Ivy’s presence sparked unease in Jane's chest. She hadn't expected to encounter her here.“Jane, you are finally here.” Lisa hugged Jane affectionately. “I miss you.” Jane hugged her back. “I miss you too dear.” They giggled as they released each other. Ivy face burned with their intimacy.She had known Lisa since they were kids. She knew Lisa doesn’t like associating with too many people. As the heiress of the Banks family, Lisa was a spoiled brat. She had made sure Lisa doesn’t associate with the girls in their social circles. Her relationship with Jane puzzled her. She promised herself to destroy this relationship.“Aunt, you are here.” She greeted Catherine. “Don’t be angry I came uninvited, I was bored at home, and when Lisa told me she wanted to go shopping with you, I decided to come with her, to kill boredom.” She hugged Catherine's arm, acting coquettish.“No Ivy, why would I be angry? You are also like a daughter to me. I watch you grow. I would love having you shopped with
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Ivy. Catherine's face darkened. “Ivy, is this true?” Though Catherine knew Ivy doesn’t like Jane due to her connection with Leonard, the man she loved, she didn’t expect her to stoop this low, just to make them hate Jane.Ivy's face reddened, her eyes flashing with defiance. “Of course not, Aunty! This is ridiculous. The salesperson must be mistaken,” Ivy spat, her voice dripping with venom.The salesperson was shocked at Ivy's shamelessness. “But you told me…“Shut up.” Ivy glared at her, making the small girl shaken. “And even if it were true, which it's not, you'd still defend Jane, wouldn't you? You're blind to her manipulations,” Ivy snarled at Catherine, her gaze shifting to Jane.“You think you've won, but this isn't over. You'll pay for stealing Leonard from me.”“Ivy!” Lisa angrily shouted her name. “Just shut up already. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? My brother has made it clear several times that he doesn’t and would never like yo
“That’s all for today's schedule sir.” Rachel looked up from the tab in her hand, and handed some documents to Leonard. Leonard took the documents from Rachel, scanning them briefly before nodding. “Thank you, Rachel. You've been invaluable today.”Rachel smiled, gathering her belongings. “It's my pleasure, sir. Shall I schedule the meeting with the Lockwood representatives for tomorrow?”Leonard nodded. “Yes, please do. And make sure to include Desmond in the meeting. I want his input on the merger.”Rachel's eyes flickered with curiosity, but she remained professional. “Consider it done, sir.”As Rachel exited the office, Leonard's gaze drifted to the photo on his desk. Jane, with her bright smile and sparkling eyes, was his rock. He couldn't wait to see her after work.Just then, his phone buzzed. Eric's name flashed on the screen.“Hey, Len! I've got some intel on Ivy and Gavin, your cousin. Eric said, his voice low and serious.Leonard rests his back on his executive chair, list
Leonard's arms enveloped Jane, holding her close as he inhaled the sweet scent of her skin, now freshly cleansed from her bath. The stress of the day melted away, replaced by a sense of calm and comfort.“Are you okay?” Leonard's voice was laced with concern. Jane was surprised by the urgency in his voice. After understanding he might have been filled in on what happened today, she felt touched by his care and concern for her.Jane's surprise turned to warmth as she wrapped her arms around him. She chuckled as she said, “I’m in front of you breathing fine, of course I’m okay.Leonard's beating heart calmed down seeing she can still joke after everything. “At least she is fine.” He reassured himself.Leonard's grip tightened, his face buried in her hair. Her fragrance, a subtle blend of vanilla and sweetness, soothed his frazzled nerves.As Leonard held her close, Jane felt his tension ease, his chest rising and falling with deeper breaths. His relief was palpable, and she smiled, know
Leonard immediately stopped, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with concern. “What's wrong?”Jane's cheeks flushed. “I...I'm not ready for this.”Leonard nodded, his expression understanding. “It's okay, Jane. We don't have to rush. Whether we do it now or later, that doesn’t change you are mine.” He chuckled, making Jane who was feeling guilty relaxed a bit.He gently pulled the towel back over her body, covering her. Jane's hands remained wrapped around his neck, securing his gaze from roaming about her body as her fingers tracing the curve of his jaw.“I'm sorry,” she whispered. Leonard's smile was soft. “No apologies needed, Jane. We'll take it slow.”He leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead in a gentle kiss. “We'll take the step whenever you are ready.” he whispered.Jane's tension eased, replaced by gratitude. She felt safe with Leonard, and trusted him.“Thank you,” she whispered. Leonard's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “For what?”“For understanding,
“It’s either you sign these papers or you see the other side of me!” Teddy shouted at Jane who was standing in front of him trembling.“I won’t sign them, you can do anything you want!” Jane also fired back at him, still trembling.Angrily, Teddy took hold of Jane's slender neck and strangled her. He was so angry that the veins on his neck kept rising as he pressed her against the wall. He felt choking her to death will appease the rage fuming inside him.Jane coughed out eagerly to appease her difficult breathing as she slid down the wall, after Teddy took away his hand from her slender neck that had turned blue due to the choking.Teddy didn’t feel sorry for his actions. Tossing the papers at her face, he walked out of the room angrily. It has been three days since he had been forcing her to sign those papers which she doesn’t agree to.Looking at his back view as he left the room angrily, she couldn’t help but laughed mockingly at herself as she touched the side of her cheek that h
Ava was Teddy's childhood sweetheart. They were friends since they were neighbors during their childhood. They went to the same school since childhood. Even though he always tells her he took her as his younger sister, and nothing else, she didn’t believe him.Last year, Ava was diagnosed with anaemia. She needed blood urgently, but the hospital she was admitted in doesn't have her blood type, which was a rare one at that particular time. Teddy did all that is in his power to save her.She could remember vividly, how she met Teddy for the first at the hospital that fateful day.*****A year ago,“Are you telling me that there isn't a Rh negative blood type in this whole hospital? Does that mean Ava won’t be able to get a blood transfusion immediately. Did you know the pain she is going through? She had been groaning on that hospital bed since last night and you are telling me that her blood type is not available in this hospital”.“How dare you guys call yourself Los Angeles First hos
Jane stepped out of the car, her mind still reeling with Teddy’s phone call. She already knew that her flight would be canceled, and all the plans she had prepared for their anniversary for more than a month now are now in ruins, because Teddy would be with Ava throughout today.Anytime Ava’s sickness flared up, Teddy was always with her throughout that day. He won’t even think about his so called busy schedule he always comes up with anytime Jane demands for his attention.On reaching Ava’s ward, she saw she was lying down on the sickbed, and had an oxygen hood over her head as usual. Teddy was sitting in front of her, holding one of her hands in his.Seeing this scene, Jane felt a pang of pain in her heart. Seeing Jane coming into the ward, Teddy stood up as he questioned her.“What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be donating your blood right now?”Since she had signed that contract that bound her and Teddy, this place had become a regular place of visit for her. She is