As Aunt Lou drove us toward the Montefalco villa, I could sense her unease. She gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, her knuckles white against the leather. “Margarette, just a little reminder, this is as close as we can get. You know that we can’t stay too close. We’ll have to park at a distance or they might notice us,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.“I understand, Aunt Lou,” I replied softly. “We don’t have to get too close anyway. Just seeing the front view of the villa will be enough.”We eventually found a spot that wasn’t too far away. From where we parked, I could see the sprawling mansion, its grandeur still as imposing as ever. The perfectly manicured lawns, the towering gates—it all looked exactly the same, but the memories it held for me had changed.As we sat there, the villa looming in the distance, I couldn’t help but let my mind drift back to the three years I had spent inside those walls. “You know, Aunt Lou,” I began, my voice almost a whisper,
The drive to the café was a blur of passing scenery, but my mind was stuck on one image: Justin, his hand on Regina’s back, guiding her out of the car like it was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t shake the sight, no matter how hard I tried to push it away. By the time Aunt Lou and I found a quiet corner in the café, the weight of it all was pressing down on me.Aunt Lou didn’t say anything at first, just ordered us both a cup of tea. But I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her mouth was set in a tight line. When the waitress finally left us alone, Aunt Lou leaned forward, her expression dark.“I don’t understand how he could do that,” she began, her voice low and trembling with anger. “Bringing that woman into your home like it’s nothing. Like, it’s perfectly normal.”I wrapped my hands around the warm cup of tea, trying to find comfort in the heat. “It’s like he’s not still married to me,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “He’s acting like Regina has
As soon as we walked into the store, the rows of gleaming iPhones caught my eye. I couldn't help but be drawn to the newest models, their sleek designs practically begging to be held. The sales clerk was on me in an instant, enthusiastically detailing all the latest features. I nodded along, but my mind was elsewhere—on the price tag that was far out of my reach.“I think this one would suit you perfectly,” the clerk said, handing me the newest model.I held it for a moment, admiring the smooth feel of it in my hand before handing it back with a tight smile. “It’s beautiful, but I’m just browsing today.”Leon, standing a few steps behind me, was watching quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly. He hadn’t said much since we’d arrived, but I could tell he was taking everything in. As I turned to walk away, pretending to be more interested in grabbing a bite to eat instead, he caught my arm gently. “You’re not getting the phone?” he asked, his tone light but probing.I shook my head, trying
The weight of Leon's words lingered like a dark cloud over me, the knowledge that Wilma—my former mother-in-law—had orchestrated every vile act that had torn my life apart. The false accusations, the humiliation, the destruction of everything I had once held dear... it all traced back to her. My mind raced, desperate to find a way to use this information to turn the tide in court. But without Leon’s testimony, what could I possibly do?I was so consumed by these thoughts that I didn’t even notice Aunt Lou watching me from across the table. The savory aroma of the food in front of me, usually a comfort, barely registered. Aunt Lou had gone through the trouble of preparing one of my favorite dishes, but there I was, just staring at it blankly."Margarette," Aunt Lou's voice cut through the fog in my mind, startling me back to reality. I blinked, looking up to meet her concerned gaze. "What’s going on with you? You haven't touched your food."I glanced down at my untouched plate, realizi
I wasn’t content to let things rest with just the hope that justice would favor me. No, I needed more. I needed solid evidence if I was ever going to win this lawsuit. As Aunt Lou left for her clinic, I found myself dialing Henry’s number, my heart pounding with every ring.Henry had overseen the failed multi-billion dollar project alongside me, but ever since that fateful day when I fell down the staircase, I’d been sidelined from the operations. It still puzzled me how they could so confidently accuse me when I had barely touched the project documents. There had to be something more to this, something I was missing. Henry answered on the second ring, his voice warm and familiar. “Margarette, it’s been a while. How are you holding up?”“I’m managing, Henry. Listen, I know this might seem out of the blue, but can we meet? I need to discuss something important.”There was a brief pause on the other end, and I held my breath, waiting for his response. “Of course,” he finally said. “The
The next day, the anticipation of seeing Leon again had me restless all morning. I kept replaying our last conversation in my mind, his voice lingering like a soft echo that I couldn’t quite shake. The memories were a mix of warmth and anxiety, making it hard for me to focus on anything else.When the doorbell finally rang, I felt a rush of nerves. I smoothed my hands over my skirt, trying to calm the flutter in my chest before opening the door. There stood Leon, looking as composed as ever, but there was a softness in his eyes that made my heart skip a beat.“Margarette,” he greeted with a smile, stepping inside as I motioned for him to enter. The familiar scent of his cologne filled the room, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.“Leon,” I replied, closing the door behind him. “Thank you for coming.”He shrugged slightly, as if it were nothing, but the way his gaze lingered on me told a different story. “Of course. We have a lot to discuss.”We settled in the living room, th
As the sun's first light filtered through the curtains, I found myself wide awake, my mind already racing with plans. Today was the day I would cook dinner for Leon, and for reasons I couldn’t fully comprehend, I felt an overwhelming urge to make sure everything was perfect. It wasn’t just about gratitude; there was something more—a deeper need to show Leon that I could create something special for him, something that spoke beyond words.I slipped out of bed and headed straight for the kitchen, my thoughts a whirlwind of recipes and ideas. The kitchen was still dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the morning sky. I moved with purpose, gathering ingredients, mentally mapping out the courses I wanted to prepare. Just as I was setting a pot of coffee to brew, Aunt Lou appeared at the doorway, still in her robe, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She blinked at me, surprise evident in her eyes as she took in the scene before her."Margarette, you’re up early," she remar
The evening had settled into a gentle hush by the time Leon and I were already inside and eating at the table I set up at by Aunt Lou’s garden. The table was set, the candles flickering softly, casting a warm glow over the room. I took a deep breath as I opened the door, trying to steady the fluttering in my chest. "How was the taste?" I bravely asked, trying to sound casual despite my nervousness that Leon would not like my cooking.But I was surprised when he answered, "Mnn, Margarette," he replied with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "This taste incredible."Despite the cozy ambiance, I felt a tight knot of anxiety in my stomach. I tried to focus on making the evening pleasant and engaging, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of awkwardness.Leon noticed, and after a few minutes of polite conversation about the lawsuit and updates, he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly with concern. "Margarette, are you okay? You seem a little off tonight. Is there anything that’s bothering
The days that followed were peaceful but filled with an undercurrent of anticipation. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something I needed to do—something unfinished. It had been haunting me for weeks, but now, with Justin’s shadow gone and Leon by my side, I knew it was time.“Leon,” I began one quiet evening, as we sat by the fire. He looked up from the book he was reading, his dark eyes softening the moment they met mine.“What is it?” he asked, setting the book aside.I hesitated, my fingers playing with the hem of my sweater. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”He frowned slightly, confusion flickering across his face. “Who?”“You’ll see,” I said, standing and holding out my hand. “Come with me.”Without hesitation, Leon took my hand, his trust in me unwavering. I led him out to the car, the cool night air brushing against us as we drove into town. The roads were quiet, the streetlights casting long shadows that danced as we passed.We arrived at a small park just out
The clock struck midnight as I arrived at the abandoned warehouse, the location Justin had specified. The air was damp and heavy, the only sounds the distant hum of the city and my own racing heartbeat. I had slipped away from Helena, leaving behind a note promising to be careful, though I knew she wouldn’t forgive me for this reckless decision.The large metal doors creaked as I pushed them open, revealing a dimly lit interior. In the center of the room stood Justin, flanked by two of his men. Behind them, Leon was tied to a chair, his face battered but his eyes sharp and alert. The sight of him sent a wave of relief and fury crashing over me.“Well, well,” Justin drawled, his smirk as cruel as ever. “The damsel arrives. Punctual, I must say.”“Let him go,” I demanded, stepping forward despite the fear coursing through me. “I’m here, just like you wanted. This ends tonight.”“Oh, it will,” Justin replied, pulling a knife from his pocket and twirling it lazily. “But not the way you th
My heart froze as his words sank in. He wasn’t just after Leon—he wanted me. Before anyone could react, Justin’s men stormed in, their presence throwing the room into chaos. Leon moved like lightning, tackling one of them as William engaged another.Helena appeared in the doorway, clutching a laptop. “We’ve got the files uploaded!” she shouted. “But we need to move now!”Leon turned to me, his expression desperate. “Go with Helena. I’ll find you.”“No!” I cried, panic gripping me. “I’m not leaving you behind!”Justin’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “Run all you want, Margarette, but you can’t hide. I always get what I want.”Leon’s fist connected with Justin’s jaw in a blur of motion, sending him staggering back. “You’ll never touch her,” Leon snarled, his voice venomous.Helena grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the back exit. “Come on!” she urged. “We don’t have time!”I hesitated, torn between fleeing and staying to fight. Leon’s gaze met mine, and in that split second,
The ominous text on my phone screen felt like a knife twisting in my chest. My fingers trembled as I stared at the words, the weight of the decision Justin was forcing on me suffocating. Choose wisely? What did he mean? What was the game he was playing now?I bolted upright and paced the room, my breaths shallow as panic clawed at the edges of my composure. Every fiber of my being screamed that this wasn’t just about me anymore—it never had been. Justin was a master manipulator, and his threat wasn’t idle.A soft knock at the door snapped me out of my spiral. I opened it to find Leon standing there, his disheveled appearance and the dark circles under his eyes a stark contrast to his usual confidence. He didn’t say anything, just stepped inside and closed the door behind him.“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and steady, but his eyes sharp as they searched mine.I hesitated, clutching my phone tightly. “It’s Justin,” I finally said, showing him the message.Leon’s expression dar
Back at Leon’s secluded estate, the air was heavy with tension. The security team was doubled, every window and door meticulously checked and locked. Leon’s protective streak was in full force, and I could see the weight of the situation bearing down on him.“Here,” he said, handing me a glass of water as we sat in his study. The room, usually a place of calm and strategy, now felt like a fortress under siege.“Thank you,” I murmured, taking the glass. I watched him pace, his movements restless and charged. “Leon…”He stopped, turning to face me. His dark eyes held a mix of anger, worry, and something else—something deeper that he rarely let surface. “You don’t have to thank me, Margarette. Protecting you isn’t a favor. It’s what I’m supposed to do.”“But this isn’t just about me,” I said, standing to face him. “Justin’s targeting everyone I care about. You, my family, even William and Helena—he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”Leon stepped closer, his presence grounding me. “
The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of William’s words hitting me like a freight train. My family. Justin was targeting my family. The thought sent a jolt of fear and fury through me, my heart pounding in my chest.Leon’s face hardened, his jaw clenched as he stepped closer to William. “What does the message say?” His voice was low and deadly, carrying an unspoken promise of retribution.William handed over his phone, his expression grim. Leon read the message aloud, each word slicing through the air like a knife.“If you want to keep Margarette’s loved ones safe, you’ll stop meddling. The clock is ticking.”I felt my knees weaken, but I forced myself to stay upright. My mind raced, trying to process the implications of Justin’s threat. My parents. My sister. Everyone I cared about. They were all in danger because of me.“Margarette,” Leon said softly, his tone a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his eyes. He reached out, his hand steady and warm on my shoulder. “We’ll
The morning light was deceptive in its warmth, casting a golden hue over the chaos that still swirled within me. Justin’s voice echoed in my mind, his words a cruel reminder that peace was nothing more than a fleeting illusion.I sat on the edge of Leon’s bed, watching his chest rise and fall in steady rhythm. He was still asleep, his face pale and bruised, but there was a tranquility in his expression that eased some of the tension coiled within me.Alexa was safe for now, resting in a secure room down the hall, with Helena standing guard. William had left to oversee the cleanup of the warehouse, ensuring no trace of our presence remained.But even surrounded by Leon’s team and their precautions, the weight of Justin’s threat pressed heavily on my chest.A soft groan pulled my attention back to Leon as his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, his gaze was unfocused, but when it landed on me, a faint smile curved his lips.“You stayed,” he murmured, his voice gravelly but warm.“Of cour
The world seemed to slow as the metal beneath us groaned, then gave a horrifying screech as it collapsed. I felt weightless for a split second before gravity yanked us downward. My arms tightened around Alexa, a scream tearing from my throat as the ground rushed toward us.A blur of movement shot out from below—Leon, running faster than I thought humanly possible. His arms stretched upward, and for a moment, I thought he’d catch us.The impact never came. Instead, we crashed into a tangled net just a few feet above the machinery below. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, adrenaline surging through me.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw as he climbed onto the platform beneath us, his hands gripping the net tightly. “Are you hurt?”“I’m fine,” I choked out, clutching Alexa, who was still semi-conscious. “Get her first!”Leon’s jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the precariously swaying net. He reached up and carefully pulled Alexa down, cradling her like she weighed nothing.
William limped into the room, his face pale but his resolve intact. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice tinged with pain.Leon handed him the phone without a word. William’s expression darkened as he took in the image and the accompanying threat. “We need to act fast. They’re escalating.”Helena nodded. “I’ll get the team ready. We’ll need every resource we’ve got to track her location.”“I’m going with you,” I said, my voice firm despite the tears welling in my eyes.“No, Margarette.” Leon’s tone left no room for argument, but I wasn’t going to back down.“I’m not staying behind while Alexa is out there,” I said, my voice rising. “She needs me.”“She needs you alive,” Leon snapped, his frustration boiling over. “You can’t help her if you’re dead.”The room fell silent, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. William stepped forward, his gaze flickering between Leon and me. “She has a point, Leon. She knows Alexa better than anyone. She might pick up on something w