All Chapters of Beneath The Facade : Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

HERMIONE "I don't think my mom is keeping the baby," I tell Aiden.It has been over two months since my return from Europe, yet she has shown no signs of pregnancy. There have been no whispers among the gossiping nurses regarding the possibility of her expecting. Furthermore, my dad has taken no steps toward divorcing her despite her infidelity. Aiden’s remark about me becoming pregnant has brought these lingering observations back to the surface."That is for the best, then," Aiden says, his gaze intent on me.I study him carefully. "Are you eager to become a father?""I am ready whenever you are." He laces his fingers with mine across the table. "I’m not placing any pressure on you. You want to be a mother eventually, right? And if you don't..." He pauses, his jaw tightening slightly. "I am open to adoption."I can tell he isn't particularly fond of the latter option, yet he would readily support any decision I make."I want to have children with you, Aiden. I don't doubt your prom

HERMIONE I step into my mother's office, wondering what she wants this time. She hasn’t required my attention for a while, not since the scandal of her illegitimate pregnancy began hovering in the air."You requested to see me," I say, stepping closer. She gestures for me to sit, and I comply.She lowers her gaze to a manila folder sitting on the desk between us—a silent instruction for me to peruse its contents. I reach for it and pull out the thin, white sheet inside. It is a patient’s record, marked confidential. My stomach lurches as I read the details. This is another of Mom's VIP contacts with complex health issues. The memory of the last time I received a similar order makes my skin crawl.I narrowly escaped punishment the last time I defied her orders to treat a VIP patient, nearly forfeiting my position and facing a painful demotion to a resident. I haven't fought this hard, forced to thrive ahead of my peers, just to lose it all now. I scaled the ladder toward success and p

AIDENThe shaman appraises me with a strange, searching look. Her face has wizened further under the throes of her illness. I should have realized during my first visit that it was just her against the world. I should have put measures in place earlier, knowing she had no one to care for her since her daughter’s death.I am certain my mother had only been a visual companion for her, unable to help in any practical way given her impaired cognitive function. This old woman has shouldered so much weight and grief over the years."You've taken care of my mother for so long. Let me repay your kindness, ma'am. Allow me to oversee your care. It would be a great relief to know you have someone nearby to assist with your daily needs. You shouldn’t be starving, and you shouldn’t be sick. Even at a ripe old age, your final years shouldn't be spent in solitude. You are not alone, Grandma," I say. "You have me."A sheen of tears clouds her eyes. I sit up straight, clutching my knees as worry sets

LACHLAN I have nothing to do in this office besides smoke all day and surf the internet on my laptop. It has gotten quite boring since I resumed work this new year. Now, I regret retrenching Dawn; she would have eased my boredom from underneath my desk.Although I have acquired a new object of interest, it has its limitations. Information can only be gained from it within the walls of this building. I may have missed essential information about his dealings while he has been away from the company environment—most especially from his office.I purposely arrive earlier than Aiden so as not to miss anything, even though anger ripples within me every time I reflect on the fact that he is now several rungs above me. All I need is one detail to discredit Father’s trust in him—just one blunder or any ambiguous statement that can be twisted to suit my agenda.Aiden’s office has been bugged, following my instructions, since yesterday. The device, placed right underneath the far side of his de

HERMIONE It is hard to keep myself together as we all assemble for Aiden’s funeral service. My chest tightens so painfully that it feels as though bile is filling my lungs. Dr. May clenches my hand encouragingly throughout the entire service.Black had once been my favorite color, yet today, it fills me with heart-wrenching pain. I watch as everyone gathers in a minute of silence to honor the dead. How could he die? How could he die so tragically?The entire time, I search the familiar faces, but I cannot find the one I seek: Lachlan. He is definitely behind this. He murdered my husband. I warned Aiden to take precautions, but he believed in the shaman’s protection. However, that shamanic aegis wasn't enough to protect him from burning to ash. There was almost nothing left of him after the explosion.More tears spill down my face, my throat clogging as the officiant steps to the podium to guide the service. Following the opening prayers, he invites those closest to Aiden to share