Leah had barely gotten enough sleep the previous night, but there was no time to dwell on that now. She needed answers. She needed to find out the truth, and she couldn't wait to get to the office.“My dear, where are you going so early?” Mama asked Leah.Leah turned and sighed softly. “Ma, I need to rush to the office. It's an emergency,” Leah explained as she wore her wristwatch.Mama who had been watching her sprang up at the mention of the word ‘emergency.’“Emergency? What emergency is that?” Mama inquired.Leah looked at her mother and shook her head. It was typical of her to react that way. Always quick to panic.“I don't want you to get worked up. I haven't been to the office for so long and I believe there are things that require my attention,” Leah said, trying to make her mother calm.Mama studied her daughter for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yeah, right. Even though Monica has been handling everything well, you should still go. I wanted to suggest it earlier but I just
Elizabeth lay on her back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't seem to silence.The things Monica said taunted her. There was this urge to call her mom and confront her, but she restrained herself.Her mind was so far that she didn't even notice her mom had come back and even entered her room.“My baby,” Mrs. Callahan called softly but Elizabeth was lost in thought.Mrs. Callahan sat on the edge of the bed and tapped her.“Lizzy dear, are you okay?” She asked, noticing Elizabeth had been lost in thought. She had never seen Elizabeth this absent-minded before.Elizabeth scoffed, finally blinking as if waking up from a trance. “Your baby?” she said, as if just hearing it. “Am I really your baby?” she asked, slowly sitting up and watching Mrs. Callahan closely.Mrs. Callahan became uncomfortable. Her facial expression gave her away. “What are you saying, Lizzy?”I knew it. Since the day Maggie and the doctor came here, I've been suspecting som
Jeremy arrived at the office and saw Elizabeth sitting behind her desk. She had noticed he was coming but didn't look up. Her fingers moved slowly over the keyboard, though it was clear she wasn’t focused on her screen.“Hey,” Jeremy said gently, trying to keep his voice light. “You’ve been ignoring my calls. How have you been?”He tried to offer a small smile, something to ease the tension. But Elizabeth didn’t return it. Instead, she slowly stood from her chair, her eyes locking with his in a way that sent a chill down his spine. Her gaze was cold, piercing, filled with a pain he couldn’t yet name.Elizabeth slowly stood up and looked at him straight in the eyes.“Hello, brother.” She said firmly.Jeremy was shocked. She'd found out?“Maggie has told you?” he asked.Elizabeth gave a bitter laugh. “Maggie? She wishes she had the balls.”She sat back down, looking away, her body language sharp and distant.Jeremy understood her anger and agitation. Even he had been so angry and hostil
“I don't know for sure if it's Monica,” Jeremy said, his voice low and cautious as he glanced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. “But Elizabeth seems certain. She believes Monica is playing some sort of game.”Leah raised an eyebrow, her mind already working through a dozen possibilities. “Okay. I’ll keep a close watch on her,” she said, her tone firm and decisive.She straightened her head and kissed Jeremy on his cheek. “Pick me up by 5 PM.”“Yes, boss,” Jeremy replied with a playful smile, saluting her mockingly.Leah smiled back, her expression softening. “Have a great day. I love you.”“Love you more,” Jeremy said, but he didn’t drive off immediately. Instead, he watched her enter the office building, his eyes following her until the glass doors closed behind her. Only then did he start the car and pull away from the curb.As Leah stepped into the building, dressed elegantly, covering her shades, she was observing everyone. To her, everyone in the office was a suspect. A
Leah and Jeremy laid cuddled up in bed and were having a heart to heart talk.Jeremy ran his fingers gently through Leah’s hair, his touch slow and deliberate. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed in rhythm with his own heartbeat. She looked peaceful, yet alert—her eyes slightly closed, her fingers idly tracing circles on his chest.After a few moments of silence, Jeremy broke it.“How many kids would you like to have?” he asked, his voice soft but steady.Leah blinked, then tilted her head back slightly to look up at him. “Huh?” she said, scrunching her nose in that endearing way she always did when she was confused or caught off guard. “Why are we having this conversation now?”“Why not?” Jeremy shrugged, adjusting himself slightly so he could see her face better. “We’ll get married, won’t we?”Leah’s cheeks flushed instantly. She looked away, biting her lower lip as a shy smile crept onto her face. “You aren't romantic at all,” she teased. “What a poor way of p
The early morning rays slipped lazily through the half-open blinds, shining on Leah’s face as she stirred beneath the sheets. Jeremy’s arm was still around her, his breathing calm and even. For a brief moment, the world felt safe. No traitors, no secrets, no pain. Just warmth.But safety was an illusion, and Leah knew it.She sat up quietly, careful not to wake Jeremy, and reached for her phone. She hadn’t checked it since the night before, wanting to be present with him. Her inbox was flooded with emails, but one stood out. It was from Sarah, her father's former assistant, now working quietly in legal. The subject line simply read:“We need to talk. In person.”Leah’s pulse quickened. Sarah wasn’t one to panic. If she was reaching out like this, it meant something big. Leah’s mind went straight to the file. Could Sarah have discovered something?Just then, Jeremy stirred and opened his eyes, blinking away the light. His voice was raspy with sleep. “Already up?”Leah nodded, showing h
Rain tapped gently against the windows as Leah sat at her desk, rereading one of the letters Noah had given her. Ivan’s words were written with raw emotion; part regret, part bitterness. But one line lingered in her mind like an echo:"You forgot us and chose a stranger. Even in forgetfulness, you chose Maggie."Leah stared at the sentence, her lips parting in disbelief. It didn’t sit right. Not just because of the words themselves, but because of the intent. The accusation wasn’t about memory. It was about betrayal. As if her amnesia was a weapon she had wielded on purpose.Her chest tightened. Something deeper lurked beneath the surface of these letters.She flipped through the other letters again, this time slower, looking beyond the words. The tone varied. Some were loving, others accusatory. But a few of them… they were cold. Detached. Like they weren’t written for healing but for reminding her of a debt.Leah frowned. Why would someone write you letters you were never meant to r
“I know it hurts and you're upset, but you can't be at war with your brother,” Noah said, his voice filled with concern as he leaned forward on the couch, the phone pressed tightly on his ear. The atmosphere in his apartment was quiet, except for the distant hum of traffic outside his window.On the other end of the call, Leah let out a bitter laugh, one that sounded more like a scoff than amusement. “My enemy, you mean. He staged the war. He hates me with a passion. You don't understand, Noah.” Her voice trembled slightly, the pain and betrayal etched into every syllable. “Forget it. How are you?”“I'm good. Hey, buddy. Handle this with wisdom, please. Tell mama about it,” Noah advised.“I don't want to trouble that poor woman. She's already been through too much. I'll handle Ivan. Don't worry,” Leah said firmly. There was a finality in her tone. “I gotta go. Talk later.”“Alright. Bye,” Noah said softly before hanging up.He set his phone down and sat still for a moment, absorbing e
The SUV that carried Maggie and Leah's family moved fast through the narrow roads, headlights cutting through the night, away from the burning compound. No one spoke much. The air inside the vehicle was thick with tension and silent prayers. Soon they were outside on the open roads with flickering streetlights, but the fear inside them remained.Mama kept looking out the rear window, her heart heavy. She was afraid that they could still be chased. She had just witnessed something terrible — a sister killing her twin. They had their mother's blood. She was that terrible. She killed her sister too. The driver, a quiet man in black, did not say anything until they reached a quiet building on the outskirts of the city. He pulled into the driveway and cut the engine.“We’ll wait here for Mr. Harper and Ms. Leah, ” he said, stepping out of the car.Maggie got down first, helping Cassandra and the others. The building was dark, empty, like a safehouse. There were chairs and bottled water i
The wind was cold and sharp as it moved through the quiet outskirts of Kyoto. It cut through the trees lining the narrow path that led to a hidden compound. Behind a tall gate and thick walls, the house stood silently. It looked beautiful and old from the outside, but inside, it was cold and filled with memories.Clara stepped out of the black car that had picked her up from the airport. The sky was grey, with no sign of the sun. She wore a black coat that fit her perfectly, making her light blonde hair, tied in a tight bun, stand out. Her cold eyes looked around the place she once knew so well.Nothing had changed. Even the welcome rug by the door was still there, with the word ‘Home’ sewn into it. She let out a small scoff.She walked into the house.The air inside smelled sharp and clean, like a hospital. It was too clean, like everything was planned. The marble floors stretched under her black boots as she walked into the large living room. A fire burned in the corner, but it gave
The trap had been set perfectly.As it had been predicted, Clara made her move. And she didn’t waste time.While Jeremy and Leah were at the penthouse, still trying to find out where Maggie, Mama, Ivan and Keira were, the clock started ticking toward a confrontation that would define the future of everything they had fought for.Inside the boardroom of HARPER CORPORATION, Clara was already executing the plan.Foster, Jeremy’s trusted man stationed inside the surveillance control room, caught sight of it happening through the cameras. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Clara standing confidently at the head of the polished, obsidian conference table, facing the assembled board members.Without hesitating, Foster grabbed his phone and started texting furiously.—Foster: Sir, she’s here. It’s happening. Boardroom. Emergency.—Foster: She’s gathered everyone. She's making a move.—Foster: Live feed showing now. Urgent.Jeremy's phone buzzed in his pocket. He had strictly instructed Fost
The low hum of the airplane filled the silence between Jeremy and Leah. The private jet flew through the night, taking Jeremy to a challenging situation he wasn't sure he could handle. He stared out the small oval window, watching the dark clouds swirl and the endless black stretch before him. His mind was filled with worrisome questions, none with answers he liked.His father.Alive.The man Jeremy had mourned, idolized, defended even when others accused. The same man who had once filled his childhood with warmth and strength… yet had also, in hidden shadows, betrayed his mother with Big Margaret — the woman who had caused more havoc than Jeremy could have ever imagined.If he had been alive all these years, why hadn't he reached out? Why had he allowed Jeremy and Maggie to suffer, to believe he was dead, to build their lives on lies and pain? Why had he joined forces with Margaret, forming something as monstrous as Ares Protocol?Jeremy closed his eyes briefly, exhaling slowly throu
The phone slipped from Jeremy’s fingers. He barely caught it before it hit the floor. His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, a deafening rhythm in the stillness of the office. He looked at Leah, his face expressed disbelief—shock. Perhaps he was hoping that she might confirm that this wasn’t real, that it was some cruel illusion crafted by his stressed mind."I... I don't understand you," Jeremy said finally, his voice rough and uneven, still battling the reality Maggie had just thrust upon him.Maggie's voice trembled through the speaker. "It's true, Jeremy. He's here… at the penthouse in Japan."Jeremy's lips parted, but no words came out. His hands tightened into fists at his sides. His wide, unblinking eyes stared through Leah, through the walls, through everything.His head was filled with thoughts.How?And if true, why?Why had the man stayed away all these years?Was he here now out of love and loyalty or was he plotting something sinister with those who had been tr
Jeremy frowned as he dialed Maggie’s number for the third time. Again, the call didn’t go through. The automated voice repeated, "The number you're trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later."He pulled the phone away from his ear, staring at the screen like it would change the outcome."Her phone is still off," he said, puzzled.Leah turned to him from across the desk, arching a curious brow. “Maggie’s phone is off?”“Yeah. It's weird. Her phone is never off,” Jeremy muttered, eyes narrowing. “Something feels off. She always picks.”“Try again?” Leah suggested, though her voice lacked urgency. Her gaze had shifted. Like she was less focused on the problem at hand and more on him.Jeremy was about to dial again, but when he glanced up, Leah was staring at him… differently.Her head tilted ever so slightly, her lips parted just enough to reveal a hint of a sultry smile, and her eyes darkened with unmistakable mischief. Slowly, she rose from her chair and walked ar
Leah could perceive the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants and sizzling eggs as she stepped into The Maple Grove, a quaint yet upscale eatery nestled between two tall buildings on Eastbourne Street. The morning rush hadn’t quite begun, so the place felt warm, inviting, and quiet—just as she remembered. It was the kind of place that offered comfort in chaos, and today, she needed that comfort.The hostess greeted her with a soft smile and recognition in her eyes. “Ms. Leah! It’s been a while.”Leah smiled back, her voice a little strained from the weight of everything she’d been carrying. “Yeah, it has. Just stopping by for breakfast.”“Jeremy not with you today?” the hostess asked, leading her to their usual corner table by the window.Leah shook her head. “No, he’s at the office. I’ll be taking some breakfast to him, too.”The woman nodded knowingly, placing the menu before Leah. “The usual?”Leah nodded. “Yes, please. Two of everything.”As she waited, she looked out the window
The morning sun shone brightly, lighting up the Fisher estate. The living room was quiet—a calm before a storm everyone could sense but couldn’t see. Leah sat at the edge of the sofa, her hands folded across her lap, trying to hide her nervousness.Jeremy stood by the window, staring out with a pensive look, his jaw tight. His phone buzzed on the table, and he glanced at it before ignoring the call. His mind was elsewhere, calculating, preparing.He turned and looked at Leah, concern evident in his eyes.“Sure you’re strong enough to go with them to the airport?” he asked gently, stepping toward her.Leah looked up at him, offering a small but determined smile. “Yeah, I am. Don’t worry.”She knew her body wasn’t in top shape as she was still recovering, but her spirit, her will, wouldn’t let her stay back. Not when the people she loved were being sent into hiding, even temporarily. She had to be there. She needed to see it for herself—that they were safe, that they got on the plane, t
Outside of town, in a secretive, quiet place, a lady was standing; waiting, her arms folded across her chest, her breath coming out in even mists as the evening chilled. The only sounds were the distant calls of birds settling in for the night and the subtle crunch of gravel beneath approaching footsteps.Clara appeared moments later, dressed in dark jeans and a loose sweater, her blonde hair tucked beneath a cap. She moved quickly, glancing over her shoulder every few seconds. Her heart was beating fast, but not from fear—at least not entirely. There was something else pulsing through her veins: adrenaline, purpose, the knowledge of what they were about to set in motion.The lady had a striking resemblance with Clara. Their face, height, complexion, everything. They were mirror images. The only difference was that she had sharper edges and a colder aura."Update," the woman said, her tone brisk, as though she wasn’t interested in pleasantries. Even her voice echoed Clara’s, but wit