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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Author: Sheismyrrh1
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Marcus gently knocked on the door, holding a tray with two steaming cups of coffee placed on it. A soft "come in" reached his ear and he appeared in her doorway.

"Thought you could use a refill."

Sophia looked up from her screen, her eyes lighting up. "Thanks, Marcus. You're a lifesaver."

A small smile appeared on his face as he walked to Sophia's desk, handing her the coffee. Their fingers touched briefly as she took the cup. Sophia inhaled the rich aroma, savouring the warmth. "Mmm, just what I needed."

Taking out a chair behind her desk, he sat down, watching Sophia sip her coffee. The air conditioner in the office hummed softly in the background.

The silence between them was comfortable, like a warm embrace, wrapping them in tranquillity.

After a moment, Marcus broke the silence. "What's keeping you busy today?"

Sophia set her cup down and sighed wearily, rubbing her temples. "Now that our name's been cleared of being fraudulent, I've got a lot of clients to talk to. We can't af
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  • SECRETS OF THE HEART    CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

    "I can't believe you wanted to disgrace Luna publicly in such a despicable way," he spat, "And that too with Regina as an ally." George rolled his eyes heavenward, grunting as he searched his desk for some documents he needed to work on. "Oh, don't give me that crap. She was just lucky Regina's men were the ones there instead of me, maybe that's why they couldn't accomplish such a simple task.""Watch it, George," Luke growled, his hands curling into fists. George shook his head, a low, mischievous laugh rumbling in his chest. "Don't tell me you've already started falling for her, little brother," he snickered.Luke ignored his statement and decided to change the topic. "Who's the new lady back there?" George groaned, making Luke lift a brow. "Please, don't get me started on that incompetent fool. Do you know what she did today? She ruined a contract worth millions of dollars," he seethed. Luke's eyes narrowed, relaxing back in his chair as his mind reeled from George's revelation

  • SECRETS OF THE HEART    CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

    Sophia's eyes widened as she burst into Luna's living room, her voice echoing off the walls. "George Garrett was arrested??!" She dropped her purse on the plush couch and sat down on it heavily, her mouth slightly open.Luna looked up from her phone, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I see you got my text."Sophia's brows arched, her lips pursing. "But...why didn't I see it on the news? Nothing's been reported."Luna shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes shifting back to her screen. "Must have been a discreet operation. No doubt he doesn't want the news spreading like wildfire so his reputation doesn't get tainted."Sophia pressed further, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What was he arrested for?"Her shoulders rose again in a hesitant shrug, her lips curving downwards momentarily. "No idea," she mumbled. "They haven't released a statement yet."Sophia cocked her head back in disbelief, her eyes narrowing. "Then how did you find out?""I have my ways," she replied, a smug smile on

  • SECRETS OF THE HEART    CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

    Luna's panic intensified, her chest constricting as she took in fierce breaths. "No, no," she whispered, her voice trembling as fear scratched at her throat.Luke's expression changed, his features turned calm and reassuring. "Hey, we'll figure this out. We'll get help."Her breath hitched as panic gnawed at her, suffocating her as the elevator's walls seemed to close in. "I...I don't do well in small spaces," she stammered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.Luke's expression turned vigilant, his eyes filled with concern locked onto hers. "Hey, Luna, I'm here. You're safe."But her panic had already taken its hold on her. Luna's eyes darted wildly, her gasps growing shallower as her lungs burned. He moved slowly towards her, his hands extended, palms facing up. "Luna, breathe," he said slowly, his voice low and soothing. "Focus on me."She shook her head, her vision blurring at the edges. "Luke....I....I can't," her lips quivered as she slowly broke down.But his voice remained

  • 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

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  • 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

  • SECRETS OF THE HEART    CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

    George leaned back in the chair, his fingers instinctively tracing circles on Luna's - no - his desk. Memories flooded his mind as his distant gaze stayed fixed on the window, a mix of emotions wrapping around him as he got lost in the past. The warmth of his father's study, the nostalgic scent of old books and cigar smoke–all blended together in a haze. He'd just clocked 20 and the eagerness to prove himself had already begun to fester. "George, you're the future of this family," his father's voice echoed in his mind. "I see the potential and prowess you have. Unlike your brother, Luke," the tone of disappointment in his voice as he called his brother's name wasn't easy to miss. "I'm confident you'll carry our legacy forward, son," he continued, his eyes filled with pride. "You'll make me proud."George's chest swelled with determination as he remembered his father's firm pat on the back. "I won't let you down, Father." And he had meant it. Every word.He still recalled the countl

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