Alle Kapitel von Lies of a Pregnant Bride: Kapitel 101 – Kapitel 110

The small courtyard reeked of salt and seaweed.Old fishing nets were piled in the corner, crusted with dried algae and shells that still carried the stench of the shore.John sat in a rattan chair, a half-smoked pipe dangling from his lips. The smoke curled around his face, making his expression flicker between shadow and light.Anna stopped short when she saw him there. He should have been at the dock, selling fish at this hour.“Dad, what are you doing home? Did you close up early?”She glanced around, searching for the man who had become her constant thought.“Where’s Jack?”John didn’t answer. She turned to head inside—“I’m taking Jack to the police first thing in the morning,” John said suddenly, not even looking up.“What?” Anna stared, thinking she must have misheard. “Dad, what did you just say?”He lifted his gaze slowly,

The elevator chimed softly as it stopped on the tenth floor.The doors slid open, and Sophia stepped out gracefully, holding Buddy’s little hand. Together they walked down the hall until they reached Room 1003.Instead of pressing the doorbell, Sophia deftly tapped in a familiar code.With a quiet beep, the smart lock clicked open.Hearing movement outside, Alyssa hurried to the entryway.“Sophia, you really came! I thought you were just saying that,” she said with surprise and delight.“When have I ever said something I didn’t mean?” Sophia smiled, leading Buddy inside.“Alyssa, long time no see,” Buddy greeted in his sweet, milky voice.Alyssa’s face melted into an auntie’s grin as she crouched down, arms open. “My little Buddy, come here and give me a hug.”Buddy hesitated only for a second before running into her arms. “I missed you so much!”“Oh, my little darling, I missed you too,” Alyssa said, kissing both of his chubby cheeks with exaggerated smacks. “You’ve gotten taller aga

William knelt down on one knee so he could look the little boy in the eye—and instantly felt his heart melt.That face. Those delicate features. Why did they look so familiar?He softened his voice without realizing it. “Hey, little guy. What’s your name? How’d you end up here?”Buddy puffed out his cheeks and answered in his sweet, childish tone. “My name’s Liam. But everyone calls me Buddy. I’m three years old. I came here with Mommy to visit Auntie Alyssa.”William’s brows furrowed slightly.Liam Blackwood?His gaze lingered on the boy’s face. Now that he looked closer, the resemblance to Ethan was uncanny.He’d only met Ethan a few times, but he remembered his features clearly.“And what’s your dad’s name?” William asked curiously.“My dad’s name is…” Buddy suddenly frowned, taking a cautious step back. “Why do you wanna know my daddy’s name?”He hadn’t mentioned his father at all earlier, so why ask now?William caught the flicker of wariness in the boy’s eyes and chuckled softly

Inside the president’s office at Blackwood Group.Ethan sat behind the massive ebony desk, every inch of him radiating quiet dominance. His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavy.Across from him stood Noah, his top investigator, slightly hunched in a respectful bow. “Mr. Blackwood, we’ve made progress on everything you asked us to look into.”“Just give me the results.”Ethan’s tone wasn’t loud, but it was sharp enough to chill the blood.Noah swallowed hard and took a slow breath before continuing. “Yes, sir. I’ll start with the first finding.”“We discovered at least fifty hidden miniature cameras installed throughout your private villa, in addition to the usual surveillance system. These were placed in your study, gym, wine room, garage, collection hall, and other recreation spaces.”Ethan’s eyes darkened, the muscles along his jawline tensing.Those were the areas he used most often—places only he had access

Sophia’s lashes trembled.She was terrified, her blood running cold, yet she still forced herself to lean gently into his chest.“It’s not like that. I had a reason for keeping the baby.”Her voice shook.“When I was lying on that cold operating table, I felt like a body waiting to be disposed of.”Her hands curled against her chest as if she could still feel that icy surface beneath her.“I remember trembling so hard I could barely breathe. I was scared out of my mind.”“Then I heard something. The doctor from the ultrasound room told me the baby had a heartbeat. She said he was strong and full of life.”Sophia sucked in a sharp breath and forced her reddening eyes upward.When she spoke again, her voice cracked.“And I realized that in a few minutes… that little life in my belly, so full of strength, would just disappear.”“My heart felt like it was being torn open. He was my baby. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let him go.”“So I panicked. I cried and told the doctor to stop. I told