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Behind The Mask
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2024-12-23 09:39:18Related chapters
Shattered Trust Stephanie’s Sillence
Chapter 59: Stephanie ’s SilenceNoah’s POVThe office felt unusually quiet that morning. The kind of silence that was heavy, unsettling. My eyes kept drifting toward the empty desk across the room, the one usually occupied with her head buried in files or her fingers typing furiously on the keyboard. But today, it was empty.Has anybody seen Stephanie ?" I asked finally, trying to appear nonchalant, despite a stomach that was twisting. A few coworkers looked up but shook their heads. "She hasn't come in yet," someone muttered.Weird. Stephanie was never late. She was one of those persons who would appear ten minutes in advance even on bad days. My immediate response was reaching for my phone and sending her a text. Maybe something came up—a flat tire, a family emergency, something minor. The message I sent sat there, unread.Hey, . You okay? You're not in the office. Let me know if you need anything.Minutes passed, with me frenetically refreshing my phone, but nothing came. Just no
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust Missing Without A Trace
Chapter Sixty : Missing Without a Trace Stephanie's POV My wrists burned as the ropes cut into my skin. The room was dimly lit, with a single flickering bulb above my head casting eerie shadows on the damp, concrete walls. I strained against the ropes, but they only seemed to tighten with every movement. "Hello?" I called out, my voice shaking. "Is anyone there? Please, let me go. I haven't done anything wrong!" The only response was the echo of my voice off the walls. My heart raced as my situation began to sink into my head. I have no idea where I am or how I got here. All I remember is walking along a quiet street on the way to meet a psychologist I'd secretly arranged to see, when suddenly I was surrounded, grabbed, and everything went black. Now I was here, in this cold, desolate room, tied to a chair with no sign of escape. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed outside the door, making my stomach drop. I held my breath as the door creaked open, and two figures stepped i
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust Frantic Search
Chapter sixty One : Frantic SearchNoah's POVThe knot in my stomach had grown tighter with every passing hour. By the time I left the office, the evening sky was painted with streaks of red and orange, but there was nothing beautiful about it. My mind was consumed by one thought: Stephanie was missing.I replayed the events of the day in my head as I drove to her apartment. The calls that went unanswered, the panic from her sister Emily, and that chilling realization that something wasn't right. Stephanie was reliable to a fault. She wouldn't just vanish without a word.I parked haphazardly when I reached her apartment building, not caring if I blocked someone else. Instead of waiting for the elevator, I went up the stairs, my heart pounding against my chest.I rapped at her door. "Stephanie?"No answer.Again, my fist pounded harder on the wood. "Stephanie! Are you in there?"Silence.Desperation drove me to the building manager's office. An older man with a receding hairline sat be
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust The Release
Chapter Sixty-Two: The ReleaseVanessa's POVThe basement was colder than usual, the stale air hanging thick with the scent of dust and the remnants of something I couldn't quite place. I had hoped this would be over quickly, that it would be just another night of thrill, but the reality of what we had done was beginning to sink in. I glanced over at Rachel, pacing in front of Stephanie, her eyes narrowed and cold, a predatory glint that sent a shiver down my spine.Stephanie had been quiet for the most part, her initial panic giving way to a calm resignation. She'd tried to reason with us at first, tried to use whatever power she thought she had over the situation, but Rachel had been relentless, her words sharp and cruel.You really think you're in control here?" Rachel mocked, her voice slicing through the tension in the room like a knife. She leaned in closer to Stephanie, her breath hot against her captive's cheek. "You're nothing, just a pawn in a game you don't even understand.
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust The New Break
Chapter Sixty-Three: The News BreaksNoah's POVThe tension at the company was like a noose. Typically, the office was chaotic, with fingers flying on keyboards, phones ringing in a cacophony of tones, and voices buzzing with deadlines and meetings. Today, however, a stillness hung in the air, a hushed sense of unease lingering over everyone like fog.Her absence was felt in every corner of the building. It wasn't just that she was a reliable coworker who handled the bulk of the workload; she was the glue that held everything together. Without her, things were unraveling fast.I sat in my office, staring at the email inbox on my screen. It was flooded with messages—questions about missed deadlines, clients following up on projects that Stephanie had been managing, and reminders of meetings that she should’ve been attending. I’d tried to delegate her tasks to other team members, but no one could pick up the slack the way she did.A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust Stephanie’s Return
Chapter Sixty Four : Stephanie's ReturnStephanie opened her eyes to the harsh brightness of the hospital room and winced. Her body felt like a ton of lead, as if it was foreign to her, and her wrists pulsed with a dull ache. The nose-nipping smell of antiseptic filled her nostrils intermingled with the humming noise of machines. She was momentarily convinced that she was dreaming again, trapped in that cold, dark room with the flickering lightbulb.She tried to sit up, but a scream from her muscles stopped her cold. She felt panic start to claw at her chest as fragmented memories assaulted her: the jeering faces, the biting ropes, the chilling thought that maybe she'd never get away.A soft voice finally broke through her haze. "Stephanie?"Her head turned slowly, and she saw Emily standing by her bedside, her face pale and eyes rimmed red from crying. Her sister’s lips trembled as she spoke again, louder this time. “Oh my God, Steph. You’re awake!”Tears blurred Stephanie's vision a
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust Difficult Homecoming
Chapter Sixty Five: Difficult HomecomingThe morning air was cool with the slight promise of spring in the breeze, yet none of that lightness lifted Stephanie's mood. She buttoned her coat and clutched her purse tightly as she stood before the office building. A towering glass façade seemed to reflect the hustle of the city, and for a moment, she wondered if she was ready for this.Days of recuperation had brought the bruises on her arms to a fade, but the invisible scars ran deeper. The warnings of her kidnapper still echoed in her mind, cold voices muffled yet persistent: "Stay away from Noah. Quit your job.She took a deep breath and stepped inside; the hum of the office wrapped around her in a familiar way. The elevator ride to the top floor seemed like an eternity, the dings reminding her of what she was about to face.When the doors finally opened, the usual chatter of her coworkers died down as heads turned her way. Whispers surged across the floor like wildfire."She's back."
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Shattered Trust Shadows Of The Past
Chapter Sixty Six : Shadows of the PastStephanie stepped into the office with measured steps, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The familiar scent of fresh coffee and printer ink filled the air, but instead of comfort, it brought unease. Everyone seemed to pause at the sight of her, their eyes flitting to her and then away, whispers rising like a tide.She squared her shoulders, pretending not to notice. It was the same office she had worked in for years, yet today, it felt foreign-as if the walls themselves held the weight of what had happened to her.She went directly to her desk and didn't let the staring faze her one iota. The chair creaked as she sat down; her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She had believed coming back would help her feel normal again. In turn, she felt like an exhibit on display."Hey, Stephanie."The voice surprised her, and she turned to see Claire, a colleague, standing hesitantly by her desk. The usually bubbly Claire showed muteness
Last Updated : 2024-12-23
Latest chapter
Shattered Trust Peace
Chapter Ninety Six: PeaceThe room was quiet, the hum of the evening outside barely heard through the windows. Rachel sat on the bed, pulled her knees up close to her chest, and looked down at her hands. It had been an emotional day in surges which would leave one drained and still feel lighter than it had in weeks. She had heard Noah's words, taken the weight of his forgiveness, and finally-finally-allowed herself to believe that moving on was possible.But it was not only the past that weighed upon her with Noah. It was something deeper, far deeper, which she carried with her for much longer: the weight of decisions taken and actions she had led herself into in this position she is in presently. And none of these would have been possible without Vanessa.That made Rachel stop and think. Her friend, her confidante-her best friend-had always been there for her. In the maelstrom of their pain together, however, there was a part inside Rachel that wondered whether those choices had been
Shattered Trust The Unannounced Visit
Chapter Ninety Five: The Unannounced VisitThe air was cool that evening, with that certain sting that made one clinch the jacket tighter and quicken the steps. Noah and Stephanie just stepped out of the restaurant, with the silence between them thick with dinner. Noah's mind had raced since their conversation, but his resolve had only been strengthened. He had to do this. He needed to see Rachel, to tell her he had forgiven her and wanted nothing other than for the two of them to be free to move on in life and find peace.Stephanie walked beside him, her hand clasped in his. She knew what he was doing, and as much as the wiser part of her still harbored her own reservations about the situation, she did understand that Noah needed this for his healing. She couldn't deny that a part of her was nervous, too-this wasn't going to be an easy conversation. But they couldn't ignore the past forever. Sometimes, closure was the only way forward.They turned to the building that housed Rachel's
Shattered Trust A Dinner Between Hearts
Chapter Ninety Four: A Dinner Between HeartsEvening had worn into the comfortable silence; Noah sat opposite Stephanie, watching as she carefully placed the settings of the dishes she prepared for the better part of the afternoon. The hum of the kitchen at the restaurant behind him was accompanied by clinking of fine china and silverware, with wafting smells of fresh vegetables and herbs that reminded him of how much he had missed homely comforts.With a quiet contentedness that only can come from cooking for somebody dear, Stephanie smiled brightly at him across the table. She had always been a fantastic cook, and tonight wasn't going to be an exception. There was such delicacy in the balance of tastes and flavors on his plate to confirm her genius, but more important than anything was the fire that lit with her presence there, and her laughter that danced around the room in its voice.You know, she said, sipping her wine, I think this might be the best meal I've made in weeks. Mayb
Shattered Trust Internal Struggle
Chapter Ninety Three: Rachel's Inner StruggleRachel sat alone in the darkened room of her apartment, hands clasped tightly around a mug of tea that she hadn't sipped. The warmth from the cup seeped into her palms but did nothing to quell the chill gnawing at her chest. She hadn't been able to get out of bed for the past few days, but today, her mind couldn't afford the luxury of lingering in self-pity any longer.She knew no longer what to do with herself as the world kept blurring into one big confusion of pain. The weight of her actions weighed heavily upon her, at times insurmountable. She quit her job, the one thing that anchored her into some kind of routine, just to get away from the tension slowly choking her. The thought of facing Noah after everything that had happened-after having betrayed him and watched him move on with Stephanie-was just too much to bear. Her guilt was eating her from the inside out, spiraling further down each passing day.The betrayal nipped at her con
Shattered Trust Internal Struggle And Pressure
Chapter Ninety Two: The fight of Rachel and Vanessa's Growing PressureShe sat on the edge of her bed and stared into the quiet night out her window. The city glowed alive, but every one of its lights, so it seemed, was farther away from the storm brewing in her heart. An ache inside her chest made her feel the air thicken enough to suffocate her with every desperate attempt to get more air in. It wasn't the night that was heavy, but the torment inside of her, her guilt, the betrayal, and all her wrong choices.Each time her mind drifted to Noah and the days with him, she remembered how he loved her, took care of her, and was there for her during the days when she needed it most. It now felt like the memories had been poisoned. Every touch he had given her, every word of love, every gesture was clouded in the knowledge that she had betrayed him. Not just once but twice-first by dating James, then by her part in Stephanie's kidnapping. She had crossed lines she could never uncross.Tea
Shattered Trust Guilt
Chapter Ninety One: GuiltThe soft, rhythmic sound of the rain tapping against the windowpane provided almost a melancholic soundtrack to Rachel's thoughts. She sat alone in her small apartment, the dim light from the lamp casting long shadows on the walls. She stood stiff, her hands curled into fists where her nails had dug deep into her palms to steady some unevenly escaping breaths from her chest. The whirlwind of turmoil, guilt, and regret all swirled within her mind.Rachel had sat here for hours without the slightest idea how much time had actually elapsed since she last checked her watch. Outside, the world had dulled to a gray haze, rain diffusing reality and fantasy. Her head was filled with visions of what had taken place during the last days. The look on Stephanie's terrified face when they took her away-when she and Vanessa dragged her away-stayed in her mind, awake or asleep. It was a memory that she could not shake, no matter how hard she tried.She thought of Noah and h
Shattered Trust A Flash Of Joy
Chapter Ninety : A Flash of JoyThe day was dying, and the golden softness of the setting sun cast its warm light upon the city. In the house, a mixture of excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere. Noah had spent hours preparing for this moment-this day he had been planning for weeks. The room was set up, candles lit, flowers put out, and soft music was playing-perfect to set the tone of the evening just right. Everything was so intricately planned, and finally Noah was ready.He stood at the center of the room, feeling his heart beating much faster than normal. Inside him, there was some nervous energy-a mixture of anxiety and excitement-but besides that, deep and calm, one realization: This was going to be the biggest move of his life with somebody he truly cared about.The door creaked softly open, and Stephanie walked in; her eyes lit immediately with the romance of the atmosphere. Her expression softened further at the sight of Noah, who stood awaiting her. The air seeme
Shattered Trust The Unexpected
Chapter Eighty Nine: The Unexpected She went to the window and adjusted the sheers to let in the soft light of the afternoon sun. The room was intricately set: candles on elegant holders, casting a warm glow in the room; rose petals scattered all over the bed and floor; a table at the corner had all kinds of delicate desserts and champagne glasses. The mood in the room was romantic, to say the least-perfect for Noah's proposal to Stephanie.He readjusted a small, velvet box stuck into his jacket pocket and scanned the surroundings critically over it. There was an almost palpable sense of contentment in the air: Things were going according to schedule, and he could already not wait to see Noah pop the question."Is it ready?" Sophia asked him, turning from the window toward him.Almost. Just putting the finishing touches on everything," he replied, readjusting the position of flowers that had been put in a vase on the table.Sophia beamed and moved over beside him, looking at all that
Shattered Trust Betrayal And Loyalty
Chapter Eighty Eught : Betrayal and LoyaltyThe words stuck in her head while she felt her heart hit her stomach. Stephanie was the one Noah was going to ask to marry him. The woman who once had been her secretary , a woman who had been the catalyst of so many changes between her and Noah. And now, to hear that Noah was seriously considering a future with her-to hear that he loved her-left Rachel so exposed. As if every mistake she had ever made, the choices she had ever regretted, were coming back to haunt her in the worst possible way.Her mind swam with thoughts of her past with Noah: how she had betrayed him by cheating on him with James, his best friend. Guilt weighed in, and she had lain awake on many nights trying to account for her actions. She'd thought she could bury it, that time would cure the wounds, but that moment it threw itself at her-that Stephanie could have a future with Noah-everything was right back there in her face. Un-forgetful-the manner in which Noah looked
