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[LEON'S POV]As soon as I saw Margarette being shoved into Justin’s car, my heart stopped. Time seemed to freeze, stretching each second into an agonizing eternity. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else. Without wasting a moment, I sprinted to my car, barely registering Jack right behind me.I flung open the car door and threw myself inside. Jack did the same, but I wasn’t thinking about him. My hands shook with a cocktail of fury and fear as I started the engine. Every fiber of my being was screaming one thing—get Margarette back.The tires screeched as I slammed my foot on the gas pedal, the car lurching forward violently. My vision tunneled, focusing entirely on the black car speeding ahead. I pushed the engine harder, feeling it groan under the strain.“Leon, slow down!” Jack’s voice pierced through the chaos, but I ignored him. The accelerator was already pressed to the floor. I couldn’t slow down. I wouldn’t.Margarette’s life—and our baby’s life—depended o
Margarette’s POVThe deafening sound of the gunshot echoed in the empty expanse by the bay. My scream tore through the daybreak as I stumbled back, hands flying to my mouth. My heart hammered against my ribs, and tears burned my eyes. It felt like the world around me had stopped from moving, and in that horrible silence facing me at the moment, my mind immediately leaped to the worst possible outcome that I dread not want to happen."Leon," I whimpered, my voice trembling as I stared at him and Justin, standing frozen in while facing each other. They’re speechless and eyes widened in shock as well. They were still, like statues—neither one dared to move nor speak even a single word.For that short single moment, even I couldn’t tell who had been hit by the gun fire.“Leon!” My voice cracked with panic. I took a shaky step forward, fear slicing through me. Then I saw it—the red gush of blood spreading across Justin’s shirt. His hand shot to his side, fingers pressing against the wound
Leon stood in front of me, his body rigid as he scanned the water, searching for any sign of Justin. The splashes had stopped, but the tension in the air remained thick, suffocating.I clung to him, my fingers digging into his arm as fear gripped me. My eyes stayed locked on the restless sea, waiting—dreading—what might emerge. The waves lapped at the rocky shore, cold and indifferent to the chaos they had witnessed.Jack knelt by the edge. “I don’t see anything,” he muttered, his voice a low growl.“That’s impossible,” Leon snapped, his jaw tight with frustration. “He fell right here. He couldn’t have just disappeared.”I wanted to believe that. I wanted to believe Justin was gone—finally, irreversibly gone—but something about the stillness of the sea gnawed at me. No body, no blood, no sign of him floating in the water. It didn’t make sense. “What if...” I hesitated, my voice trembling. “What if he swam away? What if he—”“No,” Leon said, cutting me off sharply. His eyes never left
The wind howled softly outside as I stood by the open door, panic gnawing at my insides. My mind was spiraling, replaying the events from earlier—Justin, the gun, the fall into the bay—and now, the door wide open and Leon nowhere to be seen."Leon?" I called out again, my voice cracking with fear.Just as I was about to lose all sense of reason, a hand gripped my arm, pulling me around sharply. I gasped, ready to fight off whoever it was, but then my eyes met Leon’s. Relief flooded me as I let out a shaky breath, my body sagging with the weight of it."Margarette,," he said quickly, his brows furrowed with concern. "What’s wrong?"I swallowed hard, feeling the adrenaline slowly drain from my system. "The door... it was open. I thought—" I stopped, not wanting to voice my deepest fear. I thought *Justin* had somehow come back.Leon’s eyes softened as he cupped my face gently, his thumbs brushing away the cold sweat on my temples. "I just went out to see Jack leave. He needed to head ho
The living room was quiet, save for the steady hum of the television. The air felt thick with unspoken tension as we watched the national news unfold, images of the Montefalco estate flashing on the screen. The headlines were clear: Montefalco Heir Dies in Tragic Accident.I sat next to Leon on the couch, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. The news anchor spoke with the usual detached professionalism, but my heart clenched as footage of the Montefalco ancestral house appeared. The estate was always grand, just as I remembered it, but the somber atmosphere surrounding it was unmistakable. Reporters crowded outside the gates, while inside, preparations for Justin’s wake were being made.Leon’s hand rested on my knee, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing circles as he stared at the screen. His expression was unreadable, his jaw tense. I glanced over at him just as the anchor spoke again."...the Montefalco family has yet to comment on the specifics of Justin Montefalco’s pa
I was not sure why Leon suddenly want to go somewhere or where in the world he was even planning to take me. But I just thought that perhaps he was just trying to get a breather from all that had happen and perhaps, he could also possibly thinking about me which was why he suddenly want to go out.It made me already thought of the possible place he would take me, could it be another restaurant? Movie house? Shopping? There were times when i wish to predict what was inside Leon’s thoughts but surely, most often, he really never cease to amuse me with all his surprises.I just always end up getting awestruck with what Leon have for me that i could only wish there would come a time when I could return all those love to him. Perhaps, it’s was just the timing, now that Justin’s gone, I might be able to invest navigating all my attention for Leon alone.The car ride was filled with quiet anticipation. Leon had been unusually secretive about the surprise he had planned, but the warmth in his
The celebration around us felt like a dream. I was still reeling from everything—Justin’s death, regaining my properties, and now this renewed engagement to Leon. It was overwhelming, but in the best way. I clung to Leon’s hand as our family and friends swirled around us, offering their congratulations.Aunt Lou was the first to pull me into a tight embrace, her familiar scent calming my nerves. “Oh, sweetheart,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve all of this—and now, every bit of happiness is finally coming your way.”I smiled against her shoulder, feeling the weight of her words sink in. For so long, I hadn’t believed I deserved happiness, not after everything that had happened. But now, standing here surrounded by people who loved me, I finally felt like somehow, I did.“Thank you,” I whispered back, my voice barely holding together.When Aunt Lou let go, I found myself facing Uncle George next. His expression was softer than usual, th
The past three months had been a whirlwind—an emotional rollercoaster of healing, hope, and quiet joy as Leon and I embraced our future together. Justin’s death felt like a distant, dark chapter finally closed, and now, as my baby bump began to show, life felt like it was on a brighter path. Our days were filled with preparations for our baby, and today was no different. We were at the summer house that my parents left me, making the final touches for our baby’s gender reveal celebration.The summer house had been renovated since we decided to live here. Though Leon and I could have afforded something grand, we agreed to keep our life simple and grounded. The house had a quiet charm, nestled close to the lake, where the breeze carried a sense of peace. We’d stripped away the extravagance that usually came with our wealth, keeping only what we needed for a comfortable life. It felt right. It felt like the start of something pure and new for our growing family.I stood by Leon, watch
I stood barefoot on the damp sand, the wind weaving through my hair like invisible fingers, the sea humming a lullaby that had become the heartbeat of our peaceful island life. Leon stood beside me, his hand resting on the curve of my growing belly. It had become our evening ritual, watching the sunset together, our two kids—Isla and Theo—laughing somewhere behind us, chasing each other with sticks and seashells.I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the sound of the waves steady my heart. This place—this little paradise Leon bought for our third child—had become more than a retreat. It was a dream he turned into a promise. But even dreams, I had come to learn, were fragile."She kicked again," I said softly.Leon turned, his eyes lighting up. He dropped to his knees and pressed his ear against my belly. "Hey, little one. You trying to tell us something?"I laughed, running my fingers through his hair. We had built a world here—away from pain, betrayal, and danger. For nearly a year,
The next twenty-four hours unfolded like a twisted thriller novel—one where every moment felt more surreal than the last.Leon doubled the patrols and locked down the main house with a level of precision that made me feel both safe and deeply unsettled. We weren’t just protecting Angela and Riley anymore; we were protecting our entire family, our children, and the unborn life growing inside me. I absentmindedly touched my belly throughout the day—our third child, already making their presence known in subtle kicks and flutters.Leon noticed, of course. He always noticed.“You okay?” he asked quietly that afternoon, his arm curling protectively around my waist as we stood by the nursery window, watching Isla and the twins playing with their nannies in the garden below.“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I want to be. I should be. But Victoria… she’s like a shadow. I can feel her even when she’s not there.”Leon didn’t speak right away. Instead, he pressed a kiss to my temple and rested his h
Days passed in a blur of uncertainty. Leon worked late into the night, organizing security measures, making phone calls. He reached out to his contacts in Anacortes, hoping to get a lead on the source of the letter. Meanwhile, I tried to keep things normal for the children. I kept the island life as idyllic as possible, determined not to let the shadow of the unknown consume us completely.But the truth was, I couldn’t ignore it. Not anymore.It wasn’t just Riley and Angela we had to worry about—it was us, too. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far worse.The morning the helicopter arrived, I knew something had changed.Leon had arranged for a private security team to monitor the island, just in case. The sound of the helicopter’s blades cutting through the air had become an all-too-familiar noise. But this time, when it landed, it wasn’t just the usual security team.It was Riley and Angela.And they didn’t look like the carefree couple th
The days that followed Victoria’s arrest felt like exhaling after holding our breath for far too long. Riley and Angela stayed on the island for a while longer, though it was clear they needed to forge a new chapter of their own. Angela had begun smiling again, truly smiling—without fear shadowing her eyes. Riley, too, softened. He built sandcastles with Liam and Lila, cooked with Leon, and talked with me late into the evening, often about forgiveness and starting over.And just like that, they left. Quietly, one morning, before the sun rose. A handwritten note on the kitchen table read:"Thank you for giving us this time, this place, and this chance to be free again. We’ll never forget it. Love, Riley & Angela."I folded the note and placed it in the drawer beside my bedside table, next to the ultrasound photo of our third child.Yes, our third. I was five months along by then—round and glowing, Leon would say, with that teasing smirk of his. Truthfully, I felt more like a sleepy, wa
One Month LaterPeace. Real, actual peace.It settled on our shoulders like a soft shawl, wrapping us in warmth we’d long forgotten existed. Riley and Angela decided to stay on the island for a few more weeks to heal, but soon they were talking about moving to a quieter part of Europe to start fresh. With Victoria behind bars and no more shadows to run from, they deserved that clean slate.As for us… we were starting to dream again.Life slowed into soft routines. Mornings began with giggles from Liam and Lila as they climbed into bed with us, demanding pancake breakfasts and treasure hunts on the beach. Isla—our tiny, perfect miracle—was thriving, always cooing and gurgling, her smile lighting up the room.And then came the moment.I was standing in the garden behind the cottage, barefoot on the grass, Isla napping in a basket under the shade while the twins dug in the sand nearby. Leon came out, holding something behind his back.“Close your eyes,” he said, grinning.I rolled mine a
Life on our secluded island had settled into a serene rhythm. Leon and I spent our days basking in the joy of raising our three children, the twins—Liam and Lila—and our newborn, Isla. The island, a paradise of golden sands and lush greenery, had become our sanctuary, far removed from the chaos of our past lives.One tranquil afternoon, as I lounged on the veranda watching the twins play by the shore, a distant speck on the horizon caught my eye. Squinting against the sun's glare, I realized it was a small boat, rowing frantically toward our island. My heart quickened. Visitors were unheard of here. Leon, noticing my unease, emerged from the house and followed my gaze.The boat drew closer, revealing two figures aboard. As they reached the shallows, a man leaped out, pulling the vessel onto the sand. He turned toward us, and recognition struck me like a bolt."Riley?" I called out, disbelief evident in my voice.Riley's face was etched with exhaustion and fear. Beside him, a woman
The next few days were filled with packing and preparations for the move. The kids were excited about the idea of living in a new place, and their enthusiasm helped ease some of my doubts. I watched them run around the house, laughing, playing, as Leon and I sorted through our things. They were so innocent, so unaware of the complexities of the world we lived in. I wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible.By the time we were ready to leave, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. It wasn’t about abandoning anyone—it was about creating a future for us, a future where we could heal, grow, and be free from the shadows of our past.The private jet that Leon had arranged for us was waiting, and the twins couldn’t contain their excitement as we boarded. The journey felt surreal, like something out of a dream. We were starting over, building a new life, and for the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful.When we finally arrived on the island, it exceeded all our expectations.
We visited Havenmoor two weeks later.The air was different there—salt-kissed and vibrant. The island’s green heart stretched wide with wild palms and flowering trees. A gentle wind rustled the leaves as we stepped onto the sand. Liana and Mateo were already running toward the waves, laughing as the tide splashed their feet.Leon held my hand as we walked up a narrow path toward the bluff where our future home would be built.“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, unable to hide my awe.“It’s yours,” he said. “Ours.”A local contractor met us at the site, showing us the blueprints. I could already picture it—Liana perched at the window seat with a book, Mateo in the garden chasing butterflies, the sound of waves echoing through our open windows.“This room will be for the baby,” Leon said, his voice lower now, reverent. “Facing east, so the sunlight comes in every morning.”I didn’t speak for a moment. Instead, I turned to him, tears threatening to spill. “You thought of everything.”He brush
The smell of cinnamon and warm bread wafted through the air as I stood in the sunlit kitchen, stirring a pot of soup with one hand and resting the other protectively over my growing belly. Outside the window, the sound of laughter echoed from the garden where Leon chased after our two children—Emilia, now three, and our spirited one-year-old, Julian. Their giggles bounced off the walls like music.Peace.For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, I could breathe.It had been a year since Elise’s arc ended—since we put an end to the nightmare that stole my parents and nearly took my life. The trial that followed felt like a bad dream, and with Dorian’s testimony and the evidence from my father’s study, Elise’s crimes—along with her father's legacy of corruption—were buried with their conviction.Leon and I moved on. We rebuilt our lives, one moment, one breath at a time.And now, as I stirred soup with the ease of a mother content in her routine, I was preparing to share somethin