LISA'S POV The days went by so fast, the rituals for the wedding started to unfold. Leo's grandmother was keen on us doing all of the traditional rites to make our marriage strong. I had to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first, but she assured me that it was all part of the process.On the second day, we woke up early to begin the preparations. Leo's grandmother had arranged for a priest to come and perform a blessing ceremony. I was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect, but Leo reassured me that it would be fine.The priest arrived, and we sat down in front of him. He began to chant and perform rituals, waving his hands over us. I felt a bit awkward, but Leo seemed to be taking it all in stride.After the ceremony, we were given a task to complete. We had to make a traditional sweet dish together, using ingredients that had been passed down through generations. I was a bit hesitant, not being much of a cook, but Leo took charge and guided me through it.As we worked together,
LISA'S POV I stood there, my anger and frustration boiling over as I watched Leo fail to stand up to Marcus. Why was he allowing his assistant to speak to me like that? Why wasn't he defending me?I felt a surge of indignation and hurt as I realized that Leo was just standing there, doing nothing. He wasn't even acknowledging Marcus's behavior, let alone telling him to back off."Leo, say something," I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. "Tell him to stop speaking to me like that."But Leo just stood there, his expression unreadable. He didn't even flinch, didn't even acknowledge my request.Marcus, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the situation. He was smirking at me, his eyes gleaming with triumph."You see, Lisa, no one here respects you," he sneered. "You're just a pawn in their game. A means to an end."I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as I realized the truth in his words. Leo wasn't defending me because he didn't care. He didn't see me as his partner or his equ
LISA'S POVAs I looked at Leo, I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface. I knew he was trying to keep it in check, but I could sense the frustration radiating from him.I felt a surge of anxiety, wondering how the rest of the day would play out. Would my father's behavior continue to cause tension? Would Leo's anger boil over?I tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing on the present moment. But my mind kept wandering back to my father's words, his refusal to accept the arrangement.Why was he being so stubborn? Didn't he care that I was happy? Didn't he want me to have a good life?I sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of sadness. I knew my father loved me, but sometimes I wondered if he really understood me.Leo's voice broke into my thoughts, his tone calm and even. "Lisa, let's go over the plans for tomorrow one more time."I nodded, trying to shake off my worries. "Okay," I said, forcing a smile.As we went over the plans, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Wha
LISA'S POV I was still trying to process my father's angry words, Leo's grandmother burst into the room, a huge smile on her face. "Lisa, dear, I'm so excited!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Tomorrow's the big day, and I want you to come pick out a dress with me!"I couldn't help but be caught up in her infectious energy. Despite my father's anger, I felt a surge of happiness at the thought of choosing a dress for the special day."Okay, Grandma," I said, smiling back at her. "I'd love to."Leo's grandmother clapped her hands together, her face alight with excitement. "Wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Let's go right now! I have a few dresses in mind that I think you'll love."I stood up, feeling a sense of anticipation. I had no idea what kind of dress I wanted, but I was excited to find out.As we drove to the dress shop, Leo's grandmother chattered excitedly about the different options we would have. "I think you'll look beautiful in lace," she said. "Or maybe satin?
LISA’S POV As I stood outside, fidgeting with my dress, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. My parents were supposed to be here, but they were nowhere to be found. Leo, my fiancé, tried to reassure me, but I could see the concern etched on his face."Maybe I should get someone to stand in for your parents?" he suggested, his voice soft and gentle.I immediately shook my head, feeling a surge of panic. "No, you can't do that! It's not the same, Leo. My parents need to be here."Leo sighed, his eyes scanning the crowd. "I know, but they're not coming, Lisa. We have to face that. And with Grandma here, we can't afford to have an empty seat where your parents should be."Just then, Leo's grandma appeared beside us, her warm smile a stark contrast to the anxiety churning inside me. "Darlings, what's going on? You look like you're about to face a firing squad."I forced a smile, trying to hide my distress. "Just a little nervous, Grandma. Waiting for my parents to arrive."Grandma'
LISA'S POV As the ceremony began, Grandma took her place at the front, a warm smile on her face. She gazed out at the gathered guests, her eyes twinkling with love and joy."Dear friends and family," she started, her voice clear and strong. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of Lisa and Leo. A union that will bring together two families, and create a new one."She paused, looking at us with tears in her eyes. "Lisa and Leo, your love is a beautiful thing. It has brought light and joy into our lives, and we are so grateful to have you both as part of our family."As she spoke, Leo took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. I felt a surge of love and happiness, knowing that this was just the beginning of our journey together.Grandma continued, her voice weaving a spell of love and commitment over us. "Today, we gather to celebrate your love, and to witness your commitment to each other. Lisa and Leo, will you please repeat after me?"We nodded, our voices echoing
LISA'S POV I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I looked at Leo, and saw the concern etched on his face. I knew I had to reassure him, to let him know that I was okay."Leo," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted our wedding day to end."Leo's face softened, and he took a step closer to me. "It's not your fault," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll figure out who did this, and we'll make them pay."I nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude towards him. He was standing by me, even in the midst of all this chaos.Grandma cleared her throat, her voice firm. "We need to focus on the task at hand. We need to appease the priest, and find out who brought that band to our wedding."I nodded, determination rising within me. "I'll do whatever it takes," I said. "I won't let anyone ruin our marriage."Leo's eyes flashed with approval, and he took my hand. "We'll do it together," he said.As we stood there, united, I knew that nothing could ever come between us. Not my
LISA'S POV As soon as dinner concluded, my father rose from his seat, his expression resolute. "It's time for us to leave," he announced, his tone firm.My mother nodded in agreement, her eyes darting towards Grandma, who looked taken aback. "So soon?" Grandma asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.My father's gaze avoided mine as he replied, "We've overstayed our welcome."Louisa, who had been quiet throughout dinner, spoke up. "I'll gather my belongings."As they prepared to depart, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense. Unspoken words hung in the air, heavy with accusation and suspicion.Grandma escorted them to the door, her expression stern. "We need to discuss this further," she said, her voice low and urgent.My father's face tightened. "Not now, ma. We'll talk later."As they stepped out into the night, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I didn't want them to stay, not with the tension between us.Leo walked with me to the door, his hand on my shoulder.
Lisa’s POVThe week that followed was awash in vibrant colors and newfound intimacy. Leo and I devoted ourselves to our "check-in" times, weaving honesty into the fabric of our relationship, and confronting the shadows that had once loomed so large. Each exchanged vulnerability felt like stripping away layers of burdens, revealing the truest forms of ourselves raw, imperfect, and resilient.One evening, as we curled up on the couch with cups of steaming tea, I glanced at the sketchbook filled with our painted memories. “It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come in such a short time, don’t you think?” I said, flipping through the pages, each illustration sparking its own joy and reflection.“It really is,” Leo replied, his gaze softening as he scanned the artwork. “Each piece is like a little milestone on our journey a testament to our growth.”Inspired, I picked up a brush, swirling it in the palette. “Do you think we could create something to symbolize this moment? A piece that embod
Lisa’s POVThe weekend air was heavy with the sweet scent of blooming roses and fresh-cut grass. Armed with our watercolor supplies, Leo and I had transformed our garden into a creative sanctuary, a canvas where we would share pieces of our souls. Each stroke of the brush felt like swiping away the remnants of yesterday's pain, replacing it with vibrant hopes for tomorrow.As I dipped the brush into the cerulean blue, I felt a surge of excitement but also a whisper of doubt, lurking just beneath the surface. “Leo,” I started, squeezing the paintbrush just tightly enough to capture his attention. “How do you feel about our project? I mean, really feel.”He paused, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead, his icy blue eyes meeting mine. “I love it. It feels... liberating, doesn’t it? Like we’re reclaiming parts of ourselves that we lost along the way.”I nodded, but lingering uncertainty clouded my thoughts. “Then why do I feel like there's still a barrier between us? Like I’m
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