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 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
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 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
"You're fired, Leah! I don't want to ever see you here again.” Her boss' words struck her like lightning. She had just lost the only job that fed her and her family. Hot tears threatened to leave her eyes as she stood in front of Mr. Michael, trembling. “Please, sir. I- this is my only source of income. You know how it is ever since my dad-” “Enough, Leah! You should have just continued to be the obedient girl that you were.” He cut her off, his voice sending a chill down her spine, as she glanced around to see people staring at her. All she did was refuse the advances an annoying customer had made toward her. Her boss had queried her because of the several reports he had gotten from their top customers on how she snapped at them. He said she was being rude to their big customers and was likely pushing them away to their competitors. He urged her to just play along when they flirted with her. “You don't have to go to their houses and get in their beds, Leah. Just play along h
“Mr. Harper,” Leah called out steadily.Jeremy turned around swiftly and Leah saw him face to face for the first time. Yes, people had described him to be very wealthy and commanding and good looking, but no one ever described how he looked perfectly. Pictures of him on billboards didn't even do justice. This man was dripping in finesse.“How can one man be this good-looking?” Leah wondered.“Leo, is it?” Jeremy asked, his piercing blue eyes scanning her from head to toe. He was a very classic man.Leah swallowed her nerves, deepened her voice and answered, “yes, sir.”“You start tomorrow,” he said, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.Leah almost skipped out of the mansion. She'd done it. The job was hers.On reaching home, she saw that her mother had been discharged, and it was Noah who had taken care of the hospital bills. Her mother had been in a myasthenic crisis but was doing better after receiving treatment at the hospital. She only had to keep taking her medication, avoid
“Ugh! My head aches so bad. Leo! Leo!” Jeremy called out, gripping his head and groaning.“Yes, sir,” Leah rushed in as if she had been waiting to be summoned. She barely had enough sleep the previous night, wondering if Jeremy had found her out or not. She was uneasy.Jeremy just looked at her and mumbled, “lousy man.”“Make me some lime juice, for my headache. I'm having a hangover from last night.”“What? Last night?” She asked even though she had heard him clearly. She was terrified. She had been careless last night and she could've sworn that he heard her. Oh God! She prayed silently in her heart.“Are you deaf? You better hurry!” “Yes, sir!” She hurried out and came back with a glass of the lime juice.“Sir, I have arranged the clothes you'll wear. Will you have breakfast downstairs or should I bring it here?” Leah asked.“You aren't my babysitter, are you? I'll let you know when I need something. Get lost!” He snapped at her. Leah couldn't understand why he was so difficult t
Jeremy seemed to be watching Leah closely after the previous night and Leah could feel it. She became extremely careful. She had told herself that whether she was alone or not, as long as she was in the mansion, she was “Leo.”She did her work swiftly and avoided him like a plague. She couldn't risk getting caught. Her life depended on retaining that job and getting her monthly salary.Thankfully, a month flew by, and payday arrived.She received her salary and got a bonus too. Her boss wasn't so bad, after all.Her once-a-month weekend leave had arrived, and she was eager to go home and be herself again.“Mama, how have you been?” She greeted her mother, kissing her cheeks.Her siblings, Keira and Ivan, welcomed her warmly, arguing over who would carry the groceries she brought. Their playful bickering made Leah and their mother laugh.Leah cooked Noah's favorite dish, porridge, and invited him over. “Noah, I appreciate all that you do for me. You're more like a brother to me than a
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