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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
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SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sophia's face lit up on the screen, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “It’s been a wild ride. We've secured three major deals with Nova Solutions, GreenTech and Solo Ventures.”Luna's eyebrows shot up as she leaned back in her chair, taking in the update. “That’s amazing. What kind of numbers are we talking?”Sophia glanced down at her notes, her hair falling around her face. “We’re at $2.6 million in investments, and revenue's up 28%.” Luna let out a low whistle, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Looks like business is booming.”Sophia nodded, her eyes glinting. “Marketing's been crushing it too. Social media’s up 45%, website traffic by 25%.”Luna leaned forward, her elbows on the desk. “What about new clients?”“Fifteen acquired so far.” Sophia's smile grew wider. “And I've got some exciting news – we're in talks with a potential investor who is looking to put in $6.5 million to fuel our expansion.”Luna's eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her lips. “That's huge, Soph.”S
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY
Luna tugged at his tie, pulling it tighter as she helped him knot it. A small smile formed on her lips as she finished, adjusting it gently in place. “Sure you can finally return to work? Your arm isn't fully healed yet.” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with concern. George nodded reassuringly. “I need to go sort out some stuff, Alex says they need my help with it,” her smile faltered, giving way to a frown that replaced it. George took her hand and planted a subtle, yet tender kiss on it. “I'll be fine and I'll make sure I quickly finish up whatever's going on and head home. I don't want you dying because you miss me too much.” George chuckled, making Luna roll her eyes playfully.“Yeah, I think you should go now,” she mused.“Oh, now you're chasing me away?” George asked, laughing as Luna wrapped her arm around his elbow, dragging him towards the door.“Just making sure you don't get too comfortable.”As they reached the car, George's driver stood attentive, holding the do
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The bitter taste of betrayal lingered on Luna's lips as she whispered his name. Taking a step forward, the shards of Luna’s heart scattered across the marble floor, mirroring the shattered remains of her trust.In one moment, the world she knew crumbled, leaving only ruins of love and deceit.“Shit,” he whispered and adjusted his clothes, leaving Vanessa's side to meet Luna at the door. Hoping she hadn't heard much, his expression became solemn. “It's not what it looks like. I was just……”A sharp, piercing crack echoed through the room. Vanessa's eyes widened in shock and a small gasp escaped her lips as Luna's palm cracked against his cheek.George's eyes flashed in surprise as his head recoiled to the side. The force of the slap sent a throbbing pain that spread across his face like wildfire. He jerked his head up, clenching his jaw as he glared at Luna with blazing eyes, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “You disgusting, selfish pig,” Luna hissed, spitting the words out as a ve
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
He tossed on his bed back and forth, forcing his eyelids to close shut as he struggled to get some sleep, but his mind refused to be quiet. Memories that had been long buried resurfaced, taunting him.He recalled the night of four years ago, the darkness, the silhouette of her face.The way she moved beneath him, her whispered moans, the addictive taste of her skin. It had been a long time since he had a good encounter with a lady, and she'd given herself freely.Even better, she was fresh.A virgin.As he relived the passion, his grip on his pillow tightened. He'd never experienced such intensity, such inferno.Suddenly, he sat up with a start, gasping as if he'd been underwater for too long. Sitting up, he rubbed his temples, attempting to shake off the vivid memories. But they still lingered.Why couldn't he erase her from his mind? No matter what he did, he just couldn't forget that night. Years of searching, and still, no one compared. Her beauty, her spark, her innocence. He g
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Luna's eyes welled up, tears streaming down her face as the memories flooded back. She collapsed onto the hotel bed, her body shaking uncontrollably.“He used you again.”“You're weak and vulnerable.”“Your feeble heart was just too easy to manipulate.”The voices in Luna's head wouldn't keep quiet, tormenting her as they constantly reminded her of how she'd let her guard down….of how she trusted him again. And she could have lost everything she struggled to build over the years if she hadn't found out about his lies sooner.She recalled that fateful day.George didn't have his breakfast because he was running late. She had made him promise to take some food along so he would take his medicine, but when she saw he hadn't taken the lunch box, she decided to go give it to him at his office. Arriving at George's office, lunch box in hand, the scene unfolded like a nightmare. George’s secretary, caught off guard, stumbling over her words.The door to his office was slightly ajar.Vanessa
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Twenty-four hours had passed since the bombshell news. Luna's mind was in shambles. Her phone rang non-stop, clients and investors demanding answers. She had tried to answer some of the calls and texts, but Sophia advised her not to, until later. The only person she had talked to over the phone was Marcus, who reassured her that he would do everything in his power to find out who was spreading such rumours.But Luna already knew who was behind them.“I knew he was up to something,” Sophia hissed as she walked back and forth in the room, nibbling on her index finger. Luna had managed to gather herself during the past hours and told Sophia everything, leaving nothing out.They already had their bath and had ordered room service to bring their breakfast up to the room Luna was staying in. Luna sat up and leaned on the wall at the edge of the bed, a small sigh escaping her lips. “George played his cards right,” she mumbled, although it was loud enough for Sophia to hear.She snorted, s
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
His heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked onto Luna's dark hazel eyes, a mix of emotions exploded within him.Four years of memories, longing, and regret flooded his mind.He drank in every detail of her face–changed yet unchanged. The same sparkling eyes, now wide with shock and a hint of fear.For a moment, he was transported back to that fateful night. The way they'd laughed, the way she had touched him, the way she'd surrendered to their passion.But she didn't recognise him. She thought he was George, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt.Luna pushed past him, heading furiously to the door. His brows scrunched up as he turned, watching her walk away from him. Why was she angry?Was she angry because of what happened that night?He navigated his way past the crowd, following Luna as she stomped out of the ballroom. He couldn't lose her again.As soon as he caught up to Luna at the door, he held her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "Wait, please," he pleaded.Luna turned, he
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
"You met Luke Garrett?!" Sophia squealed, her lips spreading into a wide grin as her eyes lit up.Luna raised her eyebrows and gave her an inquisitive look. "You know him?" Sophia's earlier excitement faltered, her expression becoming solemn. "Uhm..." she swallowed a lump in her throat as she nibbled on her index finger. Luna rolled her eyes as she reached out and swatted her hand away from her mouth. "What are you hiding Soph?" Luna narrowed her eyes at her.Sophia dodged Luna's piercing gaze, her eyes darting across the room. "Let's focus on you. What happened with Luke Garrett?" "That's not going to divert me, Soph."Sophia shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. "Just that he's... wealthy. Influential." Luna's scepticism deepened. "That's not what I'm asking. The way you jumped for joy when I said his name goes way beyond just knowing him as influential," she said, emphasising the last word.She sighed, fidgeting with her hands as she struggled to keep them away from her mo
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SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER SIXTY TWO
Sophia sank into the couch, enveloped by the darkness that had become her new companion. Night had long since fallen but she hadn't noticed. Days blended together, each one a copy of the last as she kept herself confined within the walls of her house. Just the thought of stepping outside made her skin crawl.As she mindlessly flipped through the channels, the combination of news anchors, laughter, and commercials only got on her nerves. Her lips curled into a peeved snarl as nothing grabbed her attention.Nothing distracted her from the boiling anger and hurt that nestled in her chest.Luna's face was inscribed front and centre in her mind. Her familiar smile now twisted in her memory, a regular reminder of the knife she'd thrust into her back.How could she? Sophia's thoughts burned with resentment. She tightened her fingers around the remote, her knuckles white with rage. She thought of all the times she'd been there for Luna; supporting, encouraging, and listening to her. And this
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER SIXTY ONE
The faint light of the afternoon seeped in through the blinds, casting a mild glow over his rugged features. He lay still, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as he got lost in thoughts of her.The soft kisses, warm hugs, and infectious laughter still swirled in his head. Her inviting scent, a subtle blend of jasmine and olive, still lingered in his memory. For a moment, he took a deep breath in, hoping to get even a whiff of her again. But was disappointed when the smell of tequila greeted him.He recalled the way her rosy lips would curve into a beautiful smile whenever he teased her. The way her lovely voice always drew him in when she spoke and her eyes?...."Ughh," he groaned as he pressed his hands on his face.How could he have been so stupid? Time seemed to fade away as he relived every moment they'd shared—from the first night they'd met to the last time he was in her house. His chest constricted, emotions spiralling like a maelstrom. Guilt, loyalty and longing intertwined, making
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER SIXTY
George set his bourbon glass down and leaned back on the couch, his eyes turning to slits as he clenched his jaw. "What is it?" his voice remained calm, a deliberate opposition to the tension in Regina's voice."Luna confronted me tonight at a gala I attended," she said, her words dripping with contempt but George could sense the uneasiness hiding beneath them. "She accused me of lacing her drink that night."His gaze shifted to the crystal glass on his table, the dark amber liquid glowing in the soft lighting of the room. He poured himself another shot, the ice clinking against the glass. "Tell me everything," he said, his voice sounding low and measured.He listened intently as Regina recounted the confrontation, her words spilling at a normal pace. "....and then she had the audacity to walk away from me," she said, spitting out venom as she concluded.George's gaze was fixed on the glass in his hand as he swirled the bourbon in it, watching the liquid sway from side to side. Luna
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY NINE
Marcus raised an eyebrow, curiosity written across his face. “Regina? Why do you want to see her all of a sudden?”Luna’s gaze flicked up, and she smiled, a thin, calculated line. “I just want to talk business with her.”“Suddenly, you want to talk business with her?” he asked, eyeing her inquisitively.“It’s just business, Marcus,” she replied calmly, her tone sounding almost stoic. “Nothing more.”But her mind told a different story, memories flooding back like a dark wave. The last time she’d seen Regina, her senses were clouded because of the substance Regina used to lace her drink. It was all George’s plan though; to have her men take advantage of Luna and capture it all on camera for the whole world to see. Luna’s stomach churned, disgust and fury burning within.Yet, Luke had saved her that night. His intervention had saved her the humiliation, the shame.Luna’s eyes shifted back to the papers on the desk, her brow furrowed as a faint crease formed between her eyebrows. Her lip
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
Luna’s thumb hovered over the play button, hesitating for a moment before pressing down on the screen. The video sprang to life on her phone with the two brothers filling the frame. She’d watched it countless times, yet the pain still felt like a freshly opened wound.Luna’s eyes narrowed as she analysed the two of them and their every word. Luke’s smile, once warm and beautiful, now seemed manipulative. “…we’re on the same page here. I’ll take care of things here on my end and you don’t have to worry about anything.”The words were laced with such sincerity and his eyes were bright with conviction. He lied to her. He had always lied to her. But she saw the truth now.The way he acted like he didn’t know her history with George, the way he meticulously coaxed her into signing over her shares, and the way he sweetly talked her into revealing her trade secrets. Every single thing became clear to Luna now.Her gaze lingered on George’s face and the smug smile plastered on it as he pa
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
Luna's eyes stayed glued to the screen, the video replaying for what seemed like the hundredth time since yesterday. His words, laced with conviction, echoed in her mind as he spoke: "We're on the same page here. I'll take care of things on my end and you don't have to worry about anything."Each replay twisted the knife deeper into her heart, destroying the fragile strings of trust she had left. How could she have entrusted her heart, her secrets, and the future of her company to someone who so heartlessly plotted against her?How could she have been so stupid to trust him? Memories of their laughter, their conversations, and passion now mocked her, a bittersweet reminder of her foolishness and vulnerability. The ache within her swelled and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she remembered the kisses and intimate moments they'd shared.A knock on her house door broke through the suffocating silence and it made her skin jump. Luna's gaze shifted toward the door of her room,
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Luke leaned back in his chair, fingers intertwined, as the past flooded his mind. His eyes drifted, lost in a maze of memories.That day still lingered in his mind, a festering wound that he'd tried so hard to cover up. It was Sophia's birthday and he'd planned out the perfect surprise. He had been away from Georgia for a month–buried in work–and he just couldn't wait to envelop her in his arms again after so long. The distance between them had been weighing heavily on him, but the thought of reuniting was what kept him going.As he pulled up to Sophia's house, anticipation coursed through his veins. He imagined her bright smile, the cute sparkle in her eyes. But the scene that greeted him shattered his world.The image burned itself into Luke's brain – Sophia, pinned against the wall, with another man's hand roaming her body. Luke's heart stopped beating for a moment as rage and excruciating pain wrestled for the top spot. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut and he was unable t
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
The scene before her was in disarray and her eyes widened in shock and horror. Papers were scattered everywhere, furniture was overturned, and Sophia stumbled around like a wild animal with a huge bottle of alcohol in her mouth. Luna's nose scrunched up as the smell of whiskey wafted her nose and she caught sight of a broken bottle lying at the corner of the room–this was clearly not her first bottle."Jesus Christ, Sophia, stop! You're going to hurt yourself, what's wrong with you?" Luna pleaded, rushing towards her but Sophia's response was a deadly glare, her eyes blazing with fury and hurt."S-Stay away from me, Luna," she spat. "You backstabbing... cheating...thief!" Her voice cracked, slurred by the inevitable effect of the alcohol. Sophia's face was reddened, and hot tears streamed down her face, mixing with the mascara and ruining her makeup.Luna raised her hands, palms up in a calming gesture. "Sophia, please - we can talk about this,” she said softly.A whimper escaped Soph
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR
Her fingers trembled as she accepted the sealed documents from Em, her name scribbled in bold letters across the front. Em's hesitant expression sparked curiosity, but Luna's focus remained on the papers. "What's this?" she asked, eyeing the package in her hands. The secretary's eyes darted around the living room for a brief moment before settling on Luna. "I had to deliver it by Mr. George's instructions. It seemed urgent and very important," she shuddered, remembering the way he gazed at her unnervingly. Luna's brows furrowed, confusion etched on her face. What could George want with her now? Hadn't he already done enough? With hesitant fingers, she parted the sealed edges. The contents spilt out, revealing a small stack of documents. As she scanned the pages, Luna's eyes slowly widened. Her mind reeled as she struggled to understand the words dancing before her. Shares, assets, and transfer of ownership... Her name was everywhere. And George's signature was boldly inscribed at
