All Chapters of After The Vows: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

148 Chapters

Movie date

Chapter 31Alia POVMy bed was scattered with clothes I had pulled out of my luggage. I stared at them for what felt like minutes, wondering what to wear. Everything I picked felt too much, flashy, and wrong. A red gown caught my eye. I picked it up and held it in front of me at the mirror. No… that was giving a date outfit, not a casual movie.Maybe something simple… something I didn’t have to think about too much. A pair of jeans and a top would do just that. nothing over the top. That felt right.After dressing up, I looked at myself one more time in the mirror. The blue jeans I wore were a perfect match for the yellow floral top. My hair was packed neatly into a ponytail, and I had light makeup on.Am I missing anything? I scanned myself from head to toe. Ohhh my legs.What am I wearing? Sneakers will be fine, I thought, slipping them on.I had told my mum about going to the movies with Harry and that the kids would have to be with her. She was more than happy to babysit. Earlier

The painful truth

Chapter 32Alia's povI rushed into the hospital, my heart pounding so fast it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I looked around desperately, trying to figure out who to ask for help, but everyone was rushing somewhere. The faint smell of antiseptic made my stomach twist.“Where is she?” I asked when I finally reached the reception desk, my voice shaking.“Who?” the nurse asked, confused.Harry stepped in immediately, noticing how panicked I was.“Good day,” he said calmly. “We got a call to come to the hospital. This is Miss Alia,” he pointed to me. “We’re here to see her sister, Alice.”“Okay,” the nurse said, pointing down the hallway. “She’s in room 201.”I didn’t wait for her to finish. I ran as fast as my legs could take me. We had already seen enough tragedy, and I didn’t think I could handle more.When I turned the corner, my heart froze.Liam and Luna were sitting beside Alice’s children—Lily and Eddie. They looked scared, their hands holding each other tightly. It ha

Confronting Kyle

Chapter 33I tiptoed out of the room so I wouldn’t wake my mum. The nurse had given her medication, and she fell asleep almost immediately.Everything happening at once was too much for me to bear. We hadn’t even finished grieving our father, and now this beast had done this to my sister. I slipped back into Alice’s room. She was still the same way I left her all i could hear was the machines beeping.“I should check on the kids,” I whispered, closing the door quietly.As I stepped outside the hospital entrance, the cool night air hit my face. That was when I saw him.Alice’s husband stood a few steps away under the dim hospital lights. His face was blank, like nothing had happened.“Where are my kids?” he asked coldly. “I’m here to take them.”“Really, Kyle?” I snapped, anger rising fast. “After all you did to Alice, that’s the first thing you ask? Don’t you even want to know how she’s doing after beating her like a slave?” My hands clenched into fists at my sides.“Listen, Alia,” he

A hero I didn't ask for

Chapter 34“Let go of my hand,” Kyle yelled, struggling to get away from Drew.“I’d like to see you try,” Drew replied without shifting his stance.Kyle pulled and twisted, but Drew’s grip didn’t budge.I stood there, trying to catch my breath, still trying to comprehend how Drew had appeared out of nowhere and why he was even helping me.“Just thank your stars you didn’t hit her,” Drew said, his voice low but dangerous. His eyes didn’t soften, but there was a trace of something, worry maybe before it disappeared.“If you had laid a finger on her, you’d be saying your last prayers right now.”“Come on, Drew, no need to create a scene,” Kyle said in shaky breath. “Just let me go. We can settle this, man to man.”“If I wanted to create a scene,” Drew growled, “I would have punched those jaws of yours because that’s exactly what I want to do right now. And let this be a warning: if you ever try to raise your hands on Alia again, I’ll make sure the whole of Seattle knows what a weakling y

Alice message

Chapter 35 It had been a week since Alice had fallen into a coma, seven long days of worry, praying, and hoping she would wake up from this nightmare. But still, no change. Every time I went to the hospital to check on her, my stomach twisted. I hated how helpless she looked, and there was nothing I could do except hope she woke up from this. My mum was fine now, and we were taking turns looking after Alice. Today was my turn, while Mum stayed with the kids. Lily and Eddie had been with us all this time. I adjusted the straps of my bag as I walked past the reception. The nurses had grown used to seeing me, and I nodded politely as I passed before heading to Alice’s room. Even after seeing her bruised face for days, I still wasn’t used to it. Her marks haunted me even tho her bruises were slowly healing. I walked closer, kissed her forehead gently, and placed my bag on the table beside her. I adjusted the sheet over her legs, careful not to disturb her. I thought about polishing

Is it too late for me

Chapter 36 Drew’s POV I didn’t expect to see her that day. I was only at the hospital to pick up my monthly routine check-up result. But as I got out of the car, I heard someone shouting. I ignored it and went on my way, but as I got closer, the voice sounded more familiar. That’s when I turned and saw Alia. The Alia I saw that day was a completely different person entirely. I didn’t know that Alia. The woman standing under that tree the other day, shouting and shaking in anger, even slapping a man twice her size ,that wasn’t the quiet girl who used to lower her eyes when spoken to. Alia was calm, soft-spoken, always careful with her words. She never raised her voice or challenged anyone openly. Even when she was upset, she swallowed her anger. But this Alia… She was fire. She looked like she feared no one. I knew at that moment I was the last person she wanted to see. I was going to walk past and ignore whatever was going on between her and the man, but something kept me r

Earning my place

Chapter 37“I’m not just going to sit here and watch another man take my place,” I said the moment Louis opened the door.My voice was tight with anger.I didn’t even wait to be invited properly before walking in.I had gone straight to Louis’ house after leaving the hotel. He was the only one who could understand my current situation since he knew the truth about Alia and the kids.“I can see that Alia’s mystery man made you mad again,” he said, closing the door behind me.“He’s just always around her. I can’t even have a proper discussion with her without him bringing out his ugly head.”“Drew, you have to calm down,” Louis said firmly. “Alia is no longer your wife. It seems you’re forgetting that.”“I’m very much aware, Louis.” I sat down but stood up almost immediately, my hands running through my hair in frustration. “But am I supposed to sit down and watch that man father my kids?”Louis leaned back slightly, studying me carefully. “To be fair, we are not sure if they are your k

A gift of confusion

Chapter 38 Alia’s POV Why did he look at Liam that way? That question had been in my mind ever since I got home. There was something in Drew’s eyes I couldn’t place, and it made me uneasy. He had been appearing around me more often .first at the hospital, and now at the pool. The pool had been a getaway for me and the kids to calm our nerves after everything that had happened. Mum was looking after Alice, and I wanted the kids to have some fun. I folded the last of their clothes and placed them neatly in Lily’s wardrobe. She was fast asleep. I stood up. “Goodnight, sweetie,” I whispered, kissing her forehead. I went to Eddie’s room and did the same. I should check on Luna and Liam too. I opened Luna’s door quietly. She was fast asleep. Then I went to Liam’s room. He was also sleeping, but just as I was about to close the door, he called softly, “Mum?” “Yes, baby? Thought you were asleep.” “I can’t sleep.” I walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. He sat upright

Why now drew??

Chapter 39 First thing in the morning, I’ll return them. I had softened up a bit seeing how thoughtful Drew was, but I shouldn’t have. I looked at the clock on the wall, it was still 10 p.m. By morning, I’d shove these in his face tomorrow and tell him to keep his kindness to himself. But I didn’t want to be anywhere near his house or office. The thought alone made my chest tighten. How do I get them to him, then? I’ll figure that out. I changed into my nightwear quickly and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling before closing my eyes, hoping sleep would take me away fast and quiet all the questions swirling in my mind.**** “Mum… Mum…” Luna’s voice pulled me out of sleep. I opened my eyes slowly, stretching. “Good morning, baby,” I said, sitting up straight, yawning. “Thank you, mummy! I love the sandals!” She jumped on the spot, smiling so wide her cheeks lifted. “Sandals?” I asked, still half asleep. “Yeah,” she raised her feet proudly. My heart sank. Luna was wearing

Unexpected encounter

Chapter 40 I burst out laughing. “You’re joking, right, Harry?” I continued laughing, but it was nervous, shaky, like my chest was trying to release some tension. “I’m not, Alia,” he said calmly. Wait. I stopped. “You’re serious?” “You know I’m not one to joke about something like this.” Damn it. I knew it wasn’t a joke, but I wanted it to be. “Harry… Drew will never apologize,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “I stayed with that man for two years of my life, and not once did he ever apologize to anyone. This isn’t just about me. Drew sees himself as a god. He will never admit he was wrong.” “Alia, what if he does—” “Harry, please stop asking questions, you know the answers!” I raised my voice, though it cracked at the end, betraying my unease. “I want to hear it from you, Alia.” His expression was as if my answer meant the world to him. “There will be no second chance between Drew and me. I can bet my entire fortune on that. Not in this lifetime.” Harry smi

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