บททั้งหมดของ THE LIE : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 26

Rory's world felt like it had been turned upside down. She couldn't reconcile the Julian she thought she knew with the man who had lied to her. The memories of their time together, the laughter, the adventures, all seemed tainted now.She wandered aimlessly around her apartment, trying to make sense of her emotions. Anger, sadness, and betrayal swirled inside her like a toxic storm.Julian's words echoed in her mind: "I did it to protect myself." But protect himself from what? And why did he feel the need to deceive her?Rory's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was Julian. She hesitated, unsure if she was ready to talk to him. But something about his words, the sincerity in his voice, made her answer."Rory, please listen," Julian said, his voice laced with desperation. "I know I lied to you, and I'm so sorry. But I had to. My past... it's complicated. I've made mistakes, and I've been hurt. I built a new identity to protect myself, to start fresh."Rory listened, her emotions in

Just as Julian and Rory were basking in the glow of their victory over Marcus, a new challenge emerged. Julian's past came back to haunt him in the form of an unexpected visitor – his estranged brother, Alexander.Alexander was a ruthless and cunning businessman who had been seeking revenge against Julian for years. He had been secretly manipulating events from behind the scenes, using Marcus as a pawn in his game of revenge.Alexander's arrival sparked a family feud that had been brewing for years. Julian's parents, who had always been at odds with Alexander, were drawn into the conflict, and soon, the entire family was embroiled in a bitter struggle for power and control.Rory found herself caught in the middle of the family feud, struggling to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries. She knew that she had to be careful, or she could become a pawn in Alexander's game of revenge.As the family feud escalated, Rory began to suspect that Alexander had a hidden agenda. She di

My mom left my dad when I was barely six years old. Dad raised me all by himself until I turned seventeen. Then he found love again with a widow who had three children: two boys, Dongila, who is 20, and Johnson, who is 22. The youngest, a girl, is my age.Dad didn’t marry her because of the kids; he married because he needed companionship. Though I wasn’t fully in favor of the marriage, I pretended to be happy for Dad’s sake. . He had sacrificed so much for my happiness, and I wanted him to be content. Dad is often away on business trips, and when he's around, my stepmom treats me nicely. But as soon as he leaves, she takes away all my gadgets and treats me poorly, turning my life upside down. .****"I woke up on the cold kitchen floor to the sound of my stepmother's stern command. Her children, Dongila and Akachi, approached me with menacing grins. stepmother and Johnson stood by the door, their faces twisted in anger.Confused and still rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sa