All Chapters of Neon Lies: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I tried to make my escape, but a wall of bodies blocked my path."Hey, where do you think you're going? You haven't danced with us! You promised!""Yeah, we're all waiting to see it!"I glanced at Adrian Jones, knowing that without his say-so, there was no way I was getting out of there today.He lounged on the sofa, with Macie Rogers snuggled against him, and shouted, "Come on, take it off! Or I'll cut off your mom's treatment right now."The thought of my mom, sick in the hospital, made my hands tremble as I started to unbutton my shirt, exposing a part of my chest.The crowd's eyes were glued to me, some even whistling mockingly.Suddenly, a warm jacket landed on my shoulders, enveloping me.Adrian's eyes blazed with fury as he stared at me down. "Liliana, you've got guts!"Tears filled my eyes as I met his gaze. "Isn't this what you wanted?"A flicker of something complicated crossed Adrian's eyes before he shouted, "Get lost!"I clutched the jacket around me, my head do

Chapter 2

Since my family lost our fortune, Fiona had been plotting to push me out, aiming to pair Adrian up with someone more suitable.At that moment, I was playing right into her hands.I hung up and trudged through the rain-soaked streets for hours, finally reaching my doorstep.However, the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by moans, the kind that made my heart sink. I froze, peering through the gap in the door.Macie was by Adrian's side, tending to him in ways that made my heart race. The second he spotted me, Adrian yanked her up and tossed her onto the bed with a force that left no room for doubt.I tried to bolt, but my legs were like lead, refusing to budge—an all-too-vivid first glimpse of Adrian's wild side.Once they finished, Macie, all limp and spent, got up and accepted the card Adrian handed her."Mr. Jones, you're the best," she said, gushing.Adrian gave her a patronizing pat. "Happy? Then scram. The missus has been eyeballing us from the doorway the whole time."Ma

Chapter 3

At my mother's bedside, I clung to her hand and whispered through my tears, "Mom, it's me... Please, for one last time, open your eyes and look at me..."However, my pleas were met with silence. She was gone. She would never look upon me again.Time passed, and with no tears left to cry, I gathered the strength to stand and arrange for her cremation.Holding her ashes, I went to the cemetery, intending to lay her to rest by the sea she so loved. However, before I could say my final goodbye, a car screeched to a halt in front of me. Bodyguards sprang out, dragging me away to face Adrian.Adrian glared at me with a venomous look. "Liliana, you've become quite the escape artist!"I met his gaze, my eyes blazing with defiance. "You think you can imprison me?"He was the reason I had lost the last family I had.My defiance only fueled his rage. He grabbed my chin, his voice laced with malice as he said, "You owe me, Liliana, and don't you forget it!"I could not help but laugh, a bi

Chapter 4

Adrian was speechless for a heartbeat or two before he managed to stammer, asking, "What are you talking about?""The villa's on fire. Mrs. Jones is trapped inside..."Adrian did not wait to hear more. He bolted up and charged out, Macie trailing behind with confusion on her face. She reached for his wrist. "Mr. Jones, where are you off to in such a hurry?"With a swift motion, he shook her off and shouted, "Out of my way!"He floored the gas pedal, blowing through red lights as if they were mere suggestions—all the way from the nightclub back to the villa.When he arrived, the fire was out, and the bodyguards were carrying a body out of the charred remains of the villa.Adrian's eyes locked onto the blackened figure. He shook his head in denial. "No, that's not Liliana. It can't be her..."He stormed into the villa, his voice echoing through the empty rooms. "Liliana, stop this game and come out now!"Liliana, I'll forgive you for everything. Show yourself."I don't care abou

Chapter 5

The body was not Liliana, so Fiona had to act fast to keep Adrian from finding out. She handled it while he was out cold. So, the story of Liliana's fiery end was set in stone.Adrian's emotions were in a whirlwind; he shoved his mother aside and said, "She was my wife! How could you cremate her without telling me? I want Liliana back!"Fiona hit the ground hard but ignored the throbbing pain and rushed to hug him again."Adrian, I get that you're hurting, but we can't bring the dead back. You have to move on. I will set you up on another date soon with the Campbell Group's heiress—"She did not even get to finish her sentence before Adrian shook her off and bolted outside.He made his way to the cemetery, where Liliana's innocent smile on her headstone greeted him. Overcome with sorrow, he broke down and wept at her grave."Liliana... I'm so sorry... I'm the one to blame..."He could not wrap his head around the fact that Liliana, once so full of life, was reduced to just ashes

Chapter 6

Adrian's hand was firm on her chin, his voice laced with venom as he said, "This is all on you. If you hadn't interfered, Liliana and I wouldn't have fought, and her mother would still be alive."Had you not carelessly scattered her mother's ashes, Liliana wouldn't have been driven to such despair to seek death. Today, you're going to face the consequences of your actions!"Macie's heart skipped a beat at the ruthless look in Adrian's eyes. She reached for his arm, her voice dripping with sweetness as she said, "Mr. Jones, what are you saying? I can't seem to follow."Adrian flung her hand away, his gaze icy. "Strip her down and toss her out with the trash."Bodyguards immediately moved in, seizing Macie and pulling her toward the door.In a sudden frenzy, Macie's hands clawed at the door frame as she turned her pleading eyes to Adrian. However, he was a statue of indifference.Realizing her fate was sealed, Macie's desperation turned to defiance. She yelled, "Adrian, you were th

Chapter 7

I whipped up some creamy wheat cereal that morning and knocked on my neighbor's door.Hank Garcia swung the door open, his eyes lighting up when he saw me."Ms. Shaw, what's up?"I could not help but notice his right arm, snug in a bandage, and my voice carried a hint of regret."Looks like your arm's out of commission. Why don't I handle your meals until that cast comes off?"Fiona had sent me to that quiet little town on the edge of nowhere three months back, and I decided to settle in at a local B&B for the long haul.Hank, a local guy two years my junior, had taken me by surprise when he confessed his crush, claiming it was love at first sight.I was taken aback, and once I got over the shock, I turned him down.After a rough three-year roller coaster with Adrian, I had zero expectations for romance and certainly did not buy into the whole love-at-first-sight thing.Luckily, Hank took the rejection like a champ and did not make a fuss. Our interactions boiled down to the o

Chapter 8

His hug only sparked a wave of revulsion in me. I pushed him off with all my might and calmly said, "I wish I never had to see you again."I tried to walk past him into the house, but Adrian stepped in front of me and grabbed my wrist."Liliana, I'm sorry. Please forgive me."I was too caught up in my own head, convinced you were the one who let me down, and that was why I did so many things to hurt you."During the time you were gone, I realized what a huge mistake I had made, Liliana. I love you. Can we start over, please? "I spun around to face Adrian, but my heart was like a still pond—no ripples, no waves."If you'd told me that a few months back, I would've been over the moon."Those were the words I had been dying to hear during the three years I spent feeling like nothing at his side—every second of every day."However, it's too late now, Adrian. I don't love you anymore. During those three years with you, every single day was pure agony."After leaving you, I finally

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