While Leah lay on the bed, still unconscious, Richard sat right beside her. He admired her beautiful yet pale face, wishing that once she woke up, everything would be fine. If he had found her sooner, he wouldn't have let her go through whatever she might have endured raising those boys and surviving.He desperately wanted just one chance to make things right, but she had stubbornly refused to grant him that wish.His life now revolved entirely around her. If she eventually agreed, he wouldn't hesitate to make her his wife immediately and focus solely on her and the kids. Richie was deeply unhappy as none of his plans had come to fruition.He glanced at the clock repeatedly, wishing she would just open her eyes. His worry and regret grew. The only words that intensified his anxiety were her saying she hated him.He sank into the chair, his head in his hands, recalling each and every word she said.He suddenly went to her bedside again, held her hand, and prayed silently for her to wak
"Are you ready to bury me? Because her family collaboration with our company will definitely be cut off. So I will have to lose a shareholder just because of your stupid decision, Richard," his father erupted."Dad, please. You did this to yourself by initiating this marriage and making a deal with her father. I don't want to be dragged into your schemes. I am trying to be happy, not sad. Ending up with someone I don't care about and never will is not an option."His father couldn't respond but continued to stare at him with disdainful eyes."As I said earlier, I have a woman I have sworn to spend the rest of my life with, and she has already given me children. I am not about to break her heart anytime soon. If we are done, MA and PA, I'd like to take my leave. I have more important things to do with my time.""Boys, time to go.""Okay, Dad," they said in unison."Bye, Grandma, bye, Grandpa.""Bye, my children," Grandma replied. "Don't look for trouble and be of good behavior, alright
"I would love it if you leave the house for some time. I'd like to be alone.""Really, Leah? Just for telling you the truth about yourself? Alright, I will leave."Days passed without Leah showing up at work. She had sent an email to the company's official email box announcing her resignation. No one had heard from her since then.A new project manager was hired and, while efficient, she wasn't as good as Leah.After spending two weeks indoors, Leah found it difficult to even open the windows and let the sunlight into her apartment. Eventually, she decided to go for a jog to escape her depression, if only for a few moments.As she jogged, she refused to let anything bother her. All she needed was the early morning sun and the breeze. She ran as far as she could, unaware of how far she had gone from her home.Suddenly, it started to pour heavily, leaving her drenched. As she crossed the road amidst a little traffic, she nearly got hit. Thankfully, Richard was watching her from a distan
Before he left, Richard asked for Leah's phone number, which he didn't have on his personal device. She handed it over without hesitation, grateful for his actions, even though she couldn't fully express her gratitude. As he departed, the house returned to its familiar emptiness. If he called, at least she could finally talk to her children. That evening, an unknown caller rang her phone twice, but Leah only discovered the missed calls an hour later. It was as if she had instinctively known he would reach out again."Hi, how are you doing?" A voice, gentle with a soothing cadence, deep yet smooth, and infused with just the right amount of softness, made each word feel like a tender embrace.Leah smiled, the resentment she had harbored dissipating. He showed that he truly valued and cared for her. "I'm fine," she responded.Feigning ignorance about the caller’s identity, she said, "Leah speaking... Who is this, please?""Sure you don't know who this is?" His tone remained unruffled."
"What? What's the matter with them? I'm coming over right away, please. What is wrong?" Leah asked, her voice trembling."The twins are running a fever. They are asking for you, please, let's go," Richard said.Leah's heart started pounding. She knew her boys couldn’t be okay without her for too long, and now this was the result. She hoped they wouldn't start convulsing before she got there. Their fever always led to something more severe.Richie grabbed her purse and held her hand as they hurried to the chauffeur. Leah was terrified. The last time they had a fever, they were five years old, and it was a draining and scary experience for her. She thought she would lose her babies back then. They convulsed for a straight hour. All she could do was cry and pray while the doctors worked. They were so pale and anemic at one point, and she was the only donor available. However, the doctors refused to let her donate as she was too stressed and not in the right state of mind. They had to fi
"Let's sleep now," Richie said. "I'll take the sofa; you can have the bed." "Thought we are lovers. Why must you sleep on the sofa, my darling?" she teased. "Well, if you insist... I did some shopping for you. Check the closet for your clothes; the right partition is yours, while mine is on the left. If you'd like to wear any of my clothes, feel free," Richie added. "What about my toiletries?" Leah asked. "They're in there too. Some are in the restroom. I didn't know your preferences, so I had them bring the finest ones. I hope you like them." "Hmmm... I hope so too. I’m really picky," she said, walking toward the wardrobe. She opened it and was left in awe. "All this? For me? For how many days? This will literally last for over two years." "Is it too much? I thought you ladies loved skincare, and the perfumes had such nice fragrances I couldn’t resist. I picked those up myself, along with the undies, on my way back before our dinner date," he explained. "Wow, you really outdi
After breakfast, everyone went upstairs to rest, including Leah, who lay in bed reflecting on how Richie had treated her so well over the past few days. She hoped his love for her and the kids would last forever, fearing that one day he might change his mind.Suddenly, she heard shouting from downstairs. Initially, she wanted to ignore it, but the commotion escalated until a vase shattered."Where is she? Where's that woman trying to take my man and those brats she brought with her? Richard can’t do this to me; I'm his fiancée. How could he waste four years of my life and bring another woman into this house? Where is she?" Gracy screamed."Who are you, and why are you shouting like you’re about to bring down the house?" Leah asked calmly.The servants felt relieved, knowing Leah would handle Gracy.Gracy turned to look at Leah, thinking, "She’s beautiful, but that’s my man she’s about to steal."Leah was wearing Richie’s hoodie, white pants, and white polo, with shoes a bit too long f
The following day was hectic for Leah as she was returning to work. Her kids were doing alright, but they were also resuming school. She had extended their break so they could rest a bit longer at home and ensure they were perfectly fine.At work, Richard and Dazzle had been discussing placing Leah on a thirty-year contract to ensure she wouldn’t have a reason to resign anymore."That's if she'll actually stay," Dazzle exclaimed, placing his hands on his waist as he stared at his brother."Yeah, I’m sure she will this time. Besides, she’s at my place now, and we’ve reconciled," Richie said with a confident smile."Are you telling me she’s at your house with the kids? I can’t believe that. Prove it," Dazzle demanded."Ask her yourself. You know I won’t prove anything because I’m not lying," Richie retorted."Awww… Champ, you finally did it. I’m happy for you. You know, I almost asked her out when you two were separated. I promise you, I would have done something to make you jealous. Th
The day Leah had dreamed of for so long was finally here. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the garden where her wedding ceremony was about to take place. White flowers lined the aisle, their fragrance filling the air, and the gentle hum of music played in the background. Leah stood in front of the mirror, dressed in her wedding gown, her heart filled with excitement. She couldn't believe this moment had finally arrived. "You look beautiful," Mariam said, smiling as she adjusted the veil over Leah’s hair. "Like a princess straight out of a fairy tale." Leah laughed, her hands trembling slightly. "I feel like I’m dreaming." "No," Mariam shook her head. "This is real, Leah. You’re about to marry the love of your life, the father of your children. You deserve all of this and more." Leah’s eyes welled up with tears, and she turned to Mariam, "I don’t even know how to thank you, Mariam. After everything… I never thought I’d get here." Mariam took Leah’s hands in hers
Emily watched as the prison gates swung open and Mary was led inside. The cold, gray walls of the facility seemed to match the evil in her mother’s heart.She had stood there, frozen, feeling both resentment and a strange sadness. After everything that had happened, she wasn’t sure how to feel anymore."Can I talk to her for just a few minutes?" Emily asked the guard, her voice low but firm.The guard shook his head. "Sorry, ma’am, no visits right now."Emily’s chest tightened. "Please... just five minutes. I need to say something. It’s important."The guard sighed, looking at her for a moment before finally relenting. "Alright, five minutes. That’s all."Emily took a deep breath, watching as her mother was brought back out. Mary, now in her prison uniform, looked smaller somehow, as though the weight of her sins had physically shrunk her. Her face was blank, trying to maintain the cold front she had always worn, but her eyes were puffy, and it was clear she’d been crying.As Mary ap
The police stormed Ranson's hideout, catching him and his gang off guard. As they pinned him to the ground, one officer shouted, “You’re under arrest for attempted murder and conspiracy!” Ranson struggled, cursing under his breath, but he knew this day was coming. As they dragged him into the police car, his heart pounded. During the interrogation, it didn’t take long for Ranson to crack under pressure. With his hands trembling, he finally blurted out, “It was Mary. Mary! She’s the one who wanted Leah dead! I was just doing what I was paid for!”Detectives exchanged glances, already suspecting her involvement but now having the confirmation they needed. With Ranson’s confession, they raced to Mary’s house. She answered the door, looking composed as ever, but her face paled when she saw the officers."Mary," the lead detective said sternly, "you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Leah."Mary’s voice quivered as she tried to mask her fear with confusion. “What are you talking
Emily lay awake all night, she had been trying to process all her mother’s confession. The horror of it consumed her. Leah had been so innocent from the beginning, and then possibly dead because of her mother’s actions. She hadn’t agreed to any of it, she didn't even know her mother had gone that far as taking someone’s life yet she felt just as guilty. By morning, her stomach churned with nausea. She had to do something.When the first light of dawn filtered through her window, she got up, and made her way downstairs. Mary was already in the kitchen, making coffee, her expression smug as though nothing had changed.Emily’s heart pounded in her chest. She had no choice. She had to confront her mother."I’m turning myself in," Emily blurted out, her voice shaky but determined as she entered the kitchen.Mary froze for a second, her back to Emily. Slowly, she turned around, her face twisting into disbelief and shock. "What did you just say?" She asked."I said I’m turning myself in,
The door creaked open, and in walked Mary, her expression triumphant as usual. Emily stiffened, sensing that something was off. Mary’s eyes were gleaming with a satisfaction that made Emily uneasy."Emily," Mary started, her voice dripping with excitement. "I’ve got news for you. Finally, everything has fallen into place."Emily blinked, unsure of where this was going. "What are you talking about, mom?"Mary sat down, a little too close to Emily, and leaned in. "Leah," she whispered, her voice cold and sinister. "It seems like she’s finally gone. No one has heard anything. No news. It’s been weeks. She’s probably dead, and they haven’t found her body yet."Emily’s heart stopped for a moment. She stared at her mother, wide-eyed, her mind racing. She had been angry at Leah for years, jealous even, but wishing her dead? That wasn’t something she wanted. Not like this."How? What happened?"... Emily asked.Mary continued, oblivious to Emily’s shock. "I told you, didn’t I? That girl was al
Richie stood at Leah's bedside two weeks after the accident, watching as she slept. Her breathing was steady, and her face looked peaceful. The machines surrounding her were no longer terrifying to him; they were signs of progress now. Signs that she was getting better. He smiled faintly, remembering how much darker everything seemed just days ago.The boys were sitting in the corner of the room, playing with some toys Dazzle had brought for them to keep them occupied.They were quieter than usual, but Richie could tell they were just as hopeful as he was. They had been through so much these days, yet they still managed to be helpful in ways they could.The doctor came in, his clipboard in hand, and gave Richie a nod before checking on Leah’s vitals. “She’s doing much better,” the doctor said, scribbling something down. “The baby’s fine as well. Everything looks good.”Richie exhaled slowly, letting all his worries out “Thank God,” he whispered. “But… her head? How’s the injury?”The
Richie stood by Leah’s bedside, his entire body shaking as he cried. The pain was unbearable, the thought of losing her too much to handle. The boys, their innocent faces wet with tears, clung to Richie as they looked at their mother lying so still on the bed."Dad… is Mom going to be alright?" one of the boys, his voice small and frightened, asked between sobs.Richie could barely answer. He dropped to his knees beside the bed, burying his face in his hands. His heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. He couldn’t stop the flood of tears. "God, please…" Richie began, his voice breaking with every word. "Save Leah. Please… I’ll be a good husband, I promise. I’ll take care of our kids… I’ll do anything you want me to, just save my wife. Please, God… don’t take her from us."The boys began to wail too, their small voices filling the room with a heartbreaking sound. Richie’s tears fell even harder, his hands gripping Leah’s cold fingers. "Leah, please come back to us… pl
Richie stood in the cold, sterile hallway of the hospital, his hands trembling as he held Leah’s belongings in a small, unassuming plastic bag. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, his heart aching everything that had happened. He couldn’t believe how quickly his world had fallen apart. Just days ago, Leah was smiling, and now… now he was standing here, lost in a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.He pulled out the small stack of documents from her bag, his curiosity getting the better of him. He wasn't sure what the result of the medical documents might be. Maybe it was something routine, he thought, something insignificant. But as he opened the folder, his breath caught in his throat.There it was, staring back at him in black and white; Leah was five weeks pregnant.Richie blinked, unable to process the words for a moment. "Pregnant? Five weeks?"..He collapsed into the nearest chair, his hands clutching the papers as if they might offer some explanation. His vision blurre
Richie’s hand trembled as he hung up the phone, the news had hit him so bad. His mind spun, struggling to process what he had just been told. Leah, his Leah, was hurt badly. The details were still unclear, but it was serious enough for Dazzle to call the family in a panic.His legs suddenly were too weak to hold him up. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat heavier than the last. Grabbing his phone, Richie immediately canceled all his upcoming seminars and meetings, sending quick emails to his assistants. They would have to figure out the rest on their own. Leah was his priority now. Without wasting another second, he booked the earliest flight back home, his fingers shaking as he typed in his information.Meanwhile, Dazzle was pacing outside the hospital room, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. He had already called everyone in the family, delivering the horrible news. Their father, Mr. Leo had been silent on the phone, but Dazzle could hear the pain and fear in his fat