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Chapter 22
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Shadows Of Deception Chapter 23
IVY (POV)I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I watched the SUV disappear around the corner. The started rain in trickles and the rhythm seemed to amplify the pounding of my heart.“ Who could it be?” I repeated. And why did they have to show up now, just when I was trying to start over?Lily’s words echoed in my mind: “Ethan’s blue eyes.” I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the cold dread creeping up my spine. I cleared my throat and pulled a shrug to make it look less suspicious.I knew I couldn’t let the children see my fear. I had to be strong, for their sake.“Alright, let’s get inside, kiddos,” I said, now forcing a smile as I ushered them toward the front door. “It’s starting to rain, and we don’t want to catch a cold on our first day back, do we?”Ethan had since joined us he looked up at me with those curious blue eyes. and shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. “No, Mommy. I want to see the whole house!”“Me too!” Lily chimed in, clutching her toy t
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 24
MAXWELL (POV)I was in my study and the heavy silence the small room was occasionally punctuated by the muffled sounds of the city beyond the tall windows. I leaned back in my leather chair, wincing as the movement increased the swelling in my jaw from last night’s altercation with Adrian. The room was dimly lit.and Caleb, the shadow to my light, was standing by the window, his posture rigid. His eyes occasionally shifted toward me, reflecting a mix of anticipation and unease. “Boss,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper, “how’s the situation with Adrian? Any new developments?”I rubbed my jaw absently, the pain a small but persistent reminder of the night’s events. “We’re on the brink, Caleb. Everything is nearly in place. The public humiliation of Adrian is only the beginning. We’re months away from our main objective. Any slip-ups could ruin everything.”Caleb’s gaze was intense, searching. “And what about the staff? How ready are they for the final stages? We can’t a
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 25
Adrian’s POV) I sat on a cold metal chair, leaning back, my muscles taut with tension.The first police man that was here earlier had gone.The room was dimly lit, its walls painted in a color that once might have been white but had now faded to a sickly, pale yellow.Every part of this place felt designed to break a man’s spirit, strip you of your will.The door swung open, and first person to enter first was Austin. I felt an element of relief when I saw him.His expression was tight, concern written in the lines of his face. He was followed by a tall man with sharp eyes, dressed in a tailored suit that seemed too refined for a place like this. His presence filled the room with a quiet authority, his movements measured and deliberate. The policeman who had led them in hovered by the door, watching with a mixture of suspicion and irritation.The newcomer glanced briefly at the officer, then back at me. "I need a moment with my client…. In private," he said, his voice calm but c
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 26
(IVY’S POV)It had been three days now since I moved in with the kids. I stood in the middle of my bedroom, pulling a light blue blouse from the closet, I slid it over my head, smoothing it against my skin before grabbing a black skirt and slipping it on. The mirror showed me someone determined, but today, my reflection felt strange, even to me. My hair tumbled down in loose waves around my shoulders. I tucked a few rebellious strands behind my ear, but they fell right back into place, as stubborn as I was.The room was a mess. Boxes were piled in the corners, some half-open, spilling clothes and books onto the floor. I could hear Ethan and Lily in their room, their laughter echoing through the thin walls as they got ready for their first day at the new school. Not really a first day, just an interview, a short test to gauge where they stood. The principal had explained everything over the phone a few weeks ago. I closed my eyes for a moment, my fingers pausing over a stack
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 27
IVY’S POV)The room was still. Ethan's question about Caleb lingered in the air like smoke. I opened my mouth to answer, but the words didn’t come. My mind raced, searching for a plausible response something that would make sense, something that wouldn't raise more questions.“Caleb…” I began, my voice catching. “He's just a… a name from a dream, I think.” I forced a light laugh, hoping it sounded convincing, but I could feel their eyes on me, Ethan's eye especially. The twins exchanged yet another puzzled look.Ethan was perceptive. Too perceptive.“A dream?” he asked, tilting his head slightly. His bright blues eyes were steady, curious.“Yes,” I said a bit too quickly. “Or maybe… a memory. But nothing important.” My voice wavered, and I could tell I’d only deepened their suspicions.Ethan didn't press further, but I could see the quiet resolve in his eyes. He nodded slowly, as if accepting my explanation for now, but I knew he was already making plans for something…that
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 28
(THIRD POV) Ethan and Lily sat on the edge of their beds, the silence between them thick and heavy, like a fog that refused to lift. The emotion on their mother’s face few minutes ago, still hovered in their minds. And the name “Caleb” hung in the air like a ghost neither of them could chase away.Ethan’s eyes darted around their shared room, taking in the familiar sight of their light weight furniture. The wooden dresser with a chipped corner, the faded pink wallpaper, a collage of childhood drawings pinned messily beside their small window. A small bookshelf sat in the corner, overflowing with books they had read and reread, stories of pirates, wizards, and distant lands. But today, none of these familiar things brought comfort. Lily was the first to break the silence. She swung her small legs back and forth, her tender hands gripping the edge of the mattress, her curly brow furrowed. “Did you see her face when you asked about Caleb?” she whispered, her voice low, almost a
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 29
(THIRD POV)“Who is he, Mummy?” Ethan’s face was earnest, his brows knitted with curiosity.Their mother’s breath almost stopped. Her eyes darted around the yard, scanning the faces of the other parents, the teachers, anyone who might be listening.She squatted quickly, her voice a trembling whisper. “Hey Hush, both of you. We need to get home. I’ll explain everything there, okay?” “But Is he still alive?” Lily added, her voice softer, her wide eyes staring up at her mother with a mix of confusion and concern.Ivy gasped, her heart now thumping so loudly she could hear it in her ears. She looked around again, as if searching for an escape, then she leaned closer to them. “Please, not here,” she pleaded. “We’ll talk when we get home. I promise.”“Are you sure, Mummy?” Ethan’s voice was small but insistent, his bright blue eyes never leaving hers.“Yes, I said I will tell you,” she replied, her voice firmer, her jaw clenched as she took Lily into her arms and gripped Ethan's ha
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 30
(IVY POV)I sat in the back seat, gripping my handbag like it was some sort of lifeline, my fingers digging into the soft leather. I kept checking my watch, feeling every second stretch out like hours. I tried to steady my breathing, but it came out in shallow, bursts.I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself, but my mind kept drifting back to my twins. “God, I hoped they were safe.” I had locked the doors, checked the windows twice, but was that enough? Maybe I should have just brought them with me, but then again, where I was going… I shook my head, no way, that wasn’t an option. Not with their constant questions, their bright eyes full of curiosity. Especially not now. I glanced at my watch again. Time seemed to crawl.I tried to push the memory away, but it crept back in. Just a few minutes ago, they had been so insistent, asking about their father, out of the blue, right after coming back from school. For a stupid second, I thought about changing their school altogether,
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