It’s been a few days since I’ve settled into Jasmine’s home when I get a phone call. I almost expected it to be Leo. Only when I pulled my phone out to check - I quickly realized it wasn’t. It was my brother - Matthew. And there was only one reason for him to contact me. I knew well before I decided to answer that he was going to ask me for money. Matthew was an idle man who enjoyed gambling far too much and had acquired some hefty debts along the way. The worst part was that he never intended to pay for them out of his own pocket. He simply hoped - more like demanded, that me (his sister) who married a billionaire would help cover his costs. Matthew was the most elated when I announced my engagement to Leonardo - not because he wanted to see me happy or settling down but because my husband was wealthy and he saw it a cash roll. A steady source in which he could cover his costs throughout life. And It infuriated me. I had helped Matthew in the past when he had asked for money. Wha
It had been a few days since Claire had moved out and the feeling of emptiness in our home lingered. I missed her and I didn’t know what to do about it.I wanted to call her but I knew space was something she needed when she decided to leave and I decided that I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I was hoping she’d call me - if I’m being completely honest. But I had received nothing.I’ve been occupying my time with helping Charlotte heal from the accident and helping her to prepare for her procedure with the doctor he spent so much time searching for.After Charlotte’s release from the hospital, she expressed to me that she didn’t feel comfortable being alone in her own house. So I told Charlotte she was welcome to come stay in mine for a little while. I wasn’t stepping out on Claire. I would never cheat on my wife. But I did like the idea of the house being less empty. I pick Charlotte up from the hospital and carefully place her in the car. We drive back to my home. I assist Charlotte
While sitting in the hospital, I heard Claire moved out from Leo’s sister. It was the perfect opportunity for me to fill her shoes in a better sense. I could easily be the woman of Leo’s household. Especially after my legs are “recovered” to their former glory. The truth is that I wasn’t going to be getting any surgery. I didn’t get any to begin with. I could walk. I wasn’t disabled but I had to play the role for the sake of my father. My father was nothing but elated when he found out I was seeing Leonardo. Two wealthy families joining forces by marriage seemed like the ideal outcome, especially when we were great together naturally. But one day, my father company was in a bind. His long line of finders had broken and needed money to save his company. He had gone to Leonardo’s father in his time of need but he denied assisting in any way. This infuriated my father so he executed his next plan. He anonymously hired someone to kidnap Leo and I - that way he could extort a ransom in e
I rush the taxi driver to take me to Leonardo’s house. I sit in the back seat trembling. Was I too late? Has Matthew already asked him for money? Has he told him that I’ve been paying for his debts or has he threatened Leo in order to get it? Every single case scenario brushed my thought as I see the house I once lived in appear in the distance. I see no one in the driveway or standing at the door. I’d hoped that meant that Matthew was turned away but I hadn’t gotten a call from Leo that would confirm my hopes. I hadn’t actually heard from him at all since I left. I get to the door and stand there for a moment. I hadn’t returned my key but after everything that’s happened - I didn’t know if it was still appropriate for me to use it. I had told Leo I was moving out, asked him for a divorce and given him my wedding ring. Standing at the front door of a house that I had lived in for over five years - feeling nothing more than a stranger waiting on its steps. I knew I needed to stop
I pull back from Leonardo’s embrace and refocus on Matthew who had made himself cozy on the couch next to Charlotte. “Matthew, I think it’s time you leave.” I stand firm on my own. He had embarrassed me enough. “Claire, you know how much I need the money.” He shrugs as if his hands are tied. “Well a demand won’t help you. If you leave now, I’ll consider helping you. Stay here and you’ll only be wasting your time.” I cross my arms and return my attention to Leo as I hear my brother rising from his seat. That was the first and only time I’d ever spoken to Matthew that way. I felt accomplished, especially after I knew he planned on leaving.“Claire, I have a gift for you.” I see Leo giving me an excited smile with one hand placed behind his back as he leads me upstairs.“I-“ he cuts me off before I could protest.“I promised you a better fifth wedding anniversary gift and I owe this to you.” I watch as he pulls a Manila envelope from behind his back. Had he already drafted our divorc
I couldn’t help but rise to my feet eagerly as I saw Claire walk into the room. I had missed her deeply. But as I hugged her, something felt different about her. I could see that Claire wasn’t feeling well. I believe it had to do with Matthew, who had comfortably acquainted himself with Charlotte as they continued conversing.Or maybe it had to do with my own presence? I had done a horrible job at making her happy on the one day I should have. Our fifth wedding anniversary. I had done the opposite. I put my hands on her, I disregarded her and I betrayed her. But I hope she can forgive me when she sees the thought I put into this gift for her.I watch Claire demand that Matthew leave and am shocked by her authority. Claire was never confrontational but she handled it well. I lead Claire upstairs for some much-needed privacy. I didn’t want her brothers’ eyes to grow of more greed if he just happened to catch a glance of my gift for Claire. I wait eagerly to give her my gift. I start t
Leonardo and I rushed downstairs to see what prompted Charlotte’s scream. We rush into the living room to find Charlotte sitting in her chair alone and unharmed.“Is everything okay, Charlotte?” Leo asks as he examined the room and her.“I was just sitting here thinking of how nice it was to meet Matthew when I noticed my ring was missing. He must’ve stolen it when he shook my hand.” She’s accusing Matthew of stealing? Matthew may be many things but a thief wasn’t one of them.“Are you sure?” Leo asked as Charlotte showed him her hand where a faint tan showed where the ring had been.“Yes, it was right here!” She points to the finger where it normally sat.I stand there in disbelief and decide the best thing to do was call Matthew and see what happened.Matthew answered joyfully.“Hey Claire, what can I do for you?” “Matthew, tell me the truth. Did you steal Charlotte’s ring?” I ask firmly while I stand in the same room as Leo and Charlotte.“I wouldn’t say steal. Charlotte asked why
When I arrived at Leonardo’s home, I see him walk off to talk to someone who oddly reminded me of Claire. Once at the door, I hear him say that he is Claire’s brother and introduces himself as Matthew. I didn’t know Claire had a brother and by the looks of it - he wasn’t welcome here. Leo tensed around him.I decide it better to use this opportunity to find out more about Matthew and Claire. If I wanted Leo, I had to make sure no one would stand in my way. So I roll my chair out from behind Leo and introduce myself to Matthew before asking him to join us inside while we wait for Claire.I sit by Matthew in my wheelchair and we begin conversing about his day. It didn’t take much to get him to open up about his reason for being here. He was a gambler. This was perfect!I offer him my ring as a suitable payment to my creditor. At first, he refuses and tries to put it back on my finger but I placed it in his hand and told him that it wasn’t optional. He was dumb to believe me. It wasn’t o
It’s late when I get a call from Chief Commissioner Mason.“Sorry to bother you, but I have some news. If it alright if I stop by?”“Of course.” I reply as I get up and wait for the front door bell. It had to be important if Mason was stopping by at this hour. Did something happen to Leo?I open the door the moment it rings and I see Mason waiting, I motion for him to come in and lock the door behind him. We walk over to the living room and sit down.“I didn’t bring juice this time since it’s late. But I did bring you a fruit cup.” He holds it out for me and I smile softly as I take it.“You’re lucky it’s close to juice.” He lefts out a small laugh at my response. “What’s going on?” “Well I got a call from Leo just an hour ago.”“Is he alright?” I interrupt.“Yes. Charlotte was in sort of manic episode and refused to leave his house. She threatened to kill you.” I catch my breath in my throat and feel a knot forming in my stomach.“W-why? I left Leo alone.” I stutter as I feel my bod
After my meltdown and discovering some things in Francisco’s past, I began hearing my mother’s voice again. She was haunting me and I knew I wanted to see Leo to calm myself. I drive the only car available to his house and knock on the door. Elena cracks the door open and tells me that Leo is not home. A answer I refused to accept. She stood in my way as much as Claire. I try shoving the door open but she slams it shut in response and locks it. Feeling defeated, I sit on the doorstep and stare at the pavement for what felt like eternity. Then I see Leo’s driver drop him off as he parked the town car and I wait for him to notice my presence. I expected him to at least be happy to see me but his face expressed nothing but disdain. He didn’t expect me or want me there.He tries to tell that he will never choose me and that it’s Claire - it’s fucking Claire. And the next thing I know, the Chief Commissioner is detaining me at Leo’s request and taking me to the car. How could Leo do this
I arrive at home and see an unknown vintage car is parked on my property. I was in no mood for company unless it was Claire’s. I send a photo of the license plate Mason and he asks that I remain inside as the vehicle belong to the mafia leader Francisco who has just escaped prison. But I see something even more shocking as I get closer to my front door. Charlotte is there sitting on the pavement outside my front door. Her hair is disheveled and her clothes are wrinkled. She looks to be a complete disarray. I text Mason back, letting him know that Charlotte was here and there was no sign of Francisco.“Charlotte?” I ask in disbelief as I approach the front steps.“Oh. Leo, I’ve been waiting for you to get back.” She looks to have been crying.“Are you okay?” I ask as she begins to stand.“No. I was thinking about what you said and I think you should reconsider. I would’ve waited inside but Elena refused to let me in.”“That’s because you’re not welcome here anymore.” I say coldly as sh
I missed sleeping in an actual bed as I stretch out my limbs and see it is the next morning. The attorney texted and confirmed his flight. Soon he’d arrive here, pay Charlotte’s father a visit and come to collect his payment but I had to sense in waiting for him. I needed to catch up to whatever Dalia had done while I was locked up.“Enzo!” I beckon my henchman and watch as he comes in.“Have you seen or heard anything about Dalia? Enzo was always on the avenue and overseeing our territories. If the streets were talking, he’d be listening.“Last notice I got was that she was staying at the Hilton hotel just downtown. I placed a few men there. They haven’t seen anything suspicious.” “Good. We’re going to pay her a visit today.” I smile lightly as I imagine the fear in her face as I come to find her. And for a second, I feel guilt. Her sister would be disappointed if she were here to witness all that had happened.I get dressed and have Enzo drive downtown. The drive is lengthy but I w
I see Nathan’s face line with confusion at the mention of Jordan. I knew our line of work wasn’t large and there must be something he must’ve heard about Jordan.I hear him question the name I had just mentioned.“Yes. I dated Jordan. He’s the owner or was the owner of a construction company here in the city and I had gone to architectural school with him years ago.” I explain.“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name.” He seemed to be upset in his remembrance of that name.“Did you know Jordan?” I ask curiously.“Actually, yes. I did a job or two with him when he first opened his company. I thought he had a pretty good vision but come to find out, he’s been fucking my wife.” I could see the rage painted across his face. Jordan had overstepped once again and this time, he involved himself in someone else’s marriage.“I’m so sorry, Nathan. I didn’t know. Was this recent?” When had this started? From my understanding, he had been going through mediations and his divorce for jus
I peak downstairs as I hear the front door open. I hoped to see Claire had returned. I’ve taken a liking to her company. I see her come in with her husband behind her. And the from the looks of it, he didn’t enjoy my waiting. I come down the stairs casually and head to the kitchen. I grab myself a soda when I hear footsteps behind me.“Spying on my wife?” I hear Leo say from close behind me. I turn to see he is just an arms reach away.“I just wanted to make sure she made it back alright.” I say as I open my soda and take a drink.“Why wouldn’t she? She was with me.” His tone was unenthused.“Well, she disclosed her attacks. I felt it was only right to check on her.”“Is that all?” He asks presumptuously.“What do you mean?” “Well, I’ve heard the news that you’re going through a divorce and I just want to make myself clear when I say this - Claire is my wife. She is carrying my children and I won’t tolerate you disrespecting that.” He stands firm - assuming it’s an intimidation tacti
I was thrilled to hear my babies were healthy and developing and even more so, when I the doctor informed me that they were boys - just like I dreamed of. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Elena and Charlotte. As we ready to leave, I see Leo watching me extremely. I’m sure the news has him feeling as though he needs to do more to protect me.“Can we see Elena?” I ask as we get in the car to leave.“Of course.” He replied without so much as a disagreement. I’m sure he thinks that Elena would convince me to come home but my decision wasn’t wavering at this moment. We drive back to Leo’s home and I see a pair of eyes watching from the window. She had been expecting me long before I decided to come. Leo assists me out of the car and I walk to the front door which is already open as I near it. “Ms. Claire, how are the babies?” “They’re good. I have some news for you?”“You are coming home?” She asks hopefully as she waits for me to announce the news.“No.” I nod sadly and try to s
I see the way Nathan looks at her and it makes me just as uneasy as it did when Jordan looked at her the same way. I recall working with Nathan Carter on a few projects - his construction company was very meticulous in doing their work by a high standard of ethics - a trait I had admired although I spent very little time in letting them know that. As I grab Claire’s things, I see Nathan is watching her make her way to the car and I feel a pit of jealousy growing. Claire seemed to like his company and that didn’t sit well with me. I wanted Claire to see that I wasn’t going anywhere - not to be distracted by her best friends’ uncle and especially not when she was carrying our children. As I walk past Nathan, I stop to give him a look. “Is there a reason that you’re still watching my wife?” I ask calmly as to establish his position. “Just want to make sure she makes it to the car alright.” He doesn’t seem to hear the disdain in my voice and as soon as Claire makes it into the car, he
After Mason leaves, Jasmine takes the liberty of stepping out of the living room to call her security and request more men be posted at the property at night. I didn’t think it was necessary after I had seen their efficiency with the police the other night and with the everlasting fear that I’ve felt these last few months. I see Leo called but I felt it was a waste to answer. He still wanted to protect Charlotte and I had no say in the matter.“Hey, are you okay?” I look up to see Nathan is looking at me with the same look of concern I’d become so accustomed to.“I guess. This is just my new normal as of right now.”“It doesn’t have to be. You can file charges.” He says confidently.“I’m assuming Jas told you what I’ve been going through?” It didn’t bother me. Jas wanted him to be aware because we were all staying together and it’s only fair that he be aware of the danger that might surround him here.“She did. She didn’t want to but I think she felt obligated since I’m staying here.”