NAYALeon was responding well to the treatment and therapies and that was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time as little as it was. It was a huge progress. This was someone who was told he would never be able to walk but he could stand for a few minutes before his legs gave out, the longest we have recorded that he stood for was exactly three minutes and that was the happiest three minutes of my life.The results I had been yearning and wishing for were finally playing out, it felt like I could finally breathe. Now I knew that he could definitely walk again with just a few more push to go, but I didn't want to push him too hard so I gave him more space to rest his muscles instead of two sessions a day I made it three times in a week.“Hey Nick” I waved at him as he walked into the living room“Good morning ma’am,” he said making me groan, he just didn't want to let go of the whole ma’am thing“Is Leon out of bed?” he asked “He would be somewhere around, we have no re
After speaking to him I left him with his thoughts. It was up to him to decide if he wanted to go or not. I found myself on Kayla’s social media page. It was something I had become accustomed to and I did it every night, I had trouble sleeping or before I went to bed. I was scared to sleep most nights because the nightmares were relentless. Before I had a reason to stay awake reading and researching the whole night but when I didn't have to do that I ended up falling asleep after staring at the ceiling for a long time and I would wake up sweating or screaming. It was like I was being hunted by my sister.Images of her body replayed in my dreams every night, it was torture that I hated falling asleep, so instead I stalked Kayla's social media wounding my heart more and more by digesting videos and pictures of her living her best life, there was a video of her flaunting the new sports car she just bought. She was living life and seeing her happy made my heart ache badly. She didn't dese
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
LEON“Let me fucking go” I hissed at the doctor trying to clean up my wounds“But sir you are bleeding,” he said“I don’t fucking care!” I roared “I want every doctor in this hospital to attend to her, she must wake up or I would burn this place to the fucking ground!!” I shouted, there was a banging in my head as I spoke but I ignored it. I had to make sure Naya was fine“We have been able to stabilize her, we can only hope that she wakes up,” he said slowly like he was scared of the words as they came out of his mouth“Don’t tell me that! I would pay any damn amount just make sure she is fine and she wakes up please” my voice cracked as tears filled my eyes, it was unbearable to keep watching her lay still like that“What is going on? What happened?” Nick rushed in looking between me and Naya“We will try our best you have my word,” the doctor said I crashed on the couch holding my head tightly trying to stop the banging that refused to stop“Why hasn’t this been covered up?” Nick
LEONPain shot through my body the moment I opened my eyes. It was sharp and burning, but it didn’t matter. None of it mattered. The only thing that did was her.“Naya.”I managed to say her name and it came out in a whisper, barely audible but it was the only thing I could say. My vision was blurry, the hospital ceiling above me spinning, but I forced myself to move.I had to see her.With every bit of strength I had, I pushed myself up. A sharp stabbing pain shot through my ribs, and my arm screamed in pain, but I didn’t care. I ripped out the drip attached to my arm, ignoring the sting, I dragged my legs off the bed. The floor was cold against my bare feet, but I barely felt it.I needed to find her.My knees failed me the moment I tried to stand, but I gritted my teeth and held onto the wall tightly using it to balance myself. Step by step, I forced my body to move, ignoring the shouts of the nurses behind me. I staggered through the hallway, my mind drowning in the only thought t
NAYALeon didn’t let me lift a finger. If I allowed him, he would even bathe me every morning. He didn’t let me out of his sight for a second, always hovering around me like I was going to disappear into thin air if he looked away. It was sweet, really, but sometimes, it was too much.I loved how much he cared, but I also needed my space. Every little thing, he wanted to do for me, pulling out chairs, opening doors, carrying things I could easily handle myself. If I so much as reached for a glass of water, he was already there, handing it to me before I could even touch it. I knew he was just being protective, but at times, it felt like I couldn’t even breathe without him watching over me.“Good morning darling, I brought breakfast” he smiled walking in with a tray“I’m not hungry” I whined putting the blanket over my head “Come on love you have to eat” he turned over the side of the bed tugging the blanket“I feel nauseous, and I think you are feeding me way too much” I whined“You
JENNIFER I decided to invite all the board members for a meeting so I could convince them to vote for Ryan in the upcoming election. The last time I tried to reach out to them, they were stubborn and refused to meet with me. They claimed Ryan had to terminate the contract because the only other option left was Leon, and the idea of giving him the title was unacceptable.But after Leon revealed himself as the CEO of TechNova, things changed. I heard that some people were already rallying votes for him, and I had to shut it down before it got out of hand.Leon was smart and calculating, I would give him that. He had always been that way. Unlike others who underestimated him and mistook his quietness for weakness, I knew better. That was why I bought the idea of getting him married, to at least put a leash on him. But that plan failed miserably, and now we were stuck dealing with the consequences.Ryan, on the other hand, couldn’t get anything done. He had been like that his entire life
NAYAI felt horrible, the moment I opened my eyes, I knew something was off. My body felt sluggish, my head was pounding, and there was this awful taste in my mouth that made me want to gag. I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the discomfort, but the second I moved, a sharp wave of nausea hit me so fast that I barely had time to scramble out of bed.I ran straight to the bathroom, dropping to my knees as my stomach twisted painfully. My body leaned forward into the toilet bowl, and before I knew it, I was throwing up everything I had in me. The retching didn’t stop. I held onto the toilet bowl, my fingers gripping the edges as my stomach continued to churn. My eyes felt heavy, and my throat burned.What the hell was this feeling?When I finally stopped, I slumped against the bathroom wall, completely drained and tired. My body felt weak and my bones heavy. I took in slow, shaky breaths, trying to steady myself. Maybe I ate something bad last night? That had to be it, I thought to my
RYAN Everywhere I turned, Leon’s face was either plastered on a billboard or the main topic of conversation. It was impossible to escape him. His product launch was all anyone could talk about, and there were massive campaigns and promotions happening everywhere. I couldn’t stand it. The mere sight of his name or company logo made my blood boil. I made sure every single TechNova product was thrown out of my office and my house. I didn’t want to see anything that reminded me of that bastard. But no matter how much I tried to erase him from my space, he was still everywhere. What pissed me off the most was that I still didn’t understand how he managed to build something so big from the ground up without anyone noticing. How had he done it in complete silence? How had he kept it hidden for so long? It didn’t make sense. I refused to believe he built it on his own. I was convinced he must have acquired the company and was just pretending to own it. So, I had people look
AMARIEThe next few weeks were hell everything had completely destroyed in our faces, it was bad to the point that James started selling off things we owned to try to keep the project going. He started with our vacation home then Kayla's car that he got her for her birthday but that wasn't enough still so I started to sell off some of my jewelry but all that was still not enough. The reporter kept calling and demanding for money or he would expose the news to the press but we have given and given that there was no more to give.Kayla locked herself in her room and refused to come out, I didn't know what that was about but she needed to go be with Ryan and get him to love her so we could ask for his help and tell him the truth rather than the truth being revealed through the press because that would be let all hell loose on us.“Kayla open the door” I knocked on her door“Let me fucking be Mom I am not going to meet Ryan” she hissed“This is for your good, everything can crash to the g
NAYAI tried to brush away the conversation I had with Kayla but what I didn’t get was her saying she was supposed to get married to Leon originally, I didn’t understand what she meant by that, and that somehow found its way to remain in my mind as I waited for Leon to return so I could ask what it was about.I sat in the living room waiting for the door to open up. After about an hour the door opened and Leon walked in with a smile on his face but I didn’t return it. I needed answers. “Did you miss me?” He asked placing a peek on my forehead“Why the long face?” He asked pinching my cheeks playfully “Did anything happen today?” I asked“I was waiting to get to you so I could tell you what went down,” he said“What is it?” I asked“It is quite interesting but expected to be honest,” he said with a smile as he sat beside me“But first you tell me what’s up with you,” he said“Well I got a call from Kayla,” I said“Really?” He eyes widened“Let me guess she tried to threaten you?” He
AMARIE“Amarie!” I heard my name being called, loud and urgent.“Where are you?” My husband's voice echoed through the house, filled with tension.I quickly made my way down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest as I rushed down. Something was wrong, James never sounded like this unless it was serious.“I am right here,” I called out. “What is going on?” I askedAs soon as I stepped into the living room, I stared in confusion as he was pacing back and forth, his hands gripping his hair tightly. His breathing was uneven, and his face was twisted in frustration. My stomach clenched at the sight, I could immediately tell something was up and it was something big and bothersome.“Did something happen?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but my throat felt dry.He stopped pacing for a second, looked at me, then turned away again.“There is trouble,” he muttered, almost to himself.“What are you talking about?” I pressed, stepping closer.“There is trouble,” he repeated, his voic