All Chapters of Second Chance At Rebirth: Beneath The Ashes: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Francis’s POVThe more the engagement day got closer, the more afraid I got. I was scared. Really, really scared. Each day that slipped by without something solid to show Grandfather, some proof to back up what I’d said about Christine being tangled in whatever mess he suspected, felt like a step closer to disaster. The deadline he’d set was barreling toward me, and I had nothing. Not a single shred of evidence to pin on her. Maybe, since he already seemed convinced it was Christine, I didn’t need to worry anymore. His belief in my word might be enough. But the doubt clung to me, whispering that things could spiral badly. I could feel it, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.I sat, the late afternoon sun slicing through the tall windows, painting a sunny glow inside the room. My eyes fixed on my phone and suddenly, it buzzed, the sound sharp and insistent, my hand moved before I could stop it and then I picked.“Francis,” Grandfather’s voice cut through, hard. “We’re having d

Christine’s POVThe morning of the company launch dawned crisp and clear, the kind of day that promised new beginnings. I stood by the window of my apartment, clutching a steaming mug of coffee, watching the city stir below. The skyline glittered with possibility, but my heart was a knot of nerves. Today was the day we’d been working toward for months, really. The launch of Cristainternational, my tech company, the company I’d poured my soul into. Everything was ready, the team was prepped, the presentations polished, the venue decked out in sleek, modern decor. Ashley, my acting CEO, would take center stage, her charisma carrying the event as we’d agreed. I’d stay in the shadows, invisible, letting her shine. That was the plan. I’d earned a moment to breathe, to rest.But my phone buzzed on the counter, shattering the quiet. I glanced at the screen, and my stomach dropped to see Grandfather’s name. His calls were rare, always heavy with expectation. I hesitated, then answered.“Chris

Christine’s POVI didn’t go home after I left that apartment where I’d seen that man. I couldn’t, not with the weight of Grandfather’s stare still burning in my mind, his disappointment hanging in the air I couldn’t clear. The thought of walking through that front door, feeling the silence of the house press against me, was unbearable.But it wasn’t just the dinner that kept me away.That apartment address I’d seen on Lisa’s phone, it kept flashing in my mind. I didn’t know the man who lived there. I didn’t know why Lisa knew him. But something about it wasn’t right. It had the same heavy, sour feeling as a door you’re afraid to open because you’re not sure what’s on the other side.I knew I couldn’t get my hands on Lisa’s phone again. That would be stupid, and too easy for her to twist against me. I wasn’t going to be the one creeping through hallways, caught red-handed with a lock screen glowing in the dark.So I called Evelyn.She picked up on the second ring. “Can I come over?” I

Lisa’s POVI am pissed, so pissed. The kind of anger that burned like a slow fuse, hot and relentless, threatening to explode if I didn’t do something about it. Ever since Christine had turned down Francis’s marriage proposal, he’d been acting like a stranger to me, so distant, like someone had sucked the life out of him. It was painfully obvious he still loved her, and that truth twisted in my chest like a knife. I’d thought he was over her, that the days of watching her from afar had finally faded into something he could let go of. But now, seeing him slumped on the couch every day, staring at nothing with that sad, heartbroken look in his eyes, I felt like I was losing him all over again. And it hurts. God, it hurts.I stood in the kitchen of Francis apartment, my fingers curled tightly around the handle of my coffee mug, the ceramic warm against my palms. The morning sun slanted through the window, painting the counter in harsh stripes of light that did nothing to lift my mood. Fr

Christine’s POVI sat at my desk, the phone still clutched in my hand, even though the line had gone dead minutes ago. Mr. Vandross’s words still echoed in my head. “It’s likely Zane might clear his image soon.” My fingers tightened around, as if squeezing it could crush the warning away. Zane. Always Zane, slithering his way out of messes like the bastard he was. I could picture him now, smirking in that black car of his, already plotting his comeback. He’d charm the press, flash that infuriating smile, and poof his reputation would be spotless again. And where would that leave me? Scrambling, that’s where. Watching my hard-won investors slip back into his pocket.No. I wasn’t going to let that happen. Not after everything he’d put me through. The threats, the manipulation, the way he’d dangled my adoption secret like a noose over my head. My chest tightened with a fresh wave of anger, hot. I dropped my phone, and pushed back from the desk just enough to steady myself. Act fast, Chri