CHAPTER 20The next morning, they packed up, ready to leave for the amusement park. “Snacks, sunscreen, bag packs and our sense of adventure. We're ready!" Olivia said beaming at Eunice.“You know, some of my classmates have been to amusement parks and they said it is fun there. I can’t wait, we're gonna have so much fun”, Eunice said, her excitement difficult to hide.Christian looked at the two girls in front of him and shook his head. “Alright, let’s get in the car. We don’t want to be late and stay in the queue there all day”.Olivia and Eunice rushed into the car as soon as they heard him. Olivia turned back and helped Eunice to her baby seat in the back.First up was the merry-go-round that Christian felt like he was too old to be on. “Why don’t you two continue while I take pictures of you? Just enjoy”, Christian said, taking out his phone.“Just take a ride with us. Please, Uncle Christian”, Eunice sounded, whining her way into Christian’s heart.Following Eunice’s whining, ca
CHAPTER 21Olivia stretched her hands as she pulled the blanket off her body. The soft sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a golden hue over the room. She heard several voices in the house and then a knock on the door. She went to open the door and Ruth and Eunice rushed inside.Today was her wedding day. She had forgotten all about it. Forgot the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment. But reality came crashing back as soon as she shifted in bed and caught sight of the ivory gown hanging in the corner—a delicate reminder of the life-changing day ahead.“Morning, bride-to-be,” Ruth chirped, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “You ready?”Olivia tried to muster a smile, but her stomach churned with nerves. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she whispered, her voice betraying the inner turmoil she had worked so hard to hide. Then she took a look at Eunice who was on the side, playing with Ruth’s mobile phone. “Why is she not ready yet?”“She just finished having breakfast.
Chapter 22The wedding ended perfectly and by nightfall; the car brought the newlyweds and their Best man, Maid of honor and Flower girl into the Mason mansion. It seemed Eunice was very excited about the wedding happening. She showered Christian and Olivia with words and compliments on their way home.“When I get to kindergarten on Monday, I’m going to tell Archer, Jason, Emily and Loveleen all about the wedding and how I was the flower girl”, Eunice said, wiggling her body out of Olivia’s embrace.“Really?” Ruth asked, feigning curiosity.“Of course. They always tell me about the parties they attended, but now I can tell them about mine,” she said, beaming at the thought of the idea.They soon arrived at the mansion and everyone went to their various rooms to change their clothes. After changing her dress, Olivia slipped onto the balcony to get some fresh air, and Ruth followed her.In the middle of their discussion, they heard a small voice. “Olivia?” The two ladies whipped their h
Chapter 23The morning light crept in through the windows. It cast a golden glow on the bed where Olivia slept, nestled in Christian's arms. Her breath hitched as she saw Eunice sleeping behind her while she was in the middle. Her head rested on Christian’s chest while his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. Panic briefly surged through her. But, she froze. She didn't want to disturb him—or Eunice, still asleep next to them.Carefully, she tried to slip out of his grasp. Christian’s grip tightened. He stirred, opening his eyes and looking very shocked that Olivia was in his arms. The surprise in his eyes quickly turned neutral, looking neither warm nor cold.Olivia quickly turned over to try to get up, but Christian held her in place. Olivia swallowed, feeling the awkwardness settle in the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up," she whispered.Christian’s eyes flickered towards Eunice. “Don’t wake her," he said, his voice lacking the warmth it had just the day before. He th
Chapter 24“Trouble in Paradise: Christian Mason and Olivia Benjamin’s marriage on the rocks" was the headline she saw on the news.She picked up her phone to call Christian, and he answered on the second ring.“I already saw the news. "Good thing I suggested that you bring Eunice along with you when you come to the company," he said with a serious expression. “Also, wear your ring. And put on a nice dress. You should give the impression of a wealthy wife. "I'll transfer some money into your account. Use it to buy some nice dresses before going to Eunice's kindergarten." He hung up.Olivia stared at the blank screen of her phone, frustration bubbling inside her. “That was rude,” she muttered. “He didn’t even give me a chance to say anything. It’s like he thinks I’m a prop in his life."Despite her frustrations, Olivia did as instructed. She picked out a stylish dress from the boutique, using the money Christian had transferred to her. She tried to focus on the positives: she was dress
Chapter 25Olivia’s heartbeat increased when she heard Christian’s words and his tone of voice. Suddenly, her mind went back to their discussion about sleeping with each other, when they were discussing the contract. Is it finally time for her to exercise her wifely duties?Christian noticed her absent-mindedness during dinner, and subtly wondered what was wrong with her. As soon as he finished his dinner, he dashed upstairs, while Olivia cleared their plates and put them in the sink. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Maybe she was reading too much into his words. Maybe tonight wasn’t what she thought it would be. But the nerves wouldn’t go away.She finally made her way upstairs, hesitating at the door of their shared bedroom. She rubbed her palms together, trying to calm her nerves. It was time. She pushed the door open slowly, her gaze immediately finding Christian sitting on the bed, his posture relaxed but his expression unreadable.She swallowed the lump in her t
Olivia’s words lingered in the air after her little confession. The silence between her and Christian thickened with the passing second. She watched as Christian had an array of expressions on his face, from surprise to intense concern, his lips pressing into a thin line.“So, you mean to tell me that you saw the vehicle at the amusement park?”, he asked with an unreadable expression. Olivia just nodded in affirmation, unable to open her mouth.His expression quickly switched to disappointment and he switched. “And you didn’t think to tell me about it?" he shouted at her.Olivia shot up in surprise. “How are you blaming me for this? I wouldn’t know they were kidnappers. And please keep it down," Olivia said, unwilling to back down for the first time.“I just didn’t want to jump to conclusions. I mean… they could very well be another family enjoying their time at the park”, she said softly, trying to calm the situation.Christian stood up abruptly and took his phone. “We'll discuss thi
Chapter 27The early morning light filtered through the curtains as Olivia stirred, her body stiff from the restless night. She had barely slept, her mind plagued with thoughts of the argument she and Christian had the previous night. It felt like an insurmountable wall had risen between them, and Olivia wasn’t sure how to climb it, or if she even wanted to anymore.She looked over at Eunice who was breathing softly beside her. This little girl was the only connection between her and Christian as of now. And she’s thankfully oblivious to the trouble that surrounds them at this point. Christian remained in the armchair, his face hardened even in sleep. Olivia watched him for a moment, the ache in her chest growing stronger. He looked like a stranger now, the warmth that had once flickered between them replaced by a cold, unreadable distance.Olivia quietly slid out of bed, careful not to wake Eunice. She needed some space, some air to clear her head before facing the inevitable convers
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