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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
"Hey, everything okay back there?" Luke asked, his phone pressed against his ear. "Yeah, everything's cool," Alex replied, his voice even.There was a pause for a moment, Luke's eyes narrowing as he pondered on what he was going to ask next. "Nicole....has she been showing up to work?"Alex hesitated for a second before responding. "Yeah, she's been coming in."Luke's brows furrowed. Something didn't add up and he didn't know what it was. "Mm, good.""How about George? Is he back yet?" He asked, changing the topic."No, haven't heard anything from him since the incident," Alex replied, unease laced in his voice.Luke's grip on his phone tightened, George's absence was starting to worry him, weighing heavily on his mind. "Not a word since the incident?" he muttered to himself.Unease crept in, making Luke's thoughts race with worst-case scenarios. His brother knew how to handle himself but this silence was unnatural. Luke's gaze drifted out the window, his mind racing with unanswered
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Luna woke up with a gentle blink, her eyes slowly unfurling as her alarm rang through the room. She turned and reached over to silence it, her hand brushing against the soft hotel sheets. Three days had passed since she'd shared the room with Luke, and surprisingly, the arrangement hadn't been as awkward as she thought it would. Luke's daily routine helped. He'd wake up before dawn, quietly taking what he needed and slipping out while she slept. In the evenings, he'd wait outside until she'd finished taking a shower. Their paths crossed briefly during general gatherings, meals at the restaurant in the hotel, and at night when they retired to the room they shared. His thoughtful distance came as a relief, giving her time to breathe. Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling that Luke's presence lingered, even when he wasn't there. She tossed off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangling in the cool morning air. Since their arrival, three days had pas
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Luna zipped up her bag, the soft sound of the zipper echoing through the quiet room. Her eyes scanned the space, taking in the vacant chairs and scattered papers. The energetic buzz that the summit brought had dissipated, leaving an eerie silence.Her gaze drifted to the ruffled spot on the bed where Luke usually lay, the faint scent of his cologne still lingered. A pang of disappointment settled in as she remembered she hadn't seen him all day, and his absence–surprisingly–stung. He'd left without a word.Luna's thoughts strayed back to her presentation. The feedback from the investors had been encouraging, but she still had doubts. She hoped she had done enough to secure their partnership.As she scanned the room for the last time, memories of the summit's final hours came flooding back. The closing remarks, the brief networking sessions, and the farewell luncheon had all blended in a haze of handshakes and forced smiles.Taking a deep breath, Luna slung her bag on one of her shoul
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Luna's fingers tightened around her phone still pressed against her ear, her knuckles becoming white. She stared blankly ahead, her mind racing. The neon lights of the city were a blur around her, their vibrant colours dulled by her growing unease. Her fingers trembled as she removed the phone from her ear and stared at the dark screen. The sinister voice still echoed in her mind. With shaky hands, she tried to redial Sophia's number. It rang....unanswered.She tried again. And again.The confines of the taxi made her feel suffocated, her eyes darting towards the driver. "Can you please hurry up?" she urged, desperation laced in her voice. The driver shifted his gaze to meet hers in the rearview mirror. "We're almost there, miss."Luna's eyes dropped to her lap. Her mind raced with questions. Who was that man? What did he want from Sophia? Her thoughts were in a jumble, her feet nervously tapping the worn taxi floor. "You okay, miss?" The concerned taxi driver asked. Luna forced a
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FORTY
Luna rushed into the palm-lined streets of Miami, where the warm breeze carried the intoxicating scent of flowers. But she couldn't admire the beauty of the night as her senses had become numb, her focus solely fixed on finding Sophia.She got in a taxi and instructed the driver to take her to George's house instead of Garrett Properties. She doubted George would be foolish enough to keep Sophia hostage within his company walls; so she ruled it out. As Luna approached the gate, she became more troubled. The usual security guards were absent, and she couldn't find anyone else. She pushed open the gate, its hinges screeching in protest, the sound echoing through the night. Luna's eyes scanned the place, searching for any signs of life. No security guards were on patrol, no drivers lingered by the cars and no lights flickered in the mansion ahead. The silence weighed heavily on her shoulders.With a deep breath, Luna began walking up the driveway. The mansion towered over her, its wind
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Luke approached the park's gate, his eyes scanning the area until they landed on Luna. She paced in front of a bench, her movements agitated; with worry etched on her face. As he drew closer, Luna's head shot up and their gazes locked. The sight of Luna's eyes which were once bright and radiant, now looked dull and red-rimmed. Luke's chest constricted, a sharp pang piercing his heart. "Luna?" He called out, his voice softer than he intended as he closed the distance between them.Her lips quivered, and he fought the urge to pull her into a reassuring hug. "What's going on?" He asked, his eyes searching hers. "George... he's blackmailing me. He's got Sophia and now she's in danger because of me," she said nervously, burying her face in her palms.Luke's jaw tightened, his eyes turning into slits. He reached out, his hand stopping inches from Luna's shoulder before dropping to his side. "Tell me everything," he said firmly as he placed his hands in his pockets. Luna took in a shaky b
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Luna paced across the hotel room, her sneakers squeaking on the floor. Luke leaned against the window frame, his eyes fixed intently on her as he watched with concern. "Try to calm down," he said softly.But Luna couldn't shake off the feeling of distress that weighed heavily on her. George's text arrived promptly at 11 AM; "A representative of mine will arrive at 2 PM with the documents. Be ready." Luna checked her watch for the umpteenth time. 1:56 PM. What was she doing?! Waiting anxiously for George's representative to arrive, so she can just surrender the business she struggled to build to a man who almost ruined her?! The thought sent a wave of nausea over her. How could she trust George's words? He'd proven time and time again that he would stop at nothing to destroy her. And yet, here she was, about to sign away her company, her passion, her everything. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself, although her voice was loud enough for Luke to pick up what she said. "Luna,
SECRETS OF THE HEART CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Luna's car screeched to a halt outside the house, and she wasted no time in getting out. She grabbed her purse and rushed out, almost forgetting to turn off her engine. The door swung open before she could knock. Marcus stood in the doorway, a small smile on his face crept up as he saw her. "Luna, thank God you're here."Her eyes darted past him, searching for Sophia."Where's..." He stepped aside, revealing her fragile figure on the couch. Sophia's eyes–a bit sunken–met Luna's. Her skin appeared a bit pale and subtle hints of dark circles framed her eyes. Luna's breath caught.She rushed to Sophia's side, dropping to her knees. "Oh my God. Soph..."Her lips curled into a weak smile. "Hey..."Luna enveloped her in a gentle hug, tears flowing down her cheeks. Sophia's gentle frame shook in her arms, and Luna's heart broke. "I'm so sorry," she croaked out. Marcus discreetly excused himself, leaving the two friends alone as he went to get some food for Sophia. As Luna held her, memori
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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
