Leah hesitated as she stood by the door, staring at her phone. Jeremy had asked her to meet him outside, briefly. He said he just wanted to talk.She shouldn't. She knew that. But her fingers had already curled around the handle, and before she could change her mind, she stepped outside.Jeremy was waiting in his car, the engine running, the dim glow of the dashboard highlighting his face. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes, something that made Leah’s heart clench.She opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. "Why are you here, Jeremy?" She asked, her voice sharp.He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Leah,” he said, looking at her like he could eat her.“Come with me. Let’s drive somewhere."Leah shook her head. "No. If you have something to say, say it here. It’s late."Jeremy studied her, then nodded slowly. "Alright, since you insist..."He leaned closer, his scent familiar, intoxicating. Before she could react, his lips brushed aga
Leah stood before her full-length mirror, smoothing her hands down the fabric of her dress. She had already tried on four different outfits, discarding each one with increasing frustration, but this one… this one felt right. Classy yet understated, hugging her curves in all the right places, elegant but still striking. It was perfect.And, most importantly, it would make Jeremy’s breath catch the moment he laid eyes on her.She reached for her lipstick, applying a soft shade that complemented her glowing skin. As she stared at her reflection, she couldn't ignore the warmth in her cheeks, the unmistakable light in her eyes. She was radiating happiness, glowing.And there was only one reason why.Last night had been everything; passionate, intense, a collision of longing and relief. She had missed him, and he had missed her. The way he had held her, the way he had whispered her name, the way his lips had claimed hers as if making up for every second they had spent apartIt was undeniabl
Leah came back home and as she stepped through the front door, she sighed as the familiar scent of home wrapped around her. It was comforting, grounding, but tonight, it wasn’t enough to quiet her thoughts."You're back early," her mother noted.Leah forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just tired."Her mother gave her a long look, the kind only mothers could give; the kind that saw right through you. But she didn’t push."Go shower," her mother said instead, setting down the magazine she had been flipping through. "Keira made some pepper soup. It’ll help you relax."Leah nodded and headed to her room.– – –By the time she returned to the living room in comfortable loungewear, her mother was settled in her wheelchair, the TV remote in her hand. Leah curled into the armchair across from her, hugging a pillow to her chest. She tried to appear normal, casual even, but she felt her mother’s eyes flick toward her now and then, studying her."You look like someone with a lot on her mind," her mot
"You're fired, Leah! I don't want to ever see you here again.” Her boss' words struck her like lightning. She had just lost the only job that fed her and her family. Hot tears threatened to leave her eyes as she stood in front of Mr. Michael, trembling. “Please, sir. I- this is my only source of income. You know how it is ever since my dad-” “Enough, Leah! You should have just continued to be the obedient girl that you were.” He cut her off, his voice sending a chill down her spine, as she glanced around to see people staring at her. All she did was refuse the advances an annoying customer had made toward her. Her boss had queried her because of the several reports he had gotten from their top customers on how she snapped at them. He said she was being rude to their big customers and was likely pushing them away to their competitors. He urged her to just play along when they flirted with her. “You don't have to go to their houses and get in their beds, Leah. Just play along h
“Mr. Harper,” Leah called out steadily.Jeremy turned around swiftly and Leah saw him face to face for the first time. Yes, people had described him to be very wealthy and commanding and good looking, but no one ever described how he looked perfectly. Pictures of him on billboards didn't even do justice. This man was dripping in finesse.“How can one man be this good-looking?” Leah wondered.“Leo, is it?” Jeremy asked, his piercing blue eyes scanning her from head to toe. He was a very classic man.Leah swallowed her nerves, deepened her voice and answered, “yes, sir.”“You start tomorrow,” he said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.Leah almost skipped out of the mansion. She'd done it. The job was hers.On reaching home, she saw that her mother had been discharged, and it was Noah who had taken care of the hospital bills. Her mother had been in a myasthenic crisis but was doing better after receiving treatment at the hospital. She only had to keep taking her medication, avoid
“Ugh! My head aches so bad. Leo! Leo!” Jeremy called out, gripping his head and groaning.“Yes, sir,” Leah rushed in as if she had been waiting to be summoned. She barely had enough sleep the previous night, wondering if Jeremy had found her out or not. She was uneasy.Jeremy just looked at her and mumbled, “lousy man.”“Make me some lime juice, for my headache. I'm having a hangover from last night.”“What? Last night?” She asked even though she had heard him clearly. She was terrified. She had been careless last night and she could've sworn that he heard her. Oh God! She prayed silently in her heart.“Are you deaf? You better hurry!” “Yes, sir!” She hurried out and came back with a glass of the lime juice.“Sir, I have arranged the clothes you'll wear. Will you have breakfast downstairs or should I bring it here?” Leah asked.“You aren't my babysitter, are you? I'll let you know when I need something. Get lost!” He snapped at her. Leah couldn't understand why he was so difficult t
Jeremy seemed to be watching Leah closely after the previous night and Leah could feel it. She became extremely careful. She had told herself that whether she was alone or not, as long as she was in the mansion, she was “Leo.”She did her work swiftly and avoided him like a plague. She couldn't risk getting caught. Her life depended on retaining that job and getting her monthly salary.Thankfully, a month flew by, and payday arrived.She received her salary and got a bonus too. Her boss wasn't so bad, after all.Her once-a-month weekend leave had arrived, and she was eager to go home and be herself again.“Mama, how have you been?” She greeted her mother, kissing her cheeks.Her siblings, Keira and Ivan, welcomed her warmly, arguing over who would carry the groceries she brought. Their playful bickering made Leah and their mother laugh.Leah cooked Noah's favorite dish, porridge, and invited him over. “Noah, I appreciate all that you do for me. You're more like a brother to me than a
Jeremy looked dashing in his navy-blue suit, polished shoes, gold wristwatch, and the faint scent of designer cologne. Stepping out in style, he was driven to the office, where his arrival created a buzz akin to a presidential visit. As the company’s president, his presence commanded respect. Everyone welcomed him with warm smiles. He shook hands with a few colleagues, and wheeled his chair to his office. It felt good to be back. Everything was in place. His secretary walked in to brief him on the things that had been going prior to his resumption. She expressed how happy she was that he survived the accident, and said that she was optimistic that he would walk again. He cut her short. He didn't like talking about the possibility of walking again. Having high hopes and expectations cut short wasn't something he was ready for. Jeremy, however, quickly changed the subject. He wasn’t ready to entertain false hope. Thanking her for holding the fort, he instructed her to prepare the
Leah came back home and as she stepped through the front door, she sighed as the familiar scent of home wrapped around her. It was comforting, grounding, but tonight, it wasn’t enough to quiet her thoughts."You're back early," her mother noted.Leah forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just tired."Her mother gave her a long look, the kind only mothers could give; the kind that saw right through you. But she didn’t push."Go shower," her mother said instead, setting down the magazine she had been flipping through. "Keira made some pepper soup. It’ll help you relax."Leah nodded and headed to her room.– – –By the time she returned to the living room in comfortable loungewear, her mother was settled in her wheelchair, the TV remote in her hand. Leah curled into the armchair across from her, hugging a pillow to her chest. She tried to appear normal, casual even, but she felt her mother’s eyes flick toward her now and then, studying her."You look like someone with a lot on her mind," her mot
Leah stood before her full-length mirror, smoothing her hands down the fabric of her dress. She had already tried on four different outfits, discarding each one with increasing frustration, but this one… this one felt right. Classy yet understated, hugging her curves in all the right places, elegant but still striking. It was perfect.And, most importantly, it would make Jeremy’s breath catch the moment he laid eyes on her.She reached for her lipstick, applying a soft shade that complemented her glowing skin. As she stared at her reflection, she couldn't ignore the warmth in her cheeks, the unmistakable light in her eyes. She was radiating happiness, glowing.And there was only one reason why.Last night had been everything; passionate, intense, a collision of longing and relief. She had missed him, and he had missed her. The way he had held her, the way he had whispered her name, the way his lips had claimed hers as if making up for every second they had spent apartIt was undeniabl
Leah hesitated as she stood by the door, staring at her phone. Jeremy had asked her to meet him outside, briefly. He said he just wanted to talk.She shouldn't. She knew that. But her fingers had already curled around the handle, and before she could change her mind, she stepped outside.Jeremy was waiting in his car, the engine running, the dim glow of the dashboard highlighting his face. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes, something that made Leah’s heart clench.She opened the passenger door and slid into the seat. "Why are you here, Jeremy?" She asked, her voice sharp.He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Leah,” he said, looking at her like he could eat her.“Come with me. Let’s drive somewhere."Leah shook her head. "No. If you have something to say, say it here. It’s late."Jeremy studied her, then nodded slowly. "Alright, since you insist..."He leaned closer, his scent familiar, intoxicating. Before she could react, his lips brushed aga
Leah exhaled, her fingers tightening around her clutch. “Noah, I think I’m ready to leave.”Noah glanced at her. She looked exhausted, mentally, emotionally. He wasn’t surprised.He nodded. “Alright.”They found Maggie near the bar, sipping on a cocktail and chatting with an old friend. When she spotted Leah, her face softened with warmth, and something else. Was it understanding? Pity? Leah wasn’t sure, but it made her nervous.“You’re leaving?” Maggie asked gently.Leah nodded. “Yeah. It’s been a long day.”Maggie reached out, squeezing her hand. “I’m glad you came.”Leah managed a small smile. “Me too.”Maggie studied her for a moment, as if she could see everything Leah was trying to bury inside. “Take care of yourself, okay?”Leah swallowed. “I will,” she said, her voice sounding weak.Jeremy appeared beside them, his sharp gaze flicking between her and Noah. “Leaving already?”Leah turned to him, her throat dry. “Yeah,” she replied.Jeremy sighed, shoving his hands in his pocket
At Jeremy's mansion, the party was in full swing. Laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music filled the air as guests moved around, chatting and enjoying the night. But Jeremy hardly noticed any of it.He watched the door every now and then, hoping Leah would walk right through.He wished.Hoped.Maggie, watching him closely, sighed and walked over. “Jeremy.”He barely looked at her. “Yeah?”“You need to stop.”“Stop what?”She gave him a pointed look. “You know what.”Jeremy exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I just… I don’t know if she’ll come.”Maggie crossed her arms. “And if she doesn’t?”Jeremy clenched his jaw. “Then I’ll know where we stand.”Maggie shook her head. “You already know where you stand, Jeremy. She’s with someone else now.”Jeremy scoffed. “She was with me first.”Maggie frowned. “And you were the one who let her go.”Jeremy looked away, gripping his glass tighter.“Look, I get it. You miss her. You regret what happened. But you can’t just expect her to dr
Noah sat across from Mama, his hands clasped together. He had rehearsed this conversation in his head a hundred times, but now that he was here, the words felt heavier than he expected.Finally, he exhaled and said, “I’ve made a decision, Mama.”Mama, who had been leisurely sipping her tea, paused and met his gaze. “Oh?”“I’m joining the AirForce,” Noah said, forcing the words out. “Training starts soon.”Mama’s eyes widened, but then a warm smile spread across her face. “Oh, my boy… I’m so proud of you.”His shoulders relaxed. “You are?”“Of course, I am,” she said, reaching for his hands. “This is big, Noah. It takes courage to follow your path. I know you’ll do well.”Noah exhaled, relieved. He had expected her to worry, maybe even try to talk him out of it. But she understood. She always did.“I just…” She studied him carefully. “I have to ask you something.”He raised a brow. “What is it, Mama Bear?”She sighed before speaking again. “Leah.”Noah’s expression faltered for a split
Leah let out a slow breath, her fingers tapping lightly against the smooth wood of the desk.She should have felt triumphant. Instead, she felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders like an iron weight."What would you do, Dad?" she thought, her gaze back on the framed photograph of her father on the wall.A soft knock at the door pulled her back to the present. It was Monica again. She was holding a folder. “Ma’am, there’s a matter that needs your attention.”Leah straightened. “What is it?”Monica hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. “It’s about the Caldwell Contract. It was one of the last deals Big Margaret approved before she was arrested. There are some… irregularities.”Leah frowned. “Irregularities?”Monica handed her the folder. “Yes. It seems like a shady agreement. The numbers don’t add up, and some key documents are missing.”Leah flipped through the papers, her frown deepening. This wasn’t just a careless oversight—this was delib
Leah stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the lapel of her elegant navy-blue blazer. The past few weeks had been overwhelming with legal battles, media attention, and the weight of her new position as the rightful heir of B Com Ventures, now renamed Fisher Enterprise.The name felt right. It was her father’s legacy, and despite everything Big Margaret had done, the Fisher name deserved to be restored with honor.She touched the cool metal of the ring on her finger, the one her father had left for her in the safe. It was a reminder of everything she had fought for, of the family she had lost, and the new chapter she was about to begin.A knock at the door drew her attention.“Sweetheart,” Mama’s voice was warm as she wheeled herself into the room. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, pride evident in every line of her face. “You look… perfect.”Leah turned and smiled. “You really think so?”Mama nodded. “I know so. Your father would be so proud of you.”Leah swallowed the
The warehouse reeked of blood and gunpowder. Sirens wailed outside, the flashing red and blue lights bouncing off the rusted metal walls. Officers swarmed in, securing the scene while paramedics rushed to attend to Conrad and Big Margaret.Jeremy held Leah close, her trembling body pressed against his. He could feel her heart pounding as she clutched his shirt.Anthony approached, his expression serious. “Leah, Jeremy, Noah. You need to go now. The press is already sniffing around.”Noah stepped forward. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”He looked at Anthony. “Thanks, man,” he said, extending his hand for a handshake.“No, thank you. It's really over this time,” he said, rubbing shoulders with Noah after the handshake.Noah sighed. “Finally.”Jeremy held Leah by her hand and walked her to the car. Noah was on his scooter, watching.When Jeremy opened the car for Leah to sit in the backseat, she just stood there, confused. She looked at Noah on his scooter. She didn't want to offend