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CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Last Updated:
2025-02-24 10:33:40
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SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Jessica’s POVI just got off the phone with Stanley.I had called him to ask what he’d like for dinner, expecting him to have some kind of preference, but instead, he hesitated like he didn’t even want to answer. Eventually, he mumbled something about me making whatever I liked before abruptly ending the call.I smile to myself, shaking my head. Men. Always so indecisive.Stretching, I step out of the bedroom and make my way to the kitchen, already imagining the meal I’ll prepare. Something extravagant, something that will remind Stanley why I belong here.But the moment I step into the kitchen, I come to a halt.Stanley’s mother stands there, her sharp eyes landing on me instantly.For a moment, neither of us says anything. She’s clearly trying to process what she’s seeing, and I wait, arms crossed, watching her reaction with amusement.Then, finally, she speaks.“What are you doing here?” Her voice is clipped, controlled but I can sense the underlying anger.I offer her my swee
Last Updated : 2025-02-25SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Flora's POV I wake up to the soft light streaming through the window and the faint sounds of Aurora giggling downstairs. For a moment, I just lie there, staring at the ceiling, gathering my thoughts. Today is the day.Pushing the blankets off, I get up and freshen up quickly before heading downstairs. My mother is in the kitchen, feeding Aurora, who claps her tiny hands excitedly when she sees me.“Good morning, sweetheart,” I coo, pressing a kiss to her forehead before turning to my mother. “Thank you for taking care of her.”My mom waves it off. “You don’t have to thank me, she's my granddaughter and I love her. Focus on your interview.”I take a cup,pour in some coffee and turn to look at my mom.“I feel so giddy,I just hope everything turns out well and that I get the job so I can finally be useful.” I say with a dry laugh.“Don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine so just take a deep breath and feel relaxed, everything will turn out just fine.” I nod, inhaling deep
Last Updated : 2025-02-26SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Jessica's POV I smirk as I finish typing the message, my fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard."Start sending the threats today. Make them brutal. Make her scared. Make it look like the whole world is against her for cheating on a man like Stanley. I don’t care how you do it, just get it done."I press send and toss my phone onto the bed, stretching lazily. It won’t take long before Flora starts feeling the heat. A woman like her, used to being adored, won’t handle hate well. She’ll break slowly, piece by piece.Just as I turn around, I nearly jump. Chloe is standing at the door, watching me closely. My pulse quickens for a split second before I school my expression back to calm indifference.She folds her arms. "Why do you look so startled, Jessica?"I recover quickly, flashing her a smile. "Because you’ve been standing there like a creep, watching me. That’s what’s startling."She rolls her eyes. "You know, I don’t trust you one bit. And I’m wondering how long it’ll take
Last Updated : 2025-02-27SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY
Chapter Thirty Flora's POV I follow the suited man through the long, quiet corridor. The farther we walk, the colder the air feels, or maybe it’s just my nerves. When we finally stop in front of a large, mahogany door, he turns to me with an unreadable expression."You’re the only one the boss wants to see," he says, his voice low and firm.My throat suddenly feels dry. "Okay."He nods and steps aside, pressing a button on the panel beside the door. It clicks open.I hesitate for a second before stepping in, my palms already sweaty. The room is dimly lit, the soft glow of a desk lamp casting shadows against the walls. The scent of expensive cologne lingers in the air.Behind the massive oak desk sits Mr. Rivera, the man who just gave me a job."Ms. Flora," he greets, his deep voice smooth yet commanding. "Have a seat."I remain standing, hesitant. Something about the way he’s looking at me makes me uneasy.He gestures to the chair again, this time more insistently. "Sit."It’s a
Last Updated : 2025-02-28SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Jessica's POV I stand in front of Michael’s door, tapping my fingers impatiently against my thigh. I know he’s home I made sure of that before coming here. A few seconds later, the door swings open, and there he is, standing shirtless with a towel slung over his shoulder. His face twists into a frown the second he sees me."What the hell are you doing here, Jessica?" he asks, leaning against the doorframe.I smirk, stepping forward. "Relax, Michael. I just came to have a word with you."His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You left with Stanley yesterday, and now you're here looking for me? What could you possibly want to talk about?"I push past him into the house, ignoring his groan of frustration. "I need you to do something for me. And if you agree, you’ll get a huge sum of money in return."Michael shuts the door, folding his arms. "Jessica, I don’t need your money. What kind of favor could you possibly want from me?"I take a deep breath, pretending to hesitate before droppi
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Flora's POV I walk back into my small office, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it for a moment. My mind is racing with everything Mr. Rivera said. My hands tremble slightly as I press them against the desk, trying to steady myself.Senator Jones.Stanley’s friend.Why would he want to help me? Why would he offer me a job one that seems too convenient, too calculated?I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. The more I think about it, the more it feels like Stanley is involved in something far shadier than I ever imagined. Or maybe he isn’t, and he’s just surrounded by the worst kind of people without realizing it.But that would mean he’s blind to the kind of company he keeps.And I don’t know which is worse.I sit down, forcing myself to push the thoughts away. I shouldn't be thinking about him at all. He’s not my problem anymore. We’re separated. Even if the divorce isn’t finalized yet, we’re no longer a couple.I have to focus on myself.My fingers hov
Last Updated : 2025-03-02SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Stanley's POV The night air is cool, but it does nothing to soothe the rage burning inside me. My fists clench at my sides as I stride toward the little lab house, my guards making sure no one is following.I don’t know why I even feel nervous. I already know what I’m about to hear, but a small part of me is still clinging to the possibility that maybe—just maybe—I was wrong.Mrs. Eliot is sitting behind her desk when I step into her office. She looks up, takes one glance at my face, and shakes her head."Sit down, Stanley.""I’m not here to sit," I snap. "I’m here for answers."She exhales slowly, folding her hands on the desk. "I know. But you’re not going to like the answer."My stomach tightens. "Just say it.""The DNA doesn’t match," she says, her voice firm but laced with sympathy. "You are not Aurora’s father."For a moment, my entire world tilts.I force out a breath, clenching my jaw so tight it hurts.She keeps talking, her voice softer now. "Stanley, I think it’s ti
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Flora's POV Aurora suckles quietly, her tiny fingers grasping at my shirt, unaware of the storm brewing in my mind. I shift slightly in my chair, adjusting her weight against me as I glance at my mother, who sits across from me with that unreadable expression on her face.Her words from earlier linger like an ominous cloud."Stanley’s days might be numbered."I swallow hard before asking, "Mom, what did you mean by that?"She exhales deeply, folding her hands in her lap. "It’s the dirtiness of politics, Flora. Once you’re in once you’re wrapped up in it,it’s finished. You either play the game, or the game plays you."A shiver runs down my spine. "But there has to be a way out. Right? The senator hired me as his personal assistant, but that doesn’t mean I have to be part of whatever corruption they’re into."My mother shakes her head. "You’re already in, Flora. Even if you think you’re just standing at the edge, you’re not. You’re part of their world now."I tighten my hold on Aur
Last Updated : 2025-03-05
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SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FIFTY ONE
Jessica’s POVVictory is intoxicating. It tastes like the finest champagne, like a sweet melody only I can hear. I have Stanley and his entire pathetic family right where I want them. Their resistance is nothing more than an irritation,a buzzing fly I will swat away when the time comes.I lean back in my chair, swirling the glass of wine in my hand, savoring the moment. Chloe sits across from me, pretending to ignore my presence, but I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way her nails dig into her palm. Good. She should be nervous.“We’ll be visiting the event planner’s office soon,” I announce casually, lifting my gaze to meet hers.Chloe barely reacts, only flicking her eyes toward me before looking away. Stubborn little brat. She thinks ignoring me will make me disappear.I pick up my phone and dial one of the guards. “Bring the documents I had delivered earlier.”Stanley’s mother stiffens at my words, her lips thinning into a hard line. “What documents?” she demands.I
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FIFTY
Flora’s POV I’m almost done packing up for the day when I hear footsteps approaching my office. The air shifts slightly, alerting me to an unwelcome presence before I even look up.The agent stands at the door, arms folded, eyes sharp and observant. She tilts her head, studying me with a smirk that makes my skin crawl.“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice deceptively casual, but I can hear the undertone of something else. Something unreadable.I force a smile, straightening my posture. “I’m perfectly fine.” My voice is even, controlled. But my hands clench slightly around the papers on my desk, betraying the nerves I refuse to show.The agent steps further inside, her smirk widening. “Good,” she says, pausing for effect. “Because you never know what might happen next if you fail in this job.”I stiffen, my patience thinning. I’ve had enough of cryptic warnings and veiled threats.I meet her gaze directly, my tone unwavering. “Don’t threaten me. I’ll do what I want, and no one will
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY NINE
Jessica’s POV Chloe glares at me, her hands clenching into fists, but she doesn’t move. She knows better. I watch as she slowly lowers herself back onto the chair, her shoulders stiff with barely restrained fury. Across from her, Stanley’s mother sits frozen, her lips pressed together in a thin, disapproving line. And then there’s Stanley—silent, unmoving. Exactly how I want him.I let my gaze drift over them before I lean back, crossing my legs as I smirk. "That’s better," I say, my voice smooth, controlled. "Since we’re all here, let’s talk about some changes. If you want to continue enjoying the benefits of this family, you’ll have to start pulling your weight."Chloe scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. You know nothing about family, so don’t start acting like you’re in charge here."Her mother nods in agreement. "Exactly. You have no right to speak on family matters, Jessica."I tilt my head, feigning amusement. "Oh, but I do. I know what family means. I know what loyalty
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY EIGHT
Stanley’s POV The cold space beside me is the first thing I notice when I wake up. Jessica is gone. A deep breath leaves my chest, and for a brief moment, I savor the peace that her absence brings. But that relief is short-lived. If Jessica isn’t in bed, then she’s somewhere else in this house, plotting something.I run a hand down my face, pushing off the last remnants of sleep before heading to the bathroom. A splash of cold water does nothing to shake the unease settling in my stomach. I brush my teeth quickly and throw on a shirt before making my way downstairs, bracing myself for whatever chaos awaits.As I step into the dining room, I find Chloe and my mother already seated. They’re not eating. Instead, they’re both looking at me with smug, almost expectant expressions. It’s unsettling.“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.“Everything,” my mother replies without missing a beat. “Everything is wrong.”I exhale slowly, already tired of this conversation before it even begins. “A
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY SEVEN
Flora's POV I push open the door to our house, the familiar scent doing nothing to calm my racing heart. My mother steps inside first, still holding Aurora close to her chest as if afraid someone might snatch her away again.The second she sets foot inside, she whirls around to face me.“Flora,” she says, her voice sharp with worry. “Why were we taken? Who did this?”I open my mouth but close it again. How do I even begin to explain?She places Aurora gently on the couch before taking a step toward me. “Flora, answer me.”I shake my head, forcing myself to look away. “It’s over now, Mom. Just… let it go.”Her frown deepens. “Let it go?” she repeats, disbelief lacing her voice. “Flora, I know something is wrong. I saw the fear in your eyes when you found us. I heard the desperation in your voice when you held Aurora. Don’t lie to me.”I swallow the lump forming in my throat. My mother has always been able to read me too well.“I can’t talk about this,” I whisper, my hands clench
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY SIX
Flora’s POVMy phone vibrates in my hand, and for a moment, I hesitate. I’m afraid of what I might see. With shaky fingers, I unlock the screen and open the message.A cold wave of fear crashes over me.It’s a picture.My mother and Aurora. Tied up. Their eyes wide with terror. A dark room surrounds them, shadows creeping along the walls.I gasp, a strangled sound escaping my throat. My heart pounds so loudly I can barely hear myself think. My breathing becomes shallow as I stare at the image, my mind scrambling for a way out of this nightmare.Then another message appears."Your move. No police. No games. You should’ve come to the party. Actions have consequences."My fingers tighten around the phone. I have to do something. I can’t lose them. I can’t let them suffer because of me.There’s only one person I know who has the power to help me.Senator Jones.I rush out of the offic
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY FIVE
Flora’s POV The morning air is crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth from last night’s rain. I’m feeding Aurora in the kitchen, watching her chubby fingers clutch at her bottle, when my mother’s voice calls out from outside. “Flora!” There’s an edge to her tone, something unsettled. I glance toward the door, then back at Aurora, who’s peacefully drinking. “What is it, Mom?” She steps inside, wiping her hands on her apron. “The guards… they’re gone.” I blink, confusion settling in. “Gone?” She nods, glancing around as if expecting someone to appear. “Not a single one in sight. They were there last night, but now… nothing.” I let out a slow breath, forcing a reassuring smile. “Maybe they were reassigned. I’ll handle it, Mom. Don’t worry.” Her face is tight with concern, but she doesn’t push further. I hand her Aurora and head upstairs to get dressed, determin
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY FOUR
Jessica’s POVThe night feels suffocating. The chandeliers cast their golden glow over the grand hall, laughter and chatter filling the air, but I hear none of it. I see none of it. The people around me are dressed in opulence, their masked faces barely hiding the judgment in their eyes.I force a smile as I sip my champagne, but I can still feel their whispers slicing through me like knives. She’s not Flora. She doesn’t belong here. Stanley made a mistake.No matter how much I tell myself it doesn’t matter, that they’ll all come around eventually, it still stings. They don’t know me. They don’t know what I’m capable of.I glance around the room, searching for Stanley. I need him by my side. If they see us together, maybe they’ll take me seriously. But he’s nowhere in sight.A flicker of movement by the balcony catches my attention. My heart skips a beat. Stanley is standing outside, leaning against the railing, his back turned to the party, his entire posture tense. Something
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY THREE
Jessica’s POVThe night I have been waiting for is finally here, and I couldn't be more excited. I stand in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection as I slip into a deep red gown that hugs my curves perfectly. The silky fabric cascades down to the floor, pooling slightly at my feet. Power. Elegance. Class. That’s exactly what I want to exude tonight.I apply my makeup carefully, making sure every stroke is flawless. My lips are painted a bold crimson, and my hair is styled in sleek waves that fall over my shoulders. Once I’m satisfied, I pick up a delicate diamond necklace, turning to where Stanley is sitting, his eyes distant as usual.“Put this on me,” I say, holding the necklace out to him.He glances up at me, hesitation flickering in his eyes. I don’t give him a choice—I step closer, draping the necklace over my neck. “Come on, Stanley,” I murmur sweetly. “It’ll make me feel special.”With a resigned sigh, he takes the clasp and fastens it around my neck. His fingers graze
