CHAPTER 74ROBERT’S POV~ “Wow, Robby, you’ve really outdone yourself,” Mum commended, smirking sinisterly as she looked at the lady. “I must say I never expected you to find her in such a short amount of time or even find her at all. But you’ve surpassed my expectations and I’m proud of you for that. Now, where are the twins? Once we have them in our care, we can go ahead and give this cold-blooded, heartless murderer the punishment she deserves….”“What twins?” Everyone stares at her with an electrifying curiosity. ~“Sorry for not telling you guys earlier,” my mum said. “Turned out this bloody murderer wasn’t a barren desert like I had thought. She had Robert’s babies without his knowledge while she was serving her sentence in prison and escaped with them right after she was released,” her gaze shone with lethal intent as they settled on the lady again. “She has been hiding the grandkids I desperately longed for for the past nine years and would have continued hiding them from us
CHAPTER 75 ROBERT’S POV ~ “This woman here is not Lily,” I cut her off. ~ “Excuse me?...” My mum leaned forward, her features wrinkling like I had said something abominable. “What did you just say?” “She’s not Lily,” I repeated, making it clearer this time so they could hear me better. “She’s just some random lookalike that was hired to kill Grandpa.” The level of shock that flew through their faces was unlike any I had ever seen before. Mum and Ginny stared at me like I was crazy, as though I had lost it entirely. Martin gazed at me with an amusingly shocking expression while Dad scoffed in disbelief. Mum approached me almost reflexively, her expression suddenly sympathetic as she held my cheeks as if to assess my features and check if I was alright. “Is everything okay? What’s wrong my son? Have you been drinking or something?” “No…” I grimaced. “Then why are you saying something like that? Everyone here knows too well she is the same Lily from nine years ago.
CHAPTER 76 ROBERT’S POV ~ She lowered her head in shame and despair, avoiding our gazes. With her heavily tear-streaked voice, she muttered, “My name is Carina Kay and I was hired by Scarlett Milson to kill Mr. Ronald Wilson on the 28th Of May, 2015.” ~ Gasps rippled like shockwaves in the room, the tension and suspense rising to the peak. “You…you mean Scarlett sent you to kill Grandpa?” Ginny asked with wide eyes, disoriented from shock. Carina nodded without making eye contact. More tears streamed down her cheeks and converged on her chin, dripping down to the floor. “Robert!” My dad called out sharply, his voice and facial expression hardening ruthlessly as he seemed provoked. “I don’t know what it is you have going on with these women. But whatever it is, you’d better explain it to me right now before I lose my temper.” My father wasn’t one to be trifled with. He had a vicious temper and could do unimaginable things when provoked. Not to mention I was wasting hi
CHAPTER 77ROBERT’S POV ~ My mum stormed toward my father, her voice cold and venomous. “Julian, call the chief of police and gather some of your men. We’ll return the favour and kill this bitch’s family so she too can feel the pain we’ve been enduring all these years.” ~My father gave a firm nod, like a soldier dutifully following his commander’s orders. Without hesitation, he called for one of the servants to bring him his phone.“No…” Carina yelped out in shock and panic, squirming against her restraints. “You can’t do that! I’ll take full responsibility for my actions and accept whatever punishment you have for me, but please don’t involve my family in this. Please… y-you can’t do this. You can kill any of my family members…”“Too late, dear. We’re already doing it,” my mum replied with a chillingly sadistic glare, her tone nonchalant.Carina looked at me with eyes that were large and liquid as if pleading for my intervention. I found it hard to believe that she could still loo
CHAPTER 78ROBERT’S POVIt’s been a week since I uncovered the truth about my grandpa’s murder. The murder charges against Lily have been dropped. Carina has been arrested and taken into police custody, waiting to face trial. Given the severity of her crime, she could be facing a possible life imprisonment – a fate she has accepted without resistance.Jake arrived a few days back and has been staying with us. I made sure to urge everyone especially my mum to make him feel at home and act like nothing ever happened. During the trip to pick him up, I took the opportunity to see Scarlett’s body, confirming her death and putting everyone’s minds at ease. Raphael was still finalizing the arrangements for her funeral, scheduled to take place in a few days.Meanwhile, all hands were on deck to find Lily and bring her back. My father has reached out to his contacts from across the country for assistance and mum has been backing him up. I know it won’t take long for them to find her. It broug
CHAPTER 79LILY’S POVThe amusement park was filled with happy sounds from children laughing, parents chatting, and birds singing. It’s been a week since the two incidents that nearly took my life. The kids were on summer break, and Jane came to visit after such a long time of not being able to see us. But she came alone, leaving Christabel behind because she was taking piano lessons. As a way to unwind and let the kids have some fun after a demanding academic session, we decided to spend the afternoon at an amusement park.Liam and Lila were playing on the swings, giggling and kicking their feet in the air as they did. I smiled seeing how happy they were before getting up and walking to a nearby ice cream cart to get some ice creams for everyone. Jane followed me and we chatted along the way. Having been apart for quite a long time, we had a lot to catch up on.She looked chic and casual in her white summer dress and sandals, and as always, radiated a warm, graceful charm that turne
CHAPTER 80LILY’S POVOne of the parents called the police. After they arrived, they asked a few questions and decided it was best to shut down the park temporarily until the case was resolved. However, they stated they wouldn’t take action immediately to find my kids till after forty-eight hours which drove me on the brink of madness.“You can’t be doing this,” I said desperately, chasing after the policeman who had just questioned me and said that. He was walking back to his patrol car, ready to leave already. “You and your colleagues have to act now and find my kids. I need to be with them. The more time we waste, the more danger they could be in.”“Ma’am, I understand you’re worried, but our policy requires waiting 48 hours before classifying someone as missing. Most cases like this resolve themselves quickly before we could even intervene.” He said in a detached tone, taking the matter unseriously as he opened his car door, about to enter.But I stopped him. Desperation and the
CHAPTER 81LILY’S POVThe tyres of the SUV screeched noisily as I hurriedly found a parking spot at the hospital. I had never driven so recklessly in my life. I sped like I was being chased and nearly ran into three trucks. Thank goodness there was no police checkpoint on the road and we weren’t stopped or followed by them.“What the hell, Lily?!” Noah screamed at me madly, his eyes wide and bulgy with shock. “That is no way for a lady to drive. You could have gotten us killed…”“But I didn’t,” I said as I turned off the ignition, took out the keys and got out of the car. I stared at the building in front of me. It was a federal hospital with the name displayed in bold letters above the entrance. It stood tall with so many floors it was nearly impossible to count them all, with the walls painted in a clean, pale white.Noah said the taxi driver had to be brought here because the smack he gave him on the back of the head with a log that day he tried to shoot me turned out to be more
LILY’S POV5 years later… The wedding bells rang softly in the cathedral and everyone rose to welcome me, the bride as I graced the aisle in my wedding gown which flowed like a river behind me. My face was covered with a veil, and in my hands was a delicate bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath. My arm was entwined with Frank’s who escorted me down the aisle, to the altar. After I came back to New York, he confessed to helping Scarlett sabotage me at Robert’s company fifteen years back which led to me being sacked. He asked for my forgiveness and I granted it. If he hadn’t brought up the incident, I don’t think I would have remembered because it’s been long. As sign I had truly forgiven him and my intentions towards him were good, I couldn’t think of any other person asides him to walk me down the aisle. We became closer than we were years back after that happened.. The guests were extravagantly dressed, beaming with smiles as their head turned and gazes glued to me in adm
CHAPTER 172LILY’S POV All my life, I don’t think I have ever felt this much hatred radiate from a person. I thought Scarlett’s was intense and overbearing. But Noah’s was on a whole different level. So cold, so menacing, so consuming it chilled my spine. Just how can someone harbour this much hatred to people related to him? He had gagged me, and tied my wrist because I wasn’t making it easy for him with all my persistence and reluctance in going to which ever place he wanted me to go with him. I once heard him say we were going to Fiji, a quiet luxurious island country far from US. Not to mention he had me caged in his brutal dominance. I couldn’t move a single muscle as he pressed the muzzle of that gun against the side of my head, the cold metal reminding me that the slightest move would end it all in a heartbeat. Being at the forefront of all these, I bore the brunt of all that angst, hatred, malice, anger rolling off in waves from him and crashing against me as he shout
CHAPTER 171 NOAH’S POV ~ You might be a lot of things son but you’re not a murderer,” father said, drawing my attention. He’d been torn and shaken to the core after I pointed the gun at his beloved wife, not knowing what to do. “You’re good,” he continued gently, careful with each word that left his lips as if afraid not to provoke me further. “I can see it in you. Just put down the gun, let’s talk things through. We have a lot of things to tell you. A lot of explanations to make. I know you think we abandoned you but we never did.” ~ He attempted to come close, taking slow cautious steps to me. “If you could just let us…” “Don’t come any close or else I’ll put a bullet through your mouth hole!” I snapped like one possessed, pointing the gun at him, my fingers gripping the handle so tight my knuckles turned white. "Did you watch me grow? Do you have any idea what I endured as a child?" I shouted, throwing the words at him like daggers, each one more vicious than the last.
CHAPTER 170 NOAH’S POV ~ Once the kids were settled and ready to fly, I returned my full attention to the rest of the family. I pointed my gun straight to Juliana’s head. “Now, for the final rites.” ~ “Now, for the final rites,” I said with a crooked smile curving my lips, the cold metal clicking as I cocked the gun, ready to take the shot when suddenly, Martin lunged forward, throwing himself in front of her. “No!” he shouted, voice cracking with desperation as his chest rose and fell heavily. “Don’t do this please…! If you have to kill someone, kill me instead!” Fear and panic was written all over their faces. I could even pick out the heavy, disturbing sound of their breaths as it gushed out from the lungs. Did they think the gun was for fancy? Think I won’t shes blood before I left? I whiffed out a frustrated fume, facepalming internally. This Martin was a fool indeed. Was that his genius plan all along, to step in when I wanted to kill someone so he could take the sho
CHAPTER 169NOAH’S POV ~ “The kids now!” I returned my gaze to Juliana with a scowl. She quickly ran into the car and brought them out. ~ As Juliana brought them forward, they cowered in fear, almost on the verge of tears seeing the gun I had to the side of their mum’s head. Liam was in crunches and could barely walk properly while Lila was nervously fiddling with her hair. At the sight of them, Lily jolted as if triggered by their presence, almost freeing herself from my grip. Her muffled cries as she struggled grew louder, more disturbing and unbearable as she desperately tried to break free from my hold. “Keep quiet, woman, or else I’ll hurt them!” I snarled at her, and she became calm like a puppy, her eyes red and puffy as tears mixed with sweat dripped from her eyes and stained her cheeks. She was easy to control. All I had to do was threaten to hurt Robert, the kids, or anyone else close to her, and she’d comply. She was selfless, willing to sacrifice herself for ot
CHAPTER 168NOAH’S POV At the hangar… Lily and I waited at my hangar for Juliana to arrive with the kids so we can be on our way. My private jet was ready and the pilot was inside waiting for us. The kids were the only ones keeping us. If it weren’t for them, I would have left with Lily hours ago. We will be leaving for a quiet luxurious island country far away like I wanted, where no one will ever find us. It’ll be like going on a vacation only that the vacation will last forever. I doubt Lily even told the kids about the idea when I first mentioned it to her because she never liked it in the first place but pretended she needed time and their permission. Juliana, how much I hate calling her name and remembering her stupid face, was already five minutes late. Over the phone while she and Lily was speaking, I made it clear to her I don’t condone lateness. It seems she wants to taste my patience. I brought a gun along. After I take the kids from her, I’m going to kill her. Fi
CHAPTER 167 LILY’S POV I woke up feeling all groggy, like I had been out for days. Whatever sedative he injected me with must have been very strong for me to be feeling this way. Every part of my body ached and throbbed including the part between my legs as I brushed my thighs together to ease the pain and discomfort. Cradling my head, I let out a slight wince as I slowly pulled up from the bed. My vision blurred for a moment before adjusting to my surrounding. I didn’t know how long I’d been unconscious. It was hard to tell because the windows were shut, the room filled with bright, artificial lights, leaving no space for natural sunlight to come in. Then I saw him. Noah. He stood at the foot of the bed, completely unclothed with his member on full display. My breath caught in my throat, the shock of seeing him that way sobering me up completely. My brows knitted deeply, different questions racing through my head. Why was he naked in front of me? What was he planning on d
CHAPTER 166 LILY’S POV ~ A painful trail of tears left my eyes and stained my cheek. I wiped it and looked away, not wanting him to see me in such a state. Even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything. It won’t have any effect on him. The Noah I knew was gone, replaced by a cold, heartless monster of a man. I was too dazed by this discovery to think clearly. I found it so hard to believe. I could have sworn he was good. It felt real. I was sure I wasn’t dreaming. When did he turn into this? ~ “Why are you doing this?” I choked out weakly. “What did he ever do to you?…” “He took everything from me, Lily,” he said, his expression twisted with hatred so deep it made my skin crawl. “You’ve never been in a position where someone takes everything from you without even lifting a finger. So no, I don’t expect you to understand. I’m just returning the favour.” “What could Robert have possibly taken from you for you to want him dead? I mean look at you… you’re perfect. Your life is p
CHAPTER 165 LILY’S POV Arriving at Noah’s place, I quickly made my way to his room only to see him seated on his bedroom chair, his legs crossed on top of the table as he played with a lighter, flicking it on and off. I was shocked to see him like that. But worse, my lips thinned in exasperation as my gaze burned into him. I left everything else I was doing and drove to this place like a mad woman, almost running into a truck only to see he was in perfect condition. “How could you play with my feelings like that?” I shot at him, my expression filled with anger. “You told me you were dying. I left everything else I was doing… I nearly had a heart attack from…” “What exactly were you doing?” He cut me off with a cold, nonchalant tone, not bothering to spare me a glance as his eyes were fixed on the flame. He was looking into them with a ruthless expression as if he wanted to vent his anger by setting something ablaze. I couldn’t help but scoff in a mix of disbelief and