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THINGS THAT DON'T STAY HIDDEN (CONTINUED)
publish date:
2026-04-30 17:47:26
Latest chapter
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love THE GHOST OF 2017 (Part 2)
Isabel entered with a pleasant smile and a small bag hanging from her arm. She looked composed, as she always did, and carried herself with the confidence of someone who had never needed to ask twice for a room's attention.“You look busy,” she remarked.“I am busy and I've always been busy, mother.” “Your assistant said you have been buried in financial reports for days. I thought I would come and see whether you were taking proper care of yourself.”Joseph gestured towards the chair opposite him. “You could have called.”“I could have, but then you might have told me you were too busy to speak.” She sat down and placed her bag beside her. “Have you had lunch?”“Yes.”“Something proper, I hope?”“Mother.”She laughed softly. “All right. I won't interrogate you about your meals. How are things going?”“Work is demanding.”“That much is obvious.” Her eyes moved briefly towards the papers on his desk. “Is this related to the missing funds your father mentioned the last time??”“Some of
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love THE GHOST OF 2017 (Part 1)
Joseph had learned that the most troublesome problems rarely announced themselves. They appeared in small inconsistencies, unexplained figures and documents that seemed unimportant until someone took the time to examine them. For the past two days, he had been reviewing the circumstances surrounding Rachel's dismissal while continuing his investigation into the missing funds at Sterling Tech. The two matters were not yet connected by any conclusive evidence, but certain details troubled him. Money had disappeared, supporting documents were incomplete, and an employee's personal information had apparently been used to open a bank account without her knowledge. He was unwilling to accept that these were all separate coincidences. On Wednesday morning, he asked the finance department to retrieve older records relating to transactions between Sterling Tech and companies associated with the Delgado business group. He and his father had initially intended to review only the most recent fina
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL (Part 2)
She walked back to the sofa and sat down. For the first time since their conversation began, she recognised the danger of having involved someone who knew enough to damage her if he chose to do so. She had assumed the money would keep him cooperative. She had not considered what might happen if he began to fear that the promised reward would never arrive.“How much are you asking for?” she said.“The remaining balance. Exactly what we agreed.”“I don't have it available right now.”“That's your problem, not mine.” Torres replied “I can make another payment when I have the money.”“When?”“I'll tell you.”“No. Give me a date.”Vanessa stared at the wall opposite her. She could afford to pay him the full amount now, but she was unwilling to hand over more money while Joseph continued investigating. If Torres received everything he wanted, he might decide that his involvement had ended and disappear when she needed him most. Keeping some of the payment back gave her leverage, or so she
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL (Part 1)
Vanessa Torres was beginning to regret involving Señor Torres in her plans and not because she felt guilty about what had happened to Rachel, but because the man had become increasingly difficult to manage. At first, he had accepted her instructions with little resistance, reassured by the promise of money and the belief that Rachel's dismissal would be a simple matter. Now he called her almost every day, asking questions she had already answered and demanding assurances she was no longer willing to give. She was sitting in her apartment when his latest call came through. She stared at his name on the screen for several seconds before answering.“What is it this time?”“That's a pleasant way to answer someone who's been trying to reach you all morning,” Torres replied.“I have things to do. If you have something to say, say it.”“We need to discuss the rest of the payment.”Vanessa closed her eyes briefly. “We have discussed this already.”“No, Vanessa. You told me you would pay me wh
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love WHAT LOVE COULDN'T BUY (Part 2)
She searched his face for the familiar signs of pity. She found none. He was not looking at her as though she were a problem he could solve with a bank transfer. He looked as if her future mattered to him, even the parts that did not include him.“How much help are you talking about?” she asked cautiously.“Send your bank account number to me.”She pulled her hand back slightly. “Why?”“Don’t ask questions, please.” “You want to give me money?” She asked “Let me be clear. It isn't payment for your affection. It doesn't buy your time, and it doesn't mean you owe me anything. You can disagree with me, argue with me, or tell me to leave you alone tomorrow. None of that changes what I'm offering.”Rachel looked at him for a long time.“I don't want to become someone who depends on you for everything.”“Then don't. I only want you to use the money to give yourself a chance to stand on your own feet. You can decide what to do with it. I'm not asking you to hand me control of your life.”A
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love WHAT LOVE COULD NOT BUY (part 1)
Rachel had spent most of the morning trying to convince herself that losing her job was not the end of her life. It was a difficult argument to win when her savings were limited, her brother still needed her support, and an accusation she had not earned followed her everywhere she went. She had never imagined leaving Sterling Tech under such circumstances. Even when the work became exhausting, she had believed that keeping her head down and doing her job well would protect her from trouble. Now she was unemployed, suspected of fraud, and uncertain how long it would take to clear her name. She was sitting beside Benjamin in their living room when Joseph called.“Are you busy?” he asked after she answered.“Not particularly. Why?”“I'd like to see you this afternoon.”Rachel glanced at her brother. Benjamin raised his eyebrows and mouthed, Joseph? She nodded.“Where?” she asked.“I'll send Antonio to collect you. There's somewhere I'd like us to go.”“Joseph, if this is about Sterling T
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love The Saturday Shadow
The week following the transfer of the fifty thousand euros had been a blur of antiseptic smells and hushed prayers for Rachel. Benjamin's surgery had been scheduled, and the weight on her chest had lightened just enough for her to breathe. But as Saturday approached, a different kind of suffocati
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love HOPE
"Why do you need me to come? Why not just... hire someone? An actress, a professional. Someone who'd be better at this."Joseph's expression darkened slightly."I tried that," he said quietly. "Twice. My grandmother saw through it immediately. She's... sharp. She knows when people are lying."He pa
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love CAFÉ DEL ESPEJO
10:30 AM the next day Rachel arrived early.She'd barely slept. After leaving the hospital at two in the morning, she'd gone home, stared at her ceiling for three hours, and given up on sleep entirely. By seven, she was showered, dressed, and pacing her tiny apartment, rehearsing what she would say
Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love A Bar (Continued)
Joseph's gaze lifted. He stared at her attentively."It's just me and my little brother now," she continued. "He's... not well. He has a heart condition."Her fingers twisted together unconsciously."He needs surgery. I've been saving. But apparently, my dad didn't die alone. His death brought more
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