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CHAPTER ELEVEN
Last Updated:
2024-11-14 19:50:15
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RACHAEL'S POVAfter a week of crying myself to sleep every night, drowning in wine, and devouring my body in carbs, something inside me snapped. It was like a switch had flipped. I was tired of wallowing, tired of feeling like the world’s biggest loser. I still wanted revenge. Oh, I wanted it desperately. But first, I had to rebuild myself. Revenge requires a lot of strength, confidence, and clarity. None of which I had since I decided to spend my time sobbing into a tub of ice cream. It was time to get my life together.Ethan and Amy had been nothing short of angels through it all. They gave me space when I asked for it and were there to support me in the small, quiet ways that mattered. Amy would leave little notes on the kitchen counter, reminding me to eat something healthy or take a walk. Ethan, true to his no-nonsense style, sat me down and offered a lifeline.“One of my business partners just opened a high-end restaurant downtown. They’re looking for someone to handle marketing.
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“Jake Mathews?” My voice comes out sharper than I intend, disbelief lacing every word. “How is this even possible? Don’t tell me you’re the owner of this new restaurant.” Jake leans back in his chair, his sharp suit doing little to mask the raw energy he exudes. His dark eyes sparkle with a mix of amusement and something else, a look I was all too familiar with. He rises slowly, his movements deliberate and calculated, and walks around the desk toward me, his gaze never wavering.“I was wondering when I’d see you again,” he says smoothly, his lips curling into that trademark smirk that could disarm anyone.“You left quite an impression last time we met, Rachael. I’ll admit, I was hoping our paths would cross again.”I cross my arms, trying to steady myself, though my heart is racing. “Jake? Seriously? How is this even possible? Do you know Ethan? You’re one of his business partners? How… how have I never heard him mention you?”The questions tumble out of me one after another, givin
Last Updated : 2024-11-15SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“What did you just say?” My voice comes out trembling with disbelief.“You heard me, Rachael.” Jake says calmly,“I want you to help me take down the Crawfords.”I blink at him, utterly stunned. “You what?” I clutch the arm of the couch, needing something to steady myself. “You want revenge on them? And you think I’m the one to help you? I ask, almost letting out a sarcastic laugh.He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t so much as blink at my outburst. Instead, he leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes locking on mine. “You’re the perfect person, Rachael. No one knows their weaknesses like you do. And don’t pretend you don’t want the same thing I do.” “ I can’t believe this,” I stammer. “You, how do you even know them? And Ethan? And me? Did you know who I was when we met at the club? Was that all just some elaborate setup?”The questions come tumbling out, my voice rising with every word. I feel like I am drowning, struggling to make sense of the situation. Jake raises his hand
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“This is a tempting offer, Jake,” I admit, swallowing hard. “But I just finalized my divorce with Jack. I can’t just jump into another marriage, even a fake one. What will people think of me?”Jake’s expression didn’t falter, his confidence unshaken. “Rachael, I couldn’t care less what people think, and neither should you. This isn’t about love or a relationship. It’s about strategy. Our marriage is strictly for revenge.I raise a brow, skepticism etching across my face. “Strictly for revenge? You expect me to believe you’re doing this for purely noble reasons?”“Believe what you want,” he responds with a shrug. “The Crawfords have wronged us both, and we both want justice. Together, we have the power to destroy them. Once it’s done, we’ll file for divorce, and you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine.”My stomach churns at his words. It sounded so cold, calculated, and yet undeniably tempting.“I’m sorry, jake, but even if I agree to this insane plan how are we going to fake a marriage.”
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After a successful first day at work and hours spent plotting revenge with Jake, my drive back to Amy and Ethan’s house felt like the calm before the storm. I hadn’t even considered how this plan would affect Amy and Ethan or how I’d keep it a secret from them. Amy was like a human lie detector, especially when it came to me. If I slipped up even once, she’d see right through it and blab it to Ethan on one of their late-night pillow talks. For now, though, I could only take it one step at a time. Jake and I had barely scratched the surface of our plans, and I didn’t even know where this strange arrangement would take me. One thing was certain, I couldn’t risk Amy knowing. `The smell of roasted chicken and herbs filled the house when I walked through the door. Amy and Ethan were sitting at the dining table, laughing over something that looked like an inside joke. The scene was warm and familiar, in contrast to the whirlwind my life had become.“Welcome home, Rachael! How was your f
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JAKE’S POVThe truth is, I knew exactly who Racheal was from the moment she walked into that club. For years, I’d studied the Crawfords, their business empire, personal lives, allies, and enemies. Rachael’s name had come up in my research more than once. I’d seen a few photos of her online, wedding pictures, charity events, and a handful of candid shots taken by society pages, but none captured the essence of the woman who walked into that club that night.She was stunning. I sat alone in the corner, nursing a glass of bourbon as I watched her move through the crowd as if she didn’t have a single care in the world. She danced alone in the middle of the floor, whiskey in hand, the flashing lights casting shadows over her face. But her eyes told a different story. Beneath the surface, something was broken. The way she threw back her shots of whiskey, one after another, I knew something significant had gone wrong in her life. She wasn’t just there to have fun; she was there to forget.
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Racheal's POVThe phone call I had been dreading finally came. My mother. "Rachael, I just called Karen to wish her a happy birthday. Do you know what she said?" Her tone sharp, already accusatory. "She asked me why I was calling her, considering we weren’t family anymore! Do you know how humiliating that was for me?" I roll my eyes, letting out a long sigh. Of course, she was going to make this about her."I’m sorry, Mother," I said flatly, trying to get this over with. "What do you want to know?""What happened with Jack?" she snaps, her voice rising. "What did you do this time?"“Wow, so we’re just assuming this was my fault?” I shake my head, bitterness creeping into my tone.“I’m not assuming anything,” her words laced with that familiar venom. “This is so typical of you. You got bored, didn’t you? Drove him away, just like you do with everything good in your life.” I lean back in my chair and yawn loudly, more out of frustration than fatigue. Her accusations were so predicta
Last Updated : 2024-11-19SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER NINETEEN
As I finish folding the last of my clothes into the suitcase, Amy hands me a pair of her sleek leather boots, pouting dramatically. "I am so jealous! How could you be going to Paris without me?" she whines, flopping onto the bed with a theatrical sigh. I let out a soft laugh, zipping up the suitcase. "I wish you were coming with me, Amy, really. I will probably spend most of the time alone while Jake’s tied up with his business meetings. I’ll be stuck in my hotel room the whole time," I console Amy hoping to ease her envy.Amy sits up, narrowing her eyes at me. “No, no, no! This is Paris we’re talking about, Rachael. You cannot afford to waste a single minute stuck in some boring hotel room. I want you to explore every inch of that city and have fun. You deserve this break more than anyone I know. And who knows,” she adds with a mischievous grin, “maybe you’ll kiss a French boy while you’re at it.”I laugh, shaking my head. “Amy, you know I’m not ready for that yet. But I promise I’l
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
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JAKE’S POVI couldn’t wipe the grin off my face as I drove to the penthouse. The last 24 hours had been the best of my life. Having Rachael in my arms all night felt like a dream. Watching her sleep was a moment I would replay in my mind forever.It had cost us so much to get here, but we finally made it. I wasn’t about to waste any more time.Before I even pull into the basement, I grab my phone, call my attorney and financial manager, and instruct them to meet me at the penthouse as soon as possible. There is much to plan—starting with selling the house in Oakwood. I didn’t want to keep any ties to that place. It is a crime scene, but It is Oakwood—someone will still buy it without a second thought.Next, I need to file for the divorce and get the process moving for our clean slate. And then, the most important job is finding a home for us. Somewhere, we could truly start over in peace.But I already had a plan for that. It was going to be a surprise for her.By the time I get to the
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RACHAEL’S POVFor the first time in weeks, I slept through the night without tossing and turning. Jake and I spent the entire night cuddling, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this... peaceful.I’d called my mom to let her know I wasn’t going, and she agreed to put Dean to bed, though I suspected she knew there was more to the story.I turn to watch Jake as he sleeps. He looks so handsome and peaceful.“Stop staring, Rachael,” he murmurs, a lazy smile spreading across his lips.I laugh softly, surprised he’s awake. “I thought you were asleep.”His eyes flutter open, locking with mine. For a moment, we just gaze at each other, no words needed. Then I sit up and reach for his shirt, slipping it on as I climb out of bed.“Where are you going?” he asks, his voice husky from sleep.I laugh, shaking my head at his question. “You’re aware we have a child, right?” I tease.Jake sits up, his messy hair only making him look more irresistible. “And?” he counters with a playful smirk.
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JAKE’S POVAfter giving me the best blowjob of my life, Rachael suddenly pulls away and stands up slowly. Without hesitation, I grab her waist and lift her effortlessly. Her legs wrap around me as if they belong there. I carry her to the wall and pin her gently but firmly. My mouth crashes into hers and I kiss her with a passion I didn’t know I had in me. Her hands dig into my back, pulling me closer, and I feel her nails bite into my skin—a sweet pain that only fuels my desire.I adjust her slightly, aligning us perfectly, and in one fluid motion, I enter her. A soft groan escapes me as her warmth surrounds me. She arches her back to me, her pleasure matching mine. One of my hands supports her while the other moves to her back, keeping her steady as I begin to move my hips in slow, deliberate circles.Her head falls back, and I lean down, my lips finding her chest. My teeth graze her nipple, biting it gently just enough to draw a gasp from her. The sound of her pleasure pushes me fur
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RACHAEL’S POV“I love you, Rachael,” Jake repeats it, his voice gentle and softer this time, as if to ensure the words truly reach me. My breathing slows and the words sink into me like a wave washing over the shore.I never thought I’d ever hear those words from him. Jake, who carried himself with such control and restraint. But now, those walls he had worked so hard to put up were gone, leaving only vulnerability in his eyes.“I’ve loved you since the day I met you in that club,” he whispers leaning in closer leaving no space between us. My body starts to tremble, every nerve alive with the intensity of the moment. My lips part slightly, the words forming before I can stop them.“I love you too, J—”Before I finish the sentence, his mouth finds mine, cutting off my words with a kiss that steals my breath. The kiss is filled with passion, longing, and something deeper which makes my head spin.I stretch my hands and wrap them around his neck, pulling him closer. My fingers tangle in
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JAKE’S POV.Rachael rubs her eyes for what feels like the hundredth time."J..ake?" she slurs drunkenly.I start moving closer, and her legs give out again, and she collapses. I catch her before she hits the ground, and her body limps in my arms.“Rachael,” I call, though I know she can’t hear me.I carry her to the car I’d driven to the beach, her weight almost nothing in my arms. Her face is flushed and I can smell the whiskey on her breath.I drive her to the small apartment I’ve been laying low these past few days. I carry her out of the car, careful not to jostle her too much, and gently place her on the bed.I sit beside her and stare at her chest rise and fall steadily. She looks like she has been crying for days and I know I have something to do with that.Suddenly, she stirs, and her eyelids flutter open. She sits up abruptly, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar room.“Where am I?” she asks, her voice hoarse and disoriented.I reach out and gently tap her shoulder. Her wid
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RACHAEL’S POVOn my way out of the hospital, I feel a light tap on my back. I turn around, and my breath catches. A face I hadn’t seen in years stares back at me.“Amy?” I call out, leaning in for a hug before she can say anything. She hugs me back, though stiffly. I feel the awkwardness and pull away. She looks at me like she’s seen a ghost.Her eyes roam from my head to my toes, and I stand there, waiting for her to say something.“What are you doing here?” she asks finally, her brows furrowed in confusion.“I... I had come to—” I falter, unable to bring myself to say the words out loud.Instead, I change the subject quickly. “You? How have you been? It’s been ages since we talked.”Her face tightens, and I can tell she doesn’t want small talk.“Rachael, you disappeared on me without a word. Let’s skip the pretense.” She replies, her tone cold and distant.Before I say anything else, I see Ethan approaching from behind her, and with him is a little girl, probably around Dean’s age.
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RACHAEL'S POV“Rachael, there’s a call for you.” My mom’s voice breaks through the silence as she knocks on the door of my old room. “He says he’s a police officer.”I jump out of bed, my heart racing, and swing the door open. “Give it to me.” I snatch the phone from her hand and retreat to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.“Hello, this is Rachael,” I answer, pressing the phone tightly to my ear.“We just got the autopsy results,” the officer begins, his voice steady but grave. “I’m afraid the body we found was not Jake Matthews,” he mutters.I clutch my mouth, gasping. “Are you sure, officer?”“Yes, ma’am, I’m certain. There are still people searching for him at the industrial plant. I’ll call again when I have more information.”“Okay,” I manage to mumble. “Thank you for calling.”I hang up, slide down the bathroom wall, and sit on the cold tile floor. My stomach twists and turns with anxiety, wondering how hard it is to locate a body.“Rachael, are you okay?” my mom’s voic
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RACHAEL’S POV“Rachael, your lawyer is here to see you,” an officer calls, her voice breaking through the heavy silence of the cell. I push myself off the thin mattress, my body heavy with exhaustion. I follow her down the dim corridor, and she leads me to a secluded room.Peter stands as I enter, his face a mix of concern and determination.“Rachael, it’s good to see you,” he says warmly, extending his hand. I shake it weakly.“You have ten minutes,” the officer mutters before stepping out and closing the door behind her.Peter sits across from me and leans forward. His hand brushes mine gently. “Are you okay?”I shake my head, my throat tight, and my eyes swollen from hours of crying. “I’m not okay, Peter. Jake might be dead.” My voice cracks.“They haven’t confirmed it’s him, Rachael,” he reassures me, his tone soft but firm. “I’ve asked. They still need to identify the body.”I nod, though his words bring little comfort.“Let’s talk about your case,” he shifts gears. “I’ve present
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RACHAEL’S POVI watch helplessly as the fire consumes the plant, the flames roaring higher into the night sky. Jake is still inside. My chest heaves with ragged breaths, and I cry out for him, praying for some miracle that he’s made it out alive. But there’s no sign of him.I scream, my fists pounding the ground as hot tears stream down my face. The world blurs, and I struggle to comprehend what’s happening. From a distance, the wail of sirens pierces through the chaos. The sound grows louder until I see police vehicles screech to a halt near the blazing inferno.I force myself to stand, raising my hands in the air. They are for me. They had tracked the location I left on my laptop.“Rachael Matthews, stand still!” one officer commands, drawing his weapon.I obey and drop to my knees, placing my hands behind my head. Two officers rush forward and lift me roughly to my feet.“What happened here?” one of them commands, his voice firm.I open my mouth to explain, but words fail me. My th
