Stories Hidden in Shadows By Julian Blake 9

Stories Hidden in Shadows By Julian Blake 9 Summary

 

At exactly nine in the morning, Mila arrives at the coffee shop, expecting to meet Ryker, but instead finds Margaret, who appears exhausted and defeated. Margaret tries to appeal to Mila’s mercy, explaining Ryker’s remorse and illness, but Mila remains cold and resolute. She confronts Margaret about the betrayal and the power she holds over Ryker’s career, refusing to be swayed by sympathy.

 

Margaret then proposes a negotiation regarding the apartment, which is premarital property, offering Mila fifty thousand dollars in cash to settle quietly and keep the damaging evidence hidden. Mila laughs off the offer, pointing out that the gifts her father gave to secure Ryker’s job were worth far more, and demands one hundred thousand dollars along with keeping the car, part of her dowry. She makes it clear that if her demands are not met, she will expose Ryker to his company’s ethics board, risking his job and career.

 

Margaret reluctantly agrees, and the money is quickly transferred to Mila’s account. They finalize the divorce at City Hall, and Mila feels a sense of relief and freedom as she leaves. She meets her friends Liley, Penny, Gabby, and Cassie, who celebrate her victory and support her. Mila learns that Ryker and Layla have both called in sick at work, hinting at the consequences of the unfolding drama.

 

Finally, Mila asks for a favor: contact information for Layla’s fiancé. Gabby provides the details, and Mila sends him a chilling PDF titled “A Wedding Gift for Layla Moreau’s Fiancé,” hinting at further revelations to come. The chapter ends with a sense of empowerment and impending confrontation.

 

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Chapter 9

Exactly at nine in the morning, I stepped into the coffee shop, punctual as always. The familiar scent of roasted beans and the low murmur of early customers filled the air, but my mind was elsewhere, bracing for what was to come.

A few moments passed before a weary figure appeared, but it wasn’t Ryker. Instead, it was Margaret. Her usual confident demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Dark circles framed her eyes, and the arrogance she had worn like armor yesterday had completely vanished, replaced by a heavy exhaustion—the kind that only harsh reality can inflict.

“Mila…” she said, sinking into the chair opposite me, her voice rough and strained. “We need to talk.”

I barely glanced at her, stirring my coffee absentmindedly. “I don’t have anything left to say,” I replied coolly. “I made my position perfectly clear yesterday. Where is Ryker? Too afraid to face me?”

Margaret’s eyes flicked away, avoiding mine. “He’s… sick. Running a high fever.” Her tone softened, almost pleading. “Mila, we’re both women here. Why do you have to be so merciless? Ryker knows he screwed up. Last night, he was down on his knees in front of me, slapping himself until his face was swollen.”

I almost laughed at the attempt to win sympathy.

“Mom, what’s the point of bringing all this up now?” I set my spoon down deliberately, meeting her gaze steadily. “If I hadn’t shown you that evidence yesterday, would he even realize he did anything wrong? If I wasn’t holding his entire career in my hands, do you think you’d be sitting here, trying to ‘talk nicely’ with me?”

Margaret had no response.

She took a slow, deep breath and finally got to the heart of the matter. “Mila, about the apartment… let’s negotiate. You know it’s premarital property. Even if this ends up in court, you won’t get it. So here’s what I’m proposing—we compensate you. In cash.”

“How much?” I asked bluntly, my patience thinning.

She raised five fingers cautiously. “Fifty thousand. Mila, that’s all the liquid money we have. You take the cash, you two divorce quietly, and whatever’s on that memory card—we pretend it never existed. Okay? Ryker can’t afford to lose his job.”

Fifty thousand?

I burst out laughing.

Fifty grand to buy out three years of my life? To erase the sting of betrayal? To wipe away everything I invested in that marriage?

“Mom, do you really think I’m that naive?” I leaned in, locking eyes with her. “The gifts Dad sent just to secure Ryker that job? They alone cost more than fifty thousand. And now you expect me to settle for pocket change?”

Margaret’s expression darkened.

“Then… what do you want?” she asked, voice trembling.

“A hundred thousand. Not a penny less. The car was part of my dowry—it’s mine. Once I have the money, I’ll sign the divorce papers and promise not to report this to his company’s ethics board.”

“A hundred thousand?! Are you trying to rob us?” Margaret hissed, her voice rising sharply.

Heads turned toward us, curious about the sudden outburst.

“I’m not negotiating. I’m telling you,” I said firmly, standing up and looking down at her. “You can refuse if you want. I’ll send everything to the ethics committee right now. Ryker won’t just lose his job—he’ll face disciplinary action. The choice is yours.”

I grabbed my bag and started to walk away.

“I agree!” Margaret practically shouted after me.

From there, everything moved surprisingly quickly.

The hundred thousand dollars appeared in my account almost immediately. Ryker and I went to City Hall and finalized the divorce. The marriage certificate was officially replaced by a divorce decree.

As I stepped out of City Hall, the sky seemed clearer, the blue sharper, as if the world itself was lighter without that weight on my shoulders.

I called Liley, who was waiting for me at a café near her office. When I arrived, Penny, Gabby, and Cassie were already there, their faces lighting up at the sight of me.

“Done?” Liley asked eagerly.

I waved the divorce certificate triumphantly and smiled. “Done.”

“Hell yes! Congratulations on escaping that nightmare!” Gabby cheered, clapping her hands.

“Mila, you’re incredible!” Penny said, looking at me like I’d just won a battle. “Oh, by the way—Ryker and Layla both called in sick today. Neither of them showed up to work.”

“Guilty conscience,” I muttered, taking a sip of my coffee, then turning to Penny. “Actually, I need one more favor.”

“Anything,” she said immediately.

“Layla’s fiancé—the one she’s about to marry. Does anyone have his contact info?”

The three exchanged quick glances before Gabby spoke up. “I do! I have him on WhatsApp. He once came to pick Layla up from a company retreat, and we all ended up adding each other.”

“Perfect.” I pulled out my phone and sent Gabby the PDF file I’d spent the entire night assembling. “Send this to him for me.”

The file’s title was straightforward and chilling:

A Wedding Gift for Layla Moreau’s Fiancé.

Conclusion

 

The chapter closes on a note of resolute empowerment, as Mila decisively severs the ties that bound her to a marriage built on betrayal and manipulation. Her unwavering stance in demanding what she deserves not only highlights her strength but also underlines the themes of justice and self-respect that have been woven throughout the narrative. The emotional tension between Mila and Margaret reveals the complex layers of family loyalty and moral compromise, yet Mila’s clarity and courage shine through, marking a turning point in her journey toward reclaiming her life.

 

As Mila steps into a new chapter free from the shadows of her past, the support of her friends and the symbolic gesture of sending the incriminating evidence to Layla’s fiancé reinforce the idea that truth and solidarity are powerful forces. The clear skies outside City Hall mirror the newfound clarity and hope Mila feels, suggesting that while the scars of the past remain, she is ready to face the future on her own terms. This conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of catharsis and anticipation for the consequences that honesty and courage will inevitably bring.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

Next chapter promises to deepen the tension as Mila takes a bold step by involving Layla’s fiancé in the unfolding drama. The stakes have shifted from personal betrayal to a wider network of secrets and potential repercussions, hinting at new alliances and rivalries that could complicate Mila’s quest for justice. The emotional undercurrents remain palpable, with Mila’s determination clashing against the fragile facades of those around her.

 

As the story progresses, expect the fragile peace Mila has just claimed to be tested by unforeseen reactions and the consequences of exposing painful truths. Relationships will be strained, loyalties questioned, and the line between friend and foe blurred. The next chapter will explore how far Mila is willing to go to reclaim her life and what price she might pay for standing her ground.