LISA'S POV I had heard all Marcus had to say, it was thoughtful of Leo to ask me to merge the branch, any other person seeing they had the opportunity could have just taken over everything, this was an offer to save and I was glad for it but one thing gave me an headache merely thinking about it, and it was everything my father would think and say about this. "I need to talk to my father about this," I said, my mind already racing with the conversation I would have to have.Marcus nodded understandingly. "Of course. I expected as much. You can't make a decision like this without him knowing."I stood up, smoothing out my dress. "Even though I'm handling the business now, he still needs to know what's going on."Marcus shrugged, standing up as well. "I get it. Family is important."As he adjusted his funny hat, I couldn't help but smile slightly. Maybe Marcus wasn't so bad after all."You see, I wasn't so harmful, was I?" Marcus said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "All you n
LISA'S POV My father brought the conversation back on track, his expression serious. "So, Lisa, what's going on with the business? You were saying something about a problem?"My mother's eyes widened, her interest piqued. "What's wrong, dear? Is everything okay?"I sighed inwardly, thinking that my mother's arrival would provide a welcome distraction from the conversation. But now, it seemed like she was only going to make things worse.I took a deep breath and launched into the story, telling my father everything that had happened - the struggles with the company, the financial issues, the meeting with Liam... everything. I left out Marcus's offer, saving it for the end.As I finished, my father's expression was thoughtful. "I had no idea it was this serious," he said.My mother's eyes were wide with concern. "Oh, Lisa, why didn't you tell us? We had no idea."I shook my head. "I didn't want to worry you. And besides, I thought Father knew already."My father's expression changed fr
LISA'S POV I lay on my bed, tears streaming down my face, my body shaking with sobs. I didn't even know why I was crying, but the anger and frustration I felt towards my father's lack of trust in me was overwhelming.Just as I was starting to calm down, I heard a knock at the door. "Lisa, dear, please open up," my mother's soft voice called out.But I didn't want to talk to anyone. I was still too hurt, too angry. I tearfully and silently asked them to go away, hoping they would understand.My father tried to reason with me, his voice firm but gentle. "Lisa, we need to talk about this. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."But I wouldn't yield. I couldn't face him right now, not when all I felt was pain and betrayal.My mother tried again, her voice pleading. "Lisa, sweetie, please open up. We love you and we're here for you."But I just shook my head, feeling the tears prick at the corners of my eyes again.Finally, my mother told Liam to go home and rest, promising to take care of
LISA'S POV The next morning, I rushed downstairs, already running late for work. My mother greeted me with a warm smile and a steaming cup of coffee. "Good morning, sweetie! Eat something before you go."I grabbed a piece of toast and took a quick bite, but my mother wasn't satisfied. "Lisa, slow down! You need to eat something proper."She shoved a piece of bacon into my mouth, and I munched on it as I headed out the door. "Thanks, Mum! Love you!"As I walked to the driveway, I noticed my car parked outside, packed and ready to go. I pulled out my phone and called my mother. "Mum, who brought my car?""Someone brought it fixed," she replied. "Liam asked him to bring it."I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Thanks, Mum. You're the best."My mother teased me, "Oh, I think someone else might be the best. You're smiling awfully big this morning."I laughed and hung up the phone, feeling a sense of excitement and gratitude.As I drove to work, I couldn't help but think about Liam an
LISA'S POV Finally, the moment of truth arrived. Emily's voice came over the intercom, her tone professional and calm. "Lisa, Leo has arrived."I took a deep breath, smoothing my dress and making my way to the reception area. Leo stood tall and confident, his eyes scanning the room with interest. Emily smiled and greeted him, leading him to my office."Lisa, this is Leo," Emily said, her voice formal.I smiled, extending my hand. "Leo, welcome. Thank you for coming."Leo's handshake was firm, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "The pleasure is mine, Lisa. Your office is impressive.”As Leo walked into my office, I couldn't help but notice the commanding presence he exuded. He stood tall, his 6'2" frame towering over the room, his broad shoulders squared and confident. His icy blue eyes scanned the space, taking in every detail with an air of quiet intensity. His jet black hair was perfectly styled, not a single strand out of place, framing his chiseled features with prec
LISA'S POV I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Marriage? Why on earth would Leo want to marry me? I thought we were just discussing a business arrangement, not a lifelong commitment.My eyes darted to Marcus, hoping he could provide some insight, but he looked just as surprised as I was. His eyebrows were raised, and he was leaning back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Leo with a mixture of confusion and curiosity."Leo, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't understand why you're asking me to marry you."Leo's expression didn't change. He just kept staring at me with that intense gaze, his eyes burning with an inner fire."I want to own you, Lisa," he repeated, his voice low and husky. "I want to possess you completely. And I want the world to know it."I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the depth of his desire. But why? What could he possibly gain from marrying me?"Leo, I don't know what to say," I stammered, trying to process my thoug
LISA'S POV I refocused on my work, my mind made up. I would do whatever it took to bring down Andre, even if it meant marrying Leo. The marriage didn't have to be serious, I thought. It was just a means to an end. After a few hours of work, I called Liam into my office. He arrived promptly, looking curious. "What's up?" he asked. "I've changed my mind," I said. "You're still coming for dinner tonight." Liam raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to break the news to your father?" I shook my head. "Not tonight. I won't be telling him about the marriage yet. At least, not tonight." Liam shrugged. "Fine. I'll come to dinner." I nodded, relieved. "Good. I need your support, Liam." Liam nodded and left my office, leaving me to my thoughts. I knew I had a long night ahead of me, but I was ready. I would do whatever it took to bring down Andre, even if it meant marrying Leo. The day flew by in a whirlwind of meetings and paperwork, but just as I was about to leave,
LISA'S POV As we entered the house, the tension between Louisa and me remained strong. We walked into the living room, where our parents were sitting on the couch, oblivious to the storm brewing between us.Louisa couldn't keep quiet for long. "So, Lisa, I hear you're still going ahead with the merger," she said, her voice dripping with venom.I felt my temper rise, but I tried to keep my cool. "Yes, Louisa, I am. And I don't see why you're so opposed to it."Louisa snorted. "You know exactly why I'm opposed to it. You're just too selfish to care."That was it. I'd had enough of her insults. "How dare you!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the room.Our parents turned to us, shocked by the outburst. "Girls, what's going on here?" our mom asked, standing up.But Louisa and I were beyond reason. We stood there, our faces red with anger, our voices raised in a heated argument."You're just trying to ruin everything!" I shouted."No, I'm trying to protect this family's interests!" Lou
Lisa’s POVThe golden hues of sunset wrapped around us as we sat on that quiet bench, the world around us fading into a serene backdrop against the weight of our conversation. Leo's words hung in the air like a promise a commitment to face the shadows of our past together.“Are you all right?” Leo asked gently, his thumb brushing over my knuckles, grounding me with his touch.“I think I will be,” I replied, taking a deep breath. “It’s just daunting to think about everything we’ve been through. Sometimes it feels easier to just focus on the future.”He nodded, understanding the conflict in my heart. “We’ve grown so much, and it feels easy to believe that moving on means ignoring where we’ve come from. But confronting hurts, the fear that what will let us truly move forward.”“Then let’s do it,” I said, my voice steadying. “Let’s find a way to confront our pasts without letting them consume us.”He smiled, that beautiful, encouraging smile I had come to rely on. “I’m with you every ste
Lisa’s POVThe days flew by in a blur of planning, laughter, and tentative steps forward. With every passing moment, Leo and I found ourselves growing closer, our connection deepening as we tackled our individual goals side by side.Summer was in full bloom; the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the sounds of birds chirping outside our window. One particularly warm afternoon, I sat at our dining table, typing up my latest blog post about our aspirations and dreams, reflecting on the journey we had embraced together. The sun streamed in, bathing me in warmth, and I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.Just as I was about to wrap up my writing, Leo burst into the room, a twinkle in his eyes and a canvas tucked under his arm. “You’ll never guess what I just finished!”I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What is it?”He laid the canvas on the table, revealing a stunning painting of the very view I had often admired our backyard, with its vibrant wildflowers and
Lisa’s POVThe soft chirping of birds woke me the next morning, signaling the arrival of a new day. I stretched lazily in bed, the warmth from under the covers wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. The light filtering in through the window hinted at a promising day ahead, filled with opportunity and potential.Rolling over, I smiled at the sight of Leo, still lost in dreamland. His tousled hair and the faintest hint of stubble gave him an effortlessly handsome look. I felt a wave of affection wash over me. There was a calmness in our lives now, and the burden of the past no longer felt quite so heavy.After a few moments of admiring him, I quietly slipped from the bed, careful not to wake him. I padded to the kitchen, replaying our dinner last night in my mind. Planning our future together had felt exhilarating, but there remained an undercurrent of nerves. Would we truly be able to navigate the struggles that lay ahead?As I brewed a fresh pot of coffee, my phone chimed with
Lisa’s POV.The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. I stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. The warmth beside me reminded me of the night before of laughter, promises, and the bold declaration that we would face whatever lay ahead together.Leo was still asleep, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. A peaceful expression adorned his face, a stark contrast to the chaos of our lives outside these four walls. I smiled softly, tucking a stray hair behind his ear. The silent moments like this felt sacred, and I cherished the tranquility we had carved out in this storm.As I slipped from the bed, I tiptoed to the kitchen, the sound of my bare feet padding against the cool wooden floor a gentle reminder of the mundane world waiting for us. I brewed coffee, the rich aroma filling the space, a promise of energy and clarity for the day to come.Sipping my coffee, I gazed out the window, watching the world awaken. The trees swayed gen
Lisa's POVAs I sat in the dim light of the new apartment Leo provided after our tumultuous return, I felt an odd mixture of relief and anxiety. The walls, though painted in a calming shade of lavender, seemed to loom over me like the ghosts of our past. Memories of betrayal, heartbreak, and vengeance floated like shadows, offering little comfort.Leo’s soft footsteps echoed through the space, breaking me from my reverie. He entered, his icy blue eyes searching mine for something understanding, perhaps. He closed the door softly behind him, shutting out the remnants of our chaotic lives for a moment. “I thought we could finally breathe,” he said, his voice laced with uncertainty as he ran a hand through his jet-black hair. “Just us. No more drama.” I managed a small smile, though it trembled. “Yes, just us.” But I knew the shadows wouldn’t fade that easily. Not after everything we’d been through.“We’ll need to talk about…everything.” His tone shifted, a hint of seriousness threadin
Kate's POV.As the soft yet commanding music faded into the background, all eyes shifted toward the glimmering stage where Andre stood, a charismatic smile gracing his lips. I felt my heart hammer against my ribs as I braced myself for the unexpected announcement one that would undoubtedly affect my carefully executed plans.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Andre began, his voice smooth and confident, the kind that could lull a crowd into a trance if you weren’t careful. “Tonight, I’m thrilled to announce a new partnership that will change the game for our community and the businesses within it.” He dramatically paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience as if relishing their anticipation. And that’s when I noticed her the woman who had caused the tremors in my world, standing by his side with an equally inviting smile. The mother of Leo’s child, the ghost of our past, stepping into the light with a predatory grace. She wore a dress that cascaded around her like liquid silver, effortlessly
Kate's POV The days that followed our strategic meeting blurred into a whirlwind of activity and anticipation. Every morning felt like a countdown to a confrontation I was both eager for and dreading. Each day, I fine-tuned my plans, meticulously preparing for the impending challenge that loomed like an inexorable storm on the horizon. Leo and I spent hours in my office, poring over documents and strategies, our collaboration gradually morphing into a formidable partnership. With every whispered idea and assertion, I found reassurance in his presence, a grounding balance to my fervid passion. Then came the day I had circled on my calendar an exclusive charity gala hosted by Andre and his family. It was an annual event that amassed the elite of society and offered the perfect backdrop for my vengeance. A means to catapult us back into the political arena of their world while shrouded in the guise of civility. The night arrived like a nightingale signaling spring after a long winter
Kate's POVThe snow fell softly outside the frosted windows of my office, each flake a delicate reminder of how fragile life could be. A coldness settled in the pit of my stomach, a sensation I had become far too familiar with lately. I had spent countless hours immersed in spreadsheets and business plans, desperately trying to juggle the whirlwind that had become my life since the hostile takeover of Andre's company. But now, with my “perfect plan” coming to fruition, I found myself standing at a precipice, teetering on the edge of all I had fought for and all I had lost.As I gazed out into the winter wonderland of Ottawa, I could almost feel the weight of both my triumphs and my failures pressing down on me. I had orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bring Andre Luster to his knees, and success was almost within my grasp. But standing atop that mountain of ambition was not the elation I had anticipated; instead, it was enveloped in a shroud of emptiness. Just then, my reverie was
Kate's POVI paced the waiting room, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the hushed tones of nurses surrounding me like weighted blankets. With each tick of the clock on the wall, unease coiled tighter in my stomach. What was happening to Lisa? I leaned against the cool wall, desperately willing the minutes to speed up, my mind racing through the possibilities. What if she were more hurt than I realized? I felt like a fool for not being more aware of her state. The guilt hung thick in the air, mingling with my fears about my own mess with Kate. Suddenly, Dr. Kenny emerged from the emergency room, his face serious but not grim. My breath caught; he had to have good news. “Mr. Santini, your wife is stable. She suffered from severe dehydration and stress, but we’ve started her on IV fluids. We’ll monitor her closely for a bit, and she should recover without complications.” I exhaled, relief flooding my body. “Thank you, Doctor. Can I see her?” “Soon, but first, I need to discuss som