All Chapters of SHATTERED VOWS : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

As the plane ascended, I looked out of the window, watching Paris shrink into the horizon. I let out a long sigh. “Thank you, Paris. It’s been a pleasure,” i said softly, half to myself. But was it? Pleasure wasn’t exactly the word I would use to describe the last forty-eight hours of my life. What was supposed to be a drama-free getaway turned into an emotional battlefield.I had an encounter with Jack, the man who tore my heart to shreds, flaunting his mistress Hannah, in a city he swore he’d never visit because it was ‘overrated.’ In a moment of weakness, I had slept with Jack, which was mind-blowing, but now he pretended it didn’t happen. And to top it all off, we had agreed to get married immediately when we landed back home, which felt surreal every time I thought about it.On the brighter side, I was officially a millionaire. This morning, curiosity had gotten the best of me, and I logged into my bank account. Ten million dollars, just sitting there, untouched. That made my day

RACHAEL'S POVAs Michael pulled up to Amy's house, I let out a small sigh of relief. I was glad to be back. Paris had been incredible, but it had also been overwhelming. The last hour of the flight was awkward. Jake had been acting off—restless, agitated, and downright distracted. Every five minutes, he glanced at his watch like he was racing against time. I wasn’t about to ask him what was going on; his distant demeanor after the nightmare incident had already taught me not to pry. If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me.When we landed, he basically jumped out of the plane, his phone in hand, leaving behind his carry-on and everything else. From my window seat, I could see him pacing on the tarmac, making call after call. At one point, I saw him clench his fists and punch the air as if he’d lost something important. Whatever it was, it was none of my business. I had my own problems to deal with.First, I needed to find something appropriate to wear to the courthouse tomorrow. Still, th

JAKE’S POVI didn’t even realize Rachael had left until the car Matthew ordered for me pulled up. I was glued to my phone since the moment I got off the plane.The good news? I was in. My financial manager had come through at the last minute. Securing me a spot. Now, it was a waiting game. The opportunity I’d been chasing for years was finally within reach, but for some reason, it didn’t feel like enough.Maybe it was the exhaustion catching up to me. I needed to regroup. I arrived at my penthouse, poured myself a whiskey, and sank into the leather couch, trying to still the chaos in my mind. The events that had occurred in Paris were still fresh—too fresh. I hadn’t gotten over sleeping with Rachael. The memory of her haunted me, replaying in flashes that left my body tense and my thoughts scattered. Every now and then, I’d find myself shifting uncomfortably, craving her in ways I shouldn’t. I needed a distraction—and fast.I decided to return to the one thing that had always centere

I step out of the car, stunned by the sheer grandeur of the estate. Everything about this place exuded luxury, from the sleek modern architecture to the manicured lawns that seemed to stretch endlessly.I follow Jake to the massive front door, which he unlocks with a key he retrieves from his pocket. As the door swings open, I am greeted by a breathtakingly high-ceilinged living room flooded with natural light—a glass wall overlooking a perfectly landscaped backyard. The open-plan kitchen was a chef’s dream, complete with state-of-the-art appliances and an oversized marble island.Unable to contain my excitement, I begin exploring. Every step revealing something new—a cozy sunroom, a grand dining area, even a home theater. The house was enormous, almost intimidating. If Jake and I were to move in here, we could live entirely separate lives and barely cross paths.Jake’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Can I show you your side of the house?"I turn to him, my excitement bubbling over

JAKE’S POVSitting on my bed, I couldn’t shake the image of Rachael’s face when she saw the house for the first time. It was like watching a child unwrap their first Barbie doll—pure, unfiltered joy. Her eyes sparkled, her smile widened, and for a moment, the weight she usually carried seemed to lift. That moment alone made every painstaking detail worth it. If it wasn’t for the arrangement we had and the responsibilities demanding our attention, I’d give anything to see that look on her face every single day.Back at the dinner table, I’d surprised even myself. Words had tumbled out of my mouth about my past, and for the first time, I didn’t feel the need to guard them. No one, not a single soul, knew what Rachael now knew about my life. Somehow, it felt safe telling her, as though my story wasn’t a burden in her hands.But then she’d asked about my mom.That question had snapped me back, slammed the brakes on my willingness to open up. It wasn’t something I could talk about, not yet