all the pain, and fear.Lillian’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel. Her phone buzzed on the seat beside her, snapping her back to the present. She glanced down. It was Claire.**"Are you okay? Come home soon."**Lillian quickly typed back, **“On my way.”** But the truth was, she wasn’t sure if "okay" was something she’d ever feel again. Not with the revelation that there was another player involved, someone even

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 90

    ** Into The Past**Lillian stared at her father, the weight of his revelation pressing down on her like a physical force. The world felt like it had tilted beneath her feet, and the room, with its familiar walls and soft light, suddenly felt foreign.“So… all of this,” Lillian began slowly, trying to wrap her mind around it, “it’s not just about Derrick? It’s about Grandpa?”Ethan nodded, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I didn’t think it would come back to haunt us. My father made some dangerous connections, but I distanced myself from him long ago. I thought... I thought that was enough.”Claire was quiet, her face pale as the realization of what they were up against settled in. “But why now? Why, after0 all these years, would they come looking for us?”Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, rubbing his temples as if the answer was buried somewhere in his mind. “I don’t know. Maybe there was something he owed that they couldn’t collect until now. Or maybe they think we

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 91

    **Into the Unknown**The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the trees as the family huddled together in the old cabin. The air was thick with tension, and Lillian could feel the weight of the discovery in her hands—the photograph, the map. Her heart pounded in her chest, and the quiet of the woods outside seemed to amplify the gravity of what they had just uncovered.“There’s another cabin?” Claire asked, her voice tight with a mix of fear and confusion. She leaned over Lillian’s shoulder, staring at the photograph and map, her fingers gripping the back of a chair tightly.Ethan nodded slowly, his brow furrowed as he studied the map. “It looks that way. I didn’t know about this place, but if my father was hiding something, it makes sense that it wouldn’t be here, where we’d expect it. He must have built a second cabin somewhere deeper in the woods.”Lillian traced the rough lines of the hand-drawn map, her mind racing. “But why? What was so important that he would g

  • MY FIRST LOVE   chapter 92

    **Unlocking the Past**The dark, musty air in the hidden room clung to Lillian’s skin as she stared at the old metal chest. It was thick and rusted, as though it had been forgotten by time. Dust particles swirled in the thin beams of light from Ethan’s flashlight. The whole scene felt surreal, like something out of a story they hadn’t expected to be living.Ethan knelt beside the chest, his fingers tracing the edges of the rusted lock. “This is it,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.Lillian took a deep breath, glancing over at her mom, who stood close by with her arms wrapped around herself, eyes fixed on the chest as if it held the answers to every question they’d been asking for years. “What do you think’s inside?” Lillian whispered, not sure she really wanted to know.Claire shook her head slowly, her voice quiet. “Whatever it is… it’s the reason we’ve been running.”Ethan pulled out a small tool from his bag, trying to work the lock open. His hands were steady, but t

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 93

    **Betrayal at the Door**The knock on the door echoed through the small cabin like a gunshot. Lillian felt her heart lurch in her chest, her breath catching as David’s cold voice drifted through the cracks in the wood. “Ethan, Lillian… Open the door.”Ethan’s face went pale, his jaw tight as he motioned for Lillian and Claire to stay back. He moved quietly to the side of the door, pressing his ear to the wood as though he could hear something more than just the voice of his estranged brother.Lillian’s mind raced. **How had David found them?** She thought back to the previous night’s meeting, how unsure she’d been about whether to trust him. And now, standing in the cold, damp cabin, everything seemed to unravel all over again.“Dad,” Lillian whispered, her voice barely audible. “What if he’s working with Derrick? What if this is another trap?”Ethan didn’t respond immediately, his eyes narrowing as another knock—louder this time—rang out.“Ethan! I know what you’re thinking,” David

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 94

    ** Secrets Behind Closed Doors**The tension in the house felt suffocating, pressing down on them as they gathered in the living room. Outside, the world seemed normal—cars drove by, neighbors went about their day—but inside the walls of their home, it felt like they were standing on a ticking bomb. Every second counted, and the weight of what they had just uncovered was suffocating.Ethan paced by the window, peeking through the curtains every few minutes. He hadn’t spoken much since they’d returned from the old cabin. Lillian, still clutching the mysterious key they’d found in the chest, sat on the edge of the couch, her legs bouncing nervously. Claire sat beside her, her fingers nervously twisting the corner of her shirt. David stood in the corner of the room, his presence an unsettling reminder of their situation. Despite his claims of trying to help, the trust between him and the rest of the family was fragile, if not entirely broken.“We can’t stay here,” Ethan said, breaking t

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 95

    **On the Edge of Decision**The tension in the room was unbearable. Lillian could hear her heart pounding in her ears, the sound nearly drowning out the voices that were beginning to rise in the small, confined space. The men who had burst into their home, guns drawn, were calm—too calm. The kind of calm that comes with power and the knowledge that they were in control.Ethan stood in front of Lillian and Claire, shielding them with his body. His eyes never left the men, especially the tall, broad-shouldered one who was clearly in charge. Lillian clutched the key in her hand so tightly that it dug into her palm, the cool metal biting into her skin, grounding her in the moment.David stood off to the side, his hands still raised slightly in a gesture of surrender. His face was pale, his eyes darting between Ethan and the men. The weight of his betrayal hung in the air, but there was no time to address it now. The problem was immediate and deadly: **Derrick’s men were here, and they wan

  • MY FIRST LOVE   chapter 96

    ** The Chance**The tension didn’t lift when Derrick’s men left the house—it hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick and heavy, weighing on everyone. Lillian felt as though she’d been holding her breath for hours, and even now, with the immediate threat gone, her chest was tight.Ethan turned from the window, still scanning the street outside for any sign of their enemies. “They’ll be back,” he muttered under his breath, his face etched with frustration and determination.Lillian knew he was right. The way those men had spoken, the way they looked at her—like they were willing to go to any lengths to get the key—it was clear that they wouldn’t give up. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.David, who had remained quiet after the men had left, finally spoke. “We can’t stay here anymore. They’ve made that clear.”Ethan snapped around to face him, his eyes burning with anger. “You think we don’t know that?” His voice was sharp, edged with all the frustration that had been building for

Latest chapter

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 170

    **Full Bloom**The tension in the air was palpable. Richard stood at the edge of the garden, his dark eyes narrowing as he trained his gaze on the wooden box in Nicholas’s hands. The glint of the gun in his grip was impossible to ignore, its presence casting a menacing shadow over what should have been a moment of triumph.“Put it down,” Richard demanded, his voice cold and sharp. “Now.”Clara stepped forward, her chin lifting despite the fear coursing through her. “This land doesn’t belong to you, Richard,” she said firmly. “And neither does what’s inside that box. It’s part of this garden, part of my family’s story. You have no right.”Richard sneered. “Your family’s story?” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “Your ancestor, Henry Harper, made a deal with my grandfather. He didn’t honor it. This garden is mine, along with everything in it.”Nicholas tightened his grip on the box, his jaw clenched. “Whatever deal your grandfather and Henry had, it doesn’t erase the fact that t

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 169

    **A Battle for Legacy**The morning was crisp, with the promise of another bright day, but tension hung heavy in the air. The community had gathered in the café, their murmurs creating a low hum as they discussed the unfolding drama. Clara stood at the center, flanked by Lillian and Nicholas, as they prepared to present the new evidence uncovered by Margaret Fielding.This was their last chance to protect the garden, the legacy Henry and Eleanor had poured their hearts into.Richard Bennett arrived sharply at ten, his air of confidence unshaken. He strode into the café as though he already owned the place, a sleek leather briefcase in hand and a smirk on his face.“Well, have you reconsidered my offer?” he asked, his voice smooth but cutting.Clara stepped forward, her resolve unwavering. “No, Mr. Bennett. We’re here to show you why this land doesn’t belong to you—or your family.”Richard raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “This should be interesting.”Lillian opened her laptop a

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 168

    **A Letter from the Past**The summer air was thick with the scent of roses and lavender, the garden alive with color and buzzing with life. Lillian and Nicholas had just finished a busy morning tending to customers in the café, their shared dream now a thriving reality. The café’s outdoor seating was filled with locals and visitors alike, sipping tea and enjoying pastries under the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees.Everything seemed perfect. Peaceful. Settled.But that sense of calm was shattered when Clara appeared at the café’s counter, her face pale and her hands clutching a yellowed envelope.“Lillian, Nicholas,” she said, her voice trembling. “You need to see this.”Nicholas set down the tray he was holding, concern flashing across his face. “Clara, what’s wrong?”Clara slid the envelope across the counter, her eyes wide. “I was going through some of my mother’s old things this morning. I thought I’d found everything there was to find about her and Henry, but the

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 167

    ** The Next Bloom**The morning light broke over Port Haven with a gentle glow, casting long shadows across the garden. The air was fresh, the scent of dew and lavender filling the breeze as the town began to stir awake. Lillian stood by the café’s outdoor counter, wrapping her hands around a warm mug of tea as she watched the first customers of the day wander in, their faces lit with anticipation.Today was no ordinary day. It marked the beginning of something new—a special partnership with Margaret Fielding to host the first public event centered around the story of Henry and Eleanor. The exhibit Margaret had crafted was simple yet powerful: letters and photos paired with small artifacts like the locket and gardening tools from the past. It was an intimate tribute to the love that had inspired so much beauty and resilience.Nicholas joined her, wiping his hands on a towel after setting up fresh trays of pastries in the café. He leaned against the counter and took a moment to survey

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 166

    **Growth Beyond the Garden**The weeks following the council’s decision were filled with celebration and relief. The garden, officially declared a protected space, seemed to bask in the joy of the people who had fought for it. The townsfolk of Port Haven came together like never before, offering their time, skills, and resources to help bring Clara’s vision to life.Lillian and Nicholas, energized by the victory, threw themselves into the next phase of their journey. The plans for the expanded garden and café were finally put into motion. By early summer, the garden buzzed with activity as volunteers, friends, and neighbors worked side by side to build the foundations of what was to come.---A Place for EveryoneOne warm afternoon, the sound of hammering filled the air as Nicholas and Henry worked to assemble the café’s framework. Lillian stood nearby, her hands dirty from planting a row of sunflowers along the garden path. Clara, wearing her wide-brimmed gardening hat, carefully arr

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 165

    **The Seeds of Change** The day of the council meeting arrived, bringing with it a mix of nerves and determination. Lillian, Nicholas, and Clara were up early, packing their carefully compiled evidence—letters from neighbors, Mrs. Aldridge’s historic documents, and even photographs of the garden’s history. They were dressed sharply but comfortably, ready to face what felt like the biggest challenge since they’d first arrived in Port Haven. “Do you think they’ll listen to us?” Clara asked as they loaded everything into the truck. Her voice trembled slightly, though she tried to mask it with a confident smile. “They have to,” Nicholas said firmly, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “We’re not just fighting for a garden. We’re fighting for everything this place represents.” Lillian reached over and gave Clara’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “We have the truth and the community behind us. That’s more powerful than any proposal for commercial development.” The council meeting wa

  • MY FIRST LOVE   chapter 164

    **A New Beginning**The morning sun filtered through the soft lace curtains of Lillian and Nicholas’s home, casting golden rays over the cozy living room. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint aroma of lavender from the garden. Today felt different—lighter, as if the weight of the past months had lifted, leaving room for something new.Lillian stood by the kitchen counter, slicing fresh bread she had baked earlier. The quiet hum of the radio filled the air with a cheerful tune. Nicholas entered, carrying a basket of ripe apples from the orchard. He set them on the counter with a grin.“The apples are perfect this year,” he said, taking one and biting into it. “Crisp, sweet, and exactly what the bakery needs for Clara’s famous pies.”Lillian laughed, shaking her head. “You sound like a walking advertisement for the farmer’s market.”Nicholas winked. “Well, if the shoe fits.”The playful moment was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. Wiping her hands on her a

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 163

    **An Unexpected Discovery**It was an unseasonably warm day in early spring, and the gentle hum of life returning to Port Haven filled the air. Lillian and Nicholas were in their garden, as they often were, preparing for the first bloom of the season. The lavender they’d planted weeks ago had started to sprout, and the small orchard on Clara’s former property was beginning to show tiny buds of promise.“I think the apple trees are going to be incredible this year,” Nicholas said, stepping back to admire the row of young saplings they had planted the year before. “Imagine all the pies and cider we’ll make.”Lillian smiled as she knelt in the dirt, carefully transplanting a cluster of wildflowers she had started in the greenhouse. “And imagine the market. I can already see the stands filled with flowers, baskets of apples, and jars of Clara’s jams. It’s going to be beautiful.”As they worked, they chatted about their plans for the garden, the bakery, and the upcoming farmer’s market. Bu

  • MY FIRST LOVE   Chapter 162

    ** Dreams in Bloom**The frost of winter began to ease as early spring tiptoed into Port Haven. The sun lingered a little longer in the sky each day, teasing the frozen ground awake. The garden, once a still canvas of snow, now showed signs of life. Tiny green shoots began to push through the earth, and the greenhouse buzzed with quiet activity as Lillian and Nicholas spent their days preparing for the season ahead.It was early morning, and the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains of the cottage. Lillian stood by the kitchen window, cradling a steaming cup of coffee as she watched the first light of spring stretch across their garden. Nicholas was still asleep upstairs, and she relished these quiet moments of solitude before the day began.As she looked out over the land, she felt a familiar sense of gratitude wash over her. Their lives had grown so much fuller over the years—like the roots of their plants, spreading deeper, intertwining with the soil and people of Port H

DMCA.com Protection Status