“Ugh!” Jeremy screamed from pain and frustration and anger. But what was he even angry about? He couldn't understand where his anger had stemmed from. He had been anxious, excited to come home, to Leah, but now… what was even wrong with him?Leah was startled by the outburst and rushed to help him. “Are you okay?”Jeremy shrugged his hands off her shoulders. “I'm fine, I'm fine. I can manage on my own,” he said, his tone a bit harsh.Leah took a step back, confused and slightly hurt. Still, she was impressively shocked by what she'd earlier seen. “I saw you…. standing? Jeremy, you did it!” Leah said excitedly.But Jeremy's expression was anything but. He struggled to adjust himself and when Leah attempted to help him, he turned away. “Don't worry, I can manage on my own.”“Our contract has been on for a little over two months now, huh?” Jeremy asked.The question sprung from nowhere and Leah couldn't fathom. “Have I done something wrong?” she asked him.“No, you haven't. I'm only tryi
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
CHAPTER 22Jeremy 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 conversation.“Y
CHAPTER 23“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
“Hey, are you alright?” Jeremy asked Leah, seeing her brooding on the balcony where she sat, arms folded, staring into the night sky.Leah barely moved, her head tilting slightly in acknowledgment of his presence. “Yeah, I'm good,” she replied, her tone flat and unconvincing, looking up to see Jeremy holding a bag. “What's good?”Jeremy stepped closer and handed the bag to her. “I got these for you,” he said simply, his voice warm.Leah took the bag, her brows furrowing slightly as she opened it. Inside was a matching designer bag and shoes, the kind that would make any woman’s eyes sparkle with excitement. She looked up at him briefly before setting the bag aside.Jeremy was buying her gifts more often but she didn't want to read any meaning into it. Unless he came out openly to say that he loved her, she wouldn't assume anything, to avoid having her expectations cut short, and getting hurt. Perhaps he was buying her those things to ensure she kept looking like the Billionaire's wife
“Good heavens!” Leah exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. “How could you keep something like this from me, Noah?”Noah's brain swam for a minute. He looked at Leah steadily, not knowing how to explain to make her understand. He had expected her to understand.“I told you, Leah. You were away on that trip with Jeremy. The night I learned of the incident, you were so happy, I didn't want to break any news to you that could cut short your joy. I just thought I'd wait for you to get back before I told you,” Noah explained, calmly, in bits, enough to allow Leah grasp and reason with him.But Leah just looked at him disappointingly. Noah shook his head in frustration. “Okay. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. Forgive me?” Noah asked with a weak smile.Leah looked away. “I don't know. I'm sorry for snapping like that. I just… anyway,I mean, I can't even cry. We've thought he'd been dead thesenoast years before we learned he was actually still alive, and, and…. suffering, a
Sarah looked smitten. She felt like she'd lost a trophy. Jeremy was back on his feet, he still had his company and he had defeated Big Margaret. He was even married; happily even. But she was stuck with Conrad who seemed to be heading nowhere in life.What would become of her? She couldn't be with Conrad anymore. He was a failure. Only the sex was good, but he couldn't give her the life she deserved.She kept turning uncomfortably on the bed, lost in her thought, until Conrad came in to play with her.When Conrad touched her, she flared up in anger. Conrad could see the disdain in Sarah's eyes when she looked at him. “Are you okay, babe?” He asked.“I'm fine. I just had a bad day,” Sarah said, frowning her face.“Then, let me help cheer you up,” Conrad offered, moving closer to her and touching her, but Sarah stood up abruptly.“I said stop!” she yelled, her voice sharp as a whip. I'm not in the mood for this, please,” she said firmly.Conrad could see the intensity of hate and anger
Leah saw Jeremy standing beside Caroline. She hugged him tightly, excited to see him, hale and hearty. She had been worried sick.“You're okay!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. “I was so worried.”Jeremy’s arms encircled her, and he smiled softly. He was standing? Didn't he say he'd put on a charade for as long as possible? Maybe, he'd finally figured out how to defeat Big Margaret with the help of her twin, Caroline, and their lives would go back to being normal again.The tension in the room was palpable as the two women locked eyes, the weight of their shared history hanging heavy between them. Leah stood off to the side, her mind racing as she watched the confrontation unfold.For the first time, Big Margaret looked genuinely unnerved. Her smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. Caroline, however, remained composed, her gaze unwavering.“You thought you’d gotten rid of me,” Caroline said, her voice calm but laced with steel. “But you were wrong.”Bi
“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
“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
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
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, 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