CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43 – THE LIE THAT STARTED IT ALL

Recap – Chapter 43

In the whirlwind of emotional betrayals and long-buried secrets, Aaron’s reality has begun to unravel. Chapter 42 saw him confronting a letter from his biological mother — a letter that not only hinted she might still be alive, but also exposed dark truths Elena may have hidden. After a strained but vital call with his younger brother Milo, Aaron learned of a second letter written not to him, but to James, their father. This second letter deepens the mystery and solidifies one thing: Elena’s past is far more dangerous than anyone knew.

Aaron, once confused and torn between loyalty and forbidden desire, is now angry — and focused. The revelation of a man named Grayson, someone from Elena’s past tied to violence, manipulation, and possibly his mother’s disappearance, changes everything. If Elena once loved Grayson... what did she want from Aaron? What role did she play in splitting the Voss family apart?

As Milo and Aaron cautiously reunite and pore over the letters, the brothers begin a slow truce — not out of forgiveness, but survival. Because someone has been watching. Someone tied to Elena’s past. And they’re not done with the Voss family yet.

📖 Main Story

Aaron stood at the edge of the old Voss property, hidden in the tree line, hoodie pulled over his head like he was twelve again sneaking back home past curfew. The wind rustled the trees, making the memory feel even more haunting.

He hadn’t planned to come back this soon. Definitely not like this. But Milo’s message — and the second letter — had pulled him back into the orbit of the family he’d almost abandoned.

His feet moved forward without permission.

The lawn was still perfect, the porch light still flickering with that same bulb he’d always meant to change. His hand hovered over the doorknob before he pulled back.

Milo opened the door first. He didn’t say a word. Just stood there in jeans and a black hoodie, his expression unreadable.

"I came," Aaron said.

"I didn’t think you would."

"I didn’t think I would either."

They stared at each other in silence. Not quite forgiveness. Not quite war. Just... truce.

Then Milo stepped aside.

"You should see it for yourself."

The letter was on the dining table, next to a stack of old photo albums and a laptop still open to an image search of "Grayson Lorne."

Aaron picked it up carefully, as if the paper might burn.

James,

If you’re reading this, I’ve failed to protect Aaron. Elena has been seeing someone dangerous — a man named Grayson. He knows people. Has money. Influence. I think she’s afraid of him, but she’s also... dependent. I saw them once. I don’t think she knows I did. I didn’t know what to do. I still don’t. But if anything happens to me, promise me you’ll look after Aaron. Don’t let her raise him alone. And if Grayson ever comes back... run.

Aaron felt the blood drain from his face.

"She knew," he whispered.

"Knew what?" Milo asked.

"That Elena... wasn’t just pretending. She was hiding something. She may not have killed Mom, but she let her disappear."

"And then what? Just married Dad and played house?" Milo’s voice cracked. "Did she ever love us? Or were we just part of her game?"

Aaron stared blankly at the photo albums. He remembered Elena making Sunday pancakes. Kissing James goodbye with her smile already fading. Putting bandages on Milo’s knees. Telling Aaron he was "nothing like his father" in that low, smoky voice of hers.

How much of it had been real?

None?

All of it?

"I don’t know," Aaron admitted.

Meanwhile, across town...

Elena sat in the dark, knees pulled up on the couch, the TV flickering in the background with a muted rerun of a crime show. The irony wasn’t lost on her.

She’d spent the day avoiding mirrors.

The truth was closing in. Faster than she’d expected.

She picked up her phone and opened her voice memos.

"Aaron... if you ever hear this, just know I never wanted to lie. But I was scared. Grayson wasn’t just a mistake, he was a trap. He owned pieces of me I didn’t even know I’d given away. Your mother tried to stop me. She tried to warn James. And I let her... disappear."

She paused, her thumb hovering over delete.

"I never meant to fall in love with you. But I did. And I’d do it again, even if it ruins everything."

She deleted it.

She always did.

Back at the Voss house, Aaron ran a hand through his hair, then looked at Milo.

"We have to find Grayson."

"You think he’s still alive?"

"I think Elena’s still scared. That tells me someone’s still pulling strings."

Milo crossed his arms. "And what, we just track him down? What are we even going to do if we find him? Punch him in the face? Ask nicely about whether he staged a murder?"

"No," Aaron said. "We find him and ask the right question: What does he still want from Elena?"

Before Milo could respond, a loud creak echoed from outside — the side gate.

They both froze.

Aaron’s pulse kicked into high gear.

"Did you lock it?"

"I thought I did."

Aaron stood slowly and moved toward the door. Milo grabbed the baseball bat from beside the fridge.

"Stay here," Aaron whispered.

"Hell no."

They stepped outside together.

The yard was empty — at first.

Then a shadow moved behind the tool shed.

"Back entrance," Milo muttered.

Aaron crept around the edge, heart pounding, the bat tight in Milo’s grip beside him.

They turned the corner—

And found no one.

Just footprints in the dirt.

Fresh.

Still sinking.

Aaron knelt down, touched one. His fingers came away damp with morning dew.

"He was just here," he whispered.

Then, from behind them — a soft voice:

"Looking for me?"

They both spun, but the voice had come from the shadows.

And whoever it was... they were already gone.

Aaron lingered by the shed long after the footsteps had disappeared, staring into the space where the shadow had been. His heart was still hammering, but it wasn’t just fear. It was recognition. Not of the face — he hadn’t seen it — but of the feeling. That sick, heavy sense that someone had been watching him for much longer than a single night.

"I’ve been feeling it too," Milo said quietly, standing beside him now. "Like we’re being... followed. Not just today."

Aaron nodded, eyes still on the dark corners of the backyard. "Elena always checked the locks twice. Triple-checked the windows. I used to think she was just paranoid."

"Maybe she wasn’t."

They stood in silence for a while, the wind whispering through the trees, carrying with it the echoes of conversations they hadn’t yet had — and maybe never would.

Aaron finally broke the quiet. "We have to be smart. No more impulsive moves."

Milo looked up, trying to smirk. "Since when are you the cautious one?"

Aaron didn’t smile. "Since the game stopped being about feelings... and started being about survival."

And somewhere, in a shadow neither could see, someone smiled — and slipped away.

Preview – Chapter 44: The Man in the Window

Next time, the danger gets closer — too close.

After chasing the mysterious figure outside the house, Aaron and Milo realize that the threat isn’t just watching... it’s taunting them. A strange envelope is discovered taped to their father’s old shed, addressed not to Aaron or Milo, but to Elena — and inside, a photo that changes everything. It’s proof that Grayson was never truly gone. He’s been watching, waiting, and pulling strings from behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Elena’s past finally catches up with her. A phone call from a number she’s spent years trying to forget forces her to make a choice: run, confess... or betray the Voss brothers all over again. But this time, Aaron’s not the same boy who fell for her. And Milo is no longer content to stand on the sidelines.

As old lies collapse and new threats emerge, one truth becomes painfully clear: no one in the Voss family is innocent. And Elena might not be the most dangerous one anymore.

Secrets will surface. Loyalties will shift.

And in Chapter 44 — the window won’t just be a metaphor.

Someone is watching. And this time... they’re not alone.

📣 CTA – Share Your Thoughts, Theories & Allegiances!

So... let’s talk.

💥 Do you still trust Elena — or has she crossed a line too far?

📜 What do you think is in the photo that Grayson left behind?

🤯 And could Aaron be in more danger than he even realizes?

I want to hear your wildest theories, softest hopes, and most unhinged takes — is there still redemption left for anyone in this twisted love triangle? Or is everyone already in too deep?

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments! I personally read every single one and LOVE hearing your interpretations and emotional reactions.

❤️ If you’re hooked and want to keep following Aaron, Elena, Milo — and the mess they’ve all made — be sure to ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR LIBRARY and leave a rating if you’re enjoying the story.

Your support helps me keep writing, Chapter after Chapter.

See you in Chapter 44... where the shadows finally speak. 👀