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Chapter 10: Capturing a Lie
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2026-01-05 13:00:21
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To Hate and To Hold Chapter 11:The First Deposit
The email notification chimed on Elena's phone just as she was forcing down breakfast alone in the dining room. She nearly dropped her spoon. The sender was the Vineyard Trust Bank. The subject line read: Transaction Alert.Her fingers, sticky with jam, fumbled to open it.Credit: $2,000,000.00. From: Thorne Consolidated Holdings. Current Balance: $2,000,817.33.She read the numbers once. Then again. The zeros blurred on the screen. A sound escaped her—a choked gasp. She slapped a hand over her mouth. The other hand held the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white."Mija? Is everything okay?"Her father's voice came through the phone on her other ear. She'd called home ten minutes ago, just to hear a familiar voice. She'd been staring at a bowl of fruit, saying nothing."Papi," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Check the account. Right now.""What? Why? Elena, you're scaring me.""Just check it."She heard the rustle of him putting down the phone, the distant creak of his offic
To Hate and To Hold Chapter 10: Capturing a Lie
At exactly eight in the morning, someone knocked on her door. Three hard knocks. Elena opened it and saw a woman who looked about forty with short blonde hair and a huge suitcase."Elena? I'm Clara." The woman smiled quickly. "I'm here to get you ready for the photos." She didn't wait—just pushed past Elena with her suitcase.Elena barely closed the door before Clara was staring at her face. "Did you sleep? Your eyes look puffy. Don't worry, I'll fix it." She pulled out a wipe from her bag. "Clean your face with this." She paused, rubbing her own temple. "God, I need coffee. Started at five this morning across town."For the next hour, Clara worked on her face. She rubbed cream on Elena's skin, then makeup, then more makeup on her eyes. "Look up. Look down. Press your lips on this tissue—but don't smush them together."Then Clara curled her hair into soft waves. "Today's look is 'relaxed weekend,'" she said. "You and Julian are at home, comfortable." She opened her giant suitcase and
To Hate and To Hold Chapter 9:A Silent Dinner For Two
The maid’s knock was too soft, almost a scratch at the door. Elena called out “Come in,” and the girl entered, hovering just inside the room.“Mrs. Thorne? Dinner will be served in thirty minutes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you need any help getting ready?”Elena was standing by the window, just staring out at the gardens. “No, I’m fine,thank you.”The maid nodded and backed out, pulling the door closed so gently the latch didn’t even click.Elena waited a full minute, just listening to the quiet. Then she turned and looked at the closet, which was full of clothes she hadn’t chosen. She walked over and grabbed the first thing she saw—a long black dress. She pulled it on, zipped it up, and looked in the mirror. It fit perfectly. She then ran a brush through her hair a few times and that was it. She was ready, or at least, she was as ready as she was going to be.The hallway was quiet, her shoes making the only sound. She could hear the low murmur of a voice fro
To Hate and To Hold Chapter 8:The Walk Of Shame Up a Grand Staircase
The car ride was silent. The seats were made of soft, cold leather. Elena watched the city lights blur past the tinted window. She clutched her single suitcase on her lap. It held her clothes, a few books, and a photograph of her family in the vineyard.Julian sat beside her, but he felt a mile away. He was looking at his phone, the blue light illuminating his sharp profile. He hadn't spoken since they got in the car. He hadn't even looked at her.The city gradually gave way to trees and darker roads. They passed through a tall, iron gate that swung open silently. The driveway seemed to go on forever. It was lined with old, skeletal trees. Finally, the house appeared.It wasn't a house. It was a manor. A great, stone beast of a building with dozens of windows. Most of them were dark. A single light burned above a massive front door. The car rolled to a stop on the gravel.Julian put his phone away. "Henderson will show you in. I have work to finish." He got out without another word. H
To Hate and To Hold Chapter 7:A Signature In Blood
The office was on the top floor of a glass building. Everything was steel, white, and quiet. Elena followed a silent assistant down a long hallway. Her shoes made no sound on the thick carpet. She felt like she was walking into a spaceship, or a very expensive tomb.The assistant opened a double door and gestured inside. Elena stepped through. The room was huge, with a wall of windows showing all of New York City. The view was breathtaking. It made her feel very small.Julian Thorne sat behind a wide, empty desk. There was no computer, no papers, nothing. It was just a slab of pale wood. He was reading from a single folder. He did not look up when she entered.Another man stood near the desk. He was older, with glasses and a kind, tired face. This was Robert Alsop, the lawyer. He offered her a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes."Ms. Vega. Thank you for coming," Robert said. He gestured to a single chair in front of the desk. "Please, sit."Elena sat. The chair was sleek and uncomf
To Hate and To Hold Chapter 6:The Fine Print Of Soul
The envelope was thick and heavy. It felt expensive. Elena carried it up to her bedroom like it might burn her. She shut the door and leaned against it. The house was quiet downstairs.She sat on the edge of her bed and just looked at it. Her name was printed on the front in a clean, sharp type. Ms. Elena Vega. There was no return address. She took a deep breath and slid her finger under the flap. The paper inside was a thick, creamy parchment.The first page had a title in bold letters: MATRIMONIAL AGREEMENT FOR STRATEGIC ALLIANCE. The words were so cold. She began to read. The language was dense, full of legal terms. Her eyes skipped ahead, looking for the details that mattered.Section 4: Cohabitation Requirements. Her heart thumped. The Second Party shall reside at the Primary Estate (Thorne Manor) for a period of no less than twelve (12) consecutive months… Separate residential suites shall be maintained… Joint presence in common areas may be scheduled as necessary for the verifi
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