A few months had passed since I left Anacortes and settled in Vancouver with Aunt Lou’s family. Life in the city felt so different—less peacefull in some ways because of its own kind of noise. Despite Aunt Lou’s gentle insistence that I needed to go out and socialize more, I just wasn’t ready. I understand that she may just be concern about my well-being but my heart still ached for Leon’s death, his memories is like a shadow that followed me everywhere. Every part of Vancouver reminds me of him as well, and the thought of putting myself out there seemed impossible.“Margarette, sweetheart, you can’t stay inside all the time,” Aunt Lou said one morning over breakfast. Her voice was calm but firm, the way only Aunt Lou could be when she was worried. “It’s not good for you. You need fresh air, to see people, remind yourself that life moves on.”I gave her a small smile, the kind that I hoped would reassure her, but I knew she saw through it. “I know, Aunt Lou,” I replied, taking a s
The following day felt like a long, frustrating day. Of all the things that I would misplace, it would have to be my purse.I had already searched every inch of the house—every corner, every drawer, even places I knew my purse couldn’t possibly be. Even Letty and Lena helped me too, turning the entire place upside down, but still, couldn’t find my missing purse. My purse was gone. And with it, almost everything important—my ID, credit cards, and some personal documents I couldn’t afford to lose.“Are you sure you didn’t leave it somewhere outside?” Lena asked, her voice laced with concern as she scanned the kitchen counter for the third time.“I’ve checked everywhere I can think of,” I said, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. But truthfully, I was on the verge of breaking down. How could I have been so careless?Letty peeked her head around the corner, shaking her head. “Nothing upstairs either. We’ve looked everywhere.”I sighed and rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of
I blinked at William's question, momentarily thrown off by its bluntness. The word "married" lingered in the air, as it sounded totally uncalled for. And then, just like that, the wave of grief crashed over me again.I lowered my gaze to the cup of coffee in front of me, wrapping my hands around it as if the warmth might somehow anchor me. Married? How could I even begin to answer that? "No," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not married yet." recalling the truth that Leon and I’s wedding would no longer happen anymore because he’s already gone.There was a long pause, and I could feel William's eyes on me, studying my face as if trying to read between the lines. The weight of his gaze made me feel vulnerable, exposed, like he could sense the tangled emotions just beneath the surface."Yet...you mean—" he prompted gently, sensing there was more.I hesitated, biting my lip as I considered how much to reveal. I hadn’t talked about Leon with anyone outside of my close
The weight of the moment settled in the room as I cradled my newborn son in my arms, his tiny fingers curling around mine. I couldn’t stop staring at him, this little life that had just entered the world, so fragile yet so full of potential. Every breath he took was a reminder of the journey ahead, the life I would build for him, the love I would pour into him. He was the beginning of something new, something I hadn’t planned but was now fully ready to embrace.William stood quietly near the door, watching us and I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude toward him. He had rushed me to the hospital, stayed through the entire labor, and witnessed the birth of my child—an experience I had never imagined sharing with anyone but Leon.As I looked up at William, I could see that this had changed something between us. There was no need for words; the moment itself had forged a bond. He didn’t belong to this part of my life, yet here he was, having witnessed one of the most miracu
The soft sound of Lucas babbling in his crib pulled me out of my thoughts as I leaned against the kitchen counter, staring out of the window. It was a peaceful morning, and the air smelled of fresh rain. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I watched him wiggle his tiny fingers, trying to reach for the mobile that swayed above him. I still couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in such a short time. A year ago, I wasn’t even sure I could do this—raise a child on my own. But now, I was proud to say that I could. But of course, I wouldn’t even be able to do it without my family’s help.“Morning, child,” Aunt Lou’s voice greeted me as she shuffled into the kitchen, already dressed and ready to take on the day. Her energy amazed me. She was always up before everyone else, taking care of things as if it was second nature.Aunt Lou insisted that they stay into my apartment every now and then to make sure I have some company. And I could have someone to help me around with Lu
As the days passed after Lucas’ first birthday, I found myself caught between two worlds—the life I was trying to build as a mother to Lucas and the painful past that was clawing its way back into my present. Jack’s revelation haunted me, replaying in my mind during quiet moments. Was it really possible? Could someone have caused Leon’s death? The thought made my stomach churn, but I couldn't shake it.Despite the inner turmoil, life continued. Lucas was growing quickly, taking more steps each day, babbling new words that filled the house with joy. My Aunt Lou, Letty, and Lena were always around, giving me the support I needed to raise him. William, too, was a constant presence. His role as Lucas' godfather had strengthened our bond, though things remained strictly platonic after I’d rejected his romantic feelings. He never brought it up again, for which I was grateful, but it did make me feel awkward at times—how he could be so caring even after I’d turned him down.One afternoon,
It was a late afternoon when I found myself pacing the length of our living room, staring at the untouched coffee on the table. The memories of that night refused to leave me, the moment that had haunted me for weeks now. Justin—a name I had hoped would never cross my mind again. But the fear had taken root, growing like a dark shadow that loomed over me.I had watched him fall.I had watched him bleed.So why did the idea of him being alive claw at my insides?Leon's voice echoed in my memory from that night, strong and certain. “He’s dead, Margarette. There’s no way anyone could have survived that.” Jack had been there too, nodding, reassuring me that Justin was gone. But now, as the doubts took hold, all I could think about was the possibility that maybe we had all been wrong. No body was ever found. What if he had survived? What if he was hiding, plotting?I shook my head, trying to shake off the creeping paranoia, but it was too late. The seed had been planted. It had started wi
It had been another year, and Lucas was now a lively, playful toddler, always running around, laughing at the smallest things. His energy was boundless, and watching him grow had been the only thing that kept me grounded after everything that had happened. But as I stood in the living room, watching him chase after his favorite stuffed bunny, my mind wandered.I couldn’t keep living like this.All I could think about was his future. The fortune Leon had left for Lucas was more than enough to sustain us for years, but something didn’t sit right with me about relying solely on that money. Leon had worked hard for his wealth, and I wanted to make sure Lucas had something more than just an inheritance.But I hadn’t worked in years. It seemed impossible to even consider going back to the corporate world. I could barely remember what it felt like to sit in an office, much less handle the pressure of the business world again. Besides, who would hire someone who had been out of the game for so
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
The world seemed to slow as the metal beneath us groaned, then gave a horrifying screech as it collapsed. I felt weightless for a split second before gravity yanked us downward. My arms tightened around Alexa, a scream tearing from my throat as the ground rushed toward us.A blur of movement shot out from below—Leon, running faster than I thought humanly possible. His arms stretched upward, and for a moment, I thought he’d catch us.The impact never came. Instead, we crashed into a tangled net just a few feet above the machinery below. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, adrenaline surging through me.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw as he climbed onto the platform beneath us, his hands gripping the net tightly. “Are you hurt?”“I’m fine,” I choked out, clutching Alexa, who was still semi-conscious. “Get her first!”Leon’s jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the precariously swaying net. He reached up and carefully pulled Alexa down, cradling her like she weighed nothing.