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CHAPTER SEVENTY~NINE
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2025-01-03 23:59:45Related chapters
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY
RACHAEL’S POVI managed to dodge Dean’s question for now, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he asked again. And when he does, I need to have come up with a good explanation. He’ll want to know why I told him his father was dead. And if Jake finds out about that lie, hell will break loose.After some coaxing, I get Dean to bed. I watch his chest rise and fall as he drifts to sleep, giving me a fleeting moment of peace.I return to the living room, where Jake is sitting on the couch. His elbows are on his knees, and his head is bowed as if in deep thought. When I enter, he straightens, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.“So, have you made up your mind?” he asks, his voice steady but laced with impatience.I cross my arms over my chest, my resolve hardening. “I don’t think going back is a good idea. We can disappear again,” I reply, though the word disappear feels like a grenade between us.Jake’s jaw clenches, and his fists curl slightly at his sides.“No, Rachael. That’s
Last Updated : 2025-01-04SHATTERED 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.
Last Updated : 2025-01-05SHATTERED 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 is 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-06SHATTERED 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~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 is 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.
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER EIGHTY
RACHAEL’S POVI managed to dodge Dean’s question for now, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he asked again. And when he does, I need to have come up with a good explanation. He’ll want to know why I told him his father was dead. And if Jake finds out about that lie, hell will break loose.After some coaxing, I get Dean to bed. I watch his chest rise and fall as he drifts to sleep, giving me a fleeting moment of peace.I return to the living room, where Jake is sitting on the couch. His elbows are on his knees, and his head is bowed as if in deep thought. When I enter, he straightens, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.“So, have you made up your mind?” he asks, his voice steady but laced with impatience.I cross my arms over my chest, my resolve hardening. “I don’t think going back is a good idea. We can disappear again,” I reply, though the word disappear feels like a grenade between us.Jake’s jaw clenches, and his fists curl slightly at his sides.“No, Rachael. That’s
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY~NINE
JAKE’S POVThe past four years had been a whirlwind of pain, regret and something entirely different from the life I’d envisioned for myself. When Rachael left, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t accept what she had done. Her departure felt like the ultimate betrayal, one I never thought I’d overcome.I drowned myself in alcohol and women, searching for distractions, but each fleeting moment only deepened the wound she left behind. It wasn’t long before I realized I needed purpose, something to pull me out of the abyss. That’s when I threw myself into helping the police track down Jack. I poured endless resources into the hunt, sparing no expense. Yet Jack seemed to always be one step ahead. He remained a ghost.Even after Karen recovered and was imprisoned, Jack remained elusive. His absence gnawed at me. I sold COI—their family’s legacy—hoping it would draw him out but it was futile. His disappearance became maddening.I shifted my focus to finding Rachael only to
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY~EIGHT
RACHAEL’S POVThe warm sun kisses my skin as I sip my cocktail, the gentle crash of waves creating a soothing rhythm in the background. With a book in hand, I allow myself to bask in the calmness of the moment, but a small tap on my shoulder pulls me back to reality."Mom, can I get some fries? I'm hungry," Dean asks, his little face lighting up with anticipation.I smile and wave at the hotel waiter. "Can I get a plate of fries and another cocktail, please?" The waiter nods and disappears."The fries are on their way, baby. You can go play, but don't go far. Stay where I can see you," I instruct as I go back to reading my book.Dean grins and joins a group of kids building a sandcastle. As I watched him laugh and scoop sand, my heart swells with pride and love. He is my everything.It had been four years since I moved to Paris—I spent four years building a life for myself and my son, Dean. His birth had been a turning point. Though the pregnancy was difficult, every moment was worth
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY~SEVEN
RACHAEL'S POVWhen Jake stormed out of my room, slamming the door behind him, he didn’t know I had already made up my mind.I couldn’t stay. Not anymore.This wasn’t just about me—it was about the baby I was carrying. Staying with Jake felt like waiting for danger to find us. With Jack on the loose, it wasn’t a matter of if something would happen but when.I understood where Jake was coming from. He wanted to protect us. But I couldn’t leave it to chance. He wouldn’t give me a divorce, so I had to take matters into my own hands.I had to leave.The guilt was already starting to creep in as I threw my clothes into the suitcase without folding them. My hands trembled as I zipped it shut. I paused for a moment, debating whether I should leave a note. But I knew it wouldn’t do any good.I grabbed my passport and my small stash of emergency cash. My heart ached at the thought of walking out on him, but I told myself it was for the best.I tiptoed to his room, and I pressed my ear against t
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY~SIX
JAKE'S POV“We should get a divorce.”Her words echo in my mind like a broken record as I drive to the hospital. Rachael had gone on and on about how our marriage had caused her more harm than good and how she needed to think about someone else now. I barely listened. I was too stunned to process what she was saying.I had come to make sure Karen couldn’t escape. The thought of her slipping away sent a chill down my spine. She’d proven herself to be more dangerous than Jack, and leaving room for her to escape wasn’t an option. Jack had managed to get away, but the police were on his trail. Eventually, they’d catch him. I had trust in that.Karen was fresh out of surgery, recovering in her ward. A uniformed officer stands guard outside her door. That eases my nerves slightly, but not enough. I approach the officer and explain how dangerous she is and what might happen if she escapes. He assures me they’ll double down on the security and ensure someone will always be on duty.Satisfied,
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY~FIVE
JAKE'S POVThe gunshot is still ringing in my ears. I quickly pick up the gun Karen has dropped, and I aim it at Micheal. My eyes dart to where Jack had been lying just seconds ago—he’s gone. The spot is empty.Damn it.I focus back on Micheal, my grip tightening on the gun. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rachael drop to her knees beside Karen. She presses her hands against Karen’s stomach, trying to slow the bleeding.This woman.She’s trying to save the same woman who was ready to pull the trigger on her.Micheal freezes, slowly lowering his gun to the ground and raising his hands in surrender. His face is pale, but his eyes meet mine without flinching."Jake, listen to me," he says, his voice calm despite the situation. "I can explain. It’s not what you think."From the distance, I hear sirens—police, maybe an ambulance. Micheal’s eyes flick toward the sound, then back to me."Jake," he says firmly, "put the gun down before they bust in here.""Not a chance," I growl, my aim st
SHATTERED VOWS CHAPTER SEVENTY FOUR
RACHAEL’S POV"Good to see you again, Rachael.” Karen declares, her voice dripping with condescension.Every fiber in me wants to leap from this chair and wipe the smug look off her face, but the ropes binding my hands and feet leave me powerless. Instead, I follow Jake’s lead and act confident. I force a tight-lipped smile, locking eyes with her.Karen tilts her head, studying me like I am an insect under a magnifying glass. She turns her attention to Jake, ignoring my unspoken challenge entirely."What do you want, Karen?" I demand, cutting to the point.She doesn’t even glance in my direction. Instead, she focuses on Jake, who is staring at me, willing me to keep my composure."Jake," Karen begins, her voice smooth as silk, "Jack made his demands. But now, the stakes are higher. COI and two hundred million dollars for both your freedoms."Jack comes and stands near me like some grotesque guard dog and nods in agreement. He looms closer, his presence meant to intimidate Jake, but Ja
