The evening had started with the best of intentions—a celebration to lift Letty’s spirits after her victory at the debate. But when I stood in the dimly lit restaurant, staring across the room at Leon with another woman, all the joy I’d felt moments before drained away, replaced by a gnawing anger that threatened to consume me.And now that I even tried to escape away from it, Leon even tried to stop me.Leon’s eyes locked onto mine, and for a split second, the world seemed to stop. His gaze held a mix of longing and seriousness, and for a moment, my heart wavered. But I quickly shoved those feelings aside, determined not to let him get under my skin.“Margarette, please,” Leon’s voice was low and urgent as he stood up before me, his voice almost frantic. “Can we talk? Just give me a chance to explain.”The woman he was sitting with—the same blonde who had haunted my thoughts since that day in the shower—was walking from behind him and getting her way to approach us with wide, confus
The night was still, with only the faint rustling of leaves outside Aunt Lou’s house to break the silence. I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts a tangled mess of regret and uncertainty. No matter how hard I tried to push it away, the image of Leon’s face—the hurt in his eyes, the desperation in his voice—kept replaying in my mind.I had been so certain, so sure of my decision to break up with him. After everything I had gone through with Justin, I thought I was doing the right thing, protecting myself from more pain. But now, the more I thought about it, the more I began to question everything. Had I been too impulsive? Had I let my past dictate my present, punishing Leon for sins he hadn’t committed?I sighed, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow. But the thoughts wouldn’t go away. They kept gnawing at me, whispering doubts into my ear until I could no longer ignore them. The truth was, I missed Leon. Even in the short time since our breakup, I felt like a piece
The air was cool as Leon and I walked side by side, the tension from the past few days slowly easing away. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I saw Aunt Lou’s name flash on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering, knowing I had to tell her about my decision to stay with Leon for the night.“Aunt Lou?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.“Margarette, where are you? Are you alright?” Aunt Lou’s voice was filled with concern.“I’m with Leon,” I replied, glancing at Leon, who was watching me with a soft, encouraging smile. “I... I’m going to stay with him tonight. We need to talk and sort things out.”There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Aunt Lou spoke again. “You and Leon worked things out, then?”I sighed, knowing she deserved more of an explanation, but I wasn’t ready to dive into the details just yet. “We’re getting there. I’ll explain everything when I see you, Aunt Lou. I promise.”Aunt Lou seemed to sense that now wasn’t the time to press f
Leon stood before me, his shirt already discarded, revealing the chiseled muscles of his chest. His eyes, dark with desire, pinned me in place, making my heart race and my breath hitch.“Get on your knees, Margarette,” Leon commanded, his voice a husky growl that sent shivers down my spine.His hand gripped my hair, gently but firmly, guiding me down. I sank to my knees, my gaze locked onto his as my pulse quickened. The feeling of his strong hand in my hair, the weight of his dominance, made my core tighten with anticipation.“You’ve made me miss every single part of you,” he murmured, his tone rough with longing. “You’re going to pay for that now, my sweetness.”His words were like a match to dry kindling, igniting something deep within me. “Leon…” I gasped, pressing my face against his pants, feeling the heat of his arousal through the fabric. My hands moved instinctively, tracing the hardness beneath.He paused for a moment, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made m
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. The sheets were tangled around us, a testament to the passion we’d shared moments ago. I lay nestled against Leon’s chest, my fingers tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath beneath my touch. It was a moment of tranquility, a rare calm in the storm of our lives.Leon’s arm wrapped around me, holding me close, his thumb lazily stroking my shoulder. I felt safe, cherished, but there was an unspoken question lingering in the back of my mind. I wanted to know more about his past, about the women who came before me, who had once held his heart, if only for a fleeting moment.“Leon,” I began, my voice soft as I tilted my head to look up at him, “can I ask you something?”His eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of curiosity mixed with a hint of caution. “Of course, Margarette. You can ask me anything.”I hesitated, gathering my thoughts. “I’ve always wondered…
Vancouver’s vibrant cityscape unfolded before us as Leon and I strolled down the busy street, hand in hand. The sun cast a warm glow over the city, making the day feel as perfect as I’d imagined. Leon had been so sweet, planning this lunch date, and I was looking forward to spending some quality time with him, away from the bustle of our usual routines.We arrived at a quaint little bistro tucked away in a quieter part of downtown. The aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee wafted through the air as we entered. Leon held the door open for me, and I couldn’t help but smile at the small gesture—he was always so considerate. “This place is perfect,” I said, taking in the cozy ambiance. The walls were adorned with local art, and the large windows let in just the right amount of sunlight, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.“I thought you’d like it,” Leon replied, his voice soft and affectionate. He guided me to a corner table by the window, where we had a lovely view of the st
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the waterfront around us transformed into a breathtaking spectacle of vibrant pinks and purples, as if the heavens themselves were painting a portrait of our evening. The earlier tension that had lingered between Leon and me evaporated, replaced by a deep, comforting connection that seemed to grow with each step we took. The rhythmic sound of the waves kissing the shore and the cool breeze carrying the briny scent of the ocean created a serene backdrop, one that wrapped us in a peaceful cocoon of shared silence.Leon’s fingers intertwined with mine, his touch warm and reassuring. When I glanced up at him, I found his gaze already on me, his eyes filled with a tender softness that made my heart flutter."Remember when we first met?" he asked, his voice tinged with nostalgia, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.I nodded, a playful smile of my own forming as the memory rushed back. "How could I forget? You were the grumpiest patient I’d ever ha
The phone slipped from my hand, clattering to the floor as the words from Aunt Lou echoed in my mind. Hector was dead. The shock left me paralyzed, my body heavy with disbelief and despair.I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. All I could do was stare at the phone lying on the floor, the device that had delivered the news that shattered everything I had fought for.Leon, who had been sitting beside me, was already reaching for the phone. His expression shifted from concern to alarm as he picked it up. “Aunt Lou, what happened? What did you say to Margarette?” His voice was tight, anxiety lacing his words. He listened intently, his face hardening as the conversation continued.I watched him, trying to read the emotions flickering across his face, but all I could see was the mask of tension settling in. When he finally ended the call, he turned to me, his expression unreadable, but I knew the news had hit him just as hard. He didn’t need to say anything. The confirmation was in his eyes
The ride back to the penthouse was silent, tension thick in the air. Leon drove with one hand on the wheel, the other gripping his gun. His jaw was locked, his eyes dark.I knew that look.He was planning. Calculating.“Calloway just declared war,” I murmured, watching the city lights blur past the windshield.Leon exhaled sharply. “He did more than that. He underestimated us.”I studied his profile—the controlled rage simmering beneath his calm demeanor. He wasn’t just angry. He was ready to make a move.“We need to hit back,” I said.Leon’s grip tightened. “We will.”His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then tossed it onto the dashboard. “My father.”“Answer it,” I urged.Leon let out a slow breath before pressing the call button. “Yeah?”His father’s voice was sharp. “I assume you’re still alive.”Leon smirked. “Disappointed?”A pause. Then, “Get to the estate. Now.”The line went dead.Leon exhaled through his nose, tossing his phone onto his lap. “That’s never a good sign.”I lean
Days passed, but the unease in Leon hadn’t faded. He kept himself busy, making calls, arranging meetings, tightening security. I watched him closely, noting the way his shoulders carried an unseen weight. His father’s sudden reappearance had unsettled him more than he let on.One evening, as we lay in bed, I turned to him, brushing my fingers over his chest. “Leon, talk to me.”He exhaled, his arm tightening around me. “It’s nothing.”I propped myself up on my elbow, searching his face. “It’s not nothing. You’re restless. You barely sleep.”His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he would brush me off again. But then, he spoke.“When I was younger, my father used to tell me that in our world, loyalty is everything,” he said, his voice low. “But he also told me that loyalty is never free—it’s bought, traded, or forced.”I frowned. “You think he came back because he wants something from you?”Leon nodded. “My father has never been a man who does things without a reason. If he’s he
The days following Leon’s proposal felt like a dream—soft, golden, and filled with an unshakable sense of peace. I caught myself staring at the ring on my finger more often than I cared to admit, the weight of it both grounding and exhilarating.We didn’t rush into planning the wedding. Instead, we let ourselves be, relishing in this new phase of our relationship. The world outside our home was still chaotic, filled with unfinished battles and uncertain futures, but in this—in us—there was certainty.One evening, as we lay tangled together on the couch, Leon traced patterns on my bare shoulder, his voice a low murmur against my skin. “Tell me something you’ve never told anyone.”I turned my head to look at him, our faces inches apart. “Something I’ve never told anyone?”He nodded. “Something real.”I swallowed, considering. There were so many pieces of me I’d kept hidden—fears, dreams, scars that hadn’t fully healed. But with Leon, there was no need for walls.“I used to be afraid of
The days at the beach house were fleeting, but they imprinted themselves onto my soul like ink on paper—permanent, unshakable.Leon and I spent our time wrapped in each other, the world outside forgotten. We cooked together, danced in the kitchen barefoot, made love under the moonlight, and talked about everything we had never had the chance to say before.One evening, after a long walk along the shore, we sat on the wooden deck of the house, our legs tangled beneath a thick blanket. The waves hummed in the background, their rhythm as steady as the beating of my heart.Leon turned to me, his fingers tracing circles on my thigh. “What do you want the future to look like, Margarette?”I leaned my head against his shoulder. “This. Just more of this.”He smiled, kissing the top of my head. “No big dreams? No wild ambitions?”I laughed softly. “I think I’ve spent so much of my life chasing things—justice, revenge, security. And now, all I want is peace.”His hand found mine beneath the bla
The days after our engagement were a blur of quiet moments and soft laughter—normalcy in a way I had never truly experienced before. Leon and I settled into a rhythm that felt natural, like we had been doing this forever.One evening, we were sprawled out on the couch, my legs draped over his lap as he absentmindedly traced circles on my ankle. A movie played in the background, but neither of us was paying attention.“You know,” Leon mused, tilting his head toward me, “we should probably start thinking about where we want to live.”I blinked. “What’s wrong with where we live now?”He chuckled. “Nothing, but… don’t you want something that’s ours? A place we choose together?”The idea settled in my chest, warm and unfamiliar. I had always been so focused on surviving that I had never considered what it would mean to truly build something with him.“You already have a place in mind, don’t you?” I narrowed my eyes.He smirked. “Maybe.”I sighed dramatically. “Of course you do. Go on then,
I hated the way he did that.Leaving just enough of an impression to keep me tangled in his web, forcing me to dwell on his words long after he was gone. It was infuriating. And the worst part? A small, treacherous part of me was starting to believe him.I own every part of you.I shook my head, pushing the thought aside.Not if I had anything to say about it.Still, I needed to figure out my next move. Thiago was playing a long game, and I refused to be caught off guard again. If I wanted any chance of slipping out from under his control, I had to think ahead.I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucia.She picked up on the second ring. “Bridgette, finally! I’ve been waiting for you to call.”I exhaled. “Yeah, sorry. Things have been… complicated.”“No kidding.” Lucia lowered her voice. “I did some digging while you were away. The stock for Bermudez Group is still stable, but there are whispers about an internal shake-up. Whatever Thiago’s planning, it’s big.”I frowned. “Define ‘big.’”“Po
The weight of Leon’s words pressed down on me. He just put a price on your head.I had expected retaliation, but a bounty? That was another level of danger entirely.Leon was already moving. He grabbed his coat and checked his gun, his movements controlled but urgent. “We need to leave. Now.”I forced myself to stay calm. “Where are we going?”“Somewhere Nathan’s men won’t find us.”Elise, who had just stepped out of the guest room, paled. “Wait—you’re running?”Leon shot her a sharp look. “We’re regrouping.”I exhaled, my mind racing. “We can’t just disappear. If we run, Nathan will see it as confirmation that we’re a threat. He’ll only push harder.”Leon’s jaw clenched. “And if we stay, you’ll end up with a bullet in your skull.”Elise swallowed. “If Nathan wants her dead, there’s no hiding. He has eyes everywhere.”Leon turned to me. “She’s right. We need to be smart about this.”I hated the idea of leaving, of running, but I wasn’t reckless. If Leon thought we needed to move, I tr
Nathan’s presence sent a wave of cold dread through my veins, but I didn’t let it show.Elise stiffened beside me, her fingers tightening around the stem of her wine glass. She had been careful, meticulous. But somehow, Nathan had still found out.I kept my voice even. “Nathan. You surprised me.”His lips curled into a smirk. “Did I?”Leon’s voice was sharp in my earpiece. “Margarette, if you don’t walk out of there in the next thirty seconds, I’m coming in.”I ignored him.Instead, I tilted my head, keeping my expression carefully neutral. “We were just having a conversation.”Nathan’s gaze flicked to Elise. “I’m sure you were.”Elise swallowed hard but didn’t look away. “Nathan, don’t—”“Don’t what?” He stepped further into the room, his posture relaxed but his presence suffocating. “Don’t remind you where your loyalty should lie?”The tension crackled like static electricity.I knew I had two options: play innocent or go on the offensive.I chose the latter.“You’re worried,” I sai
The ride home from the gala was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Leon’s hand rested on my thigh, his thumb tracing absentminded circles against my skin. It was grounding, a silent reassurance that he was here—that he wasn’t going anywhere.Still, my mind spun.Elise’s warning lingered. If her father suspected something, it meant our window of opportunity was closing.Leon’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You’re thinking too much.”I turned to find him watching me, his eyes dark in the dim car.I sighed. “I can’t help it.”His fingers tightened slightly, his grip firm but gentle. “We’ll figure it out.”I swallowed hard, nodding. “I know.”Silence settled between us again, but this time, it was different. Charged.Maybe it was the adrenaline from the gala, or maybe it was just the way Leon looked at me—like he could see straight through the walls I tried so hard to keep up.By the time we got home, I felt like I was carrying too much inside me—too many thoughts, too many emotions.And L