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Chapter Ninety One
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2024-12-23 11:58:52
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I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Two
Caroline wiped her tears, her resolve hardening. She couldnât afford to lose everythingâFrederick, Ella, or the life she had built. As Frederick walked back into the house to join the search efforts, Caroline slipped away, her mind racing. Eleanor's words echoed in her head: âTell Frederick the truth, or I will.â She knew her mother wouldnât back down. Time was running out. She had to come up with something. Something close to the truth, enough to get her daughter out of Harry's hands. She needed to act fast. She was on her own now. Damien had turned his back on her, she needed to figure things by herself. She thought to herself and she went in search for Frederick. ---- Frederick sat in the living room, his hands clasped tightly together. His military contacts had promised swift action, but every passing second felt like an eternity. The tension in the room was palpable as officers moved in and out, relaying updates that offered little hope. Caroline reappeared, her f
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-25I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Three
Caroline stood at the edge of the woods, hidden among the trees, her heart pounding as she watched the scene unfold. Her chest tightened at the sight of the armed officers closing in. She clutched her coat tightly, her breaths shallow.She hadnât expected the authorities to move so quickly. She had only wanted to talk to Harry, not walk into a full-blown standoff.From her hiding spot, she saw Harry open the door slowly, his hands raised but his expression defiant.âTake it easy!â he called out. âIâm unarmed!âCaroline knew he was lyingâthe glint of the gun still visible on the table when she had peeked through the window moments earlier.Inside, Max held Ella close, trying to calm her whimpers as the chaos outside grew louder. He cursed under his breath, knowing there was no way out.âThis wasnât part of the plan,â he muttered to himself.âStep down from the porch!â an officer commanded, his weapon trained on Harry.Harry obeyed slowly, a smug smirk playing on his lips. âWhatâs the m
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-27I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Four
Caroline nodded, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. âIs she okay?â she asked softly, her gaze fixed on Ella.âSheâs fine,â Frederick replied, his tone sharp. âThanks to the police, not you.âCaroline flinched, guilt carving deep lines into her expression. âI never wanted her to be in danger. I thought I could handle it. I thoughtâââYou thought?â Frederick interrupted, his voice rising slightly. âDo you have any idea what Iâve been through tonight? What Ellaâs been through? You gambled with her life, Caroline!âTears welled in her eyes. âI was desperate, Frederick. I didnât know what else to do. I didnât trust anyone else to fix this.ââYou didnât trust me,â he shot back, his words cutting deep. âIâm her father. If you had come to me instead of running off on your own, maybe none of this wouldâve happened.âEleanor stood, her face a mask of disdain. âAnd donât think Iâm letting you off the hook either. Do you have any idea how reckless youâve been? Whatever secrets youâr
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-27I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Five
Caroline trailed behind Frederick as they entered the living room, where two uniformed officers stood waiting. Their presence made her stomach churn with unease, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a vice.âColonel Smyth,â one of the officers greeted with a polite nod, though his tone carried the gravity of the situation. âWe need to ask you a few questions about tonightâs events.âFrederick gestured for them to sit, his expression unreadable. Caroline perched on the edge of the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Frederick remained standing, his arms crossed.âWhat do you need to know?â Frederick asked, his voice steady but cold.The officer glanced at his notepad. âWe understand that Harry has been harassing your fiancee for some time. Can you confirm the extent of this harassment?âCaroline swallowed hard. âHe started contacting me a few months ago. At first, it was just messages, then showing up uninvited. I ignored him, hoping heâd stop. But he di
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-27I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Six
Caroline stared at her phone, disbelief and despair washing over her. For the first time, she felt completely and utterly alone. The walls she had carefully constructed around her lies were crumbling, and there was no one left to shield her from the fallout.She sank to the ground, clutching the phone to her chest as sobs wracked her body. Damienâs rejection was the final blow, leaving her with no choice but to face the truthâand Frederickâon her own.Soon Harry would be interrogated, and she couldn't tell the truths he would reveal. She needed to think and act fast, or everything she has been fighting for would come crashing down.----The interrogation room was dimly lit, the stark gray walls amplifying the tension that hung in the air. Harry sat in the metal chair, his face pale but defiant. His injured shoulder was bandaged, though the pain still lingered, a sharp reminder of his failed attempt to escape. Across the table sat two detectives, their expressions grim as they scrutini
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-27I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Seven
Caroline was seated quietly in a cafe, her nerves frayed. She had reached out to Damienearlier, desperate for his help, but his cold dismissal echoed in her mind.âYou made this mess, Caroline. Donât drag me into it,â Damien had said, his tone icy and detached.Frustrated and alone, Caroline knew the walls were closing in. Harry was in custody, and she had no control over what he might say. Her secrets were unraveling faster than she could contain them.Her phone buzzed, and she snatched it up, hoping it was Damien reconsidering. Instead, it was a text from Frederick.We need to talk. Now. Meet me at the Police station.Her heart sank as she stared at the screen. The tone of his message was unmistakableâhe knew something. Gathering her resolve, Caroline grabbed her coat and headed for the door. She couldnât afford to let this spiral further out of control.----Frederick waited in the sterile hallway, his patience wearing thin. When Caroline arrived, he stood, his expression cold and
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-27I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Eight
The lawyerâs voice on the other end of the call was calm but firm. âFrederick, you have every right to pursue custody. Courts will prioritize the childâs best interests, and youâve been Ellaâs father in every way that matters.âFrederick sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. âBut Iâm not her biological father. Does that even hold up in court?ââItâs not always about biology,â the lawyer replied. âYouâve been Ellaâs legal guardian, her provider, her protector. The courts will consider the emotional bond youâve built.âFrederick hung up, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to walk away from the mess Caroline had created, to leave her lies behind and start over. But Ella wasnât just a part of Carolineâs deceptionâshe was a part of him. He couldnât imagine a life without her in it.----Caroline sat in her bedroom, staring at the door to the guest room where Frederick now slept. She had lost him, she knew that much. But the thought of losing Ella, to
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-29I Was Always Yours   Chapter Ninety Nine
Samaraâs voice was soft yet steady on the other end. âHello, Frederick. I heard everything that's happened. How are you doing?âFrederick leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. âYou've heard everything? You know Ella isn't my biological daughter?ââIâve heard about whatâs happening,â she said carefully. âAbout Ella, and the custody battle. I know itâs not my place, but I wanted to reach out.âFrederickâs grip tightened on the phone. âHow did you even find out about this?ââWords spread quickly than you think,â she replied simply. âMore importantly, I know what itâs like to face something like this alone. I thought maybe I could help.âHe exhaled slowly, torn between gratitude and suspicion. âSamara, I appreciate the concern, this is really a complicated situation. Carolineâs lies, Harryâs sudden reappearanceâitâs a mess.âSamara hesitated for a moment before responding. âFrederick, youâve always been a good man. Youâve been an incredible father to Ella. You donât have to face this
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2024-12-31
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I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Eleven
A Few Months LaterThe sun cast its golden glow across the sprawling garden, the air alive with the scent of roses and the gentle hum of a string quartet. Frederick stood at the altar, his tailored suit a perfect fit, but it was the warmth in his eyes that truly defined him. This wasnât just any wedding. It was a second chanceâa rekindling of a love that had weathered storms and emerged stronger than ever.By his side stood Ethan, their little groom, looking dapper in his miniature suit. The boyâs chest puffed with pride as he held the rings tightly in his small hands. His bright eyes scanned the aisle with excitement, waiting for the moment his mother would arrive.The guestsâall family and close friendsâwatched in quiet anticipation, their faces lit with joy. Ella, their sweet little bride, stood at the top of the aisle, her flower basket in hand. She giggled as she scattered petals with each step, her white dress billowing gently in the breeze.And then came Samara.Clad in an eleg
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Ten
Damien stormed out of Caroline's apartment, his mind a whirlwind of anger and regret. He had thought he could control the situation, but Caroline's scheming had unraveled everything. Samara was gone, her trust shattered, and now he stood alone in the chaos he had helped create.As he drove through the city streets, Damienâs grip tightened on the steering wheel. Caroline had pushed too far this time, and he wasnât going to let her get away with it. He needed to find a way to repair the damage, but what actually could he do to win Samara back? Has he really lost her after all this time of scheming to be with her? Meanwhile, back at Carolineâs apartment, she reclined on the couch, her wine glass in hand, savoring her perceived victory. She had shaken Damien and pushed Samara out of his reach. Everything was the way it should be now. She smiled to herself. If she can't have Frederick, Damien can't have Samara either.----The next morning, Samara woke in Frederickâs arms, sunlight stream
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Nine
Samara drove aimlessly through the city streets, the cool night air seeping through her carâs cracked window. The confrontation with Damien had left her emotionally drained, but beneath the exhaustion was a strange sense of liberation. For the first time in months, she felt like she was in control of her own story.Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat, breaking her thoughts. She glanced at the screenâFrederick.After a momentâs hesitation, she picked it up. âHello?ââSamara,â Frederickâs voice was calm but concerned. âAre you okay? You left so abruptly earlier. I was worried.ââIâm... better,â she admitted, her voice soft. âI ended things with Damien.âA pause. âYou did?ââYes,â she said firmly. âI couldnât stay with him after what I found out.ââIâm proud of you,â Frederick said after a beat. âIt takes strength to walk away from something that isnât good for you.âSamara swallowed the lump in her throat, grateful for his unwavering support. âThank you, Frederick. I donât know what
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Eight
Frederick opened the door almost instantly when Samara knocked, as though heâd been waiting for her. His expression shifted from concern to alarm when he saw the tears streaking her face and the phone clutched tightly in her hand.âSamara, what happened?â he asked, stepping aside to let her in.She walked past him, her body trembling with the effort to stay composed. âI was right,â she said, her voice breaking. âCarolineâĶ DamienâĶ theyâve been working together this whole time.âFrederick frowned, shutting the door and guiding her to the couch. âWhat do you mean? What did you find out?âWordlessly, Samara unlocked her phone, pulled up the video, and handed it to him. She couldnât bear to watch it again, but the sound of Damien and Carolineâs voices filled the room, each word cutting deeper than the last.Frederickâs jaw tightened as he watched. By the time the video ended, his hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white. âUnbelievable,â he muttered, his voice low and furious. âTh
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Seven
Frederickâs hand covered hers, his touch steadying. âSamara, Damien isnât the kind of man Iâd trust with anything important. But this... this also sounds like something Caroline would orchestrate. Sheâs manipulative, and sheâll do whatever it takes to get what she wants.ââBut what if heâs lying to me, Frederick?â she whispered. âWhat if everything weâve built is a lie?âFrederick hesitated, his grip tightening slightly. âThen you deserve to know the truth. You donât have to make any decisions tonight, Samara. Take your time. Donât let them rush you into anything.âShe looked at him, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. âI donât know where to go from here.âHe gave her a faint, bittersweet smile. âYouâre stronger than you think. Youâll figure it out.âSamara felt a sudden rush of gratitude for him. Despite everything theyâd been through, Frederick was still there for her, steady and unwavering. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as the weight of the eveni
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Six
Samara sat frozen in her chair, the cafÃĐ's lively atmosphere fading into the background. Her mind replayed Caroline's words, the images she had shown, and the implications they carried. The thought that Damien might have been working with Caroline all along made her stomach churn.Gathering herself, she took a deep breath and stood. She couldnât let Caroline get to herânot without hearing Damien's side of the story first.---Later that evening, Samara sat in the living room, her arms crossed as she waited for Damien to return home. The engagement ring on her finger seemed to burn against her skin, a symbol of trust she now questioned. The door clicked open, and Damien walked in, his usual confident stride faltering when he saw her expression.âSamara?â he asked, setting his briefcase down. âWhatâs wrong?âShe stood, holding her phone tightly. âCaroline,â she said flatly.His brows furrowed. âWhat about Caroline?ââShe met with me today. She showed me pictures, Damien. Pictures of you
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Five
Caroline sat on the plush sofa in her motherâs elegant living room, her legs crossed as she sipped a glass of wine. The tension from the courtroom battle had faded, replaced by a smug satisfaction. Across from her, Eleanor watched her daughter closely, her expression a mix of pride and concern.âNow that youâve gotten custody of Ella,â Eleanor began, setting her teacup down delicately, âwhatâs your plan? Youâve won the battle, but what about the war?âCaroline swirled her wine, a sly smile playing on her lips. âOh, Mother, you know me. I always have a plan.âEleanor raised an eyebrow. âCaroline, Iâm serious. Frederick wonât take this lying down. Youâve poked the bear, and heâs bound to retaliate. You need to be careful.âCaroline laughed lightly, the sound tinged with bitterness. âCareful? Frederick can try whatever he wants, but Iâm one step ahead of him. Heâs predictableâtoo righteous for his own good. Ellaâs mine now, and Iâll make sure he knows that.âEleanor leaned forward, her to
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Four
As the court recessed for deliberation, Frederick sat silently, his heart pounding. The wait was excruciating.When everyone reconvened, Judge Carter addressed the room. The courtroom was silent as she prepared to deliver her decision.âThis case has been difficult,â she began, her tone measured. âBoth parents clearly love Ella and want whatâs best for her. The courtâs role is to determine the arrangement that will most benefit the child.âFrederick held his breath, his pulse pounding in his ears.âWhile Colonel Smyth has provided a stable environment, the court recognizes the importance of a child having a meaningful relationship with her mother. Ms. Caroline Matthews has demonstrated a commitment to her personal growth and to being a responsible parent.âTherefore, I am awarding primary custody to Ms. Caroline Matthews. Colonel Frederick Smyth will have visitation rights, including alternating weekends and scheduled holidays.âFrederick felt as though the ground had been ripped out
I Was Always Yours   Chapter One Hundred And Three
A frown creased Frederick's forehead as he set his briefcase on the table and walked through the house. The kitchen was immaculate, no sign of the half-finished sandwiches Ella often left behind or the coffee Caroline habitually abandoned on the counter.âElla?â Frederick called again, a hint of worry creeping into his tone.He climbed the stairs to Ellaâs room. When he pushed the door open, his heart sank. The room was disturbingly bare. Ellaâs favorite stuffed animals were gone, her bookshelves empty save for a stray coloring book. Her pink suitcaseâthe one Caroline insisted was for âspecial tripsââwas missing from its usual spot in the corner.Frederickâs pulse quickened as he turned and headed to the master bedroom. He flung the closet doors open, his stomach dropping when he saw Carolineâs clothes missing. Drawers that once held her belongings were now empty, leaving only a stray hanger or two.Panic clawed at his chest. He pulled out his phone and dialed Carolineâs number, pacin
