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Chapter Eighty One
publish date:
2026-04-22 21:04:44
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Beneath The Facade Epilogue
AIDEN News of my return spreads like wildfire. The media goes wild with speculation about how I could have possibly escaped the explosion. I keep my responses vague, never breathing a word about the magical bubble that had shielded me. I allow the mystery to hang in the air, fueling a media frenzy that turns my survival into a legend.Across every news ticker and social media feed, one headline reigns supreme: Aiden Mendes: The Man Who Walked Through Fire.I make strategic appearances at various shows and events, laughing off the hosts' teasing questions about whether I have developed fireproof skin, an indestructible form, or the ability to teleport. To all their theories, I offer nothing but a knowing smile.Raymond wraps me in a heavy, brotherly hug the moment he reaches me. "I'm so glad you survived that incident, Aiden," he says, patting my back with genuine affection."Do you assume I've developed a fire-resistant ability, too?" I ask."If you have, I’d love to test it out," Ra
Beneath The Facade Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Six
HERMIONE I blink, rubbing my eyes to be certain I am not hallucinating.Aiden continues to approach from a distance, his composure fracturing as a raw, trembling smile breaks across his face. Electricity pulses through my chest, my heart suspended in the agonizing space between hope, elation, and terror.Could he be real?The moment he is within reach, I lunge forward, my hands colliding with solid skin. They don’t pass through an apparition; they find the hard, warm reality of his chest."Aiden," I breathe, the name catching in my throat like a sob."Hermione," he rasps.It is him. The vibration of his voice under my palms sends a violent shudder through my entire frame. I scan him feverishly, searching for the scars of the fire, for any sign that he had been broken beyond repair. But he is here—whole, breathing, and looking at me as if I am the only thing keeping him anchored to the earth.I close my eyes and pinch my cheek, struggling to confirm that Aiden is actually standing bef
Beneath The Facade Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Five
LACHLAN "Murders, isn't it?" Justin inquires as he approaches from the bars. "A mother and her son."This draws the attention of the others in the cell. They glance at me and then look at Justin, their curiosity piqued."Your mother tried to cover up your crime," Justin continues, "but the truth will always surface, no matter how hard you try to hide it.""Shut your mouth," I growl."Or what? You’ll kill me too?"Snickers escape the other men. I feel their mocking gazes on me. Justin lowers himself to my height, reducing his words to a whisper. "Let me burst your bubble. Do you know why I framed you as my financier? Do you want to know who the actual financier is?"I lift an eyebrow, looking at him against my will. I scowl as I meet his gaze."It was all Jolene’s idea," Justin whispers, leaning closer so that the others aren't privy to our conversation."Who the fuck is Jolene?" I demand. I suspect who it might be, but I wait for Justin to confirm it."Your lady friend," Justin conf
Beneath The Facade Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Four
HERMIONE Mom and Dad are in the heat of an argument when I arrive. They stop instantly at the sight of me. While Mom nails me with a glare, Dad offers me a sympathetic look.Mom attempts to storm away, hissing in outrage, but I promptly intercept her path."Ectogenesis, is it?"Her eyes flash, her lips pursed into a deep scowl. Her reaction confirms my suspicion; it has been her plan all along."Why did you do it?" I demand, my voice cracking."He deserved it," Mom scowls. "He deserved to die over and over again—him and his lying tongue.""I’m not talking about the Senator," I hiss. "I’m talking about Aiden. You..." I jab a finger at her, my emotions rising again. "You took him away from me. This was your plan all along. That was why you were asking me about having babies with him. You had your eyes set on the Mendes wealth from the outset."Mom twists her mouth but doesn't counter my conjectures. That means I am right.A gasp tears from my throat. "Why did Aiden have to die?""You’v
Beneath The Facade Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Three
HERMIONE Overwhelmed by Dr. May's betrayal, my mother’s vileness, and the cascading disasters of the day, I retire to my office feeling completely drained. Noah follows closely behind, his unspoken question still hanging in the air like a physical weight.I sag onto the office couch, my head tilted back toward the ceiling. Too much has occurred today. After several moments of staring blankly into the silence, Noah grants me space, promising to stay nearby. I continue to stare at nothing long after he leaves, until the shrill ring of my phone shatters the quiet.I move lethargically to check the caller ID. It is Dad."Hi, Dad. How are you feeling?" I ask, my voice thin."Recovering. And you? Where are you? I just watched the news about Lachlan.""I've seen it. I'm at the hospital now." I pause, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "I’ve seen him."Dad goes silent at the crack in my voice, discerning the gravity of the situation before he speaks. "Is there something wrong?""Karma
Beneath The Facade Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Two
HERMIONE "Can you come and get me, please?" I ask Noah over the phone as I exit Dad’s study, the shock of the recent discovery still weighing on me."I’m at the gates already," Noah responds.I lift an eyebrow in silent question as I walk toward the exit."I failed to protect Aiden. I couldn't let you out of my sight, either," Noah explains as I approach the heavy iron gates."It was an explosion, Noah. You couldn't have protected him from that fire; you would have only died with him.""I’m not taking chances with your survival," Noah says firmly.I let him have the last word and end the call. He’s waiting just outside the gate, stepping out of the car the moment he spots me."You’re good?" he asks, his eyes scanning me for any signs of injury.I shake my head. "I’m not," I whisper.Noah nods in understanding and extends his tablet toward me. "This went viral a few hours after the burial."I take the tablet, my eyes locking onto the bold, black text of the headline:BREAKING: Lachlan
Beneath The Facade Chapter Forty One
Hermione Aiden's car pulls to a stop in front of the hospital, and I reach for the door handle. "Hey," Aiden grumbles as I attempt to unlock the door. I turn to face him, sensing he's deliberately blocking my exit. He taps his cheek, a mischievous smile spreading across his lips. "Don't I get a
Last Updated : 2026-03-26Beneath The Facade Chapter Forty
Aiden Hermione assures the manager that their menu was not the cause of Lovette's earlier episode. The couple's unawareness of her allergy to caviar was the culprit. Jason had argued that they had eaten seafood before, but he acknowledged that the caviar dish was a new experience for his wife, gi
Last Updated : 2026-03-26Beneath The Facade Chapter Thirty Eight
Aiden When I arrive at the hospital later in the day, I send Hermione a text to let her know I'm outside. She responds that she'll join me shortly. I reply with a simple "Okay," trying to suppress a smile.As I wait, I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, the engine turned off. A few minutes l
Last Updated : 2026-03-25Beneath The Facade Chapter Thirty Seven
Aiden "Why are you grinning?" Lachlan asks, giving me a once-over as he steps into the elevator beside me. I don't reply, too caught up in my fantasy about my morning with Hermione to contend with him. He's trying to rile me up, but my tryst with Hermione this morning has left me feeling elated.
Last Updated : 2026-03-25
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