The day after my conversation with William, I received a message from my publicist about an upcoming press conference. It was organized by the studio to promote the film, but they’d be opening the floor to any questions the press might have about the recent engagement between me and William or the scandal. Part of me dreaded the entire affair, but another part knew this was necessary. After everything that happened, it was crucial to show that I wasn’t hiding from the spotlight—or from the truth. I arrived early, the room already buzzing with reporters setting up their equipment and fans gathering outside, hoping for a glimpse of the cast. My eyes scanned the rows of chairs and the raised platform where we’d be seated, and I tried to calm my nerves.“Margarette!” My publicist, Tina, called from the corner, waving me over. “Quick, before the others get here. I want to go over a few things.”I nodded, grateful for her organization as she quickly briefed me on potential questions and r
A FEW WEEKS AFTER...The day began like any other, except for the excitement in Lucas’s eyes as he pulled me down the hallway."Mommy! Look!" he squealed, pointing to the plane tickets William held, smiling wide. “We’re going to the theme park!”My eyes widened, looking from Lucas to William, who simply shrugged with a mischievous grin. “Thought we all deserved a bit of fun,” he said. I couldn’t hold back a laugh, my surprise quickly turning to excitement. “Thank you, William. This is… beyond words.”The three of us boarded the plane, Lucas chattering nonstop as we took off. I could already feel a lightness, a sense of joy I hadn’t felt in so long. Lucas held my hand, eyes wide with wonder as we soared over the clouds. The theme park awaited, but the journey there felt like a gift all on its own.When we arrived, Lucas ran ahead, practically pulling us toward the entrance. We took in the vibrant sights and sounds of the park, the colorful lights reflecting in Lucas’s eyes as he marve
As we returned home from the theme park, life fell back into its usual ways, although there was an unmistakable change between William and me. We still had a long way to go, but that night on the balcony had laid a new beginning—one built on mutual hope and a shared desire for happiness, both for us and for Lucas. A few days passed in a blur of rehearsals and meetings, a routine I welcomed for its predictability. Lucas had returned to school, and I found myself back on set, diving into my work with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the hectic schedule, William and I made time for each other in small, meaningful ways. He would bring me coffee in the morning, his smile a reminder of the warmth that had started to bloom between us.Sometimes, he would surprise Lucas with little notes in his lunchbox or pick him up after school, small gestures that showed just how much he wanted to be a father figure in Lucas’s life.One afternoon, William sent me a message just as I was wrapping up a
ONE YEAR LATERA year had passed since William and I had gotten engaged, and in that time, life had taken on a new glow, filled with moments that made me believe in happiness again. From the beginning, William never once tried to overshadow Leon’s place in my heart. He knew how deeply that history had shaped me, and he respected it in a way that felt both genuine and reassuring. He had his own unique way of loving me, and day by day, he proved himself, not only as a loving partner to me but as a devoted father figure to Lucas.With William, I had been given space to heal, to laugh, and to slowly open myself up again. Our relationship grew beautifully, with no rush or pressure—just a gentle unfolding of love. William had seamlessly integrated into our lives, creating a warmth around our home that Lucas noticed and enjoyed. Lucas had grown fond of him, and seeing them together brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.One of the most defining moments that solidified my love a
The days had blurred into a peaceful routine since my engagement to William. It felt surreal to have reached this calm place in my life, a place of love and purpose, especially after the chaos of the past few years. Now, as I prepared to make my return to the screen, the excitement of a new project was tempered with a bittersweet feeling. This was the first role I’d take on without Leon’s support, but the unwavering encouragement I now had from William and Lucas gave me strength.The morning was quiet, sunlight streaming through the windows as I sat with my coffee, contemplating the script and mentally preparing myself for the whirlwind that would come with the film’s production. My thoughts were interrupted by a message from Jack, an old friend and one of the few people who had been around during the turbulent years of my civil case against Justin. He had texted, saying he’d be in town and wanted to stop by to catch up. I hadn’t seen him in a while, so I agreed, grateful for the ch
After Jack’s visit, my thoughts were tangled with memories and decisions I wasn’t prepared to face. He’d reminded me of everything I left behind in Anacortes—both the memories I wanted to preserve and the battles I was desperate to put to rest. Over the days that followed, the idea of returning grew stronger, no matter how much I tried to push it aside. I needed to settle things with Wilma’s meddling in those properties that were no longer owned by the Montefalcos and finally put an end to the loose threads Justin left behind.I was so undecided until, one afternoon, when Aunt Lou surprised me by stopping by for tea. I hadn’t seen her in person for weeks, and the familiarity of her presence brought an immediate sense of comfort. She looked at me, noticing the weight on my shoulders that I couldn’t seem to hide.“It’s written all over your face, Margarette,” she said, taking a sip from her mug. “I can tell something’s bothering you. Tell me all about it.”I hesitated at first, the wo
The following day, I began working on my purpose for coming back in Anacortes. And it was to met Jack in his office first thing in the morning. As I entered Jack’s office in Anacortes, a quiet tension settled over me. The familiarity of the space, the faint smell of leather and polished wood, triggered memories I’d long tried to leave behind. Jack stood from behind his desk when he saw me, his expression a mix of relief and seriousness that made my stomach tighten.I braced myself for whatever news he had; I already suspected it would be unpleasant.Jack’s face was tight, his brow creased with concern as he fiddled with a stack of papers. When he finally looked up, his expression was troubled.“Margarette, it’s good to see you. Please have a seat.” he greeted, extending a hand as I settled into the chair across from him.“You too, Jack,” I replied with a small, tight smile as I took in my seat. “Though, I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.”He gave a somber
A bright morning greeted me as I stepped outside, feeling the weight of my recent conversation with Jack begin to lift, at least for now. As for today, Lena happily accompanied me, eager as ever, her light-hearted demeanor a perfect contrast to my own tightly guarded thoughts. We decided to explore the town, visit some of the spots that held many memories. It felt strange, seeing Anacortes again in this light—as a place to simply enjoy. Two elite bodyguards accompanied us, blending discreetly into the surroundings, trained to remain inconspicuous yet alert. Their presence reminded me of the stakes, but I pushed that aside, hoping today would just be a simple day out.We started with a café in town, where I indulged in a strong coffee and Lena ordered a pastry that looked too delicate to eat. For a while, we just laughed, talking about her plans, her classes, and the people in her life. It was nice, grounding in a way I’d been missing since I came back.As lunchtime approached, Lena s
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.
William limped into the room, his face pale but his resolve intact. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice tinged with pain.Leon handed him the phone without a word. William’s expression darkened as he took in the image and the accompanying threat. “We need to act fast. They’re escalating.”Helena nodded. “I’ll get the team ready. We’ll need every resource we’ve got to track her location.”“I’m going with you,” I said, my voice firm despite the tears welling in my eyes.“No, Margarette.” Leon’s tone left no room for argument, but I wasn’t going to back down.“I’m not staying behind while Alexa is out there,” I said, my voice rising. “She needs me.”“She needs you alive,” Leon snapped, his frustration boiling over. “You can’t help her if you’re dead.”The room fell silent, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. William stepped forward, his gaze flickering between Leon and me. “She has a point, Leon. She knows Alexa better than anyone. She might pick up on something w