It was going to be Leon’s first public appearance in years. That fact alone was enough to make my hands tremble as I adjusted the small clasp on my bracelet. For someone who once thrived in the public eye, Leon had spent years retreating into the shadows. Now, he was stepping out again, and I was stepping with him.I wasn’t nervous because of the cameras or the stares I knew we’d get, I don't know if I could handle that. But I had to, no matter how the thought of it made my stomach twist. I understood the weight of what this night meant for Leon. He was doing this in memory of his father, a man whose legacy was complicated and painful for him. And he was doing it with me by his side.When he asked me to come with him. He tried to make it sound like a joke, but I saw through it. Beneath his sharp words and casual shrug was a vulnerability he always liked to mask. So I agreed. Of course, I’d agreed. How could I not, when he was putting himself through so much just to show up?As I stood
It was going to be Leon’s first public appearance in years. That fact alone was enough to make my hands tremble as I adjusted the small clasp on my bracelet. For someone who once thrived in the public eye, Leon had spent years retreating into the shadows. Now, he was stepping out again, and I was ste,pping with him.I wasn’t nervous because of the cameras or the stares I knew we’d get, I don't know if I could handle that. But I had to, no matter how the thought of it made my stomach twist. I understood the weight of what this night meant for Leon. He was doi,ng this in memory of his father, a man whose legacy was complicated and painful for him. And he was doing it with me by his side.When he asked me to come with him. He tried to make it sound like a joke, but I saw through it. Beneath his sharp words and casual shrug was a vulnerability he always liked to mask. So I agreed. Of course, I’d agreed. fake-assd I not, when he was putting himself through so much just to show up?As I sto
KaylaWe got invited to the charity ball that was to be held in respect to the third anniversary of Kane Valois's death. They did it every year since he died but this year was different because I got to attend. I never got the chance to attend before because Dad only got a plus one invite so he took Mom with him but now that we were practically in-laws our invites were exclusive and we were on the VIP guest list which usually consisted of just family. I guess we had become family, at least one good thing that stupid bitch Naya was useful for.I was having a panic attack at the same time, I was happy that I was going to the charity ball I mean it was a big event that only the top one percent get access to so I should be over the skies as expected but what made my stomach twist was the thought of seeing Ryan Valois again after he completely humiliated me I didn't how I could come face to face with him again. I was so angry and ashamed that I cried my eyes out until I got home.I couldn'
NAYA“You are joking right?” I nudge him and he just shakes his head wearing a smug smile“Where would you get that kind of money?” I whispered “You also think I can’t afford it don’t you?” He asked and the words in my mouth got lost“Are you sure about your donation sir?” The host tried to confirm“You heard it loud and clear didn’t you?” Leon asked with a straight face, no one said a word to each other they just stared at him in shock and then at one another, I wasn’t exempted I couldn’t even close my mouth.“Ten million dollars from Leon Valois, that is one way to make your way back after being away for so long,” the host said and the hall erupted in loud whispers while some cheered.“What the hell are you trying to pull?” Jenifer asked her face tightened in a scowl “First you show up uninvited now this? Trying to be the center of attention?” She continued to ask when Leon didn’t say a word“Why would he need an invitation to an event for his father?” I asked, I just couldn’t sit
JENNIFER VALOISWe were back home after the charity ball, Ryan and I rode home quietly not uttering a word to each other. It was more like we were both taking in everything that had happened. It still felt like a dream to me and I didn't want to believe that it was real.I tapped my foot anxiously as I waited for the account manager of the foundation to pick up the call.“Check the account balance,” I said as soon as he picked up“Yes we got all payment from the donation it is all there” he answered“How much is it? How much is in the fucking account?” I asked “Two hundred million dollars ma’am,” he said and I let out a loud groan of frustration“Is everything okay?” he asked“Check it again, refresh it, it should be one hundred and ninety not fucking two hundred,” I told him“I don't under-”“Do as I have fucking said!” I shouted “I am currently on the account that is the exact amount there,” he said sounding confused“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck” I muttered under my breath “I would se
LEONThe soft rays of the morning sun peeked through the curtains, flooding the room with a golden glow. I had been awake long before the first light touched the sky, my mind restless after last night’s events. My body ached faintly from being in the wheelchair for so long, but I didn’t care. Last night was messy but necessary.I reached for my tablet on the bedside table and unlocked it. The notifications were endless. My name was plastered across every major blog, tabloid, and online news outlet. A mix of shock, curiosity, and mockery filled the headlines. “Leon Valois Donates $10 Million—A Cry for Attention or a Statement?” one article read. I scrolled through the sea of comments, most filled with speculation about where I’d gotten the money. Some questioned my motives, while others found my appearance at the ball a source of entertainment“Leon Valois shows up with mysterious woman” Another headline read I leaned back in my chair and smirked. The sound of light footsteps pulle
NAYA I couldn't believe myself and why I kissed him, one minute I found myself leaning in and I just couldn't stop myself. Thankfully he didn't reject me but part of me was embarrassed by my own movement. I couldn't push away the feeling on his lips on mine, his kiss was delicate yet passionate. I loved the way he made me feel. I wondered how I was ever going to face him again. I probably made things super awkward between us. The moment I found my phone in the living room and turned it back on, it was as if the entire world had been waiting for me. The screen lit up with an endless stream of notifications, and the vibrations wouldn’t stop it felt like my phone was having a meltdown. Thousands upon thousands of messages and alerts flooded in all at once, overwhelming me. My heart raced as I stared at the chaos unfolding in my hands. I wasn’t the mysterious woman anymore. Somehow, they had found out everything about me. My name, my life everything was out there for the world to se
RYANThe night was quiet, but my mind was anything but quiet. I sat in my dimly lit study, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a boulder. Papers, documents, and pictures were scattered across the desk, all reminders of the chaos Leon had brought into my life. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling as a storm of thoughts raged in my head.I didn’t know where to start or how to fix the mess that was unraveling in front of me. It felt like everything was falling apart at once, and I was powerless to stop it. I grabbed the whiskey bottle from the desk and poured another glass, the amber liquid shimmering under the light of the desk lampMy mind kept circling back to the same question, the one I dreaded most.What if he wants to contest for the title?That thought alone was enough to drive me mad. If Leon decided to step out of the shadows and challenge me, everything I had worked for would be at risk. I wouldn’t stand a chance.I had three advantages over Leon, th
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
RYANI was in my office, leaning back in my chair with my legs crossed over the table, a glass of whiskey in my hand. The room was quiet except for the sound of pages flipping that filled the air. I was in a meeting with James Genrey who was busy going through the contract that I handed to him. The contract with the investors that was finally signed was a major step forward but the work wasn’t over yet. Now, it was up to me to put everything in place, to make sure every detail was handled properly. This deal was too important to leave anything to chance.“This is going to be completed in no time,” James said as he signed his own contract with our company“It has to be, I would not be hearing any excuses,” I told him“We always deliver, trust me to do the same this time also,” he said smiling from ear to ear. It was a big-budget project so he got a good cut from it definitely his biggest contract yet.Everything was going at my pace and according to plan, I had the project going that
NAYAAfter staying in bed and being on medication I felt enough energy to be back up again, there was no weakness and for some reason as long as Leon was by my side holding me through the night I didn’t struggle with nightmares, somehow he was my therapy. I got out of bed and willingly took a shower washing everything off my body.“Naya” I heard Leon call while I was in the shower“Where are you?” He asked“I’m right here” I responded, next minute I opened my eyes he was right there in the bathroom“Oh my God” I jumped in fear, wrapping my hand around my naked bodyHis eyes glided through my body with ease, staring me from up to down then he brought his eyes back to my face“Do you need help?” He asked “Help? Get out!” I shouted, flustered by his presence my whole body had turned crimson red at this point and he just kept staring “I just need to make sure you are fine on your own” he shrugged “So you stormed into the shower with my stack naked?” I asked with raised brows“Relax, no
I woke up as early as possible to prepare for the day. It was an important day, and even though I had barely gotten any sleep, I didn’t care. Sleep could wait. Today was too significant for me to let exhaustion slow me down. I had spent weeks waiting for this meeting, chasing after these investors like they were gods. They knew exactly how much power they held, and that was why they acted like they could do whatever they pleased. They had the upper hand, and they made sure I knew it.The first time we scheduled a meeting was the night of my accident. I was on my way to meet up with them that night before the accident happened. But the accident changed everything. They must have taken my absence as a sign of disrespect because, after that, they refused to take my calls, ignoring every attempt I made to reach out to them.Until now.Now that they had finally agreed to meet me, I had no choice but to be patient, no matter how much it irritated me. But I wasn’t going to forget how they tr
RYANI specifically went to my mom's house after I dropped Kayla off so I could gloat to her and let her know I didn't need her to take care of rift rats.“Hello Mother,” I said, strolling towards her by the bar where she was helping herself with a bottle of wine. She turned and looked at me then returned to her drink like I was invisible. I took a bottle of whiskey and helped myself with a glass, that was how I was to celebrate not any way else.“Aren't you going to say hello to your son?” I asked emptying the content of the glass into my mouth“What do you want? Why are you here?” she rolled her eyes uninterested“So much for Mother’s love,” I said clicking my tongue playfully “Did you do anything?” she asked looking at me intently like she saw through my eyes“What did you do now?” she asked with her jaw clenched “Did I say I did anything?” I asked“Spare me your nonsense Ryan and start fucking talking” she hissed“You are such a killjoy, I came to share the good news with you bu
KAYLAI slowly opened the door carefully so as not to make a sound. The last thing I wanted was to wake my parents or run into them. I was in no mood for questions, especially not tonight. My mind was too messed up to come up with any excuses, and I had no energy to explain where I was coming from. As soon as I stepped inside, I slipped off my shoes, holding them in my hands to avoid making any noise. I took in a deep breath and started tiptoeing toward my room to avoid making any sound.But just as I took my first step, the lights in the living room suddenly flicked on. I froze instantly, my heart raced quickly, and my breath caught in my throat.I was caught.“Oh my God” a yelp escaped from my mouth“Why are you back so late? I have been worried sick. I have been calling you nonstop” my mom said “Really?” I brought out my phone from my pocket to see she had left me fifty missed calls“My phone was on silent I didn’t hear it ring,” I said and continued walking“What have you been u
NAYAI woke up, surprised that I had even fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was feeling too drained to even think, and now, somehow, I had slept through the night. It had to be one of the pills Leon gave me, it must have knocked me out completely.Leon had been the one to take off my bloodied clothes. He had been the one to bathe me. I barely remembered any of it. My body had been so weak, my mind so far away, that I couldn’t tell what was happening around me. Everything had felt like a blur like I was trapped in a fog too thick to escape.But now, as I slowly woke up, I noticed something different. My body felt lighter and more relaxed. The soreness I had expected wasn’t there, at least not as much as I thought it would be. And, surprisingly, I hadn’t had any nightmares. It was as if both my body and mind had shut down completely, forcing me into a sleep so deep I couldn’t even dream.I turned my head, looking to the side. Leon wasn’t there. My eyes moved to the clock and it