Share

The Beginning of the Fall-021

last update Last Updated: 2025-04-11 13:48:19

Backstory Part One — Jane’s POV

They say you remember pain like it’s branded onto your skin. That even when the wound heals, the memory of it lingers just beneath the surface. Mine wasn’t just a wound—it was a series of deep, invisible bruises that never really stopped aching. I remember the day everything began to spiral.

It was raining. I remember that clearly.

Not the light, misty kind, but the type that makes the earth shudder beneath it. The clouds were an ominous gray, cloaking our once-lively house in a film of gloom. The air felt too quiet, like the world was holding its breath.

Back then, my name was Rose Stadler. I wore it with pride. I was the girl with the big dreams, the hopeful smile, the laughter that filled every corner of the house. People used to say I had a light in me. Maybe that was true—once.

John was in the garage, fiddling with his old radio like he always did when he was anxious. Lucy was in her room, her favorite hoodie draped over her knees, eyes glued to so
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    48

    Diego was already turning toward the door, his mind clearly focused on Jane, but he paused, looking back at Dante and Jullie."Don't forget what I said about not letting Jane know about this," Diego reminded them, his expression serious."Okay, sir," they both responded in unison."But, sir," Dante called out, catching Diego’s attention before he could leave. "For the fact that Daniel's driver's name is also John—what should we do about it? It could cause confusion in the reports."Diego smiled, a small, amused quirk of his lips. "Is that what is bothering you now? Everyone has their right to whatever name they want." He chuckled lightly. "Okay, since you are so bothered, let's call him by his full name, Johnathan. Is that okay with you?""Yes, sir," Dante replied, satisfied with the solution."Now, if you will excuse me, I don't want to keep my princess waiting."Diego turned and walked out of the study. Dante and Jullie looked at each other and smiled, sharing a moment of quiet amus

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    47

    Jane settled against him, letting out her breath slowly. "Okay, babe."Meanwhile, Dante and Jullie walked down the hallway toward the study. The brief romantic intermission had given them time to compose themselves and organize their thoughts."Do you think they noticed the tension between us?" Jullie whispered as they walked. "Jane was definitely pushing for answers.""They're too focused on their own world to notice much else right now," Dante replied, running a hand over the polished banister of the staircase. "Besides, she’s right. We need to figure things out, not delay.""I know," Jullie admitted. "But what Roman said is heavy, Dante. It's not something we can just casually discuss."They reached the door to Diego's private study. Dante paused, his hand hovering over the handle. He turned to Jullie."I need to tell him about the evidence and the car crash first. Then I'll bring up Roman's theory about my past, but only the bare minimum. I don't want to distract him from Daniel r

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    46

    Dante guided the car onto the highway, the tires humming softly against the asphalt. The memory of the confrontation with Daniel Creswell was still fresh, and the business card Jullie had placed in Daniel's pocket felt like a small, satisfying victory."Why did Daniel Creswell pretend not to remember you?" Dante asked, glancing at Jullie. He found the act odd for a politician who typically had a sharp memory for social contacts.Jullie offered a wry smile, shrugging off the slight. "I don't really care about that for real. What bothers and pains me is the fact that I didn't get to see Lucy in that little opportunity.""She was in the car but refused to come out," Dante confirmed. "John, the driver, had to deal with the immediate aftermath while Daniel came out to try and flex his authority.""Yeah, I noticed," Jullie said, resting her arm on the center console. "It means she's still too scared to face me, or Daniel wants to keep her hidden until they execute whatever scheme they have

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    45

    :Daniel Creswell sat forward in his chair, his fingers drumming a sharp, insistent rhythm on the polished mahogany desk. The tension in the office was thick, hanging heavy between him and Lucy.“Lucy, it’s been days since we activated our plans. Why are we not getting any feedbacks?” His voice was sharp, edged with frustration and impatience.Lucy stood opposite him, fidgeting slightly. She smoothed the material of her blouse with one hand, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I don’t think she bought what I had to say. I don’t think she believed me.” Her voice was laced with disappointment. “I never thought six years would change Jane this much. She used to be so gullible and all that, so easy to manipulate.”Daniel leaned back, a sneer twisting his lips. “She still is, but she has someone powerful backing her now.” He dismissed Lucy’s concern with a wave of his hand. “If she can’t or won’t help us, we should try and put a hold to their marriage. We should go public. At least this will hel

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    44

    "I can't wait to call Diego and tell him about what we just found."Jullie stepped closer, placing a hand gently on his arm. Her expression held a touch of caution, tempering his immediate urge to share the news."Don't you think we should hold on a little and present this physically to them both?" she suggested, her tone soft yet firm. "You don't know what the two of them are up to, and they've been through a lot. They just announced their engagement. Allow them to be okay. You wouldn't want to ruin their day, would you?"Dante paused, the enthusiasm dimming slightly in his eyes as he considered her words. He looked at her, a warm smile spreading across his face."You have a point there, sweetheart." He reached out and playfully ruffled the top of her hair, making the perfectly arranged strands scatter just a little.Jullie playfully swatted at his hand. "Come on, don't ruin my beautiful hair.""You know you will always look pretty to me, though."Their eyes met, a shared moment of a

  • The love that killed me, The Billionaire who saved me    43

    Dante and Jullie stood in the heart of Rome, the city's ancient history a silent backdrop to their modern-day hunt. They were a world away from the glamorous offices of the Orlov empire, in a world of shadows and secrets. Their resources, Dante's network of informants and Jullie's meticulous research, led them to a quiet, unassuming safe house in the Italian countryside. The hunt for Roman was a dangerous one, with every step they took a calculated risk. They knew they were being watched, but they were also watching. They were a team, a family, and they would not rest until they had found the truth.The safe house was a small, dilapidated villa, a forgotten relic in a world of luxury and opulence. The air was thick with the scent of dust and decay, a chilling reminder of the dark secrets it held. They entered the house through a side window, their movements fluid and silent. They found Roman in a small, cramped study, surrounded by a mountain of files and a computer screen. He was a s

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status