Leon had left early that morning to meet with Jack, and I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that lingered after our conversation. He’d insisted that I stay behind, reassuring me that he’d feel more at ease if he knew I was safe inside the house. I understood his concern—after all, Justin was still out there, and we had uncovered more than enough to make him dangerous—but I couldn’t help feeling a little stifled. I wandered through the quiet house, feeling like I was a guest in my own life. Eventually, I found Aunt Lou in the kitchen, bustling about as she prepared breakfast with Letty.“Good morning,” I said, stepping into the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee and pancakes filled the air, but I didn’t feel hungry. Aunt Lou looked up and smiled warmly. “Morning, Marga. How are you feeling?”I forced a smile, not wanting to worry her. “I’m fine. Just… a little restless, I guess.”Letty glanced over from the stove, where she was flipping pancakes. “Can’t blame you for that.
After Leon and I shared that quiet moment, the tension in my chest began to ease. What he told me had taken concrete steps to protect me and keep Justin at bay filled me with a sense of hope. I felt like perhaps we could start reclaiming our freedom once again. But as much as I wanted to relax, I knew that the battle wasn’t over yet. There was still the ongoing lawsuit, the looming divorce, and the constant fear that Justin wasn’t going to just disappear. The restraining order was a good start, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about how desperate Justin might become.Later that evening, after dinner, Leon and I sat together on the couch in the living room. The soft glow of the fireplace filled the room with warmth, but I could still sense the unspoken tension between us. I leaned against him, my head resting on his shoulder as we watched the flames flicker."Leon," I said softly, breaking the silence.He glanced down at me, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "What is i
As I sat on the edge of the bed, my thoughts spiraled back to the call I’d received from Justin earlier that morning. His voice had been neutral and bothered me. Justin had to bother calling me so that he could say that he wanted to meet. Part of me knew it was a terrible idea—a trap, maybe—but another part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that meeting with him might somehow lead to a resolution. It made me wonder if this nightmare could really end with just one conversation.I knew Leon would be furious if he found out. He’d gone to such lengths to protect me, keeping me under watch and making sure I was never alone. His elite security was always one step behind, keeping a close eye on my every move. Escaping their notice wasn’t going to be easy. But the idea of finally confronting Justin gnawed at me. What if I could end this? What if all it took was talking things out?The complexity of getting caught before I even had the chance to meet Justin weighed heavily on me. One wrong m
As Justin disappeared from view, I sat there for a moment, my heart still pounding. The conversation had left me with more questions than answers, and the way he spoke about Leon made me uneasy. Could there really be something Leon was hiding from me? No. Justin was just trying to manipulate me, to plant seeds of doubt.I needed to get out of here.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed a number. Not Leon—not yet. I needed some time to process everything before I involved him. Instead, I called Aunt Lou, hoping to regroup without any suspicion."Aunt Lou?" I said when she picked up. "I’m... I’m just going to catch a ride back. You go on without me.""Are you okay, Marga?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "You sound off.""I’m fine," I lied. "Just needed some air."She paused for a second but finally responded, "All right, dear. Just be careful."I hung up and slipped out of the café, making sure to keep a low profile. I wasn’t far from the grocery stor
The tension between Leon and me hung in the air long after our conversation ended. He had left the room, and I sat alone, staring at the spot where he’d knelt in front of me, asking for my trust. I wanted to give it to him, but Justin’s words kept circling in my mind, taunting me.Was Leon protecting me, or was he protecting himself?Hours passed, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. The shadows of the house felt heavier than usual, like they were holding secrets I wasn’t meant to uncover. I needed to get some fresh air, clear my head, and think without Leon hovering nearby.I grabbed my jacket and quietly slipped out the back door. The night was cool, the breeze soft against my skin as I stepped into the garden. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows over the grass. I walked aimlessly for a few minutes, trying to piece together what Leon had said."He’ll only try to manipulate you, Margarette, you can’t trust anything he says."I wra
It had been days since I secretly met up with Justin, and even though it was supposed to be a closed chapter in my mind, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that perhaps there was another way to end this nightmare—and that could possibly happen if Justin would really take down the lawsuit and give me back my parent’s property.However, every single time I thought about it, guilt gnawed at me. Leon was doing everything he could, and I had gone behind his back. He deserved better.The following day, Prosecutor Iva, had come over earlier to go over the evidence we had submitted to court. As we all sat in the living room, the discussion felt tense yet hopeful. Iva was determined, confident even, as she spoke about the next step—a trap for Justin. “We’ll need to catch him in the act,” Iva said, her sharp eyes moving between Leon and me. “We’ve got enough to build a case, but an entrapment operation would seal the plan.”Leon nodded, his expression grim but trusting. “I’m counting on you
On the next day, the reality of what I had suspected gnawed at me like an itch I couldn’t scratch. Each morning, I would wake up thinking about it, wondering if I should tell Leon, but then I’d push the thought away. There was too much going on. Too many things at stake. Between the mounting pressure with Justin, the entrapment operation, and the weight of everything Leon had taken on, I just couldn’t add to his stress. He was already doing everything he could for me. How could I throw something like this on top of it all?The night at the restaurant kept replaying in my head—those few nauseating bites of caviar, the moment in the bathroom when I realized my period was late. My stomach twisted every time I thought about it. It was so obvious now, but I’d been too wrapped up in the chaos around us to even notice.Still, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. Not yet.Instead, I did my best to act normal. I pretended everything was fine, even when I was hit with waves of nausea througho
The secret of my pregnancy weighed heavier on me with each passing day. I found myself caught between the desperate urge to tell Leon the truth and the paralyzing fear of adding more to his already overflowing plate. He was dealing with so much—Justin, the lawsuits, the entrapment operation—and I couldn’t bear the thought of burdening him even further.I often rehearsed the conversation in my head, thinking about how I’d tell him. Every time I worked up the courage, something would hold me back. What if he felt trapped? What if the added stress broke him? I couldn’t shake the thought that keeping this secret was my way of protecting him, of giving him one less thing to worry about.It wasn’t until that afternoon, when Leon suggested we go out for lunch, that things began to spiral in a way I couldn’t control.“Want to go get some lunch,” Leon had said, flashing me one of his warm, reassuring smiles. “I figured that perhaps, I need to take you out more often. I understand that being he
Dorian was right. My father wasn’t sitting idle. He was moving his pieces, fortifying his position before I could strike.But he underestimated me.By morning, I was already on the phone, making calls, pulling in every favor I had left. I wasn’t just going to fight him—I was going to destroy him.Leon watched me from across the kitchen, leaning against the counter, sipping his coffee. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and despite the weight of everything we were up against, he looked completely composed.It irritated me.“Do you ever worry?” I muttered, ending a call and tossing my phone on the counter.Leon smirked. “Constantly.”I gave him a look. “You don’t seem worried.”He set his mug down and closed the distance between us. “Because I don’t show it the way you do.”I exhaled. “I feel like we’re on the edge of something big. Like we’re one wrong move away from losing everything.”Leon tilted his head slightly, studying me. “Margarette.” His
Leon didn’t speak much after that. The drive back was filled with nothing but the hum of the tires on the road and the unspoken weight between us. I wanted to say something—anything—to make him look at me the way he used to. But I knew this wasn’t the time.When we pulled into the underground parking lot of our penthouse, Leon shut off the engine and exhaled through his nose. His hands remained on the wheel, knuckles white.I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Leon—”He turned to me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You just declared war on your father, Margarette.”I swallowed. “You think I don’t know that?”“That’s the problem.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “This isn’t just about exposing his corruption. Harlan Westwood isn’t the kind of man who forgives betrayal. And you just put a target on your back.”I clenched my jaw. “I’ve had a target on my back ever since I decided to take back what’s mine.”Leon let out a humorless laugh. “And you think he’s just going to let you?”I reac
The night was deceptively peaceful. The city lights stretched far beyond the penthouse windows, illuminating a world that had no idea of the chaos brewing beneath the surface.Leon stood by the window, his sleeves rolled up, his jaw clenched in quiet contemplation. He hadn’t said much since our meeting at the club.I knew why.We had allies now, but it wasn’t enough.We needed more.“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours,” I said, stepping closer.Leon’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. “There’s a war coming, Margarette. And I don’t know if I can keep you safe through it.”I scoffed. “You’re still underestimating me?”His jaw ticked. “No. I just—” He exhaled sharply, turning to face me. “I can’t lose you.”The words hit harder than they should have.I swallowed, pushing down the sudden rush of emotion. “Then don’t.”Leon studied me for a long moment, his eyes dark and unreadable. Then, before I could react, he pulled me flush against him, his lips capturing mine
By the next morning, the fallout had already begun.Leon and I sat in his penthouse, reviewing the reports pouring in from our contacts. Calloway’s operation had taken a major hit—his Russian allies were furious, his supply lines were compromised, and his reputation was crumbling.But we both knew it wasn’t over.Calloway wouldn’t take this loss lying down.Leon’s fingers drummed against the table, his jaw tight. “He’ll retaliate.”I nodded. “It’s just a matter of when.”Leon’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then answered with a clipped, “What?”A pause.Then his expression darkened.“When?” he demanded.Another pause.“Where is she now?”I sat up straighter, sensing the shift in his energy.Then Leon cursed under his breath and ended the call.“What happened?” I asked.He stood, already grabbing his keys. “Alexa was taken.”My blood ran cold. “By Calloway?”Leon’s jaw clenched. “Looks like it.”I shot up from my seat. “Then let’s go get her.”Alexa’s location was traced to a
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,