As we walked out of the infirmary and back toward the courtroom, all eyes turned toward me. Justin’s smirk faltered for just a second, and I knew—he wasn’t expecting me to come back this strong.My steps slow and deliberate, my pulse steadying with every breath. The noise of the crowd hushed as they noticed me return. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, but I kept mine focused on the front. Justin, still seated confidently, glanced my way, but this time there was something different in his eyes—something uneasy. He didn’t expect me to come back after that.Good. Let him doubt.I sat back down beside Jack, feeling the heat of Iva’s reassuring presence next to me. Jack gave me a quick nod as the judge re-entered, signaling that the recess was over. The courtroom slowly fell silent again, and it was time for Laura’s testimony to continue."Ms. Oviedo," Jack said, standing and approaching the witness stand with a calmness that made me feel stronger just watching him, "We’ve heard your v
The soft hum of the car engine blended into the quiet evening as Leon and I drove home from the courthouse.My thoughts, however, were far from the comforting sound of the engine. I kept replaying the courtroom drama in my head—Laura’s false testimony, Justin’s smug face, the looming fear of what might happen next. My heart felt like it was trapped in a vice, and no matter how much I tried to calm myself, the anxiety just keeps on consuming me slowly making me sunk deep within this web.It wasn’t until Leon abruptly altered our rought, I suppose he must have noticed. His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance over at me several times, before he unexpectedly turn away from the main road.I blinked, startled out of my thoughts."Where are we going?" I asked, realizing that we were no longer heading toward our house.Leon didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled into a small parking lot and stopped in front of a brightly lit
The drive home after our unexpected ice cream stop was quieter, but not in an uncomfortable way. I felt lighter, the burden of the courtroom tension momentarily pushed aside. Leon’s hand rested on the gear shift, close enough to mine that his presence was a reassuring warmth. Even though my thoughts still lingered on Justin and his potential for violence, Leon’s words had done their job. I trusted him. I had to.We pulled into the driveway, the house looming in the dim light. As we stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapped around us, bringing with it a sense of finality, as if the day’s battles were finally behind us."I think I just need to sleep," I muttered, more to myself than to Leon as we walked up to the front door. But before I could reach for the handle, Leon caught my wrist gently."Margarette." His voice was low, serious, and it stopped me in my tracks. I turned to face him, my heart suddenly thumping faster in my chest."What is it?" I asked, searching his face.
The following day, Leon took me out for lunch like we normally do. But for some reason, however, Leon had been quiet throughout our lunch, a knowing smile playing on his lips every time I asked where he was taking me next. I could sense something mischievous brewing, but as usual, he refused to give anything away. Finally, after what felt like forever, the car stopped in front of an elegant boutique. The name was embossed in gold across the large windows, reflecting the midday sun like something out of a dream. A luxury bridal shop."Leon..." I turned to him, my eyebrows raised in surprise. "What are we doing here?"He smiled and got out of the car, walking around to open my door. "You’ll see," he said, offering his hand. I took it, still confused but intrigued.We walked inside, and the soft chime of the bell above the door welcomed us into a world of pure elegance. Gowns of every shape and fabric lined the walls, each more beautiful than the last. My heart skipped a beat."Leon, w
As Leon kissed me deeply, his hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. The heat between us was intense, and I could feel the world melting away, leaving only the two of us in this intimate moment. His lips traveled from my mouth to my neck, soft but insistent, each kiss making my heart race a little faster.I pressed my hands against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my fingertips. The way he looked at me—like I was the only person who mattered—made everything else fade into the background."You drive me crazy," he murmured against my skin, his voice low and filled with desire. He pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. "Do you know that?"I laughed softly, breathless from the intensity of his touch. "I think it goes both ways," I teased, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me. There was something so magnetic about Leon, something that made me feel both exhilarated and completely safe at the same time.His hand slid up my back, sending shiv
My breath hitched, and for a moment, I froze in place. What was she doing here? Of all the places, of all the moments...Regina, with her perfectly styled hair and cold, calculating eyes, was walking straight toward me. Her expression didn’t falter as she recognized me, and I felt the unease bubbling up in my chest."Oh what an unlucky day to come across you here, Margarette," she greeted me coolly, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes."Likewise, Regina, likewise" I replied, my voice strained as I tried to remain calm. I wasn’t expecting this encounter. Not here, not now."What a surprise seeing you here. Window shopping, I assume? I mean, no offense, I doubt you even have any money left what you had taken from the Montefalcos." she asked, her tone deceptively casual as her eyes scanned me, taking in every detail.I swallowed hard. "Actually, I just pick up a new phone."Regina raised an eyebrow. "Oh, how lovely. Always the simple pleasures, hmm?"I bristled at her
As soon as we stepped through the door, Leon's lips were on mine, hot and demanding. His hands roamed my body, and I could feel the fire between us building with every passing second. The entire world melted away; it was just me and him, caught in a bubble of desire and passion.I had my arms wrapped around his neck, kissing him back just as fiercely, completely lost in the moment. His fingers skimmed down my back, making me shiver with anticipation, when suddenly—POP!I froze. Leon pulled away abruptly, his body tensing as the house filled with the sound of popping confetti and the echo of excited voices. My eyes flew open, and my heart stopped in my chest as the lights came on.
After the party had settled down and the house had quieted, I wandered into the kitchen, where Aunt Lou and Letty were busy with the dishes. Despite the tiredness from the long day, they were still chatting and laughing softly as they worked. I smiled, feeling a warm sense of contentment, but I couldn’t help offering to help.“Let me help,” I insisted, stepping toward the sink.Aunt Lou waved me off with her signature motherly look. “We’re almost done, child. There’s no need.”I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. “You say that, but it looks like you’ve still got half the kitchen to clean up.”Letty giggled, handing me a towel. “Here, you can dry the plates if you insist.”I took the towel with a playful huff and started wiping down the dishes Letty handed me. The familiar rhythm of household chores, along with their presence, felt comforting after such an emotionally charged day.“So, Marga,” Letty started with a mischievous glint in her eye. “How are things going with you and Leon
The next time I woke, I was in an unfamiliar room.Soft, golden light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the walls. The air smelled of antiseptic and fresh linen. My body ached, a dull, pulsing pain radiating from my side, but the sharp agony from before had dulled to something more manageable.I turned my head slightly and found Leon sitting in a chair beside the bed. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped together, as if he’d been keeping vigil for hours. His shirt was wrinkled, stained with my blood. His face was unreadable, but his eyes—dark and stormy—held an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.“You’re awake.” His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the relief in it.I swallowed, my throat dry. “Where are we?”“A safe house,” Leon answered, leaning forward. “One of mine. Dorian’s securing the perimeter. You needed medical attention, but a hospital wasn’t an option. Too risky.”I nodded slowly, my mind still catching up. The last
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
Darkness swallowed me whole.For a moment, I thought I was dead. The gunshot still rang in my ears, deafening, all-consuming. But then, pain—sharp and searing—bloomed along my side, pulling me back from the abyss. My breath came in ragged gasps as my knees buckled, and I felt myself falling.Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw with panic. His hands pressed against my wound, trying to staunch the bleeding. The warmth of my own blood seeped through my clothes, sticky against my skin. Dorian fired, his shot echoing through the cavernous estate.Elise let out a sharp cry, staggering back. But even as she bled, her cruel smile remained. “Not bad,” she whispered, clutching her shoulder where Dorian’s bullet had struck her. “But not enough.”Leon lifted me, his grip firm but desperate. “We need to move. Now.”“No,” I gritted out, fighting through the pain. “We finish this.”Dorian cursed. “Are you insane? You’re bleeding out!”I forced myself to
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
The safe house felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. Every second we wasted gave Vincent more time to prepare. More time to strike.I wasn’t going to let that happen.Leon stood by the table, his hands braced against the surface, muscles tight with frustration. Dorian, despite the pain from his injury, sat nearby, flipping a knife between his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought.“We need a lead,” Leon finally said, his voice low and controlled. “We can’t storm in blind.”I paced near the window, arms crossed. “We do have a lead. This locket.” I held it up, the metal catching the dim light. “Vincent had it for a reason. He wanted me to see it. Why?”Dorian exhaled sharply. “Because he’s playing with you.”I shook my head. “No. There’s more to it. He wouldn’t go through the trouble of planting something from my past just to taunt me. He wants me to remember something.”Leon’s gaze darkened. “Then let’s start at the beginning. The night of the accident.”My throa
The salty night air carried the hum of distant ship engines and the occasional murmur of dock workers. But this wasn’t just a routine shipment—this was a calculated exchange of power, a moment that could unravel everything Elise’s father had hidden for years.I crouched behind a stack of shipping containers with Leon beside me. Dorian’s team was spread out, positioned along the pier, watching, waiting. A dark van was parked near the edge of the dock, its back doors open. Men in suits moved between the van and the cargo, transferring crates that likely held more than just money.Leon’s voice was low in my ear. “Four men on the ground, two near the van. More could be inside.”I nodded, my gaze locked on the crates. “That’s not just cash, Leon. That’s leverage. He wouldn’t move it unless he was running scared.”Dorian’s voice crackled through our earpieces. “We take them now, we risk losing the files. We wait too long, we risk backup showing up.”I made the decision before anyone else co
Dorian smirked. “Relax, lover boy. I’m not saying she’s defenseless—I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”Leon’s glare didn’t waver, but he didn’t argue either. He knew Dorian was right.I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the locket that had started all of this. “So what do we do?”Dorian sighed. “You have two choices: disappear and hope they forget about you… or go after them first.”Leon tensed beside me. “You’re suggesting we take the fight to them?”Dorian shrugged. “Elise’s father had powerful connections. Some of them might scatter now that he’s locked up, but the smart ones? They’ll wait. Watch. See what you do next.”I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t give them time to plan.”Leon turned to me, his expression dark. “You’re sure about this?”I met his gaze. “I didn’t come this far just to hide.”Dorian grinned. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”Alexa shifted uncomfortably. “I wish I had your courage.”I reached for her hand. “You have more than you think.”She gave
The night before our departure, I barely slept. The weight of the locket pressed against my collarbone, a silent reminder that my past was no longer buried—it was clawing its way back to the surface.Leon must have sensed my restlessness because he found me in the kitchen before dawn, staring into my untouched cup of coffee.“You’re thinking too much.”I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “You always say that.”“Because it’s always true.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Second thoughts?”“No,” I said. “Just… doubts. What if I don’t find the answers I’m looking for? What if I’m just chasing ghosts?”Leon studied me for a long moment before stepping closer, his fingers grazing the locket at my neck. “Then we chase them together.”My chest tightened at the quiet intensity in his voice.Before I could respond, Dorian’s voice cut through the stillness. “Time to go.”The drive to the estate was long and silent. Alexa had insisted on coming, despite her injuries. She
The moment Elise’s father whistled, chaos erupted. Gunfire cracked through the air, sending dock workers scattering. Shadows moved between the containers—his men, heavily armed and ready.Leon pulled me behind a stack of crates as bullets ricocheted off the metal. “Dorian, how many?”Dorian’s voice came sharp through the earpiece. “At least eight. They were waiting for you.”I clenched my teeth. Of course, he knew we’d come.Leon checked his ammo. “We need to take them out before he reaches the cargo ship.”I exhaled, steadying my grip on my gun. “Then let’s end this.”Leon moved first, stepping out just long enough to fire three quick shots. A grunt of pain echoed through the night. One down.Dorian’s rifle cracked, taking out another.I kept close to the containers, listening—waiting. A figure rushed toward me. I ducked just as he swung a knife, feeling the blade slice the air above my head.Without hesitation, I drove my elbow into his ribs, twisting his wrist until the knife clatt