Leah and Jeremy walked side by side, as they exited the hospital. Leah's mind wandered. She couldn't shake off the guilt she was feeling, considering how Noah left. He was supposed to be the one accompanying her to the pharmacy.She glanced at Jeremy, who was staring straight ahead, his jaw tight as though he was deep in thought. “Thank you for coming,” she said softly.Jeremy turned to face her and smiled. “Of course. You know I’d always show up for you.”Leah nodded, appreciating his presence. But as they stepped outside, her mind drifted again to Noah. She couldn’t ignore the way he had looked at Jeremy, the way he had walked away without a second glance.She sighed.Jeremy noticed. “What’s wrong?”Leah hesitated, debating whether to tell him. She had always been honest with him, but this felt complicated. Finally, she said, “Noah… he saw us the other night.”Jeremy frowned. “And?”Leah looked away. “I think it hurt him. I don’t know, I just… I don’t want to lose him as a friend.”
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
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 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
“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
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
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
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
Alfred couldn't believe what he'd learned - that his mother was cold, to the extent of selling a baby, his baby… her grandchild.It hurt him. He hoped he could find his daughter with his aunt's help.She had asked him to come with her, but she didn't say where. His hands trembled as he gripped the steering wheel. Aunt Favy sat beside him, her face set in a deep frown.“She was sold?” Alfred’s voice was hoarse, disbelief thick in his tone.Aunt Favy nodded solemnly. “Your mother was… determined. She didn’t just want Maggie gone; she wanted to erase any trace of that child.”Alfred’s chest tightened. “Why didn’t you stop her?”Favy sighed. “Do you think I didn’t try? I fought with her. I begged. But she had already made up her mind. And by the time I found out, it was too late. The baby was already gone.”Alfred clenched his jaw. He had always known his mother was controlling, but this? This was monstrous.“So, where are we going now?” he asked, his voice sharp. “Where did she take the
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