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Chapter 17
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The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 22
Five years later, the foundation had helped thousands of women rebuild their lives.Hayden never returned to Prescott Group. He never married, either.Some people said he was still waiting for me. But deep down, he knew I was never coming back. And he had no right to wait for me.On the fifth anniversary of the yacht explosion, Hayden went to the beach alone.The weather was beautiful. As night fell, a bright full moon rose above the ocean.In his hand, he held a silver cufflink. A single letter was engraved on it.W.For years, he'd convinced himself that the initial could just as easily stand for Winona. It took him a long time to finally admit the truth.The first time he'd worn those cufflinks, he'd caught me secretly celebrating in the bedroom. And he'd stood outside the door, smiling to himself.Even back then, that W had only ever stood for Winifred.Rachel sent him a box. Inside was the last personal belonging recovered from the wreckage of the yacht. It was a ring, w
The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 21
Hayden sold the villa in the south of Fenris that he'd bought for me to live in under my new identity. He dissolved the trusts, closed the bank accounts, and liquidated every overseas asset he'd set aside for me. Then he combined the proceeds with half his personal fortune to establish a foundation dedicated to helping women in need. The foundation offered support to women who had suffered abuse and control at the hands of their families, been drugged, or faced vicious public harassment.He gave the foundation a simple, one-word name.Winnie.The board of directors of Prescott Group opposed his decision. "Mr. Prescott, you're essentially admitting to the world that Prescott Group was involved in Winifred's death. The company could lose at least ten billion dollars over this!"Hayden calmly placed his resignation letter on the table. "There's no question of involvement. I'm the one who caused her death."At the press conference, he made every document related to the plan that had
The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 20
Jack confessed to every crime he'd committed. Besides drugging me and secretly recording what happened three years ago, he admitted that Lawson Group had also obtained investment from the Prescott family through fraudulent projects.Dad was subsequently taken away for questioning on suspicion of corporate fraud, illegal business dealings, and inciting criminal activity.Lawson Group officially declared bankruptcy.The court seized our family villa, the very symbol of the wealth and prestige my family had spent their lives trying to maintain.Mom didn't take any of her jewelry or designer clothes. The only thing she took was the cardboard box filled with things I'd left behind.Before she left, Dad shouted at her through the window of the police car. "The company's gone! Are you happy now?"Mom stopped in her tracks. "That company only survived because we sacrificed Winnie. Now we're just losing what we never should've had."She walked away without looking back.…On the day Ja
The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 19
After my funeral, Rachel released the final video I'd recorded before my death.I'd recorded it just before boarding the yacht. In the video, I was wearing a white sweater and the scarf Mom had given me.My face was pale, but my voice was steady. "If you're watching this, it means I'm already gone. Please don't be sad for me. I've just gone somewhere no one will ever find me."I glanced toward the left side of the camera. I imagined my parents sitting there, listening to me. "Dad, I hope the family business continues to thrive. "Mom, you always said my sister-in-law couldn't handle any stress during her pregnancy. Well, you don't have to worry anymore. I'll never cause her any trouble again."Jack, those lemon candies you always gave me were so sour. Actually, I stopped liking them a long time ago."At those words, Jack broke down sobbing. He remembered all the times he'd given me those candies. And how I'd accepted them every single time.He finally understood that I'd never t
The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 18
A light rain fell on the day of my funeral.Rachel carried my ashes into the cemetery alone.Two rows of black sedans were parked outside the gates. Hayden stood at the front. My parents and Jack, who had just been released on bail, stood off to one side.None of them were allowed inside.A cemetery employee handed them a copy of my will. "Ms. Lawson left very clear instructions before she passed away. Please respect her final wishes."Mom suddenly rushed toward the gates. "Winnie! It's Mom! Please, let me in! I just want to see my daughter one last time!"But the iron gates wouldn't budge. All she could do was watch through the bars as Rachel disappeared farther into the cemetery.Jack stood there holding a huge bouquet of white lilies. He'd spent three hours waiting in line at the florist to buy them himself. But it wasn't until he reached the cemetery that he remembered I was allergic to pollen.His fingers slowly loosened around the bouquet. The lilies slipped from his hand
The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death Chapter 17
My funeral was scheduled for an overcast day.Hayden had personally chosen a new burial plot for me. It had a beautiful view of the sunset, with orchids all around it.But just as he was about to finalize the arrangements, a lawyer arrived with my will. I had drawn it up the day before I boarded the yacht.It was brief. I had given up all assets registered under the name Willa Dawson. I had also requested that my body be cremated and my ashes entrusted to Rachel.No one from the Lawson or Prescott family was allowed to claim my remains, whether as a family member, lover, or fiancé.My headstone was to bear neither my parents' names nor Hayden's.Rachel was the only person I had authorized to see me off.The lawyer closed the file. "Ms. Lawson specifically stated that she did not want you to arrange her burial, Mr. Prescott."Hayden fell silent for a long time. "Why?" he finally asked."She said other people had made every decision for her while she was alive. And she wanted
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