LISA'S POV The room was filled with an air of anticipation as everyone waited for Leo's arrival. My family and Liam were all seated in the living room, each busy with their own phones, their faces bathed in the soft glow of screens.But I couldn't sit still. I paced back and forth across the room, my hands clenched into fists as I tried to contain my nervous energy. I felt like a caged animal, ready to burst free at any moment.Liam watched me from his seat on the couch, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. He knew I was anxious, and he was trying to be supportive.My mom glanced up from her phone, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before returning to her screen. She was trying to stay calm, but I could sense her own nervousness beneath the surface.My dad was oblivious to the tension, too engrossed in his phone to notice anything else. Louisa, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying my discomfort, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched me pa
LISA'S POV My father's face turned red with rage, his eyes bulging with anger. "How dare you," he thundered, his voice shaking with fury. "How dare you defend him after everything he's done to us."I stood my ground, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm not defending him, Dad," I said. "I'm defending our relationship. I love him, and he loves me. That's all that matters."Louisa laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "You're so naive, Lisa," she sneered. "You really think he loves you? He's just using you to get back at us."I felt a pang of doubt, but I pushed it aside. I knew what I felt, and I knew what Leo felt. We loved each other, and that's all that mattered."Enough," my mother said, her voice firm. "This is getting out of hand."But my father was beyond reason. "You're going to regret this, Lisa," he shouted. "You're going to regret the day you ever met him."I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to cry. I knew I had made the right decision, and I was goin
LISA'S POV I glanced over at him, taking in the strong lines of his profile. He was lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. But as he sensed my gaze, he turned to me, his eyes softening into a gentle smile."Hey," he said quietly, his voice low and soothing. "You okay?"I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yeah," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm okay."Leo's smile faltered for a moment before he reached out and took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture of comfort and support."We'll get through this," he said quietly. "Together.”I wondered why he was been so nice. I couldn't help but be surprised by the calm tone in Leo's voice as he spoke to me. I knew he was only pretending to care, but a part of me wondered if maybe, just maybe, he was being genuine. I had seen him use his charm and good looks to get what he wanted before, but there was something in his eyes that made me question my doubts.As he told me that he wanted to marr
LISA'S POV Liam's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "Lisa, listen to me," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You need to go home. Now."I raised an eyebrow, feeling a surge of defiance. "Why? What's going on?"Liam glanced around the room, his eyes darting towards Leo, who was watching us with an unreadable expression. "This isn't the right time or place for this conversation," he muttered. "But trust me, you need to get out of here before things escalate."I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Liam's words struck a chord deep within me. I knew he was right. This wasn't the time or place for a confrontation."Okay," I said finally, nodding. "I'll go."Liam's face relaxed, his shoulders sagging in relief. "Good," he said. "And Lisa?"I turned to him, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yeah?""Tell Leo to back off, okay? His behavior towards your family isn't helping. If he wants to win your father over, he needs to show some respect."
LISA'S POV As we pulled up to my house, I could feel my stomach knotting with anxiety. My mum, dad, and sister were already outside, their faces twisted with anger."Great," I muttered, feeling a sense of dread. "They're already here."Liam glanced over at me, his eyes sympathetic. "You okay?"I shook my head, feeling a sense of resignation. "No, I'm not. But thanks for asking."Liam nodded, his expression understanding. "I'm going to drop you off and go. I don't want to be involved in this anymore."I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "Thanks, Liam. I appreciate it."As Liam pulled up to the curb, my family began to stalk towards us, their faces furious."Lisa, get out of the car now!" my mum shouted, her voice shrill.I sighed, feeling a sense of exhaustion. "I'm coming, I'm coming."Liam leaned over and opened the door for me, his eyes locked on mine. "You okay?" he whispered.I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Yeah, thanks."As I stepped out of the car, my family closed in
LISA'S POV I suddenly remembered that there was one person I hadn't tried talking to yet - my mum. I decided to go to her, hoping that she could help me find a way to get my dad to accept Leo.I found my mum in the kitchen, cooking dinner. She looked up as I entered, and I could see the concern in her eyes."Lisa, what's wrong?" she asked, putting down the spoon she was using.I took a deep breath and explained everything to her - about my dad's refusal to accept Leo, about my sister's anger, about my own frustration and desperation.My mum listened attentively, her expression growing more and more serious."Lisa, I know your dad is stubborn," she said when I finished. "But this time, it's not just about being stubborn. He's scared."I was taken aback. "Scared? What do you mean?"My mum hesitated before answering. "He's scared to give you to Leo in marriage. He thinks it's risky."I felt a surge of anger. "Risky? What does that even mean?"My mum sighed. "Your dad and Leo's family ha
LISA'S POV My dad spoke up, his voice firm but resigned. "You know what, maybe Louisa's right. You can marry Leo, Lisa. But don't come running back to me when things go south. Because I won't be able to help you then."My mum nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with concern. "Lisa, sweetie, please reconsider. You're making a huge mistake."But I was resolute. "No, mum. I've made up my mind. I'm going to marry Leo, and I'll deal with the consequences."My dad sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. You're playing with fire, Lisa. And you're going to get burned."My mum tried again, her voice soft and persuasive. "Lisa, think about what you're doing. Think about the family business, about your future. Is Leo really worth risking all of that?"But I was stubborn, refusing to listen. "I'm not risking anything, mum. I'm following my heart. And that's all that matters."My dad threw up his hands, exasperated. "Fine. Do what you want. But don't come crying to me w
LISA'S POV My dad spoke up, his voice firm but resigned. "You know what, maybe Louisa's right. You can marry Leo, Lisa. But don't come running back to me when things go south. Because I won't be able to help you then."My mum nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with concern. "Lisa, sweetie, please reconsider. You're making a huge mistake."But I was resolute. "No, mum. I've made up my mind. I'm going to marry Leo, and I'll deal with the consequences."My dad sighed, shaking his head. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. You're playing with fire, Lisa. And you're going to get burned."My mum tried again, her voice soft and persuasive. "Lisa, think about what you're doing. Think about the family business, about your future. Is Leo really worth risking all of that?"But I was stubborn, refusing to listen. "I'm not risking anything, mum. I'm following my heart. And that's all that matters."My dad threw up his hands, exasperated. "Fine. Do what you want. But don't come crying to me w
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