NAYAAll through the night I was tossing and turning all I wanted to do was to barge into my parent's room so they could give the money to me and I could rush back to the hospital to deposit the money. I couldn't let anything happen to my sister I wouldn't be able to live with myself and that particular night felt like forever it didn't want to end, I just didn't want to blow my chance by making them angry or whatnot that was the only thing holding me back from going to bang on their door.Eternity after I started to hear footsteps downstairs it was already morning so I ran downstairs with so much speed and I saw mom trying to fix breakfast for her husband and daughter. My plan was to act like I was helping her out then slowly tell her, that it was a matter of life and death so it should work out well.“Good morning,” I said under my breath, she looked shocked to see me in the kitchen but she just nodded while she and the cook continued making breakfast. Before she got married my mom
I have never wanted a day to go by so fast in my life. After a long ass week, it was finally the day of the wedding, I have never waited and prayed for a day to come the way I prayed for this one to come. I even wanted them to move the day forward but Mom refused to listen to me. It was finally the day, the day I got married to the stranger in the wheelchair but I didn't care much about that. What I cared about was the money for Nyla’s surgery. I was to get it after the wedding was over and I couldn't wait. It was like a slap to my face when I cried and begged for the money and I didn't get it was like a piece of my heart was torn out and ripped to shreds in my face. How could people I called my parent do that to me?Was I entitled to think they would give it to me? They could afford it. I knew that they also knew that I knew but they didn't care or try to hide it, they were okay with Nyla living in pain rather than trusting me for once in their lives.“Can you not have that expres
LEONAfter the phone call she had her already pale skin became even whiter, before I could bring myself to ask what was wrong she spoke“Stop the car,” she said in her little calm voice“I said stop the car, stop the fucking car!!” she shouted scaring me a bitMy driver sent me a look through the inner mirror so I gave him a little nod to let her get down. Immediately the car stopped she flew out like she was being chased in a horror film, she kicked her shoes off her feet and they flew in different directions. It happened too quickly that I couldn't even react, she ran barefooted in her wedding gown like a crazy person“What the hell is going on?” I asked and my driver had the same look on his face he was just as confused as I was“What do we do sir?” he asked“Follow her,” I said and he did just that I guess it wouldn't be ideal to leave my newly wedded bride to run through the streetsWe slowed down when we caught up with her, for someone on foot she was going surprisingly too fa
NAYAWith shaky hands, I slowly lifted the clothes that were covering her body. And there she was, lying still with her eyes shut. Her body was already cold, and her skin had turned almost as white as snow. My heart broke, and I felt a deep emptiness inside. I failed her. After all the pain she went through, I couldn’t give her that one thing she always dreamed of.She used to talk so much about how she wanted to go to the beach after everything was over. She said it was something she would do when she was finally free from all the pain, and I promised her that we would go together. It was supposed to be after her last surgery the one that was going to make everything better. I thought it would be the beginning of a new life for her, but instead, it turned out to be the end. I couldn’t keep my promise.I couldn’t do that one thing for her, the one thing she asked for. I felt like I had let her down, and the weight of it crushed me. I wanted it all to end. The thought of moving on wit
The cemetery was quiet, except for the soft rustling of leaves in the wind, I could see Leon from the corner of my eyes. He was the one that ordered Nyla’s body to be removed from the room that was the only time I stepped out, I just laid there with her crying over and over again but now I felt nothing no emotions no pain just numbness.My knees dug into the damp earth, my hands clutching the edge of Nyla’s coffin. She was right there, yet she wasn’t. The only family I had, the one person who loved me without conditions, was gone.Tears streamed down my face as I whispered a broken apology. “I’m so sorry, Nyla. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.” My voice cracked, the weight of guilt choking me. The people behind me faded into the background. I didn’t care about their presence. None of them mattered the only person who did was about to be six feet under the ground.The priest’s words felt hollow, just noise in the emptiness around me. Nothing they said could bring her back. Nothing c
LEONI felt unsettled after leaving her in the hospital but the tone in her voice when she told me to leave, I just couldn't keep laying around with her. I couldn't help but wonder how she was doing, it was almost three days and I hadn't heard from her. But I pushed her to the back of my mind and went on with my day just because she was my wife doesn't mean she was my problem to deal with.“Sir, do you think she is still at the hospital?” Nick my driver askedHe just had to spoil my mood that early morning“Who is that?” I asked pretending not to know who he was talking about “Your wife sir,” he said earning him a glare from me“I’m just saying, the way she was that day I don't think it would be good for her to be left alone” he added“She has parents doesn't say?” I asked“But I feel you should check on her it is the right thing to do,” he said“Argh Nick why are you up my ass this morning it is too early for this I don't need your lectures” I groanedNick was the only person that c
NAYAAfter the interaction with my parents at Nyla’s funeral Leon took me to his place and made the housekeeper show me an empty room where I would be staying. All I did was slip out of the wedding dress that had been stuck to my body and laid on the floor in my underwear. I couldn't tell how long I stayed in that same spot but days went by and nights went by and I didn't move a muscle, every time the housekeeper brought food probably to check if I was still alive. The food was left untouched every day but she would come and change the old plate to a new plate whenever she liked without saying a word to me and I appreciated that.One particular day she came in and stared long at me before she proceeded to open up the curtains making me wince as the bright sun reflection almost blinded me, that was the first sound I had made in a while my throat was dry and it hurt bad“Staving yourself wouldn't change anything, instead fight back and you need to be alive to do that,” the older woman s
It was like living in a prison, they always brought my breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a particular time. It was never a minute later. I was allowed to go outside but only to a particular spot which was a mini garden the rest were off-limits to me. I could go into the kitchen because Leon doesn't go there and the living room also but the rest of the house I wasn't allowed to go there even the big library I would love to explore and get lost in the books there was out of bounds.I usually spent the whole day thinking of ways I could bring the Genreys to the ground, I didn't know how it could work out. They laughed in my face when I told them that they would get what was coming to them, when I told them I would be the cause of their ruin I was nothing just as I said there was no way I would be able to bring them down on my own, I would just become a subject to their mockery it would be like throwing stones in a pond to kill a fish all it those is cause a splash.Then a thought dropped i
RYANI drove home with my head swirling just thinking about what was going on. As I got out of the car, I received a text notification from my mother and when I opened the text it was a video clip.As soon as I pressed play anger filled me instantly, it was Leon and Naya speaking to the reporters Leon snatched a microphone from one of them and said“No doctor was able to fix me, they all told me I would never be able to walk again but-” he stopped halfway and the camera panned towards Naya“What are doing” she let out an awkward laugh“My beautiful wife here made it happen,” Leon said, his voice filled with pride. “She did what the doctors said was impossible. I’m forever grateful to her.” He addedHow was that possible? From what I knew she was a college dropout so how?“He just called her his wife,” one person said “How long have you guys been married?” “Naya Genrey, how did you meet” they all rambled trying to get pictures of them“It is Naya Valois” I corrected and my blood bo
LEONI tried to hold myself around her but every time it seemed like there was a magnet drawing me to her that I couldn’t fight. I was in my feelings about the rabbit hole I was about to go down and she sensed it. It wasn’t going to be an easy fight I knew that but she gave me strength to believe I could win. Getting her involved was risky, I should distance myself from her and just let her be but I couldn’t, I was so drawn to her that I couldn’t imagine a life without her in it.They would come after her again and again just to get rid of me and that scared me. The only way for her to be safe was to dissociate from me. I tried to remind myself how my mother ended and how my father ended. They took my family away and cast me to the side like I was nothing. There was no proof it was tied to them but I knew deep down that they had hands in it.I wanted her with me but that is just too selfish of me. I needed to let go.I broke the kiss and immediately missed the feel of her lips on mine
NAYAThe ride back was quiet. Not the uncomfortable kind of quiet, just one filled with thoughts. Leon had his hand in mine the entire time, his grip firm, and steady, like he was silently telling me everything was under control.I glanced at him. He looked completely relaxed as if he hadn’t just walked into that boardroom and flipped Ryan’s world upside down. As if the flashing cameras and shouting reporters meant nothing to him.But I knew better. He wasn’t just sitting there calmly. He was thinking, and planning, already three steps ahead of everyone.The car pulled to a stop, and as soon as we stepped inside the house, I watched him carefully. He had been on his feet for too long today. I saw the slight shift in his stance, the way he put more weight on one leg than the other.“Leon, are you okay?” I frowned “I’m fine,” he said easily, letting go of my hand and walking over to the couch. But I wasn’t convincedHe sat down stretching his long legs on the coffee table in front of h
“Oh my wasn’t he crippled?”“Was everything a lie?”“How did he start to walk again?” Whispers of questions filled the room as they all stared in awe“Any objection?” Leon asked and no one said a word“That would be all then, Vice President” he turned to Jennifer giving her a curt nod“Acting president” he turned to Ryan and did the same thing The meeting coordinator hesitated, his eyes fixed on Jennifer, unsure whether to proceed or not.Suddenly, Jennifer stood up abruptly and stormed out of the meeting. The coordinator quickly rushed after her, and within moments, Ryan followed as well.It was clear that the election would have to be postponed.Leon turned over to me with a big smile on his face. Everything walked perfectly for him.“Let’s go, dear wife,” he said loudly so that everyone around heard him“What about your chair?” I asked“Anyone that wants it can have it,” he said grabbing my hand tightly as we walked out“Does it hurt?” I asked he was standing and walking on both
Everyone in the room had their attention on Leon, shocked that he was there. Whispers spread quickly among the people present, and I could hear bits and pieces of their conversations. They were surprised, confused, and probably wondering how he had the courage to show up after staying out of sight for so long.The reporters outside the boardroom were restless, pushing against the security guards as they tried to sneak in and take pictures of Leon. Cameras flashed through the gaps in the doorway, capturing whatever they could. It was expected Leon had disappeared from the public eye for a long time, and now, out of nowhere, he was here at the election. Anyone would be curious. I was sure many people were concerned, and some were probably trying to figure out what he was planning.But out of everyone in the room, the person I was most focused on was Ryan.At first glance, he looked composed, but I had been watching him long enough to know that it shook him. When his eyes landed on me, e
LEONI just can’t with Naya, I didn’t want her involved in anything again but she wasn’t someone that would back down. After what happened with Ryan and when she was ready to leave I thought she wouldn’t want anything to do with anything again which was fine because I wanted to handle everything alone without having to involve her, anything that would harm her I just didn’t want it. Hearing her say she wanted in again, caused a lump to form in my throat. I regretted not helping her leave when she was ready to, that way I would know she is safe but my selfish ass just couldn’t let her leave now we were back to going back and forth. And it was all my fault.“Why aren’t you dressed yet?” Nick asked as he walked into the house“Naya is coming along,” I said instead“Why?” He asked with raised brows“Would she be okay?” He asked again“She made the choice and you know how she never listened” I breathed out“She insisted?” He asked and I nodded“Should I just lock her inside the house?” I
NAYAAfter Leon told me he was going for the election, I didn’t press further, but at that moment, I made up my mind. I was going with him. I didn’t tell him because I knew he would actively try to stop me, but I needed to be there. I needed to look Ryan in the eyes and let him see for himself that his plan to break me had failed.I woke up early, much earlier than usual, while Leon was still sleeping beside me. I turned to look at him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. He looked so at peace, so different from the man who carried the weight on his shoulders. I hesitated before slipping out of bed, careful not to wake him.I never thought I would sleep so easily in his room, but I did. I was against moving in at first, but deep down, I was glad I did. It wasn’t just about protection, it was about the way I felt when I was with him. Safe. Like the nightmares couldn’t touch me. I always slept like a baby when I knew he was by my side the feel of his breath alone made me feel
Just as I was about to get into my car my phone rang and when I checked the caller it was Ryan. I hesitated not sure if I should ignore the call and just drive off but I was immediately reminded how badly I needed him so I picked up the call.“Going already?” He asked as I picked up the call“I saw you were busy,” I said holding my anger in“You could have joined in, the more the merrier,” he said with a short laugh. I just bit my tongue to avoid saying anything that would that would infuriate him “I’m in no mood Ryan goodbye,” I said instead“I will send a driver to meet you now go to my house, I will meet you there” he simply said before ending the callIt pained me badly that I couldn’t even react my emotions out and went on to do as he said. I was excited even, at the fact that he invited me to his house. If I didn’t see him fucking another woman just moments ago I would have said it was progress but it was far from that.The driver drove me to his house in a black limited editio
KAYLA I heard from my dad that Ryan was going to be named CEO so I had to quicken my game. My plan to make him mine wasn’t working the way it should. No matter what I did, Ryan didn’t see me the way I wanted him to. He never looked at me with desire, never treated me like I was special. Instead, he made it painfully clear on countless occasions that I was nothing to him. He made it clear that I was disposable, replaceable just another woman. But that wasn’t how this was supposed to go. I was supposed to charm him, make him obsessed with me, and have him so hooked that he wouldn’t even think about another woman. I was supposed to implant myself in his heart, in his mind, in his life so deeply that he wouldn’t know what to do without me. But instead, I was the one losing everything. There was no way I could revive my social status even after deactivating my pages. People found their way to send death threats to me wishing me the worst. I got expelled from college just before I w