"I need to see her now. She should come to the office immediately. I can finally see my woman, the mother of my twins," Richie instructed.He hoped Leah would understand him. It wasn't entirely his fault that night. He had also suffered, enduring sleepless nights, as she was the only one in his thoughts day in, day out for the past seven years.********Leah urged the driver to speed up. "You're driving like a snail! Don't you understand what 'faster' means? Which part don't you get?" she demanded of the innocent man. The driver, though taken aback, increased his speed without replying."I'm in a hurry, please," she added, her voice tinged with desperation. Leah clutched her chest, tears welling up in her eyes. She was prepared for a confrontation with anyone attempting to take her children from her.Flashbacks of her dreams and the phone call with her children that morning filled her mind... The pieces were falling into place.As they arrived, she almost forgot to pay the driver in h
"I know you're hurt! I apologize. But please, hear me out. It never happened the way it is in your head. The way you are thinking it is..." Richie tried to coax her.Richie’s face had already turned red, and painful finger-like lines mapped out across his cheeks. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had hit him.He tried to hold her, but Leah kept fighting him. "What do you mean it didn't happen the way I thought? Are you telling me I don't know what I went through? You had your way exactly how you wanted it, and now you're spitting out these cock and bull stories. You are a fool, a rapist, and without conscience!" she yelled."I lost everything because of you in just one night..."As she continued to yell, Richie let her speak and released his grip on her hands. He allowed her to say all the things that had hurt her."I have carried the baggage of the past for seven years. I have tried to heal. Then, after I did heal, you reappeared out of nowhere. Where were you all this time?
Richie paced up and down in his office, trying to figure out how to make peace with Leah when Gracy's call came in. She had heard from one of the cleaners that a woman came to claim the kids. Supposedly, she was the mother of the boys and might end up taking her place in Richie's life. She had her informant.Feeling uneasy, she decided to call him.Richie sighed at the sight of her name popping up on his phone but decided to pick up."Why aren't you taking my calls, Richard?" she asked."Is there something I can do for you?" Richie asked."Yes, a lot of things. I need your attention, I need love, I need care, and everything a woman should get from her fiancé.""Don't you realize that you can never be my woman? Move on," Richie said."I can't move on. I have given you all my heart and soul. I've invested so much time loving you over the past four years. Can't you see that? Why do you want to allow a total stranger to replace me?"Richie was irritated. The last person he wanted to talk
"What is life without my kids? How am I supposed to live without them? All I have done is be a good mother, working hard to make sure they lacked nothing. The only thing that keeps me going and surviving has been forcefully taken from me..." Leah lamented, her life steeped in agony."How did she end up with a man as wicked as he is? He doesn't care about her feelings. All he thinks about is taking her kids away. He is their father, but so what? How could a wealthy man be a rapist? He could have patronized prostitutes or is he only interested in virgins?" Leah’s thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and pain."How did Alex, Emily, and her wicked mother hook me up with a man like him? Was it a disguise? Is my life a joke to them? Was there a mix-up or was I taken to the wrong room?" Leah was tormented by questions she couldn't answer.She braced herself, cleaned up, and decided to report the past and recent incidents to the police.A few minutes later, she arrived at the police station
Three days later, Leah still hadn't left her house or done any work. She had over thirty missed calls from Dazzle regarding work and to check on her after hearing that his brother had taken the kids from her again. She also hadn't heard from her children.All she did was sleep, cry, and drink alcohol in a vain attempt to feel better. She had considered every possible way to get her kids back, but each plan she devised was futile.This morning, she decided to get up and try to feel somewhat alive. Her phone rang for the thirty-fifth time; this time, it was an unknown number."Hello," she answered."Hey, Leah. I called to check on you. How are you doing?" Daz asked."Good. Who is this, please?""Dazzle. Please listen to me, don’t hang up. I know my brother has been unfair to you. It's just one of his ways of showing up, I know how it is. I’ve dealt with him before, but not in your situation. Moreover, he shouldn’t be the reason you stop working or earning a living for yourself.""There’
Meanwhile, Emily had been unhappy ever since that day at the party. She hadn’t spoken or had any conversations with her husband. She had been giving him the silent treatment, but Alex didn’t seem to care.All he did was wake up, have breakfast if she had made any on time before he left for work. Sometimes he ate out, then returned home, freshened up, and went straight to bed. Ever since then, he had been coming home late and had turned to alcohol.Emily had lost weight from excessive worry. She finally went to see her mother to devise plans on how to teach Leah a lesson.She arrived, knocked, and walked in on her mother, who was busy on her phone. She was almost in tears."Mom," she called out."Emily, you didn’t tell me you were coming over.""When did I ever have to tell you that I’m coming over? Am I not welcome in my father’s house anymore? Since my own husband’s house is no longer conducive for me.""You are always welcome, but you should have given me a heads-up. What if I had g
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
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