Ribbons Unbound: My Fiancé's Lingering Regret novel Chapter 69

Yunifer's health had been fragile since prison. With no family left, she'd once confided in him that she wanted a child—someone to make her feel like she belonged somewhere again.

Yet the moment she discovered her pregnancy, he'd forced her to end it, ignoring her heartbroken pleas.

The truth—one he'd barely admitted to himself—was that losing the baby had gutted him too.

But that hadn't stopped him from succumbing to temptation with Laria in his office that very night...

He'd brought Yunifer's mother home on her birthday, hoping to surprise her with something special.

But when everything went to hell, he'd walked away with Laria in his arms while Yunifer knelt sobbing over her bleeding mother.

For Laria's sake, he'd demanded endless sacrifices from Yunifer.

And she had complied—silently, completely. So why was Laria now gleefully twisting the knife when Yunifer wasn't even here to defend herself?

His eyes hardened into shards of ice as he stared at Laria.

"That's enough," he said, his voice cutting like a blade through ice.

"We've known Yunifer for years, Laria. Let's drop the act. You and I both know exactly how brilliant she once was—and precisely how she ended up destroyed."

"You've been basking in the spotlight that should have been hers, while secretly tearing her down behind her back. It's disgusting. I never realized what a vicious little parasite you really are."

He took a shaky breath, rage barely contained. "I see it now—what I've been too blind to admit. I fell in love with Yunifer somewhere along the way."

"I've done everything I could for you, And now get out of my house and don't ever show your face here again."

"Richard," he barked at the housekeeper, "escort Ms. Winter off my property. Now."

Laria's face crumpled into practiced sobs, clearly expecting him to fold as he always had. But this time, Hektor didn't even glance in her direction.

When the house finally fell silent, he noticed a black USB drive among the scattered ashes.

With trembling hands, he plugged it into his laptop.

It contained two videos and an audio file.

Nate understood the urgency immediately. "I'll check right now and call you back."

Hektor sat paralyzed, barely breathing, praying that the death certificate was just Yunifer's twisted revenge plot.

After what felt like hours, Nate called back, his voice heavy with confirmation.

"It's true, Hektor. Yunifer's mother died two days ago from massive internal bleeding and hemorrhage. The doctors couldn't save her because she arrived too late for treatment."

His friend paused before continuing.

"I've been telling you for years that Laria isn't who you think she is. What kind of person watches you destroy someone's life and reputation, then stands by while their mentor bleeds out without shedding a single fucking tear?"

"Yunifer knows everything now. After what she's endured, I doubt she'll ever forgive you. I wouldn't."

As the call ended, Hektor stared at the divorce certificate in his hands, the paper warping in his white-knuckled grip.

"I'll find you, Yunifer," he whispered. "Wait for me. Please."