Bound by Deception 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 21 - 챕터 28

Home. It was the first time she had called their place home since they got married and the word brought a faint smile to his lips, right before it hit him what she was actually suggesting. Surprised, he looked down at her heart-shaped face and those green eyes brimming with unspoken desire-and something deep within him stirred. It was fierce and almost primal. He took her hands in his and led her back to the dining room where they hurriedly excused themselves and called it a night. “Thank you for dinner, Mrs Persson. It was lovely." Dakota added with a warm smile. He could tell she felt bad for leaving earlier than intended and probably thought they were being rude but he didn't care one bit. He had far more important things in mind tonight. “Call me Allison, dear. We're family now, aren't we?" His mother winked. Dakota's eyes turn bright, clearly touched. "Of course.” She smiled again, and something warm unfolded in the hollow part of him he thought long dead. God, she was

Elias glanced at the time. It wasn’t even noon, and he already felt the edge of fatigue setting in. With a practiced hand, he unfastened a button, pulled off his tie and leaned back with a quiet exhale. The hours had stretched longer than they should have, and his patience was thinning. He’d spent the day trying to keep his mind occupied, but now exhaustion was catching up, dragging at his focus. His mind drifted back to the phone call from a week ago. The private investigator had uncovered the truth about Dakota’s real father—and calling it a shock didn’t begin to cover it. He had hated lying to her, but in that moment, selfishness had won. He’d just wanted a little more time with her, unmarred by the weight of the secrets her family buried.If only he could shield her from the truth. From the pain that was waiting just around the corner. She was already dealing with enough heartbreak and betrayal from the people who were supposed to love and protect her the most. It would shatter

She stared at Lenora, waiting for an answer to her question. Her existence had to mean something for her to still be alive. She had to believe that or she’d go crazy. At least, one person had to care if she lived or died for her to still be breathing. “You’re alive because you’re a fighter, Dakota. Although I brought you out of that fire, you fought to stay alive and I’m so glad that you’re still here.” Lenora answered in a tight voice, clutching her necklace tightly. Dakota drew back like she’d been stung. “You’re so glad I’m alive?? Did you even care one bit about me before I walked into this place?” The older woman let out a deep sigh. “You may not believe me but I never stopped caring about you. I think about you everyday. You’re my daughter.” “Again with the lies, huh? Do I look stupid to you that you can just feed me lies and I’ll believe every single one? But then again, I’ve been lied to for so long so I can take a wild guess.” She smiled bitterly. Lenora shook her h

The city lights blurred past the windshield as Dakota sat in silence, her mind a whirlwind of revelations. Her fingers drummed against her knees almost unconsciously, a nervous rhythm that mirrored the chaos inside her. She had left Lenora behind, knowing she was safe for now, but the weight of everything, the fire, Helen, the lies, her father, Lenora’s absence for all those years, was pressing down on her chest like a stone. Elias glanced at her, his hands gripping the steering wheel with quiet tension. He didn’t speak; he didn’t need to. He could feel the storm inside her just from the way she leaned back in the seat, her eyes distant, her jaw tight. Finally, she whispered, almost to herself, “I don’t even know where to start…” Elias’s voice was low, steady, and certain, cutting through the haze. “Start wherever you need. I’m here. You don’t have to be alone in this.” She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. There was softness in his gray eyes now, a rare vulnerability th