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Chapter Eighty Three

Author: Deborah A. Olaleye
last update publish date: 2026-04-22 21:05:25

AIDEN

I halt my car in the familiar position I've often parked it in when I still lived with Dad. It appears my stepfamily deems me too insignificant to occupy my parking space after my departure. They really despise me and utilize every opportunity to express how much they loathe my presence.

Coming back here evokes a strange feeling within me. It's like it's been years since I left here, when it's only been months. I've lost track of time over the past months, including the lingering effect
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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 Seventy One

    Aiden One and a half month later"You look terrible," I say, scrunching my face in disapproval. Despite her makeup, I notice the dark circles under Hermione's eyes. With my discharge date approaching, her visits have been occasional, and her appearance remains unchanged. "Is your mother working

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-04-05

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Twelve

    Hermione I did the one thing I vowed never to do again: reveal my vulnerability to another soul.As Aiden drives, I gaze out the window, clearing my mind of the morning's events. His familiarity with my home address doesn't surprise me, and he pulls over before the gates to my condominium. The ga

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Thirteen

    Aiden "You can't meet them," the President insists, his voice firm. He deliberately uses 'them' to avoid disclosing anything about Author X's identity. Frustration simmers at the edge of my skin, but I manage to calm down. I've been attempting to persuade him to establish a connection between MD

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17

  • Beneath The Facade    Chapter Eleven

    Aiden "Hermione, no!" I exclaim, my arm shooting out to stop her. Panic sweeps through me, and I dash towards her to hold her back, my heart racing with fear. What in the world got into this woman? Does she have a death wish?I grab her from behind, pulling her back from the dangerous edge she's

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
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