All Chapters of Beneath The Facade : Chapter 131 - Chapter 137

HERMIONE "Ezra!" Dad barks, storming forward to stand between us. "This will be the last time you lay a finger on Hermione," he orders, his voice booming with a desperate authority.My ears are still ringing from Mom's slap. I slowly reboot, canting my head to let the blood flow back into the numb side of my face. The sting is nothing compared to the cold clarity settling in my chest."And what if it isn't?" Mom challenges, her arms folded tight as she glares up at him. "Stay on the sidelines where you’ve always been, Jackson. You don't lecture me on how I choose to discipline my daughter.""Hermione is as much mine as she is yours!" Dad thunders, but his voice cracks.Mom lets out a derisive snort. "You wish, you impotent fool."The air leaves the room. Dad recoils as if she’s physically gutted him. He goes silent—not the silence of a man thinking, but the silence of a man who has just ceased to exist."What did you just call him?" I demand. My voice is a low, dangerous whisper. I t

HERMIONE Overwhelmed by Dr. May's betrayal, my mother’s vileness, and the cascading disasters of the day, I retire to my office feeling completely drained. Noah follows closely behind, his unspoken question still hanging in the air like a physical weight.I sag onto the office couch, my head tilted back toward the ceiling. Too much has occurred today. After several moments of staring blankly into the silence, Noah grants me space, promising to stay nearby. I continue to stare at nothing long after he leaves, until the shrill ring of my phone shatters the quiet.I move lethargically to check the caller ID. It is Dad."Hi, Dad. How are you feeling?" I ask, my voice thin."Recovering. And you? Where are you? I just watched the news about Lachlan.""I've seen it. I'm at the hospital now." I pause, swallowing the lump forming in my throat. "I’ve seen him."Dad goes silent at the crack in my voice, discerning the gravity of the situation before he speaks. "Is there something wrong?""Karma

LACHLAN "Murders, isn't it?" Justin inquires as he approaches from the bars. "A mother and her son."This draws the attention of the others in the cell. They glance at me and then look at Justin, their curiosity piqued."Your mother tried to cover up your crime," Justin continues, "but the truth will always surface, no matter how hard you try to hide it.""Shut your mouth," I growl."Or what? You’ll kill me too?"Snickers escape the other men. I feel their mocking gazes on me. Justin lowers himself to my height, reducing his words to a whisper. "Let me burst your bubble. Do you know why I framed you as my financier? Do you want to know who the actual financier is?"I lift an eyebrow, looking at him against my will. I scowl as I meet his gaze."It was all Jolene’s idea," Justin whispers, leaning closer so that the others aren't privy to our conversation."Who the fuck is Jolene?" I demand. I suspect who it might be, but I wait for Justin to confirm it."Your lady friend," Justin conf

AIDEN News of my return spreads like wildfire. The media goes wild with speculation about how I could have possibly escaped the explosion. I keep my responses vague, never breathing a word about the magical bubble that had shielded me. I allow the mystery to hang in the air, fueling a media frenzy that turns my survival into a legend.Across every news ticker and social media feed, one headline reigns supreme: Aiden Mendes: The Man Who Walked Through Fire.I make strategic appearances at various shows and events, laughing off the hosts' teasing questions about whether I have developed fireproof skin, an indestructible form, or the ability to teleport. To all their theories, I offer nothing but a knowing smile.Raymond wraps me in a heavy, brotherly hug the moment he reaches me. "I'm so glad you survived that incident, Aiden," he says, patting my back with genuine affection."Do you assume I've developed a fire-resistant ability, too?" I ask."If you have, I’d love to test it out," Ra