Lahat ng Kabanata ng After I Died, He Truly Panicked: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Morgana’s POVAfter five years of supposedly learning from her mistakes, Regina was still making amateur moves that could expose whatever scheme she was running.How careless of her.She was being paranoid, checking for watchers, scanning the faces of other cafe patrons and pedestrians. Smart, but not smart enough. She never thought to look for someone positioned across the street.I adjusted the camera’s focus as Regina headed toward the street where she’d parked her silver Mercedes and unlocked it with her key fob. The car chirped twice, headlights flashingFor a moment I was struck by how healthy she looked.Five years ago, when Maxwell had her committed to that facility, she’d been gaunt and hollow-eyed, a broken shell of the woman who’d once commanded every room she entered.This version of Regina had lost that haunted quality that had made her so pathetic during her final days as Maxwell’s wife.The transformation was infuriating.I expected Regina to climb into her car and driv

Regina’s POVI kept my phone steady, the recording app capturing every damning word as Morgana launched into her confession with the enthusiasm of someone recounting their greatest professional achievement.“The pills were so easy to plant,” Morgana said, practically purring with satisfaction. “Maxwell never questioned why I had access to your house, why I knew your routines so intimately. He trusted me to help with company business, so I had keys to everything—your home, your office, even your car.”My phone’s memory filled with evidence as she continued, each word potentially worth millions in a defamation lawsuit. This was it—finally, proof of what she’d done to me.“I started small,” Morgana said, leaning back in the seat like she was settling in for a long, enjoyable story. “A few pills here and there, hidden in places you’d never think to look. Your jewelry box was perfect—you rarely opened it except for special occasions, so I could stash bottles there for weeks before arrangin

Regina’s POVI felt my face betray everything I’d fought so hard to hide.The color drained from my cheeks, my hands began to shake as I gripped the steering wheel, and I couldn’t speak, couldn’t deny it, couldn’t do anything but stare at her in absolute horror as my deepest secret unraveled before her calculating eyes.“Oh my God,” Morgana breathed, her own face reflecting shock. “That little girl isn’t Lindsay’s daughter at all, is she? She’s yours.”The words seemed to repeat endlessly in the confined space of the car.“Ivan has a twin sister,” Morgana continued, her voice dropping to an awed whisper as the full implications hit her. “You were carrying twins when you disappeared. You’ve been hiding Maxwell’s daughter for five years.”I finally found my voice, though it came out as barely more than a whisper. “Please,” I said, my hands clasped together like I was praying. “Please don’t—”“Don’t what? Don’t tell Maxwell he has a daughter he never knew existed? Don’t mention that you’

Morgana’s POVI stared at my mother in absolute horror, my perfect evening of victory completely derailed by this unexpected nightmare. Maude Faye looked exactly like what she was—an ex-convict with nowhere else to go, standing in Maxwell’s drawing room in clothes that probably came from a charity bin.Her gray hair was streaked with white now, pulled back in that same limp ponytail she’d worn during my childhood. Deep lines carved her face, and her hands showed the calluses of hard labor. She looked older than her sixty years, worn down by life and whatever she’d endured in prison.“Oh my God, look at you,” Maude breathed, her eyes filling with tears as she took in my appearance. “You’re so beautiful, so accomplished. This house, these clothes—you’ve made such a wonderful life for yourself.”“Mom, what are you doing here?” I hissed, stepping closer and lowering my voice. “How did you even find me?”Maude’s face lit up with maternal pride that made my stomach clench. “I googled you. I

Maxwell’s POVBy the session’s end, Regina looked like she’d been physically beaten. Her makeup was streaked with tears, her hands shook constantly, and she kept pressing tissues to her eyes. The confident woman who’d stolen my biggest client at that conference was gone, replaced by someone broken and desperate.Ivan had exhausted himself crying and now sat slumped against my shoulder, occasionally shuddering with leftover sobs. His small fists were still clenched around the crayon he’d been using to draw Mia, refusing to let go even in his exhaustion.“I think that’s enough for today,” Dr. Rumson said gently, making notes on her clipboard. “Ivan, you can go with your daddy now.”The moment she said those words, Regina completely fell apart.“No, please,” Regina gasped, rising from her chair so quickly she knocked over her water cup. “Please don’t end it yet. I can do better. I can try a different approach.”“Mrs. Chamberlain—”“Ms. Veyron,” Regina corrected automatically, then immedi