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CHAPTER SIXTY TWO
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2024-11-24 05:10:37Kaugnay na kabanata
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER ONE
Sorrow crept in as Luna gazed around the empty room, the silence was deafening. Her eyes locked onto the clock as the hours ticked by, each one reminding her that she was alone in her marriage. Just as she thought the night couldn't get any worse, she heard the sound of the door opening. Her heart skipped a beat as her husband walked in, his eyes scanned the room, taking in the candlelit table, the flowers and the anniversary cake.For a moment, he just stood there, his expression unreadable. Then, his face twisted into a mixture of annoyance and irritation. “Luna, what's all this?” he asked gruffly, his question like a slap in her face.She walked over to him and hugged him. It felt like she was hugging a tree because he didn't hug her back, he just stood there with discomfort on his face.“Have you forgotten what day it is?” She asked, looking up at him as she let go. He let out a sharp, teeth-clenched hiss—an action he did whenever he was annoyed. A small frown crept up her fac
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER TWO
Her hands trembled as she turned the doorknob and saw that it was unlocked. She didn't want them to know she was there.With a gentle push, she created a tiny gap in the door, allowing herself to glance inside the room undetected. But how could she be detected when they were so engrossed in each other? The sight of their entwined bodies was a dagger to her heart, a painful betrayal that left her gasping for breath.She moved back swiftly, shock and horror evident in her eyes as she struggled to process the devastating scene. The image of them seared itself in her brain, one that she would never forget. She saw the woman's leg wrapped around her husband's waist, their bodies moving in a slow sensual dance that made her blood run cold.A storm of emotions raged within her–jealousy, anger, betrayal and sorrow. She marched over to the door and was about to barge in when the woman spoke up again.“George…I wanted to talk to you. It's about Luna”. She froze, her eyes narrowing and her li
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER THREE
“W-What are you doing here?” She scoffed, yanking her arm from his grip. “Here to laugh at my misery?” She hiccuped, the alcohol already taking a toll on her.“Laugh?” He chuckled lightly. “Why would I laugh at you?” He sat down on the stool next to hers, resting his chin on his hand as he placed it on the counter. “I'm just wondering, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a joint like this?” Luna threw her head back and downed the tequila shot as soon as the bartender poured some into her glass, letting out a small gasp as the liquid burned her throat. She turned to the man and gazed at him through blurry eyes.“Just trying to forget,” she slurred as the words ran out together. “Forget what?” He asked, his deep voice low and soothing.Luna shrugged, her shoulders barely moving. “Everything…what you did.”The man raised a brow as he jerked his head up. “What did I do?” Luna's eyes narrowed, her vision still blurry. “You know exactly what I'm talking about,” she spat out.His
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FOUR
Luna woke up with a start, her head throbbing from the previous night's escapades. As she sat up, a wave of nausea washed over her and she rushed to the bathroom where her body expelled its contents into the toilet.The pain in her head intensified, and she felt like she was going to pass out. Finally emerging from the bathroom, she stopped in her tracks. “What the…” Her brows furrowed in confusion as she was greeted by an unfamiliar room. Grogginess clouded her mind as she tried to recall how she ended up there and the events of the previous night. As she took in her surroundings, a glimpse of something caught her eye.On the edge of the bed, closest to where she woke up, she saw a faint bloody stain and her heart sank. She looked down at herself and saw that she was wearing a short T-shirt that barely covered her thighs. She felt a spike of panic as she tried to piece together the fragments of the previous night—obscure memories of the bar, tequila shots blurring her vision and th
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FIVE
FOUR YEARS LATER “And the CEO of the Year award goes to…!” With a mischievous glint in his eyes, the presenter savoured the moment, building the tension as he scanned the crowd’s expectant faces.He relished the fact that he held the power to make someone's night unforgettable. As the spotlight danced across the sea of faces, he lifted his arms and her name soared through the air, shattering the silence.“Luna Chavez!!” Her eyes widened as her name hung in the air, her mind struggling to process what she'd heard. The room fell silent, heads turning in her direction as the spotlight stayed fixed on her. “Luna, he called your name.” She turned to face her, still frozen in disbelief. Sophia slightly jabbed her ribs, making Luna slowly stand to her feet, her legs trembling beneath her dress. She took a step forward, her eyes fixed on the stage. “Miss. Luna, we don't have all day please.” The presenter beckoned to her and she quickened her steps with a nervous smile appearing on her fa
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER SIX
Luna stood up, smoothing her jacket as she extended a hand across the polished mahogany table. “Thank you, gentlemen, for placing your trust in our company. We won't disappoint you.” The clients, impressed by her confidence and presentation, shook her hand, exchanging pleasantries. As they left, Luna felt a sense of relief and satisfaction wash over her. Another successful deal closed.Sophia, who'd been quietly observing from a corner of the room, approached her. “Your skills never cease to amaze me, Luna.” Luna gave her a warm smile, tucking a stray strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. “Thanks, Sophia.” “So, uhh…I was thinking….you know with everything we've been juggling lately, I think we deserve a quick break.” She said nervously, fidgeting with her red silk dress. Luna raised a brow, wondering what she was hinting at.“A quick break?” Sophia nodded.“Yeah, a quick break and I was thinking we should go shopping…like today…right now.” Luna scoffed, shaking her head.” You
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER SEVEN
Luna rose from her chair slowly, her eyes widening in shock. “G-George?” she whispered in disbelief, unable to believe her eyes. George stood before her, still looking dashing as ever, with his almost perfectly chiselled features. A charming smile played on his lips as his piercing grey eyes held her gaze, boring into her soul. He wore a tailored black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and his stylishly dark messy hair. His hands were in his pockets, making his stance exude sheer confidence. He took a step forward, his eyes still locked on Luna's, but stopped abruptly when she raised her hand. Her palm faced him, a clear warning to keep his distance. Luna's jaw tightened, her words forced out between clenched teeth, “What are you doing here?” she took in fierce breaths, her heart pounding heavily against her chest with each second that passed. George's gaze softened, letting out a small sigh. “Luna, I know you're furious right now but I need to talk to you.” “There's no
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER EIGHT
“Do we have any leads on the person who did this?” She turned to Sophia and Marcus, her gaze pleading for answers. “Anything. A name, a face?”Sophia hesitated, sympathy written all over her face. “We’re still investigating, Luna.” Marcus added, his voice firm. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Luna. I promise. But we need your help. Can you think of anyone who would do such a thing?” Luna's eyes darted between Sophia and Marcus, her mind racing. How was she supposed to know? She had so many business rivals. Sure, some of them had threatened her but she never thought any of them would actually go through with it. “How did this happen in the first place? We conduct a mandatory weekly check-up on all our properties, so how could this have possibly happened?” Sophia and Marcus glanced nervously at each other, fidgeting on the spot.Luna's eyes narrowed as she studied them. They were hiding something from her. “What's going on? What aren't you guys telling me?” Sophia bit her lip, tak
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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
