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
“Hello, Mrs. Harper?” Elizabeth greeted over the phone.“Hello, Elizabeth,” Leah said steadily.“I've been trying to reach Mr Harper but he isn't answering. Please, is he close?” Elizabeth asked politely, though her tone carried a hint of urgency.“Uhm…he's not close at the moment. Is there a problem?” Leah asked.“I hate to disturb you, ma'am, but there's an emergency and we need Mr Harper in the office urgently,” Elizabeth replied, her voice trembling with growing panic.“Isn't it something you can handle, Elizabeth? Leah asked, trying to sound composed, though worry began to creep into her thoughts.“If it was, I wouldn't have called you,” Elizabethtown said frankly, yet respectfully.“I understand. Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll try to reach him,” Leah said before ending the call.She set the phone down and sighed, her heart beginning to race. Where had Jeremy gone? He hadn't mentioned any plans to her this morning. And she was supposed to visit her family today. Leah looked around an
“Why have you done this to yourself, son?” Maggie’s voice was soft, filled with concern as she looked at Jeremy. Her eyes, though kind, held a deep sadness. It pained her to see her son like this. So weighed down, so lost.Jeremy, seated across from her, barely looked at her. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest of the chair, betraying his unease. “Because it’s the right thing to do,” he said finally, his voice hollow, but not convincing.Maggie exhaled sharply, studying him. He looked exhausted. His usual sharp, confident demeanor had become dull, replaced by something she struggled to define. “But you’ve become so unhappy. You’re clearly unhappy,” she pointed out gently.Jeremy looked at her and looked away.“You can still perform your duty as a father without being with Sarah. Don't do this, son. You'll regret it forever,” Maggie said.Jeremy tilted his head. “But parents sacrifice their own happiness for their children, don't they? You wouldn't understand that thoug
Leah's hands trembled as she stared at the contents of the safe. Her breath hitched, and she felt Noah’s gaze on her, watching, waiting for her reaction.Besides the neatly arranged documents, a small velvet box, and most shockingly, a sealed envelope with her name written in bold, elegant handwriting.Her father’s handwriting.Leah swallowed hard, her pulse pounding in her ears. She reached for the envelope first, her fingers shaking as she tore it open. A letter slid out, the paper slightly aged but still crisp.She hesitated, glancing up at Noah who gave her an encouraging nod.A part of her didn’t want to read it. A part of her feared what she would find. But she had come too far to turn back now. Taking a deep breath, she unfolded the letter and began to read.My Dearest Leah,If you’re reading this, it means you’ve found the safe, and I can only hope you have done so before Margaret did.There is so much I wish I could tell you in person, so much that I have kept from you, not o
Leah and Sarah were a couple now. And Jeremy was stuck with Sarah. Jeremy had called Leah to explain that he was family oriented and wanted his child to grow in a serene environment, and that even though he didn't love Sarah, he was stuck with her for the sake of the baby.“Go to hell,” Leah said harshly.“I'm sorry, Leah. I never meant for any of this to happen. I never meant to hurt you. I'll always love you,” he said sincerely.“Screw you,” Leah said and hung up abruptly.He had the guts to spew those words to her.“I'm family-oriented, Leah. I want my child to grow up in a stable home. I don't love Sarah, but I have to be with her for the sake of the baby.”His words had rung in her ears long after she hung up, after she spat out the harsh words, “screw you.”She blinked repeatedly to stop the tears that were forming in her eyes. Thankfully, it worked. She inhaled and exhaled sharply.She would not cry over Jeremy any longer. Leah had always believed that nothing happened by cha
Leah walked out of Jeremy’s house, her breath ragged, her heart hammering violently against her chest. The night air hit her face, cool but unable to calm the storm inside her. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold in the emotions threatening to spill over. Pregnant. Sarah was pregnant. Jeremy’s child. The words replayed in her mind like a broken record, each repetition digging deeper into her chest. How could this be happening? And now? Tears stung her eyes as she walked aimlessly down the street, her vision blurred. She had no idea where she was going, only that she couldn’t stay there. She couldn’t stand in the same room as Sarah, couldn’t watch Jeremy wrestle with the consequences of his mistakes. Her feet carried her without thought, her emotions too raw to care where she ended up. Then, as if by fate, she found herself in front of Noah’s apartment. She hesitated. Noah. The one who had always been there. The one who had seen her at her lowest, who had h
Conrad was stressed and needed to relax. Not sleep ‘relax’, or any other kind of rest. He needed his woman.He attempted to touch Sarah but she kept resisting him.He was burning with desire. Sarah had been denying him of sex for some time now, but Conrad didn't make a fuss about it because he thought it could be the pregnancy hormones.But tonight, he needed her badly.“Stop it, please,” Sarah said softly, pushing his hand away and slightly adjusting herself on the bed.“Come on, baby. You know it's been a while. I'm starving,” Conrad said, his voice sounding desperate, like someone in need.He moved closer to her again, and Sarah could feel the unmistakable pressure of his arousal pressing against her. He rubbed her shoulders with his hands and kissed her neck and shoulders.It irritated Sarah.“Stop it, I said,” she yelled now, sitting up on the bed.“Please, just give me some tonight. I miss you so much. Don't you miss me?” Conrad asked, his body on fire.“Conrad, I'm so tired and
“You think she’s really still there?” Leah asked.Moah exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But if she is, then someone else is doing her dirty job.”Leah hesitated before nodding. “Most likely.” They had no choice but to confirm.Leah’s mind raced with possibilities. Big Margaret was so powerful. She had so many people working for her. What if one of her goons was out doing Big Margaret's dirty jobs? What if her grandfather had been killed? Or what if he was locked up somewhere else? Noah squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure this out.”Leah nodded, though her pulse refused to calm.Meanwhile, inside New York Women's House of Detention….Conrad adjusted his blazer as he walked down the narrow prison hallway, his footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridor. The prison smelled of disinfectant and something stale. Something rotten.The guard escorting him stopped in front of a thick iron-barred door. “She’s waiting for you.”Conrad nodded, his jaw tightening.The door clanked open, and Big Marga
Leah let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as she knelt before her mother, taking her hands in hers. “Ma, thank God you're fine. I was worried to death when I didn't find you in the ward,” she said, searching her mother’s face for any sign of discomfort. A gentle smile touched Mama’s lips. “We tried to call you, but your number wasn’t connecting. So we called Noah instead,” she explained. “He hired a taxi and brought us home.” Leah’s brows lifted. “Noah?” “Yes. He just left,” Mama replied. Noah had left Leah in the hospital when he saw Jeremy, claiming he had to attend to something important, but still he rushed back to help her mom knowing she was with Jeremy. That was just his nature. Noah was so pure hearted. But why didn't he stay back. Was he trying to cut himself from her? The thought of that hurt Leah. She wouldn't let it. “Where were you?” Mama asked, curious. “Ma, I had to attend to something very important. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you were discha
Leah laid in Jeremy's arms, her body still tingling from their intense love making. Her heart pounded in her chest, but for the first time in what felt like forever, it wasn't out of fear or grief. It was from something else entirely. Something warm. Something safe.Jeremy's fingers traced soft circles on her back as he held her close, his breath steady and calm against her forehead.Neither of them spoke for a while. They just listened to each other's heartbeats, to the silence that wrapped around them like a protective cocoon.It was Leah who finally broke the silence. “I can't believe I'm here,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.Jeremy shifted, looking down at her. “Here?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Leah nodded. “With you. After swearing that I wanted nothing to do with you.”Jeremy sighed, his grip on her tightening a little. “I know. Thank you for being here. Honestly, I don't think I'd remain the same if you walked away.”Leah didn't respon
Leah was shaken by what they had just heard.She feared that her grandfather had died.“I think Big Margaret has killed him,” she said, trembling.“We're not sure,” Jeremy said, holding her so that she didn't fall.Leah was shaking, her body rigid with shock, but no tears streamed down her face. It was as if the weight of her emotions had paralyzed her. Jeremy guided her towards the car, opening the door and helping her inside. Without hesitation, he entered the car through the other door and sat beside her, his presence unwavering.Her hands were cold, her breath shallow.Jeremy placed her head on his chest.“Back to the hospital?” Jackson asked politely.Jeremy looked at Leah. She was staring blankly at the seat before her, lost in a daze. He sighed. “No. Take us to the mansion,” he instructed, his tone steady, decisive. Leah wasn't in a good state. He couldn't let her go to the hospital like that just yet. Her mother would become even more worried. Leah heard Jeremy instruct Jack