Chapter 37In the middle of her thoughts, she heard heavy footsteps from a distance and she could decipher that it was Christian. Was he going to work early again? She quickly ran to the door and opened it to see Christian passing by her room.“Good morning, Christian," she greeted. Christian looked at her and grunted a response. Olivia sighed at herself and followed her husband downstairs.“Are you going early today? Shouldn’t you have breakfast or something?" she asked as he fixed his neck tie.“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get my secretary to prepare me something light for the morning. Also, I have a press conference this morning with the media. Be sure to tune in”, he said, before turning to leave.“Christian, please wait”, Olivia shouted from behind him.“What is it Olivia?”“I have something to show you”, she said as she pulled out her phone from her pocket. She went through her texts and pulled out the message she’d received the previous afternoon.“This was the message I receive
Chapter 38Olivia sat on the living room couch, her mind still spinning from the events of the morning. Christian’s bold announcement at the press conference left her feeling a mixture of pride and fear. His unwavering stance to defend her was both heartwarming and nerve-wracking. But the way he exposed Marcus openly rattled her—what would Marcus do now? Surely, he wouldn’t just sit back and let it slide.Ruth sat beside her scrolling through social media, reading through the comments pouring in about the press conference. “Look at this,” she said, handing Olivia her phone. “Most of the comments are positive. People are praising Christian for standing up for you. But your husband is very cunning. The reactions here are praising him and sympathizing with you. Shouldn’t you both be sharing the glory? Why are you getting sympathy only? But what can I say? Half bread is better than none. At least the hate comments have reduced.Olivia glanced at the screen, scanning the supportive comment
Chapter 39Olivia opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar environment. She quickly sat up. Christian noticed that she had woken up, so he rushed to her side. “Where am I?"Christian sighed in relief before answering her. “The doctor said it was low blood sugar. Does this happen often?"Olivia looked around for a while. “It's nothing serious. It had only happened to me twice before this."Christian nodded. “Well, you don’t need to worry anymore. Marcus has been arrested."As soon as she heard the good news, Olivia immediately burst into tears of joy or relief—she wasn’t sure which one it was.Later that afternoon, Olivia returned home with Christian after being discharged from the hospital. After they got home, they met Eunice who was visibly worried that she’d not seen Olivia. “Olivia, where have you been?" Eunice rushed over to ask as soon as she saw Olivia behind Christian at the door.Christian and Olivia looked at each other in subtle understanding and quickly gave an e
Chapter 40Olivia’s heart stopped at Christian’s words. She blinked, trying to process what he had just said. “Marcus…? "He's dead?” The weight of those words crashed over her like a tidal wave, but instead of relief, a heavy, sick feeling settled in her stomach.Christian’s face was hard, his jaw clenched as if trying to maintain his composure. “Yes. It was confirmed just a few minutes ago. An apparent suicide, but I’m not convinced.”Olivia’s legs felt weak, and she stepped back into the room, clutching the door frame for support. Christian followed her inside, his presence filling the space as the tension between them seemed to evaporate in the face of this new revelation.“How?” she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn’t comprehend it—Marcus had been such a constant threat in her life, lurking in the shadows, controlling her fear. And now, just like that, he was gone?“They found him in his cell,” Christian said, his voice grim. “The security around him was
Chapter 41Olivia sighed at Ruth’s reminder. “That was ages ago. I even met him in Christian’s company, apparently he works there”."Hmm..." Ruth let out a wicked laugh.“Ruth, what are you planning in that head of yours again? Don’t do it”, Olivia warned her friend.“What do you mean? I’m not planning anything. I’m just thinking. You know what? "I'm coming over."It was not even up to an hour before her phone started buzzing again.“Christian should be home soon, right?" Ruth asked, with a current undertone in her voice.“Ruth, you don’t need to come over. I’m fine. Really.”“Too late." I’m already halfway there,” Ruth’s voice chirped through the speaker. Olivia could hear the sound of traffic in the background, confirming her friend’s determination. “We need to talk about this Emmanuel thing—and about Christian.”“Ruth-” Olivia began, but she was cut off.“Nope, don’t ‘Ruth’ me. I’m not letting you wallow in silence. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Put the coffee on.”Olivia sighe
The words hung in the air between them, and for a long moment, Christian said nothing. His gaze remained steady, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something Olivia couldn’t quite place. “Olivia, I told you from the beginning not to expect more.”“I know!” she said, her voice trembling. “But I can’t help but feel how I feel. You’re not the only one affected by this Christian. I’m trying to hold on, but it’s getting harder every day. And I can’t just turn off my feelings like a light switch.”Christian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This is exactly why I wanted to keep things simple, Olivia. I can’t give you what you want.”“What I want is to feel like I matter,” she said quietly. “Like I’m more than just a pawn in your business deal. Like I’m more than just Eunice’s nanny.”“You do matter,” Christian said, his voice softer now. “But I can’t give you more than that. My focus has always been on the company, on protecting Eunice. I can’t afford to be distracted b
Chapter 43The next morning, Christian left home without having breakfast. He was openly avoiding Olivia at this point. However, Olivia had already trained her mind not to think about it. If there was one thing she had control over, it was her focus on Eunice.She turned to watch Eunice who was happily munching on the chocolate muffin she was having for breakfast.“Olivia, these muffins are really good. Can you make some for me tomorrow evening?" she asked excitedly, swinging her legs under the table.Olivia smiled, her heart warming at how easily the girl could lift her mood. “Of course, I can. I can even make some with white chocolate chips on top."Olivia’s gaze softened as she watched Eunice happily nod in agreement. It amazed her how much joy she got from caring for this child. Maybe because, in these small moments, Olivia could forget the storm raging in her life. Watching Eunice enjoy her meal, the idea suddenly struck her.“Eunice, how about we take Uncle Christian’s lunch to
Chapter 44Olivia looked at the dark screen of her phone and smiled. "Christian," she called. He turned to face her.“Ruth called and she said she has a big surprise for me, but the way she said it, it felt like she wasn’t referring to only me. She's coming over this evening to visit”, she informed him, searching for his reaction to the mention of Ruth’s name.Christian looked at Olivia with a wry look on his face. His interaction with Ruth from the previous afternoon flashed through his head and he groaned. “Whatever. You two can do whatever you want," he said coldly.Soon after, they heard a buzz from his phone. It was Josh."Beautiful!" Christian exclaimed. “Josh said he'd come over in the evening too. We’re leaving the office together," he continued.Later that evening, the Mason mansion was alive with quiet anticipation. The soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional clinking of dishes in the kitchen filled the air as Olivia paced restlessly in the living room, waiting
Epilogue Nine months later. The sun streamed gently through the tall windows of the new Matt & Rose Foundation building, casting a warm glow over rows of seated attendees—executives, students, members of the press, and friends. The air held something rare: hope. Christian stood at the podium in a tailored navy suit, a small white ribbon pinned to his lapel. His gaze swept across the audience, lingering on the front row, where Olivia sat beside Ruth. Ruth wore a floral midi dress and a guarded smile. Next to her sat Roosevelt Lee—a former college buddy of Christian’s, and for the past month, Ruth’s quiet comfort. Eunice sat on Olivia’s lap, her legs swinging under her dress shoes, proudly sporting a glittery badge that read Junior Ambassador. She waved when Christian looked her way. He winked, then returned his attention to the microphone. “Today,” Christian began, his voice carrying with ease, “we honour two people whose kindness shaped who I am. My brother and sister-in-law
Chapter 120 Another four months had passed since Josh’s first court appearance. Today was judgment day.The courtroom felt colder this time—not from the air, but from the finality clinging to the walls like frost. The trial had dragged on for weeks—meticulous testimonies, irrefutable digital evidence, and the haunting voices of those Josh had manipulated or destroyed. Ruth had testified. So had Olivia. And Christian had taken the stand with quiet resolve, walking the court through every calculated step Josh had taken in the shadows.Now, there were no whispers. Just silence. The sentencing.Christian sat in the front row once again, between Ruth and Olivia. His hands rested on his knees, spine straight, jaw tight. Behind them, rows of strangers watched history unfold.Olivia wore a black blouse and slacks, her eyes fixed forward, unreadable. Ruth had opted for navy this time—a subtle, steady colour that matched the calm she was trying to summon.Josh was brought in, flanked by office
Chapter 119 Four Months LaterThe car ride to the courthouse was silent and tense. Christian drove, while Ruth and Olivia sat quietly in the back.The Massachusetts Criminal Courthouse loomed ahead, grim beneath a brooding sky. The winter air cut through even the thickest coats. News vans lined the perimeter like vultures, antennas raised like mechanical spines. Cameramen and reporters crowded the steps, lenses trained on the entrance, waiting for the man at the center of a storm no one had seen coming.Inside, the courtroom buzzed with restrained energy. Whispered conversations rose and fell like waves. Every seat was filled—press, family members, curious onlookers. The case of State vs. Joshua Smith had gripped the city: betrayal, murder, power, secrets.Christian sat at the front beside Olivia and Ruth, his expression carved from stone, but his eyes— his eyes burned. He hadn’t slept well in days, not since the indictment was finalised. The time between discovery and justice had fe
Chapter 118 Detective Harris shone his flashlight into the dark cavity beneath the floorboards, brushing aside layers of dust and cobwebs. “There’s definitely something down here.”Christian knelt beside the hole, squinting into the shadows. “What do you see?”“Some kind of box.” Harris reached down carefully and pulled out a dusty metal tin, about the size of a shoebox. It clanked faintly as he set it beside him. “It was wedged under one of the boards.”Detective Fisher stepped forward, gloved hands steady, and popped the lid. Everyone leaned in.Inside, nestled between scraps of old cloth, were two flash drives, a sealed plastic sleeve containing a small memory card—and, folded neatly at the bottom—a shirt.Fisher’s brow furrowed as he lifted the drives. “Bag these,” he instructed, handing them to another officer. “Handle with care. They could be encrypted.”Christian’s gaze narrowed. “What kind of shirt is that?”Fisher gently unfolded the fabric. It was a large-sized, worn men’s
Chapter 117 Olivia grabbed his arm before he could finish.“Christian.”He stopped and sank into the nearest sofa, the tension radiating from his frame.“Sweetheart,” he said gently, “come here. Let Uncle ask you something.”Eunice nodded and skipped forward. Christian crouched in front of her, his hands resting lightly on her small shoulders. His expression was calm, but there was an intensity in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.“Eunice,” he said softly, “what do you mean by a secret room?”Eunice beamed, clearly delighted to finally share her secret.“The one behind the big bookshelf in the living room! Daddy and Uncle Josh used to go there all the time. I saw them!” She puffed out her chest proudly. “They thought I didn’t know, but I did.”Christian’s grip tightened slightly. Olivia noticed the tick in his jaw.“When did you see them, sweetheart?” she asked gently, kneeling beside them. “Was it a long time ago?”Eunice nodded, her little hands tugging at the hem of Olivia’s
Chapter 116 The Mason mansion was quiet that night—the kind of stillness that carries the weight of things unsaid.Ruth sat curled on the plush living room couch, a blanket draped around her shoulders. But the warmth did nothing to ease the chill in her chest. The day’s events played on a loop in her mind— every word, every lie, every trace of Josh’s deception. She had spent months loving a man who never truly existed. Now all that remained was the rubble of a future that had never been real.Olivia sat beside her, close enough to offer support, but not suffocating.“Are you sure you don’t want to go upstairs and try to sleep?” she asked gently.Ruth let out a scoff and shook her head. “Sleep? Not a chance. Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice. I see that smug smile he gave me—like he still had me wrapped around his finger.” Her voice cracked, raw with disbelief. “God, he really believed I was still his.”Olivia reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “He’
Chapter 115 Ruth tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she pulled into the detention center's parking lot. The morning sun glared off the pavement, but its warmth couldn’t touch the cold knot twisting in her stomach. She exhaled slowly, bracing herself. This wasn’t a visit for closure. It wasn’t to ask for explanations.She needed to see the manipulative monster Josh truly was—again.For the past twenty-four hours, she had replayed every moment: every conversation, every touch, every whispered promise. All lies. Carefully crafted. Skilfully delivered. And she had believed them —believed him—because she thought he loved her the way she had loved him.She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking sharply against the asphalt as she walked toward the entrance. The moment she passed through security, the weight of the situation settled squarely on her shoulders. Cold fluorescent lights hummed overhead as officers led her down sterile hallways. And then, at last, she was there—facin
Chapter 114 The rhythmic clicking of Christian’s pen against his desk was the only sound in the vast office as he sat, deep in thought. The morning had started like any other, with reports to review and meetings to prepare for, but the weight of last night’s revelation pressed down on him like a storm cloud.Josh.He had spent quite some time going over every detail from the journal Ruth had found. The words scrawled across the pages painted a picture of a man who had been living a double life—outwardly charming, supportive, and loyal, yet seething with resentment beneath the surface.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Come in,” he called.The door opened, and Secretary Pitcher stepped inside, his expression neutral but professional. “Detective Fisher is here to see you, sir.”Christian straightened, nodding. “Send him in.”A moment later, Detective Fisher strode into the office. He was a middle-aged man with graying temples, sharp eyes that missed nothing, and an air
Chapter 113 "Make sure you have all these files assessed by the necessary departments and submitted to me by noon tomorrow," Christian said in a commanding tone."Yes, sir," Pitcher replied."As for what I told you about, continue directing them and see what they have to do about it. Also, reschedule my appointment with Mr. Manchester—I have to go pick up Eunice from sch—"Christian was interrupted by the buzzing phone on his desk. He quickly picked up the call as soon as he saw the caller ID.Olivia’s voice had been tight with urgency when she told him to come home. The undercurrent of alarm in her tone was enough to send his pulse spiking.By the time he strode into the Mason mansion, Olivia and Ruth were waiting for him in the living room, their faces pale.He was surprised to see Ruth with Olivia. Hadn't they just had a huge argument days before? Before he could ask anything, he noticed the thick, black journal sitting on the coffee table between them."What’s going on?" Christia