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Chapter 37
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Shadows Of Deception Chapter 38
(Maxwell’s POV)I paced back and forth, my shoes soundless against the floor of my study room. My desk was a battlefield, covered in papers and documents, an endless sea of white with black inked words. I shoved a stack of papers aside with more force than necessary, my jaw tightening in mild frustration.I was supposed to be content with the progress I was making.Afterall, the meeting with the board members had gone as planned, a gone number of their approval secured.But there was something… something that gnawed at the edges of my concentration like a dull ache. Adrian’s release on bail last week… it shouldn’t have happened. And it wouldn’t have, if not for that lawyer of his Gabriel, the so-called Greyhound. I let out a slow, controlled breath, trying to push away the irritation curling in my gut. The timing of Gabriel's appearance was too convenient, too calculated. I reached for the familiar thick file, my fingers brushing over the edge of the paper before picking it up.
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 39
(THIRD POV )Vanessa stood in the middle of the simple bedroom of the flat Maxwell had rented for her just a week ago. It was nothing like the luxurious home Maxwell owned or the grand mansion where she'd lived with Adrian for the past four years. The curtains were thin and let in too much light; the bed was a simple, creaky frame with a sagging mattress. She pulled her blouse over her shoulders, her hands moving slowly.Her face was dull, her eyes staring blankly ahead, lost in some distant thought.She finished dressing and sat on the edge of the bed. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in its every detail the peeling wallpaper, the worn-out rug, the tiny wardrobe that barely held her clothes. Everything about this place felt temporary, transitory, a far cry from the opulence she had become accustomed to. She looked down at her phone, the message from Maxwell glaring back at her: “Hey…Come over”Her hand tightened around the device as she hugged herself.Her thoughts had st
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 40
(IVY POV ) I turned the key in the lock, feeling the cool metal bite against my palm. Lily was a fragile weight in my arms, her head resting against my shoulder. She was too quiet, and every few seconds I glanced down at her, trying to catch any sign of discomfort or pain. “Just a little longer, sweetheart,” I murmured to her as I jiggled the gate to make sure it was securely fastened. Ethan stood beside me, his small hand slipping into mine, his face a mixture of worry and curiosity, glancing up at me with those questioning blue eyes of his.With a sigh, I squeezed his hand gently. “Come on, buddy,” I said, adjusting Lily’s position in my arms and guiding him toward the car. The taxi driver watched us with mild interest, his head poking out of the window, eyes calm but alert. He had one of those faces that gave nothing away not a hint of a smile, just a sort of steady patience."Do you know Maplewood Junction?" I asked when we were close enough, feeling the tightness in my
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 41
(IVY POV)Dr. Collins stared at me, her face a mask of bewilderment, and her eyes searching mine for something anything that made sense of my words. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice wavering as she tried to make sense of what I was saying. "I'm at a loss here. How do I help? I dont …I don't even know him, thought it was Caleb" I felt the tightness in my chest intensify. My gaze shifted once more to the table where my twins sat. I had to protect them from the weight of this truth. At least for now. After then I t turned back to Dr. Collins, I folded my arms, pulling them tightly against my chest as if to keep myself from shattering. "It’s not Caleb," I whispered, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. It would be the first time I will be talking about this in years.My words hung in the air, heavy and uncertain. Dr. Collins leaned in closer, her eyes boring into mine, urging me to continue.Finally my lips parted. "You still remember how I used to be back at
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 42
(IVY POV)Dr. Collins’s car rolled to a stop just outside a quaint little shop. The sun was beginning to dip,I stepped out, and looked over to see Ethan and Lily in the backseat, pressing their noses against the glass. Lily was looking some much healthier now so much more energetic. Their eyes sparkled with that innocent excitement only children seemed capable of. “We’ll be right back, kids!”. I called to them, giving a little wave.Ethan nodded, his face scrunched up in mock impatience, while Lily grinned and wiggled her fingers back at me. The car door closed with a soft thud, and I walked alongside Dr. Collins toward the small shop. A bell jingled as we pushed the door open, the scent of freshly baked bread and cinnamon swirling around us. We grabbed a couple of snacks, some colorful juice boxes, and a small bag of pretzels. Dr. Collins reached for a pack of chocolate chip cookies, glancing over at me with a smile. "A little treat never hurt anyone," she said with a wink.
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 43
Third POVIvy blinked, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief as she stared at Dr. Collins. Her arms folded defensively across her chest, she took a step closer, voice taut. “You? How do you mean?”She glanced back over her shoulder at her children, who were still playing in the car a short distance away.Their laughter a stark contrast to the tension settling between the two women.Dr. Collins gave a small smile, her arms folding in a mirroring stance. She moved a little closer, nodding in reassurance. "Yes I’ll go to him," she suggested gently, "I want you to watch and observe from a distance. We need to be cautious... We don’t know if he’s genuinely trying to help you or just handing you over to those men." Her tone held a subtle edge of concern, the words carefully measured. “We can’t afford to think like amateurs,Like I said they think like gamers ."Ivy inhaled sharply, her chest rising as her arms tightened around her torso.She still wasn't convinced, her eyes d
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 44
(IVY POV)I sat on my seat , my fingers tapping anxiously on my knee, trying to mask the tension building inside me. I could see Ethan and Lily exchanging curious glances from the corner of my eye. They were bound to ask questions sooner or later. And I had hoped it would be later."Mum, why are we here?" Ethan finally broke the silence, his voice innocent and probing.I tried to smile, keeping my tone light. "Nothing really just some catch ups with another friend"Lily leaned forward, her big eyes narrowed with curiosity. "What other friend, Mummy? And why this place?"I checked my watch for the hundredth time, forcing a chuckle. "Another old friend, honey. We're just… helping out." I kept my eyes fixed on the building across the street, where Dr. Collins was supposed to be.The small talk continued. I answered their questions about the building, trying to distract them with playful answers. But my eyes kept darting back to the entrance, my heart thumping in my chest. I was
Shadows Of Deception Chapter 45
(THIRD POV)Vanessa stood still, her hand on the cold brass handle of the study door. She listened, straining to catch any sound in the silence. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage, and she felt the rush of adrenaline in her veins. She took a deep breath, then turned slightly, checking the hallway behind her. The coast was clear.She turned back to the door, her hand tightening around the handle. She knew she had to be sure absolutely sure that she was alone. She waited a few moments longer, allowing the silence to settle around her. Then, with a sense of newfound confidence, she slowly pushed the door open, just wide enough to slip through. Her movements were careful, deliberate.She entered the room and gently pushed the door half-closed behind her.Standing in the center of the room, she folded her arms across her chest and observed her surroundings. The study was dimly lit, with the late afternoon sun glowing through heavy drapes, casting shadows on the floor. A m
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