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The Ghost from the Past
Last Updated:
2025-03-15 20:18:58
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The Perfect Lie The Woman in the Mirror
Chapter 1Lena adjusted the pearl earring with tight fingers, determined not to let her hand tremble. The woman in the mirror was Claire's blonde loveliness, Claire's slender face, and Claire's silk designer shirt. But it was wrong.The image was strangeBehind her back, Ethan's voice rumbled as he came into their bedroom, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You look gorgeous, sweetheart."Sweetheart. Not Lena. Not Claire.She swallowed. "Are you sure this is me?" Her voice was light and playful because it had to be.Ethan laughed, leaving a kiss on her temple. "Of course, love. You just need more sleep."But sleep wasn't the problem. Reality was.The house, the life, the husband-it was all too perfect. And perfection, she was starting to realize, was its kind of prison.---The scent of freshly ground coffee and toasted bread filled the kitchen, blending with the crisp morning air. Ethan sat at the breakfast table, reading the newspaper as he always did, a portrait of effortless dom
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The Missing Pieces
Chapter 2Lena jolted awake. She panted for breath in sharp little gasps, the escape of a dream fading away between her fingers like sand. She could have sworn for a single, fleeting second that she'd been elsewhere-somewhere ordinary, but not quite. When she pushed the blankets off to sit up, however, and took in the four walls above her, however, reality fell firmly into place.Ethan's house. No-their house.That's what he called it. Home, life. She had woken up in this bed for weeks, but something inside her twisted whenever she heard the words. She didn't recall choosing this location. Didn't recall the first time she crossed the threshold.The memories would come back, Ethan explained to her. It was only a matter of time. She had been involved in a terrible accident, and her mind was ill recovering.The more she tried to find her past, the more she realized how much was lost; the bits that were remaining didn't match.Lena slid out of the bed, her toes curling against the cold ha
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The First Crack
Chapter 3Lena stepped out, the cold morning air brushing against her skin. The world beyond the house stretched out vast and wide, a picture of serenity-too perfect, too still. The trees on the path swayed gently, their whispering leaves the only break in the silence.Ethan kept pace with her, his hand resting lightly at the small of her back. It was a comforting touch, but to Lena, it was an anchor-a subtle reminder that she was never truly alone."We used to love taking walks like this," Ethan said, his words smooth, practiced.Lena nodded, but the phrase had no meaning for her.She had no memory of having ever walked this path before.No memory of laughing with him as they strolled under the huge oak trees.And yet, Ethan said it with such certainty that she almost wished she could believe him.She forced herself to breathe, drawing a deep breath as they strolled along the sidewalk. The subdivision was oddly quiet, the houses tucked far back, each one a pristine replica of the las
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The First Lie
Chapter 4Lena sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze locked on the woman who looked back at her in the mirror. She was a stranger-wide-eyed, uncertain, lost.Her fingers traced the edge of the wooden top, icy and smooth against her fingertips. The memory of the woman on the street lingered with her like a promise on the edge of her tongue. That flash of recognition, the curl of her gut in response, was significant.Who was she?The thought bothered her. The way the woman had looked at her wasn't mere politeness. It was something more, something more profound. She had seemed cautious.She had felt the subtle rise in his tension, the shift of his body toward her as if shielding her.From what?Lena swallowed, tearing her gaze from the mirror. There were more questions than answers, and the only person who could help her fill in those answers was the one she was finding herself trusting less and less.The approaching footsteps made her tighten up.A heartbeat after that, Ethan appeared at
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The Vanishing Past
Chapter 5Lena woke before dawn, her body still tense from the night. The journal was concealed beneath her dresser drawer, but it weighed on her chest like a rock. She had slept little, replaying Ethan's reaction in her mind, the way he'd stood in the doorway, watching her.Couldn't sleep?Those words had been offhand, so simple. But his smile-it had been calculated.She turned her head to glance at him. Ethan lay next to her, his breathing slow and even, one arm flung across his chest, lying Peacefully.She crept silently out of bed, her feet barely making a sound on the hardwood floor. She breathed shallowly, her ears tuned for the merest variation in Ethan's breathing.Nothing.He was still asleep.Swallowing, Lena crossed the room, her heart pounding as she knelt in front of the dresser. Her fingers found the false panel, pressing softly until it sprang open. The notebook was still there, just where she'd left it.She hesitated, glancing back at Ethan one last time.Then she turn
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The Name in the Dark
Chapter 6Lena's mind was reeling as she absorbed the name: Noah Graves. That Ethan was not who he claimed to be had shattered the delicate reality she had been clinging to. She had to find Noah, but she could not be reckless. Ethan was cunning, and one mistake could provoke him to take notice of her growing awareness.Ethan's weekend adventure hung in the background, and to Lena, it was a challenge and a possibility. She wanted all the facts before they set out. As Ethan had to work, she had some hours to herself.She booted up the laptop in Ethan's office, praying that he hadn't put any sort of monitoring on it. The desktop contained no personal files, only standard applications and an empty background. She opened the browser and typed "Noah Graves" into the search box.There were thousands of hits that covered the screen. She filtered her search to her location, hoping to get more specificity. A few of the entries jumped out at her:Noah Graves – Local Business Owner: Owner of Grav
Last Updated : 2025-02-18The Perfect Lie The Picture
Chapter 7Lena clutched the picture in her trembling hands, her heart beating so fiercely she was certain the walls of the cabin could hear it. Noah Graves. The name she had scribbled in her diary before her memory had been erased. The name that had lingered in the back of her subconscious mind like a whisper she couldn't quite hear.And here he was now, staring back at her from the old photo-standing beside her, close enough that there was no doubt they were together.The ramifications sent a shivery chill down her spine. If she had known Noah before if they had meant anything to each other, then why would Ethan have gone and erased all trace of him?Her heart was racing with a terrifying realization. Ethan hadn't just kept Noah from her-he had destroyed him.Lena quickly tucked the photo into the pocket of her hoodie. She wasn't sure how much time she had before Ethan returned from gathering firewood, but she needed to hurry.Her eyes darted back to the bookcase, hunting for anythin
Last Updated : 2025-03-11The Perfect Lie The Return
Chapter 8 Lena sat in the passenger seat, her hands crossed tightly in her lap, her back stiff despite the heater blasting warm air through the car. Ethan drove in silence, his hands wrapped around the steering wheel with practiced familiarity, his gaze on the road ahead. The winter trees flashed by the window, long bare limbs stretched out over the bottomless white. The drive home from the city was supposed to be a homecoming, a move toward freedom. It was a creeping advance toward something terrible. Lena had practiced all morning words, every glance, every breath so carefully under control. She couldn't afford one misstep. She was acting the part of the ideal wife, the loving mate with no doubts, no covert plans of flight. But her mind was racing inside. She knew Ethan was observing. He always was. "Happy to be going back?" His tone cut through the silence, smooth as always, but Lena saw through it. There was something under it. Something in waiting. She smiled at him, maki
Last Updated : 2025-03-12
Latest chapter
The Perfect Lie The Ghost from the Past
Chapter 18 The city lay before them, infinite and unforgiving. Shadows stretched long under trembling streetlights, the air thick with the distant scent of rain and gasoline.Lena and Noah ran.Steps rang out behind them—closer than she would have liked.Damien wouldn't give up. He was a ghost from her past, resurrected just when she'd begun to believe she was finally free.She was breathing fast, her heart racing in her chest. "We need cover."Noah glanced down the street. "There."There was a neon-lit motel at the end of the block, and the old sign crackled weakly in the night air.They sprinted across the street, avoiding a screeching car, and dived into the alley beside the motel.Noah pressed his back against the wall, gun still gripped tight in his hand. He glanced at Lena. “You okay?”Lena wiped the sweat from her brow. “I’ve been better.”A flicker of something passed over Noah’s face, but he said nothing.Lena peeked around the corner.Damien and his men had stopped at the i
The Perfect Lie The Chase Begins
Chapter 17 The roar of the SUV's engine shattered the quiet of the alley, its headlights cutting through the darkness like two blades of light.Lena barely had time to respond when Noah dragged her along, and they both took off in a wild sprint."Move!"The SUV lurched ahead, tires screeching on the pavement.Lena's lungs were on fire as she strained her legs with all her might, her heart thundering in her chest. She heard the growly rumble of the car behind them, bearing down fast.They had seconds. Maybe fewer."Left, Noah!" he swung suddenly to the left, pulling Lena with him as they dodged between two great dumpsters and into a dark alleyway.The SUV sped by the alleyway entrance, tires screaming as the driver jammed on the brakes.Lena took a breath. "They've spotted us."Noah swore. "We need to get off the road."Lena scanned the surroundings. The alley was dead-ended, surrounded by a chain-link fence lined with razor wire.There was one door to their right, rusty and slightly
The Perfect Lie The Hourglass Runs Out
Chapter 16 The silence in the basement felt heavier than the steel door slamming shut behind them.Lena stared at the vacant space where Ethan had been mere seconds before, her mind spinning. One hour. That was all they had. Sixty minutes to decide between enforced disappearance or death.Noah stepped beside her, attempting the restraints again. "This is bad.""God," Lena breathed, her heart thudding against the inside of her ribcage.Noah exhaled sharply. "Files were bait. We were used from the start."Lena clenched her teeth. She had known she was playing, but to realize they'd never been in control? That stung.She rested back her head, breathing deep into it. Hold on. Do not freak."I'm not quitting," she stated.Noah dry-laughed. "Yeah, well, that makes two of us. But how do you plan on fighting back when we're tied to chairs in a locked room?"Lena tugged at the ropes, wincing as they dug deeper into her wrists. She'd escaped worse predicaments before—perhaps not exactly like t
The Perfect Lie The Cost of Truth
Chapter 15 The Cost of TruthThe rope seared Lina's flesh, burning her hands. He opened his fingers, trying to ignore the throb in his head. Noah didn't move at all, his head down, the blood on his temple still there.The organizer's words echoed in his mind."you are not alone."It was his tone, the complete sincerity of his words, that scared her the most. Because if he was speaking the truth, then someone had been controlling events all along, and he and Noah never stood a chance.Now, they have been caught.Lina took a deep breath and brushed fear aside. No. There is always a way out.He glanced around the room. The basement was bare—a concrete wall, a ceiling light, and a door that was solid, with no switches, just a handle on the side.He toyed with the strings and attempted them. Tough. Firm. But don't break it. He glanced at Noah.They needed him to wake up."Hey," he whispered, straining his voice. "Noah."He didn't stir.He gritted his teeth and kicked the chair leg. There i
The Perfect Lie A Deal with the Devil
Chapter 14: A Deal with the DevilLena held a knife hidden in her thin sleeve.The doctor took another slow step forward, his bright shoes crunching on the stones of empty ground. His soldiers surrounded him; they were like silent shadows, menacing silently.Noah came closer to her, took a deep breath, and pressed his injured hand onto his chest. Blood seeped into his arm, yet he grumbled not a single word. He was also glaring at the editor in the very same way.Measure. Compute.Escape with dignity.The doctor smiled self-satisfied like a winner beforehand. "You were poor at this, Lena."Lina set back on her chin and fought to speak in a firm tone. "I have a habit of that."The doctor chuckled. "I heard that." His eyes were on the bag over Noah's shoulder. "Send it again."Lina's heart pounded the hardest.Information. They risk it all to obtain evidence.That evidence would be enough to destroy Ethan.Noah stood at his side.Lina fought to remain stationary. "And then?"The doctor s
The Perfect Lie No Safe Place
Chapter 13The forest enveloped them.Lena stumbled for air as she ran, her boots into the soggy ground and small twigs crackling under her. The fingertips of her fingertips grazed against his skin, but he barely noticed.They heard a noise behind them. The beam tore through the darkness, scything through the thick woods like a searchlight. The men would not relent.Noah stood beside her, gasping like a working man, bag to his chest. The records he had stolen - evidence of Ethan's guilt - were contained within.They had risked everything for him.Now they could barely manage. Lena ducked under a branch that hung too low, her heart pounding in her ribcage. The adrenaline was dissipating and the heat was creeping in. His shoulders bucked from the shock, his legs aching, and every nerve in his body was screaming relief.Stopping wasn't on the agenda.Noah grabbed her hand and brought her to a stop. Lena almost choked. "What the."He put a finger to his lips and stepped forward.Through t
The Perfect Lie The Hidden Truth
Chapter 12 The basement was colder than Lena expected. Down there, the air smelled of wet concrete and something metallic—rust or dried-up blood traces, she suspected, and shivered.Noah's flashlight cast a very long shadow on the bare concrete wall. The room was empty, yet not empty. The room was filled with metal shelves stacked high with boxes that had dates and symbols on them. There was an old workbench in the corner, covered with dust, and a priceless bottle of wine beside it.Noah closed the downstairs door softly."We don't have a lot of time," he whispered. "We have to get to work in a hurry."Lena nodded, her heart racing. Quick. Good. Sign in and out.But his gaze didn't leave the boxes.Something about them bothered him. "Noah," he said, gesturing. "What's happening?"Noah looked at the shelves and shook his head. "We can't waste time to find out what Ethan is keeping here. His office is upstairs. That is where we go." But Lena was unsure. He reached for one of the boxes
The Perfect Lie The Investigatir
Chapter 11: The Investigator.The doorbell rang again, sharp and insistent.Lena stood frozen in the doorway, her hand trembling near the doorknob. Her back was slippery with cold sweat.She wasn't ready, but she had no choice.Taking a deep breath, she cajoled her face into one of easy interest before unlocking the door and flinging it open.A man stood at the doorstep, a tall and sharply dressed man, his crisp black suit pushed back against the morning light. He was not tall for his age, but there was something that unsettled her about him-something about the way he didn't shift, like a predator waiting for just the right moment to strike.His eyes, dark and unreadable-roved over her, drinking in every detail."Mrs. Calloway?"Lena's heart skipped a beat."Yes," she said, keeping her voice steady.The man held out a hand. "Malcolm Pierce. Ethan hired me to conduct a routine security survey."Lena paused before taking his hand. His was a firm but fleeting, professional handshake."I
The Perfect Lie The Paper Trail
Chapter 10The door slammed shut with a click, the sound echoing through the stillness of the house like a gunshot.Lena's heart pounded against the inside of her head as she gripped the creased, folded square of paper in her hand. Her fingers, slippery with sweat, were curled hard around it, the thin sheet of paper folding at the least pressure.Motionless behind her stood Ethan, a looming presence like a shadow."Wrong address, huh?"Lena forced herself to turn around, her face carefully serene. "Yeah," she murmured, stuffing the note into her sweater pocket. "He was confused."Ethan didn't react. Didn't move.But she felt that small tension in his jaw, the tightening of his fingers at his side.Lena knew him too well. She knew he didn't believe her."You should've let me reply," Ethan finally said, voice smooth, trained. "Strangers on our porch this late at night. It's not safe."The threat was there, woven into the worry.Lena gulped. "I didn't think it mattered."Ethan studied he
