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CHAPTER EIGHTY~SIX
Last Updated:
2025-01-09 23:59:22
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SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~SEVEN
JAKE’S POVIt had been a few days since Rachael asked me if it made a difference that she spent the last four years missing me, and that question still hung in the air, making the house tense. Every interaction we had since then was awkward, limited to pleasantries or discussions about Dean.She’d asked me several times to take Dean out of the house and spend quality time with him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to leave her alone in this place, not when I knew she wasn’t truly safe.Instead, I ordered Dean a massive TV and a PlayStation to keep him entertained. It worked for the most part—he was too engrossed in his games to ask questions or notice the weight hanging over the house. Every now and then, I’d sit with him and play for a while, trying to focus on the laughter rather than the storm brewing in the background.As for Rachael, her wound was healing well. A nurse stopped by regularly to check on her, and she seemed to be doing okay physically. But emotion
Last Updated : 2025-01-10SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~EIGHT
RACHAEL’S POVJake was in denial, and it bothered me deeply. He refused to see this situation in any other way, clinging to the hope that everything would work out perfectly. That wasn’t me. I believed in preparing for every possible outcome, no matter how unpleasant. To avoid being blindsided. That’s why I’d asked those questions earlier. I might have gone a bit overboard with the one about him marrying someone else—it was petty and uncalled for, and I knew that.Peter had called earlier with some promising news: the judge said he will consider bringing in a handwriting expert. It was a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to quiet the storm in my mind.I am playing a video game with Dean, trying to keep myself distracted, when I hear quick, heavy footsteps from upstairs. Jake comes rushing down, his expression unreadable."Rachael, can we talk for a second?" he calls out, urgency in his voice.I hand the controller to Dean and stand, following Jake to a quieter corner of the room.
Last Updated : 2025-01-11SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~NINE
JAKE’S POVThe day of the will reading was finally here. The story leak had worked perfectly. I used a foreign number to text the journalist, and even though I didn’t get a reply, the next day, the story was everywhere—in newspapers, magazines, and local news channels. Wherever Jack and Karen were, they couldn’t have missed it.I made sure everything was set before leaving the house. My friend had sent a small security team, and they were thorough. The first thing they did was sweep the entire house. Dean was visibly uncomfortable with all the strangers, but Rachael managed to distract him with games and stories.The will reading is being held at Crawford estate’s lawyer’s office in the city. To be safe, I bring one of the security guys along, just in case. He stays on the lookout as I park in the building’s basement. Together, we take the elevator to the top floor.I knock on the door I was instructed to and a tall, thin man in a well-tailored suit opens the door."You must be Jake M
Last Updated : 2025-01-11SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER ONE
RACHAEL'S POVSitting across from Amy, sunlight filtering through the café windows casting soft rays on our table, I was lost in our conversation reminiscing about the good old days.“Remember that time we went to Ibiza for our birthdays?” Amy asks, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.“You almost missed the flight because you insisted on entering that store. “I laugh, shaking my head at the memory.“Hey, I had to get those boots! They were gorgeous.”Amy raises her glass, her eyes twinkling with mischief.“And now look at us. Thirty and still day drinking like we’re twenty-five.” I clink my glass against hers, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through me, not just from the daytime drinks but from the joy of spending this moment with my best friend.We had been through so much together, from wild nights in college and spontaneous trips to heartbreaks and new beginnings. Today felt like a nod to our youth, but with a touch of something deeper and more meaningful.“I can’t believe you’re
Last Updated : 2024-11-05SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER TWO
This must be a twisted joke. It didn’t make sense. We were together for almost a decade. We’d been through everything together. The ups, downs, and struggles that you could think of that should have torn us apart somehow made us stronger. At least, that’s what I thought. Jack and I had met during our first year of college, a whirlwind romance that turned into a love I thought would last forever.We fell for each other fast. Too fast, some might have said, but we didn’t give a fuck what other people thought. He was my person. We navigated every stage of life side by side from graduating, getting our first jobs, moving in together, and finally, getting married. We went from being carefree young adults to responsible, mature people, taking on the world together.I loved him more than anything. More than anyone. I thought he felt the same.So how? How could this happen? Where had it gone wrong?There were no signs, no arguments, no distance between us. If anything, I thought we were clos
Last Updated : 2024-11-05SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER THREE
“We need to find him,” I break the silence pacing the living room. “Call Ethan. Jack might have talked to him. They’re best friends. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s Ethan.”Ethan was Amy’s husband; the four of us had been friends since college. Jack and Ethan had been inseparable since childhood, going to the same schools and eventually meeting Amy and me around the same time. If Jack was in trouble or had something on his mind, he would have confided in Ethan. He had to have.Amy hesitates; her face clouded with doubt."Rachael, if Ethan knew something, he would’ve told me by now. I don’t think we should involve him in this. It’ll just make things more complicated."I stopped pacing and glared at her, my frustration boiling over. "Right now, Amy, I don’t care about complications. I’d involve the entire planet if that’s what it takes to get answers."Amy sighs and reluctantly pulled out her phone. She dialed Ethan’s number and pressed it to her ear. After a few rings, she lowere
Last Updated : 2024-11-05SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER FOUR
"I don’t think you should be alone tonight," Amy said softly, her voice filled with concern. "Please, stay here. Spend the night, and tomorrow we’ll figure out what to do next. It’s already late."I shook my head, trying to force a smile, but it felt hollow."Thanks, Amy, but I don’t want to be a burden. Let me just go home."Amy placed a hand on my arm, squeezing gently. "You could never be a burden, Rachael. Don’t be stubborn. I’ll prepare the guest room for you."I hesitated, glancing at Ethan, who nodded in agreement."Amy’s right, Rachael," he said, his voice steady. "You shouldn’t be alone right now. Let’s get you something to eat, okay?""I’m not hungry," I murmured, slumping back into the couch. "Just give me the rest of the whiskey. I need to drown my sorrows. I can’t sleep, even if I tried. Let me just knock myself out and forget everything, even if it’s just for tonight."Ethan exchanged a worried glance with Amy, but after a moment of hesitation, he handed me the bottle.
Last Updated : 2024-11-05SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER FIVE
I hated going to Jack’s parents' house. They lived in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city, an exclusive estate filled with sprawling mansions, manicured lawns, and gates that seemed more like barriers to the outside world. Every time I crossed those gates, I was reminded just how much of an outsider I was.Jack’s father, William Crawford, had built a fortune in the oil business, a legacy passed down from generation to generation. The Crawfords weren’t just wealthy; they were part of the one percent, dripping in old money and family prestige. And Karen, Jack’s mother, made it clear from the very beginning that I didn’t belong in their world.To her, I was a gold digger, someone who had latched onto her son for his wealth. It didn’t matter that Jack and I had met when we were both broke college students or that I had loved him long before I knew the extent of his family’s wealth. In Karen’s eyes, I was an opportunist, someone who had no business being part of their perfect,
Last Updated : 2024-11-05
Latest chapter
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~NINE
JAKE’S POVThe day of the will reading was finally here. The story leak had worked perfectly. I used a foreign number to text the journalist, and even though I didn’t get a reply, the next day, the story was everywhere—in newspapers, magazines, and local news channels. Wherever Jack and Karen were, they couldn’t have missed it.I made sure everything was set before leaving the house. My friend had sent a small security team, and they were thorough. The first thing they did was sweep the entire house. Dean was visibly uncomfortable with all the strangers, but Rachael managed to distract him with games and stories.The will reading is being held at Crawford estate’s lawyer’s office in the city. To be safe, I bring one of the security guys along, just in case. He stays on the lookout as I park in the building’s basement. Together, we take the elevator to the top floor.I knock on the door I was instructed to and a tall, thin man in a well-tailored suit opens the door."You must be Jake M
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~EIGHT
RACHAEL’S POVJake was in denial, and it bothered me deeply. He refused to see this situation in any other way, clinging to the hope that everything would work out perfectly. That wasn’t me. I believed in preparing for every possible outcome, no matter how unpleasant. To avoid being blindsided. That’s why I’d asked those questions earlier. I might have gone a bit overboard with the one about him marrying someone else—it was petty and uncalled for, and I knew that.Peter had called earlier with some promising news: the judge said he will consider bringing in a handwriting expert. It was a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to quiet the storm in my mind.I am playing a video game with Dean, trying to keep myself distracted, when I hear quick, heavy footsteps from upstairs. Jake comes rushing down, his expression unreadable."Rachael, can we talk for a second?" he calls out, urgency in his voice.I hand the controller to Dean and stand, following Jake to a quieter corner of the room.
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~SEVEN
JAKE’S POVIt had been a few days since Rachael asked me if it made a difference that she spent the last four years missing me, and that question still hung in the air, making the house tense. Every interaction we had since then was awkward, limited to pleasantries or discussions about Dean.She’d asked me several times to take Dean out of the house and spend quality time with him, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to leave her alone in this place, not when I knew she wasn’t truly safe.Instead, I ordered Dean a massive TV and a PlayStation to keep him entertained. It worked for the most part—he was too engrossed in his games to ask questions or notice the weight hanging over the house. Every now and then, I’d sit with him and play for a while, trying to focus on the laughter rather than the storm brewing in the background.As for Rachael, her wound was healing well. A nurse stopped by regularly to check on her, and she seemed to be doing okay physically. But emotion
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~SIX
RACHAEL’S POVI was transferred to the house Jake had bought four years ago after our fake marriage. The one in Oakwood. The moment we arrived, i felt like I had just stepped into a time capsule. Nothing had changed. The furniture, the curtains, even the art on the walls—it was exactly as I had left them. It was eerie, almost as if time had stood still in this place.The police escort me to my old room and attach an ankle monitor to my leg."Remember, you're being monitored 24/7. If it blinks more than three times, you'll be back in your old cell before you know it," one of the female officers warns in a harsh tone.I nod to acknowledge avoiding her steely gaze. They scan the room briefly and then leave, leaving me alone to soak in my current reality.Minutes later, Jake and Dean come in. Dean's face lights up as he jumps onto the bed, his small body radiating excitement. Jake stands by the doorway, his eyes scanning the room as if revisiting some old memory."You kept everything intac
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~FIVE
JAKE’S POV.Rachael stares at me for a long moment, her expression somewhere between shock and disbelief. Finally, she finds her voice.“What do you mean you did?” she asks, her voice trembling with both confusion and anger.I swallow the lump in my throat and nod slowly. “Yes. I orchestrated the whole thing,” I admit, my voice calm but confident. “I’m only telling you because I don’t want to keep anything from you, Rachael .” I add.Her face becomes pale as the weight of my confession sinks in. She tries to sit up, but I gently press her back down, careful not to aggravate her fresh wound.“Why, Jake?” she blurts out, tears starting to pool in her eyes. “I almost died.”“You were never in real danger, Rachael,” I interrupt quickly, my words tumbling out in an attempt to reassure her. “I would never put you in harm’s way. I knew it would hurt, but—”“Hurt?” she barks, her voice rising. “I’m lying in a hospital bed, Jake. Look around! How can you say I wasn’t in real danger?”“It was t
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~FOUR
RACHAEL’S POVOrange Is definitely not my color. I contemplate as I lie on the thin, uncomfortable mattress of my jail cell. My thoughts spiral, and I wonder how my life got to this point. I replay the last few years in my head.I allow myself to reminisce about the fleeting moments of peace and connection I had shared with Jake before it all went to hell. If I had walked away from Jack for good, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess now.But if Jake hadn’t come into my life, there would be no Dean. That thought alone soften the edges of my regret. Dean is my blessing in disguise, the one thing that makes my mistakes feel almost worth it.My relationship with Jake, though—that is another story. Complicated doesn’t even begin to describe it. Before I left, it was clear we had something between us, something unspoken but undeniable. Now, I am not so sure. I know he cared about me— otherwise, he wouldn’t be fighting so hard to help me—but can he ever forgive me for taking Dean and disappearing
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~THREE
JAKE’S POVWatching Rachael walk through those double doors, I feel like a knife is twisting in my chest. With all the power, influence, and connections I’d built over the years, I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I felt so powerless.Dean’s small body tremble against mine, his face buried in my chest. He isn’t crying loudly—just quiet, heart-wrenching sobs that tear me apart even more.But I can’t afford to fall apart. Not now. They both need me.The moment I step out of the precinct, I spring into action. I call my lawyer and order him to assemble the best legal team money can buy and meet me at my penthouse within the hour.We get there, and I prepare the guest room for him. I try to get him to eat something but my efforts bear no fruit. He hadn’t said a word since Rachael was taken, and no matter how many times I tried to start a conversation, he just stared blankly. I don’t push him. Instead, I let him lie down until he is ready to talk.After tossing and turning, he falls a
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~TWO
RACHAEL’S POVAs I watched Dean in Jake’s arms while being dragged away by the police, my heart shattered into a million pieces. His confused, frightened expression mirrored mine. I had no idea what was happening, and the panic only grew when they took me into a small interrogation room.One of the officers place a file in front of me and opens it, revealing a stack of papers. My signature is on multiple documents, but I can’t make sense of what I am looking at.“What is this?” I ask, my voice trembling.The two officers exchange a glance before one of them replies, “Take your time. Read.”I flip through the pages. They are invoices and other official documents, though I don’t recognize most of them. My name and signature are everywhere, yet I have never seen these papers before.“I... I don’t know what these are,” I blurt out, shaking my head.The officers begin firing questions at me, their frustration growing with every answer I can’t provide. I have nothing to tell them—I am just a
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY~ONE
JAKE’S POVWe finally land at the airport back home. The flight had been longer than expected, and exhaustion tugged at the edges of my nerves. But watching Dean bouncing up and down in the cabin eased some of the tension. He was such a happy kid. Every smile, every excited exclamation chipped away the walls I’d built around my heart.As for Rachael, I couldn’t deny the mix of emotions swirling inside me. Her apology on the plane had been heartfelt, but no amount of words could erase the four years I’d missed with my son. Even though I understood she thought she was doing the right thing, the pain of being robbed of those moments lingered. I’d never get them back, and that reality stung more than I cared to admit.When I look outside, I notice a convoy of police cars waiting on the tarmac. Their presence doesn’t alarm me; I’d arranged for extra security to ensure we made it home safely.As soon as our feet touch the ground, chaos erupt.“Hands in the air, now!” a sharp voice commands.
