The Alpha’s Dirty Little Secret

The Alpha’s Dirty Little Secret

last updateLast Updated : 2024-10-31
By:  Bella SilvaOngoing
Language: English
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Leonora Bardwell’s life is turned upside down completely when her husband, Evan Montague, betrays her and steals all her fortune, leaving her with nothing but their son behind. Years later, Leonora manages to locate him, but he is now a powerful man with another identity and is engaged to another woman, the daughter of a powerful werewolf moghul, Phillippa Montgomery. Leonora infiltrates every aspect of his life to make him pay for what he did to her, however, Evan is still the same man who won her heart all those years ago. Will she lose herself while seeking revenge? Will she overestimate her abilities to objectively ruin his life? Or will she succeed and bring down the man who caused her so much harm?

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1

More and more people keep showing up and it's starting to make my head hurt.

I'm tired of hearing the condolences. I'm tired of the many heartfelt words that people are pouring down on me. I just want to be able to grieve the death of my parents in peace.

Is that too much to ask?

It's been a week since the car crash and my heart is still heavy with pain. I don't think this pain will ever go away. They were the only people I had in my life and I feel lost without them. Utterly lost. What do I do in this big house? How will I manage the estate and the company all by myself?

Anthony, my father's best friend, promises that he'll help me and that he'll never leave my side and to be honest, I don't know what I would've done without him. He's been there for as long as I can remember and my father trusted him. I should trust him, too.

The last guests leave and I show them the door. I force a smile on my face and allow myself to feel grateful because at least they were the only ones who came today. Maybe they'll stop coming. I don’t know most of these people. They claim to be friends and all I can do is receive them properly like a proper girl.

Once I close the door, I sigh. I need to sleep. I need a bath. I need my parents back.

The last thought nearly brings me to tears but I have cried way too much and I feel like there aren't any tears left. I walk toward the living area and sit down. There's a fire in the hearth and the room is warm but I feel incredibly cold. This place used to be my favorite in the house, especially because of the stone fireplace and the warm brown decor. My father was a hunter and it shows because of the taxidermied animals on the walls.

I can't help but think about him as I look around.

Finally, I have some time to think. It's impossible to do so when the house is always crowded and everyone wants to talk to me. I rub my face and put my head in my hands, tears gleaming in my eyes. It's not that I'm not thankful for the support. I'm just tired. Exhausted. Stretched thin.

Shocked.

I sit back on the couch and close my eyes just as I hear the doorbell ringing. My eyes spring open and I feel a wave of anger washing over me, destroying every ounce of politeness inside of me. I stay put, determined not to answer. Maybe if I ignore it, whoever is out there will just walk away. I can't do this today. I can't.

Nope. There's the ringing sound again. The sound has already started traumatizing me and whenever I hear it, my heart sinks in my chest. I clench my jaw and stand up, my high-heeled boots clicking against the wooden floor. I storm toward the door, determined to lash out at whoever is there. I don't care anymore.

I open the door angrily and it bangs open. The man standing at the door flinches at the sound and gives me a look that makes all my anger leech out of my body. I lower my eyes, feeling so embarrassed at my outburst. "Sorry," I say. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," he answers, his voice deep and as smooth as honey. "Sorry, is this a bad time?"

"No," I say, looking back at his face. He's young, maybe around my age, but he's tall and has piercing eyes, so maybe he's not as young as I think he is. I don't know. He doesn't hold himself like an eighteen year old. He's dressed in all black, and his eyes are just about the brightest blue I've ever seen. "It's not."

"You're probably wondering why I'm here," he says, his eyes searching my face in a way that makes me feel self-conscious. I'm not sure why, but I'm blushing. "Firstly, I'd like to ask, are you Leonora Bardwell?"

"I am," I answer before clearing my throat.

"Great," he says, his tone getting more serious. "I guess I should properly introduce myself, then. My name is Evan Montague and I was the one who called the police. I found your parents."

The mention of my parents makes my heart sink. "Oh, yes. Of course."

He then raises his arm and shows me a duffel bag. I didn't even notice him holding it. "This was in the backseat of their car."

I frown and stare at the bag. "Sorry, but what is that?"

"Money," he tells me. "A whole lot of it."

I feel momentarily lost and then shake my head, remembering my manners. "Please, do come in."

He enters the house and I notice how his head nearly touches the doorframe. He's that tall. I then walk ahead of him, showing him the living room. He puts the bag down on the coffee table and asks me to open it, which I do.

Sure enough, there's a lot of money inside. I can't even guess how much.

"Gosh," I say, stepping back. "Thank you for bringing this. I'm just confused...why do you have it and not the police?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, your father asked me to bring the money to you," he answers. "He was still alive when I reached the scene, and he asked me to bring it to you. Naturally, I had to find out who you were first. He told me your name, you see. I guess he didn't trust the police to keep it. I know for a fact that most of them are crooks."

I'm stunned and very grateful to him. My eyes fill with tears as I try to imagine my father trying to choke those words out. And he decided to come find me and give me the money. It's so much money. He could've ran off with it and I would never have known. I say, "Wow, I can't believe you went through all the trouble. I can't find the right words to thank you."

"You're more than welcome, Leonora," he answers, his eyes on my face once more. Searching. He looks at me in a way that I've never been looked at before. It makes me feel something apart from the pain wrecking everything inside of me and threatening to turn my heart into dust.

By the goddess, what's wrong with me?

"I...I'm not sure if you're up to having a cup of coffee with me. Or tea. Or something."

He slides his hands into the pockets of his black slacks smoothly. "Sure. I'd love to. Thank you for the invitation."

"I'll have to make it myself because the maids are gone for the weekend," I inform him. "Why don't you follow me into the kitchen?"

I somehow feel self-conscious walking into the kitchen, knowing that he's right behind me. I try not to trip and fall like an idiot. I reach the kitchen and fill the kettle with water. I then lean against the counter as I wait for it to boil and turn to face him. He's looking around covertly. When he catches me staring at him, he says, "I never extended my condolences to you. I'm sorry if that makes me seem rude."

"No, on the contrary," I tell him. "I've heard that word so much in the past week that it started losing its meaning to me. It's just something people say even if they don't really mean it. Just because they have to."

Evan watches me soberly. The sympathy in his eyes makes me tear up. I look away and sniffle. "Sorry. It's just still new to me. I can't seem to get over it."

He takes a few steps toward me and says, "Don't apologize for being sad, Leonora. Not to me. Your parents are gone and I'm guessing that they were the people closest to you, correct?" I nod. "Well then, you're allowed to be sad and show sadness. Anyone who expects anything else from you is a dick. And I mean that."

For some reason, his words make me chuckle a little as tears slide down my face. I don't apologize for them. The kettle stops boiling and Evan asks me whether I'm fine with him making the coffees. I say yes and sit down in the kitchen, watching him preparing the drinks. I feel something blooming inside of me. I haven't felt this comforted in what feels like an eternity.

He brings the drinks over and we start talking. Just talking. Not about death or mourning, or accidents. About normal things that divert my mind away from the awful tragedy that has befallen my family and me.

I find myself smiling for the first time in days.

When we both realize it, about three hours have passed and it's dark outside. Evan glances at his gold watch and says, "Look at the time."

He stands up and I do the same. His visit isn't like the other ones. I want him to stay. I don't eat him to go. He says, "I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time. I know that you probably have so much on your plate."

"No, it's fine," I say, waving him off. "You've done more for me than the people who are actually close to me. Thank you so much for stopping by and for being honest."

We walk toward the door. All the while, my heart is sinking and I feel like an idiot. A needy idiot. I open the door for him and he steps out. He says, "Thank you for having me, Leonora. Again, I'm so sorry for your parents. I really mean it."

I nod, ignoring the sting in my nose. "Thank you. Again. For everything."

Evan nods and starts walking down the stone steps. As I watch him go, I find myself wondering when I'll see him again and I feel so sad that I might not. Then, he stops walking abruptly, and then turns his head to look at me. My heart skips a beat. He makes his way back up the stairs, his eyes intently on mine.

I wait for him to say something. Anything. I can't get the words out myself. This just feels so surreal.

"I know this is probably too forward because I just met you," he begins, searching my eyes fervently, "but is it bad that I don't want this to be the last time we ever meet?"

I gulp. My mouth is so dry. "No," I answer. "Not at all."

His eyes light up and I feel a spark of hope inside of me. He asks me, "When can I see you again?"

"Tomorrow," I say without hesitating. "Please."

Evan smiles and I feel a part of me melting. "It's a date, then."

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106 Chapters
Chapter 1
More and more people keep showing up and it's starting to make my head hurt. I'm tired of hearing the condolences. I'm tired of the many heartfelt words that people are pouring down on me. I just want to be able to grieve the death of my parents in peace. Is that too much to ask? It's been a week since the car crash and my heart is still heavy with pain. I don't think this pain will ever go away. They were the only people I had in my life and I feel lost without them. Utterly lost. What do I do in this big house? How will I manage the estate and the company all by myself? Anthony, my father's best friend, promises that he'll help me and that he'll never leave my side and to be honest, I don't know what I would've done without him. He's been there for as long as I can remember and my father trusted him. I should trust him, too. The last guests leave and I show them the door. I force a smile on my face and allow myself to feel grateful because at least they were the only ones who
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-31
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Chapter 2
“Leo," Anthony says as he follows me around the room. His voice is dripping with disbelief. "You can't be serious. I refuse to believe that you're saying this to me." "Well, it's the truth," I answer as calmly as possible. He pauses and runs his hand down his face. His eyes are wide as he beholds me. "But you barely know the guy! You don't know anything about him. You're seriously serious about marrying him? After only a month of knowing him?" I check my reflection in the mirror one last time before stepping back. My hair is in a half-updo and the rest of it is hanging low, nearly down to my butt. My makeup up is simplistic but my lips are a dark red color that my makeup artist told me suits me well. The baby pink dress I'm wearing is simple and perfect for the event. I didn't want anything over the top. It's a very small engagement party. Anthony is still staring at me. I still haven't answered him. "Leonora." I turn my head slowly to look at him. "I don't know what yo
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-31
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Chapter 3
The day of our wedding arrives, and I couldn't be happier. I'm over the moon. It's finally happening. It felt like waiting endlessly for the best day of my life and now that it's here, I just want it to happen so I can experience all the things I've been dreaming of ever since he asked to marry me. Tonight will be a full moon, so the date is auspicious. Oddly enough, our wedding ceremony is even smaller than our engagement party. The only guests are Anthony, his uncle Charlie, and some of the staff from our house. Well, the ones who could come. Anthony will be the one to walk me down the aisle of the small chapel. I thought I'd go alone but he insisted last minute, claiming that he didn't want me to do this alone. I appreciate him for it even though I don't agree with how he treats Evan. We're standing at the door. I'm in my wedding dress, which is a mermaid-style dress that huge my slim body perfectly. The sleeves are made of lace and are long, and I have a long veil trailing beh
last updateLast Updated : 2024-07-31
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Chapter 4
I sit up, holding the sheets up to my neck. I look around the room but don’t spot him. “Evan?” I say loudly. No answer. Could it be that he went downstairs for some reason? My concern gets me to my feet and I walk into the bathroom. I have to shower and then throw some clothes on. Perhaps by the time I’m done, he’ll come back. I spend only five minutes in the shower. Yesterday feels like a fever dream but I don’t dwell on it too much. I’m too distracted by the fact that Evan isn’t here. I know it’s ridiculous to feel this magnitude of concern but this is our first morning as a married couple. He should’ve been here when I woke up. That makes me a little upset. I open my briefcase and opt to wear a long, flowy dress. I meant to wear this to breakfast. I finish getting ready and Evan still isn’t back. I place my hand on my hip and then decide to call him. I’m sure he took his phone with him. I sit on the edge of the unmade bed and hold the phone against my ear. I frown when I he
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-01
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Chapter 5
My mouth is as dry as the desert.Anthony still hasn’t turned around to face me. His back is facing me but his whole body has gone rigid. I’m paralyzed with shock. No, he can’t be implying that Evan ran away with all my money. That can’t be it because I know the man I married and he isn’t like that. He’s kind and honest. He gave me a bag full of money when he could’ve taken it all for himself and I would never know anything about it. Anthony finally turns back around. The way he’s looking at me breaks my heart and makes me angry at the same time. He’s always assumed the worst of Evan. I say, “Stop it, Anthony. Just stop.”He strides toward me and then hands his card to the receptionist. He says, “I’ll take care of the bill. Don’t worry about it.”I stand aside, humiliated and angry at him. Angry that he would assume such a thing.He grabs my bags and helps me load them in the car. I’m mildly aware of my hands shaking. He closes the trunk and then turns to look at me again, that str
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-04
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Chapter 6
The damage is bigger than any of us could’ve guessed. Evan cleaned out all my bank accounts. Every cent that belonged to my parents is now in his hands. He sold the shares of the company about a week ago and someone bought me out of the company, which means I have nothing. The company that my parents built from the ground up now belongs to someone else. It was all done legally because he signed for me, and so I have no way of getting it all back. “Because his actions have led to financial harm, we can legally challenge him and get him to give you back a portion of the money, but for that, we have to locate him. Do you have any idea of where he might be?”That’s the question everyone keeps asking me. I don’t know where he is or where I might find him. The world is huge. He could be anywhere right now. Anywhere. The only thing the asshole didn’t sell was my family home. It’s still with me. Anthony says that I should sell it before he does, and overall, it’s the best decision becaus
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-04
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Chapter 7
Eight months later, I bring my baby boy home from the hospital.Everything went well and he's a healthy baby boy. From the first trimester, I settled on a name. Victor. His name is Victor Bardwell. It's a name I've always loved and I think it suits him well enough.It's been almost a year since I last saw Evan. However, I haven't stopped thinking about him and with every day that passes, I feel certain of what I want the outcome of this situation to be. That asshole. To take all my money and leave me pregnant with his child is...I don't even have words for how foul that is. I'm beyond the point of heartbreak. Every time I look at Victor's face, I'm filled with a newfound strength. I'll have to face all of this for him. I'll have to fight hard to give him a better life. If my prospects were bad before I found out o was pregnant then I don't want to know what they're looking like now.If it weren't for Anthony's support, I don't know what would've become of me. During the pregnancy, I
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-05
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Chapter 8
Ten Years Later...I open the door to Victor's bedroom and watch his face for a reaction. His jaw drops open as he looks around. "Mom," he says in awe, "this looks amazing!""Right?" I say. "I knew you'd like it. I did everything with you in mind. I'm glad you like it.""I don't just like it," he says before throwing himself on his bed. "I love it!"I laugh and get in bed with him. I stare at the ceiling and see the glow-in-the-dark stars that I pasted on the ceiling. The whole bedroom has a galaxy theme to it. From a very young age, Victor has been obsessed with the universe. He always talks about stars and the planets. So, to help him cope with us moving to another city which is miles away from the town he was raised in, I decided to give him this room. It cost quite a lot of money to put together and the wall directly across from the bed was painted by a professional, as I've never been good at painting and I wanted there to be plants painted on it, but I'm incredibly overjoyed b
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-06
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Chapter 9
After dropping off Victor at his new school and assuring him that he’d have a good day because he’s just about the best kid in the world, I make my way to work. I’m dressed in a standard nurse’s uniform because I feel like it’ll impress my interviewer. I’ve added on my fake resume that I have a job I work at night so it gives them the impression that I’m very capable. The number is Anthony’s, and he’ll answer the call and give them a good feedback in case they do decide to call. Which I think they might. I’ve been planning this meticulously for weeks and I have high expectations for how things are going to go. I’m very confident that I’ll get the job. The Redburn Estate is on the other side of the city, which is more quiet. It seems Evan lived in a gated community. Fancy. Every time I think about it, I can’t help but feel pangs of hatred because he used my money to get to where he is. Well, soon, he’ll realize that he should’ve just left me alone. Honestly, I could
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-07
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Chapter 10
“So,” Mr. Montgomery begins, “before we start, would you like something to drink? Water perhaps? Something else?”I say, “No, sir, thank you for offering.”“I would like it if you called me Julius,” he informs me. “I feel Mr. Montgomery is too…formal. If we’re to work together, then I would like for us to get to know each other very well.”I smile and nod. “Of course.”Right off the bat, I can tell that this man isn’t what I expected him to be. When they mentioned an older patient, I thought they meant that he would be senile or something. That’s not the case because this man is very sharp. Too sharp. He’s not even that old. In fact, I don’t like the way he’s studying my face nor how his gaze keeps lingering on my chest area. A terrible feelings develops in my gut area and suddenly, I understand why the position wasn’t taken yet. It was too good to be true, and usually when that happens, it means that it probably is. “You’re certainly overdressed,” he tells me matter-of-factly. I l
last updateLast Updated : 2024-08-07
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