The voice that had rung out through the hall and stopped Leslie belonged to Alexander. He walked to the podium as all eyes turned to him curiously."Sorry, sister-in-law, I just have a few words to say," he stated innocently, making Leslie frown in confusion. “He is never this nice, what's going on?”The feeling of unease grew, and her eyes subconsciously trailed to Julian, who was seated in the front row. They shared a look. Julian, too, was dumbfounded as to why Alexander decided to come up to the podium all of a sudden. “I hope this brat isn't about to do anything stupid”, he thought with a frown of his own.Leslie gave Alexander a polite, "Sure, sure," and stepped away from the podium a little bit, but didn't go off stage."What's up, everyone?" Alexander spoke informally, getting some raised brows from the crowd. He flushed a little, but being a Blackwood and having the innate ability to draw attention, he straightened up. "I just want to say a big thank you to everyone for comin
Julian had to be injected with a sedative as they rushed back home. Calls repeatedly came in on both Julian's and Leslie's phones, so she switched both of them off. The weight on her heart deepened even more as she looked over at Julian on their matrimonial bed, looking pale and haggard. The sedative had taken a long time to take effect. He clenched her wrist tightly leaving red marks because of the intensity of his grip as she sat down beside him, tears streaming down her face.The dull lighting of the magnificent bedroom casting dim shades on Julian's face. "Oh, Julian, I can't bear to see you in this pain. How could Alexander deliberately trigger you like this?" Her hatred was bone-deep. But what she found confusing were Vanessa's words: *This is only the beginning.* *What did she mean by that?* She knew Vanessa could be bratty, but that level of hatred?, and for what reason? Her mind reeled. Her dad was on his deathbed, her art exhibit failed, the Blackwood name is in the mud, an
**Flashback**A young boy dressed in a well-groomed hairstyle and a comfy shirt and long pants, roughly eleven years old, skipped happily along a hallway in Blackwood Manor, a sealed report sheet in hand. He found his father's office and remembered the instructions drilled into him. He straightened, adjusted his hair and clothes, and walked carefully to the door.He knocked twice.A deep, gruff voice that sounded irritated bellowed from the inside, "Who's disturbing me at this time of the day?"The boy quickly looked at his tiny watch—it was still noon. He gulped. "Father, it's me, Julian."After a while, he heard a response, "Come in."He pushed open the door. The urge to say "Daddy" overwhelmed him, but he bit his tongue and bowed his head, maintaining the manners his dad had instilled in him."Good afternoon, Father.""What do you want, Julian?" The man with a head full of dark brown hair and black eyes stared at Julian with a bored expression.Julian's face took on an excited expr
After two days of absence, Julian finally returned to the company. He sat at the head of the table in the conference room. The room was packed with tension as the weakness and vulnerability he displayed with Leslie were all gone. His hardened gaze sized up everyone in the room, and they held their breaths. Mr. Ashluxe sat up straighter, wiping the sweat from his forehead and setting his lips in a thin line."S-so, Master Blackwood, we've all gathered here to—" Julian chuckled, cutting him off, his eyes calculating the man."So that's why you came for the exhibit," he chuckled some more, and the board of directors gave each other confused looks."Look here, young man!" A pudgy man with thick blond beards stood up and slammed his fists on the table. "We all saw the news yesterday! The Blackwood name is in the mud! You have disgraced all of us! The phones have been ringing all morning in the HR department, deals are being retracted and canceled, and you sit down there acting like the lea
Leslie looked on quietly as Julian slept. She softly stroked his hair, her eyes soft as they gazed at him. He had been through so much; she just wanted to lift the burden away and throw it deep into the Pacific Ocean. *At least the chamomile tea I made him helped. He's sleeping so peacefully,* she thought. She'd been chatting with Julian's tech guy, Mark, all evening since she needed help for what she was about to do.She carefully got out of bed so she wouldn't wake Julian up, but a strong grip on her waist tugged her back. "And where are you off to, love?" Julian murmured, his voice thick with sleep as his eyes remained closed.Leslie couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "I thought you were asleep.""I was," Julian contended, finally opening his eyes. "I felt you move out, and I woke up. You know I can't sleep without your touch."Leslie smiled, feeling honored that she brought this level of comfort to her husband. "I'm going to the east wing," Leslie stated.Julian's eyes widened
The musty cold air that filled Julian's office made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He moved around the place like a man confident in his surroundings, even in the dark. He had decided to cancel Philip coming with him at the last minute—not because he didn't trust him, but because he wasn't ready to risk his safety. Anything could happen, and with the number of guards he saw downstairs—albeit new ones—Alexander had replaced all his loyal men with riffraffs.Most of Alexander's personal belongings had been moved to Julian's office. He smirked when he saw Alexander's laptop perched proudly on the huge teakwood table. "Did he actually think those guards would keep me out?" he muttered to himself, a sinister smile on his face as he approached the laptop and took a seat. The familiar warmth of his chair suddenly comforted him.He didn't bother with the password; instead, he took a flash drive out of his pocket and inserted it into the laptop. After a few seconds, it automatical
Alexander stretched his leg, straightening from the huge executive chair in the CEO's office as he walked to the broad glass window overlooking the city's scape. "I can't believe my dear brother enjoyed this for so long," he muttered, running his finger along the window. He'd been occupying Julian's position for the past week, and his “coronation” was due in two days' time.A knock at the door had him frowning. "Come in," he rasped curtly. The door opened, and a man in an all-too-familiar gray suit entered."Greetings, young master.""Ah, Mr. Ashluxe, to what do I owe this unprecedented surprise?" Alexander asked, walking back to his chair and taking a seat."May I?" The man, Mr. Ashluxe, gestured to the chair opposite Alexander.Alexander smirked. "No, no, you may not. Whatever you want to do, say it while standing up.""W... well, young master, I just wanted to let you know that the other b-board of directors are getting anxious. The stocks have been plummeting lower since the past
Julian couldn't think straight as he speed-walked back into the house. His mind was gradually becoming foggy, and the edges of his vision darkened. He faintly heard Leslie's voice, but the throbbing in his head made it hard for him to think of anything other than getting rid of the pain. "I'm a mistake. I wasn't supposed to be born. No wonder, no wonder Mother always looked at me like I was dirt. I am dirt, just a stupid mistake, a product of assault," those vile words kept pressing hard on him as he felt pressure clamping down on his neck. He managed to enter his serene office miraculously. Suddenly, Leslie's petite frame was hugging him from behind,her soft body aligning with his."Julian," she rasped, her voice sounding pained like she could physically feel all the turmoil he was going through. Unlike any other time, he didn't push her away. He turned to face her and sank into her comforting embrace, his hands trembling at their sides."Calm down, my love," Leslie said, patting hi
Leslie's POVI unsheathed the dress from the wrap, and a gasp escaped me… woah! The dress was a beauty, and this wasn't even Lady P's signature style. I couldn't wait any longer and slipped the dress on. Oh God, soft ivory silk clung to me so beautifully. It was a midi A-line dress that stopped just above my knee at the front and, at the back, a shimmering organza trail. I felt the tears again. I never knew I was such a tearful person, but that's just what happens with Julian. He's so sweet sometimes I can't even take it. Who would have thought there was once a time when we couldn't stand each other? I smile at my reflection, my fingers slightly moving over my front, briefly stopping at my tummy. *I have a surprise for Julian too. I can't wait to see his reaction.* I styled my hair in a quick French twist that I'd learned when Julian took us to France to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday two months ago. I placed the little flower crown, which I'd seen beside the wrap–no doubt dro
Julian's POVSix months later"Happy anniversary, Les," I coo, startling my wife. She'd just stepped out of the shower, looking fresh and all mine. God, I love her so much."Julian, you scared me," she giggles, clutching her chest. "What's all this?" she arches her chestnut brow, referring to the platter in my hand."I got you breakfast in bed, love.""Aww, Julian, that's so sweet," her eyes soften, gifting me that molten evergreen gaze of hers."Thanks, baby," she coos, and I swear I turn to mush."Why did you get out of bed?" I grumble.She laughs and crosses the distance between us as I drop the platter of food on the bedside. She wraps her arms around my neck, her sweet delectable lavender scent filling my nostrils."Stop drooling, Mr. Billionaire," she whispers, and I catch myself."What can I say, Mrs. Billionaire? My wife looks delicious in the morning."She laughs. "I'm still in my PJ's, Julian.""You look delicious in anything," I contend, and she laughs harder. I could listen
The car slowly drove up to Belton's Botanical Park, a local spot, one that Leslie had always dreamed of going to. *I wonder what kind of work Julian has here?* He didn't speak to her for days, and when he finally did, it was cold and detached. *I don't even understand why. He sounded really angry. Maybe he just had a bad day?* She planned on asking him that. *I don't want to fight anymore.*Her phone hovered over the call button. She’d wanted to call Betty or Arthur, but she humphed sadly when she realized that no one had remembered her birthday. She didn't even receive a text from anyone yet. She wasn't even sure Julian knew her birthday—they never really discussed it.As the car came to a halt in the now dark park, she thought, *But why is it so dark in here?* Her phone dinged. It was Julian. “Walk inside the park.”Leslie's brows furrowed. *I should walk inside a dark park?* She gulped. “Is this some kind of prank or something?” she texted back, trying to joke.“Don’t waste my tim
Leslie opened her eyes to yet another morning of Julian not being in bed with her. He'd really taken the "I need space" a bit too far, and it instantly dampened Leslie's mood. "Didn't he miss me at all?" she grumbled as she brushed her teeth and prepared for the day. Her anger towards him had dissipated a lot as she understood things from his point of view. Each time she thought of a few nights ago, she shivered, knowing that if things had gotten worse, Vanessa would have killed her.Julian wasn't around much, neither did he try to appease her since the night of their “argument." He'd go to work super early and return at night when she was already fast asleep. She humphed. "Since he doesn't want to see me, I don't want to meet him either. I'll go meet Dad today," she perked up.After having a little breakfast with Eleanor, she headed for the car. The hospital was the same as always, only this time Leslie knew she wasn't going to receive any bad news. She adjusted her denim dress shirt
"If you so much as try to make any sudden moves, I swear I'll slit your throat!," the feminine voice threatened.Leslie felt her eyes glaze over as the grip of the blade on her throat tightened."Vanessa?""Surprise, surprise, bitch,!" Vanessa spat out venomously, clad in a black hoodie and matching tight leggings. Vanessa had a crazed, expression on her face, her eyes red and puffy, lips chapped and slowly turning black."Tell me why you didn't leave when I told you to, huh?""W-what are you talking about?" Leslie couldn't believe Vanessa was here in the flesh. Her mind raced *will I die here? Oh god!*."Haha, he loves your pretty face, right? Let's see if he'll still adore you when I botch up this face of yours!" Vanessa yelled, pulling Leslie by the hair and forcing her to the ground.Leslie was genuinely confused as to why Vanessa was attacking her like this fear pricked her skin and adrenaline flowed in her veins, she couldn't let Vanessa have her way. Before Vanessa could appro
Two months. It had been two months since Alexander's demise. Everything seemed to have fallen into place. Julian fired each and every single board of directors, got reinstated as the CEO, and made back profits and deals worth more than he'd made all year. Now seated on the luxurious couch in the living room, his eyes trailed to Leslie's painting, the one near the fireplace. His therapist had praised him for using hobbies like playing the piano to help with his PTSD and also advised him to take up painting. Leslie had somehow made him spill it out, and now she gave him lessons every now and then, even though he sucked at it. His mind went back to the night he'd seen her putting up her paintings around the living room. He chuckled to himself. She was so scared then, but now she didn't even bat an eyelid before putting him in his place. He glanced at the time again and chuckled. "Thank goodness I told her to get ready an hour earlier.""I'm ready!" Leslie cooed in a sing-song voice as
The sun had set, giving way to the moon as it shone brightly in the night sky. The temperatures had dropped a few degrees as the chilly air surrounded the area. Julian and Leslie, hand in hand, walked to the ambulance situated in a small area away from the bank. Reporters were everywhere, trying to get them to answer questions, but thankfully, the guards were present."Where is he?" Julian's voice came out gruff as he questioned a doctor on standby. As if on cue, a stroller covering a body with a white blanket approached. Julian's hand shook despite his control, and Leslie held onto it tightly, reassuring as she provided him with the strength he needed. The stroller stopped in front of him, and he raised the blanket up, his heart thumping. He couldn't describe the feelings or the emotions he felt seeing Alexander's corpse: sadness, joy, relief, anger, guilt—it all swirled around him like a lake of sharks chomping hard on his insides."ALEXANDER!" A voice from behind called. Eleanor,
“Stop him!” Julian yelled, his heart thumping in his chest at the thought of the stolen golden seal. Immediately, elite guards from all angles in the hall appeared and chased after the escaping Alexander. Julian, too, joined in the chase as Leslie followed in tow, not leaving her husband's side.“Move, you motherfuckers!” Alexander yelled, pushing people away from him. “Get out of my way!” He managed to bypass the security at the front and broke free. Though his muscles ached, he continued running. *This is my final chance. I can't back down now. I won't let them get to me, no!. With this seal, I'll be made for life. I don't need them!, I don't need anyone!,* he thought.The financial district where Blackwood Manor was located housed many important industries—banks, malls, jewelry brands—making it one of the busiest streets in Hudson. Sweat trickled down Alexander's face as he looked through his peripheral vision and saw the elite guards in their black-and-gold ensemble searching fo
A woman clad in a shimmering violet dress came out from backstage to the stage. She pushed a wheelchair forward, and the directors and reporters gasped when they realized who it was. Alexander gulped audibly, his eyes taking on a dazed expression."No, no, this can't happen," he muttered."Welcome, Jane," Leslie said to the girl as Jane pushed the wheelchair forward."Isn't that Mr. Marcus in the wheelchair?" a reporter gasped, and the crowd muttered amongst themselves.Vanessa squirmed uncomfortably, her heart thumping unusually fast in her seat as she muttered through gritted teeth, "Fix this, Alexander!. What are you waiting for?""This is indeed Mr. Marcus, the man who took the fall for the accident and was said to have gone into hiding to escape the penalties. But do you want to know what really happened?" Julian asked, his voice carrying authority."Yes, tell us, Master Blackwood!" the reporters shouted. "Tell us! Tell us!"Leslie placed an arm on Julian, giving him a reassuring