As I made my way downstairs to the dining room, the delicious aroma of Letty’s cooking filled the air, instantly lifting my spirits. I could hear the soft chatter from the kitchen, the clatter of dishes, and the occasional laugh from Lena, who had clearly been assigned the role of Letty’s helper for the night.
It felt good, being surrounded by family. Despite everything on my mind—Leon being away, my run-in with Regina, and the overwhelming anticipation of motherhood—I found solace in these simple moments.
I stepped into the dining room, and Aunt Lou was already setting the table, her usual efficient self. She looked up when she saw me and smiled. “There you are, sweetheart. Feeling a little better?”
I nodded, returning her smile. &l
The air was crisp as Aunt Lou and I made our way down the sidewalk toward the pharmacy to buy some of the vitamins I needed.I tried to push away the lingering sense of unease that had settled in ever since I saw Regina at my OB-GYN appointment yesterday by making some habit of going out more often, while I still could.Now that I was out of the house again with Aunt Lou to pick up some medicine, I hoped to shake off the anxiety that had clung to me all day. But, as luck would have it, life had other plans.As we stepped into the pharmacy, Aunt Lou busied herself at the counter while I browsed the aisles, looking for some vitamins and pregnancy essentials. I was trying to keep my mind focused on the present—on the baby and Leon's return—
As we left the coffee shop, Regina and I walked in silence for a while. The streets were busy, and the noise of the city created a buzzing backdrop to the heavy conversation we’d just had. I still couldn’t believe what I’d just agreed to—a potential alliance with Regina, of all people. Part of me was still suspicious, but there was also a part that wanted to believe she was sincere. If she was telling the truth, this could be the key to finally taking Wilma down.When we got closer to the car where Aunt Lou had stayed behind, I turned to Regina.“I’ll talk to my lawyer,” I said, keeping my voice measured. “We’ll see what the next steps are if you’re serious about testifying. But I need you to be prepared for what’s coming. Wilma’s not going to take this lying down.”Regina nodded, her face pale but resolute. “I know. But I’m ready. I can’t keep living in fear of her.”I studied her for a moment longer, then gave a short nod. “Alright. I’ll be in touch.”With that, we parted ways. As
After another encounter with Regina, I suddenly felt the familiar weight of anxiety pressing down on me again. It was giving me the hard to sleep on it especially whenever her every words comes to my mind.I couldn’t help but sympathize over the feeling of having some people control over you and that you couldn’t do anything but obey them because it was your life that was at stake—I surely felt that part of her.And now, Wilma was planning something—something big. I couldn’t afford to wait and see how things played out. I needed advice, a plan, and most importantly, I needed to be prepared. That’s why I found myself sitting in Jack's office the following afternoon, nervously tapping my fingers on the arm of my chair while he read through the notes I’d brought him. Jack was my former lawyer, who helped me a lot with my lawsuit against Justin. And because of that, I could only trust him more than anyone when it came to legal matters. He was the one who’d helped me navigate the mess wi
LATER THAT EVENING, while I sat quietly in the living room, and enjoying the sip a hot cup of herbal tea that Aunt Lou had made for me, the tension that had been brewing throughout the day finally came to a head. Aunt Lou had been hovering, her watchful eyes lingering on me every time I moved or said anything. It wasn’t like her usual caring concern—it felt heavier, more disapproving. I could sense something was wrong, but I hadn’t wanted to push. I wanted to ask her what could be bothering her but I feel like it would be best to wait for her to tell it to me instead.Finally, she couldn’t hold it in any longer.“Margarette,” Aunt Lou started, her tone gentle but firm. She sat down across from me, folding her hands in her lap. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”I set my cup down, frowning slightly. “What do you mean?”She let out a soft sigh, as though she had been holding her breath. “Meeting with Regina. Talking to Jack without waiting for Leon to come back. You’re pregnant, swee
Today would be a new day. And as I sat by the large bay window, looking out at the garden, the golden mid day sun casting long shadows over the neatly trimmed hedges. I’d decided to spend the day at home, quietly awaiting Leon’s return, when suddenly my phone rang. I glanced at the screen—Leon—and my heart felt like it skipped a beat. “Leon!” I answered quickly, my excitement bubbling up. “You called my love? I miss you.”His deep, familiar voice greeted me with warmth. “I’m more than okay, my love. I miss you more. But hey, I’ve got some good news for you.”I could hear the smile in his voice, and my curiosity spiked. “What is it? Tell me!”“I’m coming home earlier than expected. My meetings wrapped up faster than planned, and I’ll be on the next flight out. I should be there by tonight.”I gasped, my heart soaring. “Tonight? Oh my love, that’s good news! I can’t wait to see you.”“I can’t wait to see you either,” he said softly. “I’ve missed you. How are you feeling? How’s everythi
The dinner started out perfectly. Leon sat at the head of the table, looking happier than I had seen him in months, his arm wrapped around my shoulders. Aunt Lou had outdone herself—the roast lamb was perfectly cooked, the potatoes crisped to perfection. I had chosen the menu carefully, every dish meant to make Leon feel loved and welcome after his long trip. Helena and Aunt Lou chatted easily with Leon, while I watched him enjoy the meal, feeling content and proud.But Sarah, seated on the other side of the table, was beginning to ruin the evening with her constant interruptions."Leon," she chimed in suddenly, her voice overly sweet. "Do you remember that one dish I used to make for you? You loved it so much—creamy mushroom risotto with garlic and a hint of truffle oil. I was thinking I should make it again for you sometime."I shot her a sharp look. Leon's eyes flicked toward me, his expression unreadable. I knew exactly what she was doing—Leon was severely allergic to mushrooms,
As Leon held me close, his arms firm yet gentle around me, I felt the weight of the evening crash down all at once. All of the tension I felt throughout the day, all the anger, even the fear—it all swirled in a chaotic mess inside me. I pulled away slightly to look up at him, still trying to steady my breathing."Leon, what if she doesn’t stop?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if Sarah keeps coming back, trying to cause more trouble? I don’t think I can handle it."Leon’s expression softened as he brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. "You don’t need to worry about her anymore, Margarette. I’ll make sure she stays far away from us. From now on, we’ll handle everything. You’ve been through enough alone."His words were meant to comfort, but there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that Sarah wasn’t done. Her parting words echoed in my mind, a chilling promise that she wouldn’t stop until she took Leon from me. I lean
And that same evening, after the chaos of dinner had finally settled and Aunt Lou had gone to bed, I found myself sitting in the living room with Leon, the two of us in comfortable silence. He had his arm wrapped around me, and I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was calming, a moment of peace after everything that had happened. But there was still something I needed to tell him—something I had been holding back since my encounter with Regina.I sat up slightly, pulling away just enough to look at him, my heart racing as I tried to gather the right words. Leon noticed the change in my posture and immediately grew concerned, his eyes scanning my face."Margarette? You appeared like you wanted to tell me something, is there something wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle but alert. "You’ve been like that since a moment ago."I took a deep breath, knowing that what I was about to say would be complicated. Leon had always been protective of me,
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,