[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603222E6F78-131":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},131,33,"Chapter 33: The Recording That Ended Everything","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Enough! Do you have any idea what you've done? She was pregnant. How could you be so heartless as to hurt a pregnant woman?\" Maximus Anderson’s voice cracked like a whip through the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Delilah Kelly scrambled to bury her panic, her fingers clawing at Maximus’s sleeve. \"No, no, I didn’t! I didn’t know she was pregnant. I swear, I had no idea!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Delilah, when did you become like this?\" Maximus’s eyes clouded with a weary, hollow sadness. \"I know everything. A digital voice recorder was delivered to me by a stranger.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He turned his back on her, his voice dropping to a jagged, cold edge. \"Stay home and think about what you've done. I don’t want your hands stained with blood, Delilah, and I suggest you stop digging your own grave.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He walked away without sparing her another look. He had already pieced the ugly truth together. It was simple: she had played her little game, using a pawn to achieve her own twisted ends. But she had crossed the line. She had touched his child, and that was a sin he could not—would not—forgive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Maximus! Maximus, wait!\" Delilah screamed at his retreating back, but he didn't even hesitate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ahhh!\" Delilah let out a guttural, shattered cry, ripping at her own hair in a frantic haze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The recording. Who was it? Who was the one that caught her off guard? Could it be… a warning from John Price? She collapsed to the floor, trembling violently, shivering as if possessed. It had to be John Price. It was a threat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Rose, darling! Are you up for a shopping trip?\" Lily Hughes’s voice chimed through the phone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Lily? I’m just at home. Shopping? I’d love to,\" Rose Harrison replied, a small, genuine smile finally reaching her eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Perfect! Stay put, I’m on my way to pick you up,\" Lily chirped.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, but drive safe,\" Rose reminded her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Got it! See you in a bit.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A short while later, the rhythmic honking of Lily’s car echoed outside. As they met at the front door, the two women shared a beaming look. It was time for some much-needed retail therapy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was a Saturday, and the mall was packed. After hours of wandering, they were both weighed down by shopping bags.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hey, Rose, try this on. It’ll look stunning on you,\" Lily said, pulling a delicate white lace dress from a rack.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This? Are you sure I can pull this off?\" Rose asked, tilting her head. The lace reminded her uncomfortably of the 'unattainable first love' trope. Rose was a classic beauty, and this ethereal style was exactly what she was known for.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, stop it. It’s perfect! Go, go, go, get in the fitting room. It’s a miracle I even found your size,\" Lily said, playfully shoving her toward the curtain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow,\" Lily gasped, her eyes twinkling as Rose stepped out. \"Rose, you look like a dream! It’s breathtaking.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The pure white, off-the-shoulder gown hung perfectly, highlighting Rose’s delicate collarbones. The cinched-waist design accentuated her slim frame, and the skirt flowed to the floor in layers of intricate lace that danced with her every movement, making her look like a forest nymph.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That dress is truly magnificent, Rose,\" a voice remarked from behind them. It was Caspian Hughes, walking toward them with a genuine look of admiration.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Brother! Why are you just showing up now? And where is Kellen?\" Lily bounced toward him, glancing behind his shoulder.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Of course you’re only looking for Kellen. I spent all these years raising you, and you’re already obsessed with him,\" Caspian teased, pretending to be annoyed. He’d always been protective of his little sister, and seeing her head over heels for Kellen Nelson was still an adjustment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, hush, Caspian! You know what they say—a day apart feels like three autumns,\" Lily chirped, pouting playfully. \"Anyway, look at the dress I picked for Rose. Isn’t it beautiful?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Caspian nodded, his expression softening. \"Yes, it is. Your taste has always been impeccable.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"See? That’s why Kellen is the best, hands down,\" the little firecracker gloated, her pride practically radiating off her.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272922400]