Big Margaret had been discharged from the hospital and was at home resting now. However, her driver had lost his job. He had been too reckless with her car and her life, so she settled him and fired him.Then she made a few calls, requesting that she needed a replacement as quickly as possible. The salary was very attractive.“Hello, Sarah. I have been trying to reach Conrad. Is he with you?” Big Margaret asked when Sarah picked her phone call. Sarah sighed, clearly annoyed by something.“Yeah, just a minute,” Sarah said and went to hand over the phone to Conrad. “There's a call for you.”Conrad looked surprised. “Who's it?” He asked.“Here, please,” Sarah handed him the phone almost aggressively, hissing.Big Margaret rolled her eyes. She didn't have time for any lovebird fights, and there was work that needed to be done.Conrad hesitantly spoke. “Hello?”“Conrad. You two are fighting again? About what this time?” Big Margaret asked just out of courtesy and curiosity.“Please ignore
Leah woke up exhausted the next morning. She had cried all night. Her eyes were swollen from too much crying. She just laid in bed, too tired to get up or do anything.Maggie and Jeremy were on her door, knocking, but she wouldn't open up. She was just too weak to get up; to even carry on. It felt like the weight of her shoulders was on her. She thought about her mom whose life had changed drastically since she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. Her mom was a warrior. Jeremy and Maggie looked at each other, their expression worrisome. “Is she in there?” Jeremy asked.“Yes, she is,” Maggie replied.“You're certain?” Jeremy asked again, to be sure, and Maggie nodded. “Get me the spare key. I hope she's okay.”Maggie rushed to get the spare key, but by tge time she came back, she heard silent sobs from Leah's room. She looked at Jeremy who confirmed he could hear it too.“I think we should give her some time alone. I could help you with anything you need for the time being,” Maggie
Jeremy had offered to drop Leah off and then go to the salon to fix his hair and beards. And then he'd pick her up and take her home. They were sitting at the back seat, quietly, while Jackson drove the car. “Since we'll just be quiet like this, could Jackson please play a good song?” Leah requested. Jeremy looked at her and looked way, facing his front. He didn't answer her. “Jackson, please play something good,” Leah said softly. Jackson glanced through the mirror. “Yes ma'am,” he said. Then he played “Piano Man” by Brandy. Leah's face lit up. “An old song. I could sing the lyrics as a teenager. You listen to these songs too? I had expected something different in your playlists.” “Not my playlist,” Jeremy said and looked steadily at the window. “Jackson, it's yours?” Leah asked, surprised. Jackson smiled. “Yes, ma'am.” “You have “Long Distance?” Leah asked. “I do,” Jackson replied, his face covered with smiles. “Afrodisiac?” Leah asked again, enjoying the co
“Leah, after all this is over, we should take a photoshoot together, to celebrate our birthday in December this year,” Noah suggested. Noah and Leah shared the same birth date, 29th December. Noah was just born three years earlier. Their birthday had always been a special connection between them. Leah forced a smile. “Sure. When all this is over,” she said. Leah's mind was far. Far from birthday shoots. Jeremy was in danger too, and she couldn't bear the thought of it. “Noah, shouldn't we report this matter to the police? They can help save my dad before Big Margaret finally kills him. They killed her driver. They're after Jeremy too. Who knows how many more people they'll kill,” Leah said, fear and panic written all over her. “Leah, get a grip on yourself. We can't tell the police. We'll get arrested instead. Big Margaret has connections. She knows people, and I'm sure she has backings,” Noah explained, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. “So does Jeremy. He has co
“Leah, I have a plan,” Jeremy said in his room, his voice low but steady.Leah's eyes sparkled with interest. She was leaning against the doorway, her arms crossed. “Tell me about it.”“I told you Dr. Albert had called, right? He has referred to a therapist outside of town.” He paused, his expression conflicted. “I wasn't going to go, but I think we should go now, and monitor things from there,” Jeremy said.Leah nodded thoughtfully, smiling. “That's smart. They'll be wondering where on the planet we have gone to, while we watch them from there and plan our next move,” Leah said, her tone filled with optimism.“Yeah,” Jeremy agreed, his lips curling into a faint smile.Leah hesitated for a moment, her expression softening. “And the doctor can help you too. I long for the day you'll be jumping and running, Jeremy. I hope it's before the contract is over,” Leah said, looking downwards, her voice laced with concern.Jeremy smiled. “Thank you, Leah. I hope so too.”There was a moment of s
Big Margaret stood in the dimly lit room, the faint sound of crickets from outside the only thing breaking the silence. It was a secluded space, old and decrepit, much like the man lying on the floor before her. Her expression was cold, her tone filled with venom as she glared at Henry.“Everything is rightfully mine. Mine, Henry. You were the illegitimate child, but he loved you more. He treated me like a scumbag,” Big Margaret said scornfully.Henry's body was weak and he was trembling from exhaustion. He tried to sit up. His face was pale, his eyes weary. Yet, his voice held a trace of defiance as he replied, his voice shaking from weariness. “He loved us all. All three of us. You just turned into something indescribable. What happened to you, Margaret?” Big Margaret gave Henry a hot slap. The slap came so fast Henry didn’t see it coming. His head snapped to the side as the sting spread across his cheek. “How dare you? You accepted to be the CEO and took over. You sidelined me. Me
Leah's phone beeped and as she picked up the phone, she read the text message Jeremy had sent her.“Meet me at the balcony.”Curious and slightly intrigued, Leah quickly tied her hair into a loose bun, slipped on her house slippers, and headed toward the balcony. Her heart raced with anticipation. Jeremy wasn’t the type to call her out for trivial things.When she got there, she saw Jeremy standing in front of his wheelchair. Her eyes beamed with surprise and joy. Jeremy took a step, and then another, and then another. Leah covered her mouth with hands in awe. Jeremy walked to her and Leah couldn't hold herself back. She hugged him tightly, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.“You’re walking!” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.“I am,” Jeremy replied softly, his lips curling into a proud smile.“Since when?” She asked, curious.“Today,” Jeremy said simply, his tone humble yet filled with joy.““You have no idea how happy this makes me. I told you this day would come, did
“Breakfast in bed? Wow,” Leah said as she sat upright, fluffing the pillows behind her. She couldn’t help but smile at the tray Jeremy carried.“Yes,” Jeremy said, smiling as he dropped the tray on the bed. “Only I didn't make it.”Leah laughed, her voice light and cheerful. “Of course. Still, this means so much. Thank you.”Jeremy looked at her, unable to hide the admiration in his eyes. “You look beautiful this morning, Leah.”Leah blushed. She looked up slowly and gave Jeremy an appreciative smile. And then she rubbed her hands. “Let's see what we have here.” She opened the food and was surprised. “Smoked Fish Platter. It's one of my favorites.” Leah gave Jeremy the first bite. “Have some.”“Hmmm. Delicious,” he said with an exaggerated tone, making Leah giggle. “I was going to have Pancake Towers, but I've changed my mind,” Jeremy said, chuckling.“Your sense of humor is growing, huh?” Leah said, shaking her head as she laughed.“You've influenced me so much, it's only a matter of
Jeremy sat in his car, gripping the sealed DNA envelope. His heart pounded against his ribs. He had picked up the result, thanked the doctor, and walked out of the hospital as if everything was fine. But everything was not fine.“What if Leah is actually my sister?” he thought.The thought alone made him feel sick. He had imagined a future with her, had felt something deep, something real. And if the result confirmed his worst fear… what then?His fingers tightened around the envelope, but he couldn’t bring himself to open it. He took a sharp breath and exhaled slowly.Instead of heading home, he turned the ignition and drove straight to Doctor Alfred’s office.Dr. Alfred was behind his desk when Jeremy walked in unannounced. Alfred’s face brightened in greeting, but before he could say a word—“You’re a coward,” Jeremy said, his voice sharp.Alfred frowned. “Excuse me?”Jeremy shut the door behind him, stepping further into the office. “You heard me. How could you?”Alfred’s brows dr
As Maggie fed Leah supper, she gazed at the young woman with a tenderness that had become second nature to her. The rhythmic motion of bringing the spoon to Leah’s lips was soothing, almost meditative. She had been asking her a few gentle questions, probing softly, trying to see if Leah’s memory had returned, even in the slightest way. But there was no sign of recognition in Leah’s eyes—only the same warmth and trust she had developed over time.Then, for the first time, Maggie’s eyes caught a faint mark around Leah’s neck. Her hand trembled slightly as she set the spoon down.“My dear, what happened to you on your neck?” Maggie asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.Leah blinked in surprise, tilting her head slightly. “It’s always been there, Mom. You’ve never seen it?”Maggie’s heart pounded as her eyes remained fixed on the mark. It was impossible to ignore now. Her face betrayed her emotions, a mixture of surprise and something deeper—something unsettling. “Um… I haven’t
Jeremy sat beside Leah’s hospital bed, his gaze locked onto her sleeping face. She looked so peaceful, so innocent—completely unaware of the weight she carried in his heart. He reached for her delicate hand, pressing it to his cheek as if trying to absorb her warmth, to feel closer to her. The rhythm of her breathing was steady, and for a moment, he allowed himself to forget everything.But then, she stirred. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her lips parted slightly before she opened her eyes. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim hospital light, then her gaze landed on him.A soft smile curved her lips. "Hi."Jeremy quickly dropped her hand, feeling a bit embarrassed to be caught in such a vulnerable moment. He forced a small smile. "Hey."She studied his face for a moment, her expression gentle yet curious. "You okay?"He blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Yeah… yeah, just lost in thought."She tilted her head. "Wanna share?"He hesitated, debating whether to say what had b
Jeremy’s gaze didn’t waver as he stood in front of Dr. Alfred, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His mind raced with questions, and the cryptic tension in the air wasn’t helping.“You knew Maggie?” Jeremy pressed.Alfred’s lips parted, but he hesitated, glancing toward Leah, who was still lying in bed, watching them with mild curiosity. Then he sighed and nodded. “We used to know each other… very well.”Jeremy narrowed his eyes. “That’s not an answer. How well?”Alfred studied him for a moment, then ran a hand through his hair. “It’s a long story.”Jeremy could see that the man was holding back. He clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin. “I’ve got time.”Alfred, however, didn’t look convinced. He took in Jeremy’s expectant expression and Leah’s confused one before shaking his head. “Not here. Not now.”Jeremy took a step forward, frustration simmering beneath his skin. “I need to know—”“Jeremy.” Alfred’s tone was firm now. “I need to excuse myself.”Jeremy frowned but did
Jeremy paced around his living room, phone pressed to his ear, looking very worried. He had called Leah multiple times, but she hadn’t answered.“Come on, Leah. Pick up,” he muttered, dialing again. It went straight to voicemail.Leah never ignored his calls like this – not unless she had a reason. And right now, he had no reason to believe she would shut him out. Things were fine between them. Anxiety curled in his stomach, spreading through his chest like wildfire. His gut feeling just told him something was wrong.He ran a hand through his hair, trying to think. Then, without hesitation, he scrolled through his contacts and called the next person who came to mind.“Hey, Noah, I’ve been trying to reach Leah, but she’s not picking up. Do you know where she is?” Jeremy asked, worry evident in his voice.Noah was silent for a moment, and then came a heavy sigh. “Jeremy… there’s something you need to know.”Jeremy’s entire body tensed.The moment Jeremy heard the words Leah and hospita
After Leah stormed out of the house, she entered her car and placed her head on the steering. She sat up and gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, her mind a whirlwind of emotions too heavy to contain.Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.She needed to talk to Jeremy. He always knew what to say, how to calm the storm in her mind. With shaky fingers, she dialed his number.The call didn’t connect.She exhaled sharply, dialing again.Still nothing.A fresh wave of anger surged through her. Of course, the one person she needed right now was unreachable.Slamming her phone onto the passenger seat, she turned on the ignition and drove off, not caring where she was headed. She just needed to escape.The roads blurred as she sped past streetlights and empty sidewalks. After what felt like hours, she finally stopped in front of a bar.She hadn't even realized where she was going.Taking a deep breath, she stepped
Leah stormed out of the house, her chest tightening with frustration. The air outside felt thick, heavy with unspoken words and secrets she was no closer to uncovering. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she needed to get away. Away from the lies, from the deceit, from the feeling that everyone she trusted was hiding something from her.Noah let out a deep breath, rubbing his temples. “You should have told her,” he said quietly.Mama shook her head, her eyes still wet. “No, Noah. I don't want her to know. I don't think she can handle it.”Noah let out a humorless chuckle. “You think so? Mama Bear, she already knows something is wrong. Keeping her in the dark is only making her more determined. Besides, Leah is stronger than you think. She may handle it better than you think.Mama turned away, wiping her face. “I just… I just wanted to protect her.”Noah sat down, his hands clasped together. “I get that. But you’re pushing her away instead.”Mama sniffled. “You promised me,
Big Margaret had been transferred, yes. But Leah wasn't. So Big Margaret could still reach out to her if she wanted to.After all, it was through her lawyer that Big Margaret had sent a message requesting to see her before.Leah realized this quickly in her office, when she was thinking about the whole issue and phoned her assistant, Monica, asking her to be watchful for any message from Big Margaret and to keep her updated immediately.It wasn't long before Monica received another call, but this time, from Mrs Fisher, Leah's mother.“Has Big Margaret contacted you again since that time?” She asked. There was a weight of authority in her voice.“No, ma'am,” Monica replied.“No message from her lawyer yet?” “No. No message,” Monica replied.“Alright. You know what you must do should she try to contact Leah again, right?”“Yes, ma'am. I'll report to you immediately.”“Good. She mustn't get Leah,” Mama said.“I understand, ma'am.”“Thank you for your help, Monica. I know I can count on
Leah sighed as she stretched her legs on Noah’s couch, her fingers absentmindedly tapping against her phone. She had eaten to her satisfaction, yet the heaviness in her chest remained.“Thank you so much for this meal, Noah. I can just sneak into my room when I get home,” Leah said.Noah watched her carefully, setting his glass down. “Alright, spill. I can see the wheels in your head turning.”Leah exhaled. “I just… I don’t know, Noah. Mama’s behavior is really bothering me.”“How so?” Noah asked.“She has been acting really weird ever since she learned I went to see Big Margaret. She made me promise not to go back there,” Leah explained.Noah leaned forward. “You did what? What is wrong with you, Leah?”Leah had expected that reaction. “She requested to see me through her lawyer. Said it was important,” she said.Noah was listening. “She said she knows a secret my father kept from me. That it'll shatter me, but she'll only tell me if I did her a favor,” Leah added.Noah scoffed. “Ty