LOGINShare
CHAPTER 72: Masks of Deception
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Related chapters
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 73: Double Life
Philip [The other night] An encrypted message from Mariano blinked on my screen, summoning me to meet at the secluded Neon River location. Despite still fuming from a heated argument with Sarah during our last encounter, I knew better than to defy Mariano's call. I rearranged my entire afternoon schedule to make it happen. From Ethan's mansion, I drove to Neon River. Usually, I met with Mariano alone, without bodyguards, to maintain a low profile. Most people in Highland Hills know me, and drawing unwanted attention to Neon River could implicate me in unpleasant speculation. Mariano's jet-black Aston Martin emerged from the shadows as I approached in a sleek silhouette. His assistant approached me and demanded, "Give me your keys." I didn't get along with this lowlife; he was probably jealous of Mariano's trust in me. Initially hesitant to relinquish control of my vehicle, my gaze shifted to Mariano seated inside, casually exhaling plumes of aromatic smoke through the partiall
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 74: Uncovering Identity
Philip The GPS guided me to Sarah’s current location. A knot of dread formed in my gut as I twisted the throttle, pushing my motorcycle to dangerous speeds through the city streets. I had to reach her before Mariano's team. The sleek white van stayed behind, mimicking my vehicle's movements like a sinister shadow. Shit! Determined to catch up with Sarah's vehicle, I took a shortcut through a narrow alleyway. My motorcycle's tires screeched loudly as I abruptly stopped in the middle of the road, following my instincts while fear coursed through my veins. I anxiously waited for Sarah's approaching vehicle, and despite wearing my helmet, I could distinctly see her eyes widen in surprise as she rolled to a stop mere feet away from me, our vehicles separated by a hairbreadth. The driver's side window shattered in a spray of deadly glass shards. After making sure the bullet hit the driver, I got back on the motorcycle and sped off again before Sarah could recognize me. At least the van w
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 75: Naïve
Sarah I was momentarily stunned into silence by the announcement of my unexpected visitors: Amir, Grandpa Mitchell, and a few helpers in the dining area were all staring at me. Seeing Philip's face was the last thing I wanted at that moment. He had lied to me and hurt me deeply! My friend Jakob warned me about him; letting Philip back into my life would only worsen things. He wasn't one to grant second chances at love, either. "What is that moron doing here?" Amir's accusatory tone cut through the air, aimed squarely at me. I grasped that he meant Philip. As much as I inwardly wondered the same thing, I replied, "I don't know." A troubling suspicion surfaced: could Philip have stumbled upon hints about my true identity and was now feigning ignorance, using it as a tactic to win me over again? Grandpa Mitchell's eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Ha! So your wretched ex-husband dares to come all the way here uninvited... You know better than to entertain his foolishness, Sarah. I exp
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 76: Fragile Hope
Sarah My bedroom remained cloaked in shadows, the darkness enveloping me like a comforting embrace as I sought solace within its confines—with only a faint light shining in from outside. I came here briefly to release the tears I've been holding back. Philip's words kept replaying in my mind: he never loved me, not in the past, not now. The realization cut deeper than any blade, even though a part of me already knew the truth. Yet I felt his heartbreak, which only added to my confusion. I felt so foolish! It felt like a second stabbing as if the initial wound had been reopened and salt poured mercilessly into the raw, exposed flesh. I couldn't breathe, my chest tightened, and my vision blurred from the pain. Nevertheless, I had to pull myself together, return to my original plans, and ensure Madam Cornell suffered! "Miss, are you alright?" Amanda asked worriedly as darkness engulfed me again. "I'm fine..." It's expected to be hurt again, right? This is my fault. I let myself
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 77: Clashing Tongues
Sarah The chill of the early morning air greeted us as we pulled into Highland Hills. True to my word, I had brought Amanda along and another helper named Pepper to handle my increasingly demanding workload. Amir's villa was locked up tight, but he had spare keys as the owner. Once inside, I instructed Amanda and Pepper to take some time to rest and recover from our long journey. Amir had cut short his vacation because Assistant Reynolds had an accident, and he was now in the process of finding someone new to fill that role. Amir frowned as he accompanied me toward the guest room I had temporarily provided for my friend Jane to use. "Did you let your friend stay here?" Amir remarked, his tone making it clear he was not pleased about this. "Yes," I replied. "It looks like they cleaned the villa. I have to ensure nothing's missing and they didn't tamper with the security system." I rolled my eyes at him. "I trust those people, Amir! I added a security system here in the villa if
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 78: Tangled Webs
Sarah When I entered the hospital ward, Jane was leaning against the upright bed, quietly sobbing. "Jane!" I called out, my voice tinged with worry. "S-Sarah…" She looked up and saw me, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. I approached the side of her bed so she could hug me properly. She clung to me tightly, crying softly like a child. "Why did you do that, Jane? Why did you try to cut your wrist?" I couldn't help but ask. She answered in a frail voice with only the two of us in the room. "It's a ploy, Sarah… I made sure I wouldn't die." "What?" Confusion furrowed my brow as I studied the bandage on her hand, noticing the cut was far from her wrist. "What the hell, Jane! What you did was incredibly dangerous!" She continued weeping as she told her story. "I know! But what can I do? I can no longer take it! I have to ensure I won't marry Mr. Olsen!" "Does anyone know?" Shaking her head, she replied, "If you're wondering if Brother Philip knows, I only told you… Oh Sarah, if you co
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 79: Unrelenting Burden
Philip As I sat on the hotel's third floor, engaged in a meeting and enjoying a cup of coffee, my attention was drawn to Sarah and Jane, visible through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Positioned in the open-air restaurant nestled within the garden below, I had a clear line of sight of my ex-wife. Moments later, Bronn Martin appeared, clutching a bouquet. Witnessing Sarah accept the floral gesture with evident delight, I couldn't help but clench my jaw. "President Cornell?" The private investigator I had hired pulled me from my reverie. "Boss?" echoed Alex, detecting my distraction. Snapping back to attention, I turned to face them. "My apologies. What were you saying?" Clearing his throat, the investigator continued, "Here are the files you requested. According to my sources, Madam Cornell and Dr. Smith have known each other for over two decades. They hail from the same hometown." I reached out and accepted the thick envelope containing the compiled information. "And
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 80: Rocky Start
Sarah "Hi, Ms. Mitchell!" the woman greeted me, her voice tinged with relief and a hint of embarrassment. She was a brunette with intelligent hazel eyes, probably older than me by a couple of years, dressed in a crisp navy blazer and matching pencil skirt. "I'm really sorry. Here's your identification," she added, handing me the sleek, laminated card. "Thank God! You're here!" I approached her and introduced myself. "I'm Sarah Mitchell. Just call me Sarah." "Emily!" We shook hands. I should have waited for you in the lobby to prevent any problems. I'm genuinely sorry for the inconvenience." We entered the building together. The three receptionists stood at their posts, avoiding eye contact with Mr. Johnson. The president glanced at me while the three widened their eyes, clearly terrified. "President Johnson," I said with a frown as I approached. "Ms. Mitchell!" "President Johnson, I believe it's time to reconsider your staffing choices in this lobby," I stated. "M-Ms. Mitchell
Latest chapter
The Second Marriage Chance [English] SPECIAL CHAPTER 3
Jane "Jane!" Brody's voice echoed through the hallway, making me freeze. Oh no! He was really here. My heart raced as I approached the door and peeked through the peephole. Brody was on the other side, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His usual neat look was a bit messy—his necktie was crooked, his top button undone, and a hint of stubble darkened his jaw. Should I open the door? "I know you're there, Jane," he said, his voice low and steady. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the lock. The click felt loud in the quiet. When the door opened, our eyes met, and the months apart vanished instantly. Brody's eyes scanned my face, lingering on my swollen eyes that showed I'd been crying. I saw a mix of emotions pass over his face: concern, guilt, and something more intense. Without a word, he stepped inside. The scent of his cologne enveloped me as he pushed the heavy oak door closed with his foot. Before I could gather my thoughts, his hands cupped my face, thumbs gentl
The Second Marriage Chance [English] SPECIAL CHAPTER 2
Jane When did I genuinely start falling for him so deeply? It was that night four years ago, during a crisp autumn in London. Brody was abroad on a business trip. I was overworked and sick at the time. I had just returned from Paris, feeling dizzy as I stepped into our penthouse in Mayfair. I sneezed as I texted him. Me: 'Just got back from a business trip. What do you want for dinner?' Almost instantly, Brody replied: 'I'm on a business trip in New York. You didn't tell me you were coming back today.' I had wanted to surprise him, so I kept my return a secret. But he hadn't mentioned his trip to me either. Me: 'Alright! Take care!' My nose, already raw and red from constant sneezing, throbbed as I hit send. I dragged myself to the ensuite bathroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothes behind me. The hot shower offered momentary relief, but the room began to spin uncontrollably as I stepped out, wrapped in Brody's oversized bathrobe. I collapsed onto our king-sized bed. The e
The Second Marriage Chance [English] SPECIAL CHAPTER 1
Jane Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched Philip and Sarah's fairy-tale wedding. We were in Dubai, at Grandpa Mitchell's mansion, surrounded by a small circle of close friends and family, all gathered to witness the couple's intimate vows. Yet, as they exchanged their promises of love, a deep sense of incompleteness washed over me. Perhaps there's truth in the saying that when life becomes a cycle of repetition—office, work, the Cornell mansion, and back again—you start to feel like something important is missing. After the ceremony, I embraced Sarah tightly, tears threatening to spill. "Congratulations, love!" The celebration continued, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I knew I needed to return to London to calm my churning emotions. "Auntie Jane, are you alright?" Iris asked, her voice full of concern as she sat beside me at the round table with Rowan by her side. I plastered on a smile, hoping it looked genuine. "Yes, sweetheart. Why do you ask?" "You look sad." I manage
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 165: Second Marriage Chance
Sarah My father, Mr. Benner, contacted me again. After years of estrangement, I decided it was time to meet him and finally confront our tumultuous past. Accompanied by Trey, I arrived at the hotel suite where he was staying. His assistant, a woman in her thirties, greeted us at the door with a smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Mitchell!" she said warmly. "Hello," I managed. "Please, come in," she said, stepping aside to let me enter. I walked across the plush carpet until I saw Mr. Benner. My father, once a towering figure of authority, now sat in a wheelchair. His once jet-black hair had faded to steel gray, and deep lines etched his face. It had been a long time since he had disowned me. "I'm so happy to see you, Sarah," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "You've lost so much weight, my dear…" 'My dear…' I approached him, extending a carefully wrapped package. "I brought you something," I said, "Three first editions by Haruki Murakami. Your favorite." He smiled appreci
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 164: Anchored by Bonds
Sarah Philip gently removed my simple white dress, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and concern as he took in my changed appearance. "W-why are you doing this? Philip, I just came out of a coma. I'm not ready for anything... physical." I said honestly. After nearly two years of medical interventions, my body was still fragile, and I had only been recovering for a month. His gaze softened immediately. "Oh, Sarah, no. That's not why… I'm not trying to take advantage of you. It's just that…" He examined my skin and my arm, which had thinned considerably. I felt a bit uncomfortable with what he was doing. "You've lost so much weight." A flicker of insecurity flashed through me. I pouted and squinted at him. "What do you mean by that? Do you find me unattractive?" "No, no. No, babe!" he vehemently denied. "That's not what I meant. It's just…" It took a while before Philip continued. "I vividly remember the day Marcus shot you. Your last appearance is etched in my mind. I
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 163: Heavenly Illusions
Philip I'm here at Serenity Pines Estate, seeking a bit of solitude before midnight passes. Despite weeks of working nonstop, Sarah's presence lingered everywhere. Her hold on my heart hasn't faded with time or distance. As soon as I stepped through the door, it felt like I could see a younger Sarah sitting on the couch, waiting for me. In my mind's eye, she stood, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Have you eaten?" Reality hit hard as my fist clenched. These were just memories, as delicate as spun glass. I walked to the kitchen, where the marble countertops glowed in the moonlight. My hands shook as I reached for the crystal decanter, pouring a generous amount of aged scotch. The amber liquid shimmered, offering a brief escape from my thoughts. I bought Serenity Pines on the second night Sarah and I were married, ensuring it had top-notch security. Sarah might not have noticed, but every part of this home was a tribute to her—from the soft cream bedroom walls to the handcrafted boo
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 162: Heart Over Vows
Sarah When asked about my first destination, I pointed towards the school, my heart racing with anticipation. I love Philip deeply, and today is his birthday, but nothing could surpass the joy of reuniting with my children. The school bell rang, and a flood of children poured out of the ornate iron gates. The twins emerged from the gate precisely as planned, followed closely by Josh, who ensured their safety. At first, they didn't recognize me. I felt like a stranger in my own skin, having lost nearly fifty pounds since we last met. Their confused looks tugged at my heart, but I understood. I always will. Iris clutched her beloved rabbit doll, and Rowan had their lunchbox. Tears began to well up in my eyes, but I wiped them away to see the twins more clearly. There was a noticeable difference in how they've changed. They're taller now. Rowan wears glasses, and Iris's skin has lightened. My beautiful, growing children... "Kids, your mom…" I read Josh's lips. His eyes widened
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 161: Long Road Home
Sarah It felt like drifting through an endless dream, each moment stretching into eternity. After my firstborn's death, grief enveloped me like a suffocating shroud. I retreated, closing my heart and mind to the outside world. Joy became a foreign concept, a distant memory I could no longer grasp. Nothing could penetrate the fog of my sorrow because deep down, I knew I was fundamentally broken—I was not okay. Just like then, my mind feels closed off, wrapped in a thick layer of ice. Driving aimlessly, stopping several times to watch the setting sun. I'm heading into darkness, but whenever I hear my children's voices... Philip... these beloved sounds tug at me, urging me to turn back towards the fading light. But why did I also hear my mother's voice? I resume my journey. The world around me has been leached of color as if a cosmic artist has erased all pigment from the canvas of reality. I'm traveling through an endless road surrounded by empty deserts. The monotony should be
The Second Marriage Chance [English] CHAPTER 160: Unyielding Love
Philip A week passed, then two, then three… Ethan eventually had to ask me to leave, as some patients needed the hospital's facilities more. "I can visit you at Serenity Pines, or even drop by Luminary Productions if you need someone to clean your wounds," Ethan offered. I remained silent. I wanted to stay at the hospital because Sarah was here. Fear gnawed at my chest, making sleep impossible. I was paralyzed by the terror of receiving the devastating news that my wife had passed away, that her body had finally given out, or any other heart-wrenching update while she was out of my reach. As much as I wanted to stay by Sarah's side, I couldn't longer ignore our children's needs. Iris and Rowan needed stability and a bit of normalcy. The hospital, with its sick patients and germs, wasn't a good place for a four-year-old to stay. Rowan's small voice interrupted my thoughts while I changed into a clean t-shirt in my ward, trying to gather the energy to face another day. "Uncle Eth
