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
As the gender reveal celebration goes on, the awkward atmosphere surrounding Sarah's arrival lingered like a shadow over what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. I seriously tried to stay focused on the event, reminding myself that today was about my baby and celebrating this new chapter in Leon and I’s lives, but Sarah’s presence was unsettling. Every time I caught her glancing at me or Leon, there was something in her eyes—something I couldn’t help but wonder if it was jealousy.The summer house was bustling with activity. Our friends and family all gathered and laughing as they discussed whether the baby would be a boy or a girl. And in that short instant, the backyard where a view of the lake was present, now adorned with the pastel decorations—blues and pinks fluttering gently in the breeze—were beautiful.However, every time I glanced toward Sarah, I simply couldn’t help but felt a knot in my stomach. She hadn’t said much since arriving, only offering polite but distant smil
The rest of the day moved in a blur of laughter and celebration. Our friends and family gathered around, offering their congratulations, talking about our future plans for the baby, and making bets on whether our little boy would take after me or Leon.The joy was overwhelming, and for a while, I was able to set aside the fact that Sarah’s presence was making me feel awkward to the back of my mind.Leon was by my side almost the entire time, holding my hand or keeping an arm around me protectively. I was fortunate for having a partner that could sensed my unease, even if I tried to hide it.As what Leon had often tell me, the two of us were a team, and today was supposed to be one of the
The days after our baby shower felt like a whirlwind of excitement and preparations. Leon and I were constantly buzzing with anticipation, making sure everything was perfect for our little boy’s arrival. It felt surreal, imagining a whole new life with a child, and neither of us could contain the joy we felt."Do you think this color will be just fine?" I asked, holding up a soft blue swatch of paint as we stood in the soon-to-be nursery. Leon was beside me, nodding thoughtfully as he considered the walls we were about to transform."I think it’s perfect," he said, his voice warm and full of certainty. "Not too bright, not too dull. It’ll be calming."I smiled, my heart swelling. "I want a corner over there," I pointed to the window, "where I can sit and read him stories. Maybe I could have a rocking chair too."Leon’s face lit up at the idea. "I can picture it already. You, with him in your arms, tucking him in after reading. And I’ll stand at the door, listening to you sing him to s
One morning, as I sat by the window in the nursery, sipping on tea, I felt a soft kick. A flutter at first, then a stronger nudge—our baby was moving. A rush of warmth flooded me, and I called out for Leon, my heart bursting with excitement."Leon!" I yelled, unable to contain myself. "Come here, quick!"Leon appeared in the doorway, a mix of alarm and curiosity on his face. "What is it?" he asked, rushing over to me.I grabbed his hand and placed it on my belly. "Did you feel that? He’s kicking."He stood still, his hand resting on my bump, waiting. And then, it happened—a little nudge from within.His eyes widened, and a huge grin spread across h
The separation anxiety hit harder than I thought it would.Leon had only been gone for a few hours, yet it felt like days. I kept telling myself it was just three days, but the thought of him being so far away, flying across the world to Italy, had my stomach in knots.I tried to distract myself by reading books, TV shows, even a long bath, but none of it worked. Every time I thought about him being gone, the tears just came, uncontrollably. I had already tried calling him through Viber, even though I knew he was likely still on the plane. It was irrational, I knew that, but I couldn’t help myself.Eventually, Aunt Lou noticed that my anxiety was getting out of hand. And I appreciate how she tried reassuring me that everything was fine, remind
After Sarah left, the mood at the park was ruined.I could see it in Aunt Lou’s worried expression, Letty’s frustration, and Lena’s quiet glances. We all knew that lingering here wasn’t going to make me feel any better, so we packed up our things and headed back home.And the moment I stepped through the front door of the summer house, I couldn’t help but felt a sudden overwhelming urge to call Leon.Once we were settled inside, I excused myself to my room, pulling out my phone and dialing Leon’s viber, this time I was certain that he would be able to answer. I could feel the anxiety bubbling up again as I listened to the dial tone.
After Helena left, the tension in the house was palpable. Leon paced the living room, his jaw tight with frustration.“She’s lying,” he muttered. “She has to be.”“Leon,” I said gently, placing a hand on his arm. “What if she’s not? We can’t take any chances, not with Lucas involved.”At the mention of Lucas, Leon’s expression softened, and he glanced at his son, who was happily stacking blocks in the corner.“I won’t let anything happen to him,” he said firmly. “I’ll protect him with my life.”I nodded, my heart aching at the determination in his voice. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”Leon pulled me into his arms, his embrace grounding me. “Thank you, Margarette. For everything.”Later that night, Leon tucked Lucas into bed. I watched from the doorway as he knelt beside the bed, his hand gently brushing Lucas’s hair.“Goodnight, buddy,” he whispered.Lucas stirred, his eyes fluttering open. “Goodnight, Dad,” he murmured before drifting back to sleep.Leon stood and turned to me, h
The ride back home was quiet, yet the air was filled with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. Leon sat in the passenger seat, holding Lucas securely in his arms. The little boy had fallen asleep, his tiny hands clutching the fabric of Leon’s jacket, as if afraid to let go.Leon’s gaze stayed on Lucas, his expression a mix of wonder and sorrow. I didn’t interrupt his thoughts, knowing this moment was one he needed to process on his own.When we arrived at the house, Leon carried Lucas inside, his steps careful, as if afraid to wake him. I watched as he gently laid his son on the couch, covering him with a soft blanket. For a while, he simply stood there, staring down at the boy with tears glistening in his eyes.“Margarette,” he said quietly, turning to face me. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”I stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “You don’t have to repay me, Leon. Lucas is your son. He deserves to have his father in his life. And you deserve to be with him.
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