Derek’s fingers flew across the keyboard as the screen in front of him displayed the explosive news of Liliana Anderson’s return. Chloe stood beside him, biting her lip in worry.“Derek, this is bad,” Chloe muttered. “Everyone’s talking about it, and your job was to make sure any news related to her didn’t get published.”She should have contacted their team of hackers rather than depend on him. Well, her boss chose to listen to her boyfriend, and now this happened.Derek frowned, his focus sharp. “I didn’t even notice it until you showed me,” he admitted, his tone frustrated. The fact that something so significant had slipped past him was troubling. He prided himself on being aware of everything that happened online, especially when it related to his boss. Now he had failed to carry out the order effectively; this was definitely going to come back to bite him. He knew that for sure.“Can you take it down immediately?” Chloe asked, her voice a mix of hope and urgency.“I’m already on
When they finally arrived home, Ray didn’t wait a second longer. His need for Lilly was a wildfire that had only grown hotter during the drive, fueled by the remnants of the drug still coursing through his veins. He couldn’t quench it any longer. He swept her into his arms as soon as they stepped through the door, his grip both possessive and tender, but with a slight edge of desperation that hadn’t been there before.Lilly raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest, her usual composure intact. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her upstairs, their destination clear. Ray’s heart pounded in his chest, the erratic beat matching the intensity of the desire raging inside him. He could feel Lilly’s steady heartbeat against him, a calming rhythm that sharply contrasted with his own storm.As they reached the bedroom, Ray set Lilly down on her feet, though his hands lingered on her waist. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, casting long, mysterious shadows. For a
Chapter 60Jerry had always prided himself on his ability to spot details others missed. So when he saw the news about Liliana Anderson all he could notice was the blurry, image of his brother and a woman who maybe the dead Liliana Anderson he knows that man features very well, his instincts kicked in. Most people wouldn’t have given it a second glance, but Jerry knew better. The man’s posture, the way he held himself—even in the fuzzy photo—screamed *Ray*.“What the hell…” Jerry muttered to himself, staring at the screen. He clicked on the image, zooming in and out, trying to get a clearer view, but the more he looked, the more certain he became. His brother was with a ghost. That had to be the only explanation. The infamous ‘Ice Queen’ had died—he was sure of it, well not that sure. Yet here she was, or at least someone who looked eerily like her, standing next to Ray.Ray hands were around the ghost so that means she is the mysterious girl, wait a minute, does that mean his elder
Chapter 61:### Chapter 61Jerry couldn’t wait to tell his mother the news, so as soon as he parked in front of the Manchester estate, he dashed inside, taking the stairs two at a time. The house was quiet, the hour late, but Jerry was too wired to care. He knew his mother would be up, probably sipping tea in her sitting room or reading one of her novels.He burst into her room without knocking, grinning from ear to ear. “Mom! You won’t believe this!”Michelle Manchester looked up from her book, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Jerry, darling, do you realize what time it is?” She set the book down and shook her head, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Barging in here like a wild man… what could be so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?”Jerry plopped down beside her on the bed, his energy infectious. “You’re never going to guess who Ray’s dating.”Michelle’s eyebrows arched in interest. “Oh? Is this about that mysterious girl he’s been so secretive about? Do tell,
Chapter 62 Helena groaned as sunlight crept through the curtains, her head pounding from the previous night’s indulgences. Her body ached, a reminder of the intense encounter she’d had. She grimaced, her thoughts tinged with disgust. I can’t believe I slept with that old man, she thought, although grudgingly admitting he had been surprisingly good. As she sat on the edge of her bed, Helena’s anger began to bubble up. A sudden thought struck her like a cold splash of water—the reporter. Her mother had arranged for reporters to capture her and Ray during their supposed intimate moment. Panic surged through her as she recalled the events of the previous night. Did they see? The thought made her stomach churn. She remembered Mr. Blackwood’s hands on her, the two of them lost in the heat of the moment in one of the secluded rooms upstairs. She had been so confident that everything was under control, that no one would dare interrupt her. But what if the reporter had followed her? Wha
Ray stirred as the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden hue over the room. He blinked, slowly waking from a deep, dreamless sleep. His body was warm and relaxed, the usual tension in his muscles absent. As his senses sharpened, he became acutely aware of the soft, steady breathing next to him and the warmth of another body pressed against his side. Lilly. A wave of emotions washed over him as he turned his head slightly to see her still asleep, her face serene and peaceful in the early morning light. The memories of the previous night flooded back, and a deep sense of contentment settled over him. There was something about waking up next to her that made everything feel right. The chaos of the world outside, the responsibilities waiting for him—they all seemed distant and insignificant in this moment. Ray couldn’t help but reach out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered on her cheek, marveling at the softness of h
Helena’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, her eyes scanning the latest message from her best friend. The evidence was undeniable—a screenshot of a blog post, now deleted, showed the mysterious woman in the same dress Liliana had worn to the ball. But what chilled Helena to the bone was the uncanny resemblance between the woman’s facial features and that bitch. “This can’t be happening,” Helena muttered under her breath, her fingers tightening around the phone until her knuckles turned white. The anger that had been simmering inside her since last night erupted, her chest heaving with each shallow breath. How had she missed this? How could that emotionless corpse be with her Ray, let alone in a relationship with her Ray? She was so caught up with her hubby that she didn’t even notice that bitch. Why, why, why! Helena’s thoughts spiraled into a dark, twisted place. She couldn’t fathom how someone like that bitch —a woman who was supposedly an emotional vagabond and had the em
Helena barely had time to gather herself after her disastrous video when she heard the heavy knock on her door. Her heart pounded in her chest, dread creeping up her spine. She knew that knock all too well—it was her father. And he was furious.The door swung open, and James stormed into the room, his face twisted in anger. Matilda followed closely behind, her expression a mix of concern and forced calm. “Helena!” James’s voice boomed, making her flinch. “What in the world were you thinking?”Helena swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure. “Dad, I was just trying to—”“Trying to what?” he interrupted, his eyes narrowing. “Destroy our family’s reputation? You’ve embarrassed us beyond repair! Using the charity ball as an excuse to drug Ray Manchester, of all people? How could you be so reckless? Your naked picture with my business partner is all over the internet, how I’m I to face the world after this?Helena’s heart raced as she stumbled over her words. “I—I didn’t think it
Liliana’s voice wavered, but her anger burned steady. “What about the girl who grew up feeling unwanted?” she demanded, her hands trembling at her sides. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be your daughter? To live a life where love was a distant dream?” Her breath hitched, her throat tightening. “Liliana’s life was miserable. Mine was too, growing up with you.”Evelyn flinched, her lips parting in a silent protest, but Liliana didn’t give her the chance to speak.“You said you were trying to protect me,” she continued, her voice thick with emotion, “but your protection felt more like a cage, Mother. Every single day, I felt trapped, suffocated by the life you built around me. I was always seeking, always pleading for freedom, even when I knew it was impossible.”Evelyn’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her expression contorted with guilt and confusion. “I—I only wanted to keep you safe…” she whispered.Liliana let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “Safe?” she spat. “You ca
Liliana’s breath caught, and she took an involuntary step back. “So you didn’t see her—my twin—after that? You didn’t even try to stop him?”Evelyn shook her head frantically, tears spilling down her face. Her shoulders trembled as she clutched her arms, her entire body wracked with guilt. Perhaps she was too caught up in her emotions to notice that Lilly was referring to someone else, her words laced with an underlying recognition that she herself hadn’t fully grasped yet.“I tried, Liliana,” Evelyn choked out. “I begged him to tell me where she was. But he wouldn’t answer. He just kept saying it was necessary, that I wouldn’t understand. And then he disappeared.” She sucked in a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “He left me alone. With no way to find him. No way to find her.”The air in the room felt suffocating. Lilly’s nails dug into her palms, her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. She was shaking, fury and betrayal crashing over her in violent waves.“Yo
Lily felt like her Liliana entire existence was a sham. She had been living a lie, dead believing in a lie and the truth was only now beginning to unravel. The man who had tormented her, whom she thought was her father, was actually not her biological parent. It was a shocking revelation, and she couldn't wrap her head around it. How could this be? How could her whole life be a fabrication?As she grappled with these questions, Lily's emotions were in turmoil. She felt like she was vibrating with anger and frustration, and she couldn't seem to calm down. Her existence, her identity, everything she thought she knew about herself was a lie.And to make matters more complicated, she had just discovered that she had a twin sister, who was somehow seven years older than her. It didn't make sense - how could two people be twins, yet be born at different times? It was a mind-bending concept, and Lily was desperate for answers.She hoped that the explanation she was about to receive would be
Evelyn’s voice broke as she began, her trembling hands gripping the edges of the chair she sat on. She couldn’t meet Liliana’s eyes. Her gaze seemed fixed somewhere in the distance, as if reliving the memories she was about to unveil.“When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed,” she began, her tone soft and uneven, every word weighted with emotion. “It felt like my whole world had fallen into place. I was carrying a piece of the love I shared with your father—your father, Liliana. He was my anchor, my safe haven.”Her lips quivered as a small, bittersweet smile appeared, only to disappear almost immediately. “I still remember the tears on his face when I told him. He held me so tightly, like he was trying to hold on to the moment forever. We had so many dreams, plans to build a home, a family. We talked about the little things—what color the nursery would be, what names we’d pick. Life felt… perfect.”Her voice cracked, and she brought a trembling hand to her face, swiping away
Evelyn walked slower when she saw her daughter’s figure from a distance, her voice carrying over, deeper with hurt. “You said you wanted to talk, right?” Liliana’s voice wavered, the tremble betraying the anger she tried to keep steady. She turned slightly, her hands clenched at her sides. “What do you want to talk about? Or are you here just to make sure I’m unhappy?” She laughed bitterly, her gaze falling to the ground for a moment before meeting Evelyn’s. “You know, Mother, if you really care as much as you claim, if you’re really here to make amends like you say, you wouldn’t have done what you did.” Evelyn stayed silent, her chest tightening as she watched Liliana brush at her cheeks roughly, trying to hold herself together. “Even if Ray had done something wrong,” Liliana continued, her voice sharp but trembling, “as a mother, you could have at least tried to hide it. Tried to make it seem like nothing was wrong. Do you know what I did, Mother?” She laughed again, this time s
Ray’s protective instincts flared, his jaw tightening as he turned to Evelyn. “You what?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Evelyn raised a hand, her expression placating. “Relax, Ray. That’s all in the past now. I came here to make amends, not to dredge up old wounds.” Liliana scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “Amends? Is that what you’re calling this little stunt?” Evelyn smiled serenely, ignoring her daughter’s hostility. “Yes, darling. I’m here to make things right. You’ll see.” She turned her gaze back to Ray. “And as for you, young man, you seem like a good match for my daughter. I’m pleased she found someone who can handle her fire. But why are you cheating on her though.” Ray didn’t respond, his mind racing with questions and suspicions. He could feel Liliana trembling beside him, her emotions barely contained. He placed a reassuring hand on her back, silently promising her that he wouldn’t let this woman cause her any more pain. And that he didn’t cheat
Finally, she swung the door open. There she was. Evelyn Altee stood on the doorstep, her radiant smile as poised as ever, her eyes sparkling with an unsettling calm. She looked utterly at ease, as though she had every right to be there, as though she hadn’t faked her own death or threatened Lilly just weeks ago. “Hello, darling,” Evelyn said sweetly, her voice as smooth as silk. Lilly stared at her, unable to form words. Her mother looked almost exactly as she remembered from the few weeks back, only that this time she looked better and emotional state seems balanced and the guilt and fear from weeks ago was gone. Evelyn’s smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Lilly’s lips parted, but no sound came out. A wave of emotions crashed over her—shock, anger, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. “Why…?” she finally managed to choke out, her voice trembling with disbelief. “Why are you here? After everything? You—” She broke o
As they walked toward the dining room, Mitchell slowed her pace just enough to fall in step beside Ray, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. When she was sure Liliana wasn’t looking, she tilted her head slightly toward him and mouthed, “Have you told her? Or has she seen the news?”The weight of her question hit Ray like a ton of bricks. His smile faltered briefly before he quickly composed himself, shaking his head subtly in response. No.Mitchell’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing for a moment before she returned her attention to Liliana, who was inspecting a vase of fresh flowers near the dining room entrance.Ray inhaled deeply, forcing a smile back onto his face as he guided Liliana to her chair at the head of the table. “Here you go, baby girl. Sit tight, and I’ll get you settled.”But the moment he stepped back, Liliana’s gaze pinned him. Her eyes were sharp now, missing nothing. “What are you two hiding from me?” she asked, her voice cool and measured, devo
Ray chuckled, his hand gently resting on the curve. “I think it has, love. Our little one’s making their presence known.”Liliana’s cheeks flushed as she stepped out of his hold and dashed toward the walk-in closet, her curiosity getting the better of her. She stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning this way and that, examining her figure with wide eyes.“I can’t believe it,” she murmured, a soft smile spreading across her face as she touched her belly.Ray leaned against the doorway, his heart swelling at the sight of her so captivated by the change. “You look beautiful,” he said warmly, his voice full of love.Liliana glanced back at him, her eyes shining. “I’m fascinated. I mean, I knew it would happen, but seeing it… feeling it…” She trailed off, her hand lingering over the gentle curve.Ray stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? And it’s only going to get better from here.”She turned her