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Forty-Seven

Author: Luxie
last update Last Updated: 2024-07-10 19:51:18

Leonel

After a stressful day at work, I returned home to unwind. I pushed open the front door and the sound of the door clicking shut was therapeutic.

The house was unusually quiet. Miracle was perched on the couch in the living room, sitting rigid as a board with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Like someone in a trance, her gaze seemed fixed on a distant point a million miles away.

"No homecoming greeting?" I teased. When she lifted her gaze, a flash of a smile flickered across her face, failing to reach her eyes.

“Welcome back. How was your day?”

I shrugged out of my jacket and sank beside her. “Work’s a bitch lately.”

She offered a tight nod and seemed very guarded, screaming that something was off. Her gaze darted around. I could sense that there was more to her sadness, but I had no idea what it could be.

She launched into a frantic monologue about her cousin, asking if I had talked sense into Lenny. But how could I get to someone who had a history of ignoring my calls,
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Latest chapter

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    MiracleThis was a situation for me. How could I not know that I had been pregnant for over a month? Everything came as a shock. I was so uncertain and confused, and I didn't even know what to think or how to react.How would Leonel react? Would he want it? I couldn’t see past his doubt for me.Dani watched me stare at the pregnancy strip. Her arms were folded while I bit the inside of my cheek, so lost in thought. I felt so trapped, and my mind began racing through possibilities. The thought of Leonel rejecting this pregnancy caused my breath to catch in my throat."Girl, don't tell me you're worried," Dani said, giving me the stink eye. “You should be happy. This is great news.”I ignored her and began pacing around the room—a habit of mine whenever I was upset or afraid of something. "He's not going to believe me," I kept repeating. "I swear to you, Dani, Leonel will not believe me.""Give me one reason why he won't," she sassed out, irritated by my actions. She knew I was being p

  • Renting The Billionaire's Heart   Sixty-Three

    MiracleThe cool night air brushed against my skin as Leonel kissed me. Our tongues were alive with wet heat, and it felt like the world had gone dark around us. I was a mess of hotness, adrenaline, and desire when he pushed his tongue inside my mouth with a hunger that only I seemed able to inspire. He sucked on mine in slow, long strokes, and his hands caressed my body with possessive touches. It was like he was saying, “This is what you are to me, no matter how long we have been apart.”I wrapped myself tightly around him as his mouth trailed along my collarbone to the hollow of my throat.“My love," he whispered, his voice low and husky, "I've missed you so much."His words sent a shiver down my spine, not of cold but of desire. I turned to face him, and our eyes locked in the semi-darkness. "I've missed you too," I confessed, meaning every word.His lips crashed into mine again, this time more urgently than before. My breath came out short in my pants as I tasted the intoxicatin

  • Renting The Billionaire's Heart   Sixty-Two

    MiracleI tossed and turned in bed, feeling a restlessness I hadn't experienced in a long time. My mind was flooded with thoughts, recalling the way Leonel frowned with icy anger and the strange way he treated me. His face was etched in my memory, sparking emotions that fired off my veins like thunder.Exhausted from my thoughts, I grabbed my phone and called Dani's number. She was on set, but I sought a diversion or perhaps some comfort."Hey girl!" Dani's voice came through. "How are you? How's it going with the Hamiltons? Any drama?""It depends on how you look at it, but Leonel lost his case." "Oh no!" Dani exclaimed. "That's tough. How did he react?" A gloomy frown spread across my face as I lay back. “Ironically, he didn't blame himself, but instead, he made me the scapegoat. He spoke to me like I was the source of all his problems.”"Fuck. Maybe he still blames you for not keeping your own part of the bargain; you know how it is.""And is that my fault?" I replied, pacing ba

  • Renting The Billionaire's Heart   Sixty-One

    LeonelMy chest caved in, and I stood frozen after the judge had made his pronouncement. I wasn't expecting anything different, but the reality of losing this case to Lenny was a slap in the face. My hand slid loosely onto my hair, which was badly in need of a haircut. I could feel my heartbeat in my throat, and my bleak thoughts kept recycling. Lenny was going to destroy the company. He was going to pull down everything my father had worked for. That was his real intention, and I had to stop him.All eyes were on me, so I had to remain composed. I couldn't wait to get out of the courtroom. I couldn't wait to pour out my anger on someone.My mom hurried towards me with sympathy in her emerald eyes. She widened her hands to hug me, but I held up mine to stop her and recoiled, wondering about the reason for the embrace. Of course, she had good intentions, but I didn't want comfort, not when this defeat stung like a bee. She dropped her outstretched arms with a sigh. "Leonel, sweetie."

  • Renting The Billionaire's Heart   Sixty

    MiracleLily and I spent some time together and even went out for lunch. After handing over the necessary documents and enough cash to keep the business afloat, I flew to Los Angeles that weekend. It was a morning flight, and Linda had already booked a first-class ticket for me. I sat near the window, staring at the clear skies with a few fluffy clouds. It was late spring, my favorite season of the year. The other passengers that flew first class were couples in their honeymoon phase. They were too mushy, and no, I wasn't jealous. Acting like I was the sole passenger, I became fully absorbed in my personal entertainment system.We arrived in the afternoon, and it was crazy how hot it was in LA. I got picked up by Linda's driver, a kind, middle-aged man. He tried to make conversation in the car, but my mind was elsewhere. I nodded politely in response to his questions about the weather and other small talk.Finally, we arrived at Linda's house, and I felt a restlessness in my body a

  • Renting The Billionaire's Heart   Fifty-Nine

    MiracleMemories of my cousin's betrayal blazed in my mind as I flipped the sign on my store to "closed". She had the audacity to show up at my store, asking for trouble. I didn't want to start feeling resentment towards anyone, especially family, but I couldn't help it - her presence ignited a fire of hatred within me.Shaking my head to clear my mind, I was putting my keys in my bag when my phone rang. I dug it out from the bottom of my bag, and the unknown number confused me. When I answered, the voice on the other end left me surprised."Miracle, it's Linda.”I took several gulps of air to compose myself before speaking. "Hi Linda," I said with a very light tone. "How did you get my number?”"Sorry, it took me a while to reach out. With everything that's happened, I wasn't sure what to believe at first. I hope you understand," Linda admitted. And although I had no hard feelings about her, she was free to think whatever she liked."Please tell me, Miracle, where are you?"I stepped

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