All Chapters of Shattered Promises: A Second Change at Love : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Casey's fingers tremble as he scrolls through the endless stream of photographs on his laptop, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Ever since witnessing Linda's hushed conversation on the phone, an unsettling feeling has taken root in the pit of his stomach, whispering that all is not as it seems in their newly forged union.Methodically, he sifts through the digital archives of Linda's social media accounts, searching for any clues that might shed light on the nature of her relationship with the mysterious Jude. The more he uncovers, the more the foundations of their marriage begin to crumble, the realization of Linda's betrayal slowly dawning on him.Photographs of Linda and Jude, smiling and embracing, paint a damning picture of the intimacy they once shared. And the timestamps, the way their bodies lean into one another, the soft gazes exchanged – it all points to a relationship that long predates Casey's arrival in Linda's life.A knot forms in Casey's throat as he scrolls through

Barbara Wilkins stared out the window of her family’s sprawling estate, watching the sun dip below the horizon, its final rays casting a golden hue over the land that had been in her family for generations. The towering oak tree in the distance—a symbol of her family’s enduring legacy—stood tall and unyielding. Much like her parents’ expectations. But tonight, even that familiar sight did little to ease the storm brewing inside her.The Wilkins name had always carried weight, and Barbara felt every ounce of it pressing down on her. Since childhood, she had been groomed to uphold the family legacy. Her parents, Jefferson and Evelyn Wilkins, had built an empire—Wilkins Shipping, a company that had risen to dominate international waters. Their wealth and influence had secured the Wilkins name among the elite in their small, affluent town. But that privilege came with chains—chains of expectation, chains Barbara had never been able to shake, no matter how far she ran or how deep she burie

The Wilkins estate glowed with the warm glow of candlelight, the grand chandeliers casting delicate shadows on the luxury walls. The long dining table, polished to perfection, stretched before Barbara as if symbolizing the endless expectations placed upon her. The ornate silverware gleamed, but the atmosphere was far from inviting. Tonight was their monthly family dinner, but Barbara knew this wasn't just about food or polite conversation. The heavy air filled with something darker, more demanding—a family's legacy on the line, resting squarely on her shoulders.Barbara’s father, Jefferson Wilkins, sat at the head of the table, his gaze like cold steel sweeping over his family. His presence alone was commanding, a man who had built an empire and expected everyone around him to fall in line. To his left, Linda sat, her composure irritatingly perfect, with her hand placed delicately over her pregnant belly—a smug, knowing smile curling at the edges of her lips. Casey, Barbara’s ex-husba

Barbara secretary came to debrief her about their shipment progress, in their shipping business. Before Barbara could respond, the door to her office swung open, and her sister, Linda, stood in the doorway. Her face was flushed, eyes gleaming with something akin to triumph. “Barbara, I didn’t know you had company,” she said sweetly, her eyes flicking over Julian, Barbara secretary. “Am I interrupting?”“Linda.” Barbara’s voice was cold, controlled. “What are you doing here?”“I thought you’d want to know,” Linda began, her tone dripping with fake concern, “Casey and I just got back from the doctor’s. The baby’s doing great. We’re planning a gender reveal soon. You’ll come, right?”Barbara’s blood ran cold. The room felt as if it was closing in on her. Julian stiffened beside her, her eyes hardening at the sight of Linda.Linda’s smile widened as she continued, oblivious to the tension in the room. “I know this is hard for you, but I really hope you can be happy for us.”Barbara’s stom

The door creaked open, and Evelyn Wilkins stepped into the spacious study, her presence immediately bringing a chill to the room. She wore a sleek black dress, her sharp eyes scanning her husband, Jefferson, slumped over his polished desk. His fingers tapped restlessly against the wood, his face pale, eyes distant. He looked as though the weight of the world had crushed his spirit.“Jeff, what’s going on?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. “Who called?”Jefferson raised his head, the deep lines etched into his face making him seem years older than he was. His shoulders sagged, the words barely escaping his lips. “It was the investigators.”Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. “Investigators? For what?”He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself before delivering the blow. “They… they told me someone reported financial misconduct. Embezzlement. And it involves one of our daughter.”Evelyn’s stomach lurched. She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the floor. “What? Who?”“Lind