2025-07-19 22:02:00
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
90
Caleb, now known to the world as Arthur, worked with a quiet, methodical grace. His days were spent in the peaceful routine of manual labor. He was a handyman, a man who fixed what was broken with his hands and a simple, focused mind. He had no memory of boardrooms or market strategies, no recollection of the vast corporation he once commanded. His mind was a blank slate, and he was happy to fill it with the simple, tangible achievements of his new life. Today, he was fixing a broken fence for a woman who lived near one of Veredale's many green parks. The rhythmic scrape of sandpaper against wood and the satisfying thud of a hammer were the only things on his mind.He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice the small group approaching until they were almost right beside him. A young woman with an air of refined elegance, a sturdy man with a professional demeanor, and a little boy, no older than two, who was running ahead of them with a small, yellow ball
89
Weeks bled into months, each day a slow, deliberate step in Caleb's arduous journey of recovery. Diego, ever present, oversaw every aspect of his nephew's rehabilitation. The physical wounds, though deep, healed steadily, leaving behind the smooth, unfamiliar contours of a face molded by necessity. But the mind was a more fragile landscape. Caleb, now nameless to himself, was a blank slate. Diego, Elena, and even little Sofia spoke to him patiently, teaching him the most basic things, helping him grasp the simplest concepts of his new world."This is a spoon," Elena would say gently, guiding his hand. "You use it to eat soup.""Soup," he'd repeat, his voice still a little rough, the word feeling alien on his tongue. He was like a child, learning everything anew. Diego meticulously crafted a new history for him, a carefully constructed life story that would withstand scrutiny. He was "Arthur," a man who had lost his family and his memory in a tragic, unrelated accident. They even creat
88
The warehouse, a smoldering, skeletal ruin, was a chaotic scene of emergency vehicles and flashing lights. Firefighters doused the last embers, while forensics teams in white suits began their grim work, documenting the wreckage. Under the veil of this organized chaos, another, more discreet team operated. A sleek, unmarked black van was parked on a deserted side street, its occupants watching the scene through binoculars. Inside, a man sat calmly, his face illuminated by a tablet displaying a live feed of the fire. He had a strong, weathered face, silver threading through his dark hair, and eyes that held the weight of a hundred secrets. This was Diego Ruines, 48 years old, a man no one believed was alive. He was Fiona's brother, Caleb's uncle, a ghost in the world of the living."They've located him, boss," a man in the passenger seat said, his voice low and professional. "They're moving in now, posing as part of the private security detail. No one will notice a thing."Diego nodded
87
- Mr. Reed's POV - His Private StudyMiles away, in his opulent private study, Mr. Reed sat, sipping a late-night scotch. He had just received the call from the hospital about his daughter Diana’s distress, and he was still fuming from the earlier, abrupt conversation with Caleb. He had always mistrusted Caleb, seen him as an upstart who had taken his daughter from him. He couldn't shake the feeling Caleb was the root of all Diana's troubles.His phone buzzed, a news alert notification. He glanced at it, ready to dismiss it as more trivial news. Then he saw the headline, blazing red across his screen. His hand froze, the glass almost slipping from his fingers, clinking against the polished wood of his desk.**CALEB CALLAHAN PRESUMED DEAD IN WAREHOUSE FIRE.**He stared at the words, unblinkingly, his mind struggling to process the enormity of it. Caleb. Dead. The son of the man he’d competed with for decades, the man who had truly stolen his daughter from him. A complex, warring mix o
86
The news anchors, usually composed and measured, now spoke in hushed, somber tones, their faces reflecting the shock that was rippling through the city. The images on screen were stark: flickering flames from a distant warehouse, then a grim-faced fire chief confirming the unspeakable. The name **Caleb Callahan** hung heavy in the air, a final, crushing pronouncement.---Diana's POV - The MansionThe grand Callahan mansion, usually a haven of quiet luxury, felt hushed with a new kind of peace. Diana sat in the plush nursery glider, Jasper nestled against her chest, his tiny breaths a soft, comforting rhythm against her ear. They had only been home from the hospital for a day, and the joy of having their son finally with them eclipsed the recent turmoil. She was still sore, still healing, but every ache faded when she looked at Jasper. The large television in the sitting room, just audible from the nursery, was on low, a gentle background murmur.Suddenly, the soft program faded, repl
85
The joy that filled Caleb and Diana's lives was a tangible, precious thing. Their son, a healthy baby boy, was finally strong enough to leave the neonatal intensive care unit. As they carried him from the hospital, Caleb’s heart swelled with a profound, almost overwhelming love. This was the life he had always wanted, a perfect world with his beautiful wife and his son. They named him Jasper, a name that felt strong and kind, just like the man Caleb wanted him to be. The days that followed were a whirlwind of pure, unadulterated happiness. Caleb's office work continued, but he made it a point to be home every evening, trading his business suit for comfortable clothes, spending hours simply holding Jasper, marveling at the tiny perfection of his son. Diana, in her new role as a mother, was radiant. Her days were a happy blur of feedings, cooing, and quiet moments of sheer, exhausted bliss. The old tensions, the past hurts, the fear and betrayal—it all felt like a distant nightmare, a
You may also like
You Do Not Deserve Me
Keep It Flowing93.6K viewsSavvy Son-in-law
VKBoy222.0K viewsThe Ruthless Son-in-law
Bella Starr136.4K viewsThe Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection
Dreamy Fire223.3K viewsSecond Life Trillionaire; They Will Regret It
Life_Of_Mid1.4K viewsThe Accidental Son-in-law Is A Genius
Cypborg504 viewsThe Devil's Guardian Angel.
LordGrimX101 322 viewsThe Billionaire's Hidden Son-in-Law
Bella Grace45 views