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 next few days had been about me and jack deciding to finally see this resort that Wilma had built.And with Jack’s guidance, we made our way towards the Montefalco resort. It felt surreal as we approached the grand entrance, cloaked by shadows and guarded by staff who, thankfully, didn’t seem to recognize either of us under our carefully chosen attire. We entered through a back pathway that Jack had scouted earlier, careful to avoid the main entrance and any security cameras that could expose our identities. The resort sprawled out before us as we walked further inside. Lush tropical plants framed the entrance, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disbelief at the grandeur. This place was more than just opulent—it was dripping with wealth and exclusivity. Guests milled about, dressed in designer clothes and exuding that effortless elegance of the elite. Some lounged by the pool, others sipped cocktails on the sun-drenched terrace, while a few sat by the garden in private, sec
After the intense day Jack and I had spent at Wilma’s resort, confronting not only the twisted lies plastered across its walls but also Wilma herself, I knew what needed to be done. My anger had simmered long enough; it was time to take action. I wouldn’t sit idle as Wilma wrapped her tentacles tighter around the remnants of Justin’s estate and rebranded his memory for her own twisted gain. That encounter in the lavish, deceit-ridden walls of her resort had been the final push I needed to put an end to her schemes.Once we’d returned to Jack’s office, I took a steadying breath before voicing the decision that had solidified in my mind. “I’m ready to file a lawsuit, Jack. Wilma has crossed every line imaginable,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “She’s using assets, properties, and finances that were never hers to use. And that plaque—dedicating the entire place to Justin? It’s blatant manipulation.”Jack leaned back in his chair, nodding as he mulled over the words. “That’
[LENA’S POV]I glanced at my watch as I headed up the building stairs, my stomach churning with nervous energy. Margarette had asked me to deliver a package to one of her colleagues—nothing fancy, just some gifts she had put together. She said she’d be busy during lunch and needed me to drop them off for her.I didn’t mind helping out; I was grateful Margarette trusted me enough to take care of her little errands. Besides, it gave me an excuse to break from my usual routine.Stepping into the café where we were to meet, I adjusted my blouse, trying to smooth out wrinkles that probably weren’t even there. I told myself this was just a simple drop-off, that I didn’t need to be so anxious, but that never stopped my nerves from twisting.Then, as I scanned the tables, I froze.Jack was sitting there, looking relaxed as he browsed through his phone, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. My heart raced, my mind swirling with confusion. This wasn’t supposed to be a lunch with Jac
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
The world came back into focus slowly, like a dim light piercing through heavy fog. My ears rang, my limbs felt heavy, and my mind was swimming. But Leon’s voice cut through it all, rough and frantic.“Margarette. Margarette, stay with me!”Pain pulsed through my shoulder as I blinked, registering the warm, sticky sensation of blood soaking through my blouse. But I was alive. Alive.“Elise,” I rasped.Leon’s jaw was tight as he leaned over me, his eyes frantic with emotion. “She’s gone. Dorian chased after her. You're going to be okay. Just hang in there.”“I’m fine,” I murmured, trying to sit up.Leon gently pushed me back. “No. You're not fine. You were shot, Margarette.”“I’ve been through worse,” I said, forcing a smile, though it came out as more of a grimace. "We need to finish this. No more running."He looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he nodded and helped me up, careful not to jar my shoulder.We moved together down the hallway. Every step hurt, but adrenaline dull
The next time I woke, I was in an unfamiliar room.Soft, golden light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the walls. The air smelled of antiseptic and fresh linen. My body ached, a dull, pulsing pain radiating from my side, but the sharp agony from before had dulled to something more manageable.I turned my head slightly and found Leon sitting in a chair beside the bed. His elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped together, as if he’d been keeping vigil for hours. His shirt was wrinkled, stained with my blood. His face was unreadable, but his eyes—dark and stormy—held an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.“You’re awake.” His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the relief in it.I swallowed, my throat dry. “Where are we?”“A safe house,” Leon answered, leaning forward. “One of mine. Dorian’s securing the perimeter. You needed medical attention, but a hospital wasn’t an option. Too risky.”I nodded slowly, my mind still catching up. The last
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
Darkness swallowed me whole.For a moment, I thought I was dead. The gunshot still rang in my ears, deafening, all-consuming. But then, pain—sharp and searing—bloomed along my side, pulling me back from the abyss. My breath came in ragged gasps as my knees buckled, and I felt myself falling.Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw with panic. His hands pressed against my wound, trying to staunch the bleeding. The warmth of my own blood seeped through my clothes, sticky against my skin. Dorian fired, his shot echoing through the cavernous estate.Elise let out a sharp cry, staggering back. But even as she bled, her cruel smile remained. “Not bad,” she whispered, clutching her shoulder where Dorian’s bullet had struck her. “But not enough.”Leon lifted me, his grip firm but desperate. “We need to move. Now.”“No,” I gritted out, fighting through the pain. “We finish this.”Dorian cursed. “Are you insane? You’re bleeding out!”I forced myself to
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
The safe house felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. Every second we wasted gave Vincent more time to prepare. More time to strike.I wasn’t going to let that happen.Leon stood by the table, his hands braced against the surface, muscles tight with frustration. Dorian, despite the pain from his injury, sat nearby, flipping a knife between his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought.“We need a lead,” Leon finally said, his voice low and controlled. “We can’t storm in blind.”I paced near the window, arms crossed. “We do have a lead. This locket.” I held it up, the metal catching the dim light. “Vincent had it for a reason. He wanted me to see it. Why?”Dorian exhaled sharply. “Because he’s playing with you.”I shook my head. “No. There’s more to it. He wouldn’t go through the trouble of planting something from my past just to taunt me. He wants me to remember something.”Leon’s gaze darkened. “Then let’s start at the beginning. The night of the accident.”My throa
The salty night air carried the hum of distant ship engines and the occasional murmur of dock workers. But this wasn’t just a routine shipment—this was a calculated exchange of power, a moment that could unravel everything Elise’s father had hidden for years.I crouched behind a stack of shipping containers with Leon beside me. Dorian’s team was spread out, positioned along the pier, watching, waiting. A dark van was parked near the edge of the dock, its back doors open. Men in suits moved between the van and the cargo, transferring crates that likely held more than just money.Leon’s voice was low in my ear. “Four men on the ground, two near the van. More could be inside.”I nodded, my gaze locked on the crates. “That’s not just cash, Leon. That’s leverage. He wouldn’t move it unless he was running scared.”Dorian’s voice crackled through our earpieces. “We take them now, we risk losing the files. We wait too long, we risk backup showing up.”I made the decision before anyone else co
Dorian smirked. “Relax, lover boy. I’m not saying she’s defenseless—I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”Leon’s glare didn’t waver, but he didn’t argue either. He knew Dorian was right.I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the locket that had started all of this. “So what do we do?”Dorian sighed. “You have two choices: disappear and hope they forget about you… or go after them first.”Leon tensed beside me. “You’re suggesting we take the fight to them?”Dorian shrugged. “Elise’s father had powerful connections. Some of them might scatter now that he’s locked up, but the smart ones? They’ll wait. Watch. See what you do next.”I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t give them time to plan.”Leon turned to me, his expression dark. “You’re sure about this?”I met his gaze. “I didn’t come this far just to hide.”Dorian grinned. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”Alexa shifted uncomfortably. “I wish I had your courage.”I reached for her hand. “You have more than you think.”She gave