All Chapters of Promises in the Grave: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Everything around me started to whirl and twirl like I was caught in a tornado.The sound in my ears was like thunder on a hot summer day, booming and crashing, scaring me so much I could barely catch my breath.I squinted, trying to see Alfred Hawkins's face through the haze, but it was all a blur.His voice, though, cut through the fog, clear and sharp. "With Ruby's heart, Yoana will be healthy again."My husband, Alfred, the man everyone called a 'daughter-obsessed dad' because of how much he doted on our daughter, was suggesting we sacrifice our daughter, Ruby Hawkins, to save Janet Stewart's kid, Yoana Lowe.'No way… This has to be a nightmare...' I told myself.Janet looked all kinds of uncomfortable as she said, "If Helen gets wind of this, she won't just stand by. I feel so bad for you, Alfred. You don't even like her, but you married her because you felt you had to."If I'd known it would cost you your life, I never would've said yes to that crazy kidnapping plan."Alf

When Alfred caught sight of me, I saw a flicker of guilt cross his face.However, Janet let out a tiny sniffle, and Alfred was all concerned, turning to me to say, "You're up, so get a move on and fix up a room for Janet. She'll be staying with us for a bit."Janet shot me a wary glance, her eyes red. "Helen, if this bothers you, I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning..."Alfred's eyes snapped to me, his voice hard. "Helen, don't start with the jealousy. Janet's my childhood buddy. To me, she's like a sister. She's been pushed around by Maverick, and I can't just stand by and do nothing as her big brother!"I stared back at his hostile look and could not help but laugh. "Funny, I don't remember saying anything."That was when Alfred realized he might have jumped the gun, but he doubled down. "You didn't have to say anything. Your face said plenty."So, that was what 'give a dog a bad name and hang him' was all about.I turned on my heel and walked away without another word.Ja

From the helicopter, I watched Alfred race to the crash site, clutching the fallen license plate, crying out, "Helen, Ruby..." It did not take long for the internet to explode with news of Ruby and I dying in that fiery wreck.I held my sleeping Ruby tight, put away my phone, and whispered, "This is it, Alfred. We're done for good."Alfred was haunted, thinking it was all some nightmare.He would slap himself, pinch his skin, and even jab himself with a knife, desperate to snap out of it. However, the pain, sharp and undeniable, kept telling him the brutal truth.Ruby and I were gone for real.Alfred stared at the charred remains that were once his wife and daughter. Overwhelmed, he coughed up blood and passed out.When he woke up, his father, John Hawkins, Sabrina, and Janet, with tears staining her cheeks, were all there.Alfred leapt to his feet, panic-stricken. "My wife... Where's my wife?"John delivered a stinging slap to his face. "Wife? Since when did you actually car

I was oblivious to the turmoil back home. By then, Ruby and I had made it to Xyland.Sabrina had given me a manor and a whopping 15 million dollars as compensation.The deal was simple. My daughter and I could never set foot in our homeland again.I realized that was the greatest act of love she could offer her granddaughter.Luckily, I had not planned on going back anyway.To me, the years I spent with Alfred were more terrifying than any horror story. It was worse than the times I was put down by other men.I could only get rid of the nightmare by staying as far away from him as possible....The next few days, I kept myself busy with hiring new staff and sprucing up the manor. My life was hectic, but it was meaningful.The one thing that bugged me was Ruby's constant question."Where's Daddy?"She struggled to get her words out right, but somehow, 'daddy' always came out crystal clear.Every time I saw the hope in her eyes for her father, my resentment towards Alfred gre

I could not help but crack a smile. Who was he trying to impress with all that emotion?When he moved to hug me, I shoved him back, my voice icy, "Maverick, back off."Maverick gently took my hand, his eyes filled with regret."I'm sorry, Helen. I know choosing to save Janet back then broke your heart. I was fooled by her, you know? She told me it was your people who kidnapped her, and even my mom backed up her story. I believed them..."I've been kicking myself all these years. I never loved Janet. It's always been you, Helen. If Alfred had treated you right, I'd never have the guts to bother you again, but he went and betrayed you!"The one thing I'll always regret is not fighting to keep you with me, letting you end up with Alfred."Helen, I love you. I'll treat Ruby like she's my own, I promise. Just give me one more shot, please don't push me away, okay?"Before I could even respond, someone barreled into Maverick, knocking him down flat.I jumped back, and that was when I