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Chapter 16: Paparazzi
Huling Na-update:
2025-10-10 21:23:05
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Burned By His Lies Chapter 20: Worry and Security
Adrian’s PovI don't head back to the office. Instead, I call Mark to handle things in my absence.The sound of his phone ringing fills the car after connecting the phone to the speaker. He picks up on the fourth ring.“Where are you, man? I just went to your office but your secretary told me that you hadn't shown up today. Did some chick tire you out, old man?” he asks and I roll my eyes.Trust him to think of something like that.“No. I just have to take care of something urgently. I'll be late. Handle my meetings for this morning and fill me in later,” I tell him.“Did you call to let me know? That's so sweet, Adry,” he teases me. “Don’t call me that.” The guy only laughs. It's a name a girl called me one time at the bar but Mark has never forgotten about it. He always finds the opportunity to call it whenever he can.“But on a serious note.” he stops laughing and I hear the worry in his voice. “Does it have anything to do with Zara’s return? The kid too?”I sigh. “So you heard.”
Burned By His Lies Chapter 19: Parents’ Call
Adrian’s PovMy phone rings just when I finish dressing and am about to head to work in the morning. Who would call me so early in the morning? When I see my father as the caller ID, I roll my eyes. I hesitate for a moment, thinking whether I should answer the call or not. But there's no need to avoid it because I knew with everything happening lately, the call was bound to come.I answer after letting it ring for a while. “To what do I owe this call this early morning?”“Come over to the house, now.” His voice is calm but I don't miss the anger simmering behind.“I have a company to run in case you're forgetting.” I'm not some teenage boy he can order around.“This is important. The company would not fall if you're absent for a few hours.” With that, I hear a click and the line goes dead. When I make it home, I find my father in his study, watching the news. My mother stands by the window, eyes fixed on the television. The place smells of rich cigars mixed with expensive cologne.
Burned By His Lies Chapter 18: House of Control
Aria (Zara’s Pov)The road back to the place I once lived feels longer. I haven't returned there in forever and I feel like the world is warning me to turn around and not go through those prison gates.The atmosphere around it is still the same. Tall trees, heavy air, and old money vibes.Memories fill my mind when I get to the gate. Not the kind a child would be excited about returning to. The black swan crest, the symbol on every letter, spoon, or object sits intimidatingly on the iron gates.I don't press the buzzer immediately. I wait. I just look at the mansion ahead. A place where I was born. One where I never experienced love. And one I couldn't wait to escape. One where I stopped being a part of it a long time ago.I press the buzzer and immediately, a voice comes through. I'm sure the cameras have already announced my arrival.“Welcome, Miss Winterborn. We have been looking forward to your visit.” The voice sounds polite and robotic.The gates open and I drive up the gravel p
Burned By His Lies Chapter 17: The Letter
Aria’s (Zara’s) PovThe sunlight that enters through my window doesn't feel warm. But at least things have been sort of calm these days after the paparazzi attack. Lila hasn't been to school. I've kept her home for a few days. Just until things die down and while I try to find us a new apartment. She's having fun with her dollhouse while I scroll aimlessly through apartment listings that look the same. They're either too small, too expensive, or don't look homey. It's just one thing or the other. I can't make a choice and it's exhausting. I haven't slept well since discovering cameras in the house and since the photo leak to the press. I still don't know who did it. Adrian said he didn't but do I really believe him? I don't trust either of them. Damien. Adrian. They make my once quiet life stressful.Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is the flashing cameras, Adrian’s face in the school hall after I slapped him and Lila’s little body shaking in my arms as I carried her to th
Burned By His Lies Chapter 16: Paparazzi
Aria (Zara’s) PovHis brow jerks so fast that I would have missed it if I wasn't looking directly at him. What was that?“You were not supposed to ever find that,” he says it so casually as he leans back.“Wait, what?” I ask since I can't believe what I just heard. Did he just say he was supposed to spy on me and I wasn't supposed to find out? “So you admit it. You can't be serious.”“Yes, Aria. I did put cameras in your apartment,” he tells me. My world spins and I let out a sarcastic laugh. What kind of sick joke is he playing at? “Why?” Just one word.“Because I needed to protect you and your child. Anything could happen at any time. I just had to make sure no one would get to you guys unless I allowed it,” he explains it like it's okay.I just look at him incredulously. Like someone who has lost his mind.“Protect me. Us. Really? You watched us. Monitored my private moments without my knowledge and you call it protection.”“No. I watched over you. There's a difference. I care ab
Burned By His Lies Chapter 15: Hidden Cameras
Aria’s (Zara’s Pov)The question shocks me to my soul but I don’t answer back because when I lean back to look at her, her eyes are fluttering, trying to fight off the sleep. She must be exhausted from playing in the sun.I buckle her into her car seat and luckily for me sleep steals her consciousness throughout the journey.When I glance behind from the rearview mirror, she's sleeping soundly, sending out deep breaths from her mouth. I smile at the view despite the chaos in my mind. The question she asked was one I was not willing to answer. I'm so lucky that sleep stole the words from her mouth before I could answer.I drive quietly through the busy city, even though my thoughts are the opposite of silent. By the time I pull up to my apartment, I'm mentally drained. I stay in the car for a moment as I go through my choices. What do I do if she asks again? Lila can be very inquisitive at times. Especially as a kid seeing other kids with their dads. She must be wondering where her
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