THE LIE THAT WORE A RING - Chapter 28: Chapter 28
You are reading THE LIE THAT WORE A RING, Chapter 28: Chapter 28. Read more chapters of THE LIE THAT WORE A RING.
The heart doesn’t forget betrayal. But sometimes, it finds space for something softer. Something new.
Spring arrived with hesitant warmth.
The frost on the mansion’s tall windows gave way to sunlight. Flowers bloomed along the driveway Ava once refused to walk down. Birds nested in the branches above the swing Ethan had helped repair.
It had been three months since Alina’s arrest.
Three months of silence.
Three months of peace.
And in that quiet, something unexpected began to bloom—not in the garden, but in Nicholas.
Her name was Elise.
They met at a fundraising gala for childhood literacy—an event Nicholas had almost canceled attending. But Ava had pushed him.
“You’ve always supported that charity,” she said. “Don’t let her take your name away from good things.”
So he went.
And Elise was the keynote speaker.
Elegant. Passionate. Not flashy, not performative. Just real. She spoke about books the way others spoke about faith—believing in their ability to transform broken lives.
Nicholas didn’t approach her that night.
But she noticed his quiet gaze.
Their first meeting happened a week later, at a private donation brunch.
They were seated beside each other.
Elise wasn’t starstruck.
She didn’t ask about the podcast or the scandal.
She asked about his children.
That’s when Nicholas leaned in and listened.
Truly listened.
He didn’t bring her home right away.
In fact, he didn’t tell Ava or Ethan for weeks.
He needed to be sure.
Not just about Elise—but about himself.
He didn’t want a Band-Aid. He wanted substance. Healing. Something earned.
Ava found out first.
She spotted the name on a coffee cup in the kitchen.
“Who’s Elise?” she asked, leaning against the counter.
Nicholas didn’t lie.
“She’s... someone I’m getting to know.”
Ava raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking ‘friend’ know, or ‘you might want her to meet your kids’ know?”
Nicholas smiled. “The first one. Maybe.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay. Good. Just… be careful.”
“I am.”
“For her,” Ava said.
Nicholas paused.
Then nodded. “I will be.”
Ethan was more direct.
When Nicholas finally brought up Elise at dinner, Ethan put down his fork and said, “If she’s anything like the last one, I swear I’ll call social services myself.”
Ava choked on her water laughing.
Nicholas just grinned.
“She’s not.”
“You sure?” Ethan asked.
“I’m sure.”
“Then maybe invite her. For dinner. Here.”
Nicholas blinked. “Really?”
Ethan shrugged. “I’d rather meet her in my space than find out you’ve been seeing her in secret. That’s how she started, remember?”
Fair point.
So Nicholas texted Elise that evening.
Dinner was awkward.
Elise brought lemon chicken and a bottle of wine. She was warm but didn’t try too hard. She asked Ava about her art, asked Ethan about his favorite film scores.
She didn’t pry.
Didn’t flinch when Alina’s name came up briefly.
Didn’t speak over the silences.
She just… listened.
When she left, Ethan gave a casual “See you” and Ava gave her a half-hug.
Nicholas walked her to her car, unsure of what Elise was thinking.
But before stepping in, she looked up at him and said,
“They’re smart. And protective. That’s a sign you raised them right.”
He blinked. “You’re not overwhelmed?”
She smiled gently. “Nicholas, I don’t need a fairytale. Just the truth.”
That night, Nicholas sat alone in the study.
No ghosts. No threats. No masks.
Just a slow, quiet, hopeful heart.
Spring arrived with hesitant warmth.
The frost on the mansion’s tall windows gave way to sunlight. Flowers bloomed along the driveway Ava once refused to walk down. Birds nested in the branches above the swing Ethan had helped repair.
It had been three months since Alina’s arrest.
Three months of silence.
Three months of peace.
And in that quiet, something unexpected began to bloom—not in the garden, but in Nicholas.
Her name was Elise.
They met at a fundraising gala for childhood literacy—an event Nicholas had almost canceled attending. But Ava had pushed him.
“You’ve always supported that charity,” she said. “Don’t let her take your name away from good things.”
So he went.
And Elise was the keynote speaker.
Elegant. Passionate. Not flashy, not performative. Just real. She spoke about books the way others spoke about faith—believing in their ability to transform broken lives.
Nicholas didn’t approach her that night.
But she noticed his quiet gaze.
Their first meeting happened a week later, at a private donation brunch.
They were seated beside each other.
Elise wasn’t starstruck.
She didn’t ask about the podcast or the scandal.
She asked about his children.
That’s when Nicholas leaned in and listened.
Truly listened.
He didn’t bring her home right away.
In fact, he didn’t tell Ava or Ethan for weeks.
He needed to be sure.
Not just about Elise—but about himself.
He didn’t want a Band-Aid. He wanted substance. Healing. Something earned.
Ava found out first.
She spotted the name on a coffee cup in the kitchen.
“Who’s Elise?” she asked, leaning against the counter.
Nicholas didn’t lie.
“She’s... someone I’m getting to know.”
Ava raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking ‘friend’ know, or ‘you might want her to meet your kids’ know?”
Nicholas smiled. “The first one. Maybe.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay. Good. Just… be careful.”
“I am.”
“For her,” Ava said.
Nicholas paused.
Then nodded. “I will be.”
Ethan was more direct.
When Nicholas finally brought up Elise at dinner, Ethan put down his fork and said, “If she’s anything like the last one, I swear I’ll call social services myself.”
Ava choked on her water laughing.
Nicholas just grinned.
“She’s not.”
“You sure?” Ethan asked.
“I’m sure.”
“Then maybe invite her. For dinner. Here.”
Nicholas blinked. “Really?”
Ethan shrugged. “I’d rather meet her in my space than find out you’ve been seeing her in secret. That’s how she started, remember?”
Fair point.
So Nicholas texted Elise that evening.
Dinner was awkward.
Elise brought lemon chicken and a bottle of wine. She was warm but didn’t try too hard. She asked Ava about her art, asked Ethan about his favorite film scores.
She didn’t pry.
Didn’t flinch when Alina’s name came up briefly.
Didn’t speak over the silences.
She just… listened.
When she left, Ethan gave a casual “See you” and Ava gave her a half-hug.
Nicholas walked her to her car, unsure of what Elise was thinking.
But before stepping in, she looked up at him and said,
“They’re smart. And protective. That’s a sign you raised them right.”
He blinked. “You’re not overwhelmed?”
She smiled gently. “Nicholas, I don’t need a fairytale. Just the truth.”
That night, Nicholas sat alone in the study.
No ghosts. No threats. No masks.
Just a slow, quiet, hopeful heart.
End of THE LIE THAT WORE A RING Chapter 28. Continue reading Chapter 29 or return to THE LIE THAT WORE A RING book page.