Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 8

Chapter 1

Lana's POVShane's last shout slammed through my head.It didn't hurt.Just a sharp buzz—high and piercing—spinning the room until I dropped.My phone kept vibrating on the table. I stared, then swiped.Even my voice came out broken. "Mom?"A pause. Then her long sigh."Lana, you saw it, didn't you?"I froze.My grip tightened on the phone, knuckles going white. "You... knew?"She laughed, low and mocking, like it was nothing. "Yeah. If you didn't see it yourself, you'd never let go. Your father made you suffer twenty years for that woman. And Shane? He's been acting this whole time for Irene. Your father, Shane—still not enough to wake you up? Love's the least important thing."From the master bedroom upstairs, the sounds slipped through the door—cheap, ugly proof of every word.I choked, tears spilling. Still asked, like a kid, "Then what matters, Mom?""Money." Her voice was cold. Flat. "Come back to the Laurent estate. I've handled everything. Pack up. Your flight's in

Chapter 2

When I got back to the Laurent estate, Shane texted me:[Something came up. I can't be with you the next couple days. Sorry.]I let out a cold laugh and blocked him right away.Disgusting.What "something"?He and Irene were probably wrecking my bed.Fine.Those two days gave me time to pack and get ready to leave Carmoria.The next day, a staff member rushed in. "Ms. Laurent, Mr. Wade's here. He's at the gate, won't leave until he sees you."I frowned. Bad feeling, instant.My father never showed unless he wanted something."Did he say why?"She shook her head. "No. Just anxious. Won't leave."I paused, then decided not to let him in.I walked to the gate. "What is it?"My father had his back to me, arguing with the guards. The second he heard my voice, he grabbed the iron gate."Lana, you're finally here! Hurry—come with me. Something bad happened!"I frowned. Didn't open the gate. Stepped back. "Then call the police. Not me. I can't help you."He shook the gate har

Chapter 3

In a split second, he shoved me forward.Irene screamed and fell into Shane's arms. A sweaty hand that stank like cheap tobacco clamped onto mine.Cold steel pressed to my neck.The blade nicked my skin, a thin, icy line of blood.Shane just lowered his head, soothing Irene. "It's okay. Irene, don't be scared. I'm here."He never looked back.Irene glanced at the blood on my neck, brows lifting in triumph, then clung tighter to him."Shane, I'm so scared. It's filthy here. Can you take me away first?"Shane scooped her up.The kidnapper roared, "No one leaves! You think you can just walk away? Call her rich mom. Ten million in cash in thirty minutes—or I kill her!"Before he even finished, Irene grabbed Shane's arm, voice shaking. "Shane, let's go. I'm too scared to stay. He's bluffing. He won't kill her—if he does, he gets nothing!"The kidnapper snapped. The knife dug deeper into my neck. "You think I'm scared? Try it! I said I'll kill her! Make the call!"The cut split o

Chapter 4

While I recovered, something about the case wouldn't sit right.I dug in, quiet. Found weird contact between Irene and the kidnapper. Yeah—they were probably working together.But she was Shane's first love. So of course, facts didn't matter. Even with the evidence right there, he kept saying she was innocent. Said I was framing her. Tried every angle to "convince" me.I ignored him. Completely.The morning I was set to leave, the department called. Wanted me and my lawyer in.I pushed the door open. Chief Lambert was already inside—along with Shane and Irene.Chief Lambert stood and gave a small nod. "Ms. Laurent, you got the reply from the Financial Regulatory Commission?"I nodded. My lawyer slid over the evidence. "Offshore account Irene set up. A week before the incident, she wired eight hundred thousand to the kidnapper, Owen Kennard. My father only owed five hundred, even with interest. Chief Lambert, that doesn't add up. Looks like Owen Kennard was taking orders from her

Chapter 5

Shane's mouth dropped open, like his brain just stalled.The lawyer didn't care. He gave a small nod. "Recording it is."Click.The audio started.The kidnapper's gravelly voice cut in. "You really think Detective Terrell will play along? He's still wearing that badge."Then Irene's sweet, poisonous voice came through."Relax. Shane's still crazy about me—his first love. Back when I had to leave Carmoria, a few words were enough to push him into chasing Lana just to get back at me. I thought he might've actually fallen for her this time, so I rushed back. The second he saw me, he started yelling about dumping Lana to marry me. That's how much he loves me. When it goes down, just leave a couple marks on my neck. He'll do whatever you say. Once we get the money, you slip out in the chaos."She paused, then added, "Actually, don't hold back with the knife. I can't stand Lana's face. I'll throw in another three hundred grand."The kidnapper gave a crude chuckle. "You're generous. B

Chapter 6

Something crashed in Irene's head.The raw disgust in his eyes said it all.He wasn't helping her anymore.It was over.All of it—over.Despair twisted into rage, and Irene finally ripped off the soft, obedient mask she'd always worn.Her face twisted, eyes sharp with something unhinged. "How the hell can you say that? Like you're any better?"She jabbed a finger at his face, voice cutting. "You were the one who said you loved me. Said you'd protect me forever. When I left Carmoria, I told you Lana hurt me—you said you'd get revenge. Said you'd make her pay, make her cry, make her regret everything. Playing with people's feelings—what does that make you?"She shouted, spit nearly hitting his pale face. "And now you're acting all righteous? Calling me disgusting? Where was that when you were in bed with me—in your own marriage? You bastard. What right do you have to judge me?"Her fists tightened, slamming into his shoulder and chest.Thud. Thud. Thud.Each hit landed dull an

Chapter 7

Lana's POVThe verdict dropped three months later.Irene got nailed on everything—kidnapping, fraud, money laundering, false charges, obstruction. Charge after charge. Twenty years.When the bailiffs hauled her up, she glanced back at the gallery.Empty.Even Jacob bailed.The last of her composure cracked. Her knees gave out. They practically dragged her away.Twenty years? Yeah. Long enough for her to rot behind bars.As for Shane.Before the trial, my lawyer told the court and the DA I was willing to forgive him. Asked for a lighter sentence.Not because I was in love.Prison? That'd be an escape. Lock him up, shut the door, cut him off from everything—Too easy.No. I want him out here.Awake. Every second.Watching the life he wrecked with his own hands.Because of my forgiveness—and his past service—the court gave him three years, suspended for four. Internal Affairs handled the rest: fired.But he didn't disappear.Chief Lambert still had his back, kept him aro

Chapter 8

Back at Laurent Corp in Carmoria, with my mom's sign-off, I went straight into cleanup mode.No surprise—I found parasites. Internal corruption, nice and ugly.To cooperate with the financial crimes unit, I headed to Halcyon PD again.And yeah—ran into Shane."Lana!"Honestly, I barely recognized him.That rough work uniform hung off him like it didn't belong. He'd lost weight. His face? Blank. Just that dead, numb look from doing the same crap every day.Behind him stood the new detective captain—used to be his subordinate."Shane, you're civilian staff now. No authority on this case. Go handle misc work. And mop the floor outside records.""Got it."He said it, but still rushed toward me.My assistant moved to block him.I pressed her hand down. "It's fine. I know him."Shane stopped in front of me. Tears just... spilled. "Lana, you're back. These five years—I missed you so much."He didn't wipe them. Just stared at me, all regret. "I keep dreaming about that abandoned

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