LISA'S POV I woke up before dawn, the darkness outside mirroring the turmoil within me. Leo's words still lingered in my mind, "I don't know if I can keep pretending, Lisa." Pretending what? That our marriage was just business? I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was playing me again.As I tossed off the covers, the chill of the morning air slapped me awake. I slipped into my robe and began my morning routine, determined to clear my head. The soft hum of the coffee maker and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen.I moved with precision, preparing breakfast and setting the table. The sunlight creeping through the windows highlighted the elegant china and crystal glasses, a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface.My father's company had been my life's focus since I was a teenager. Now, as Leo's wife, I was vulnerable to my father's wrath. Our marriage had ignited a firestorm of rivalry, with my father determined to test my loyalty.As I expertl
LISA'S POVI walked out of the office, the USB drive securely in my purse, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. This wasn't over."Lisa, darling," Louisa called out, her voice dripping with condescension. "Don't forget to pack up your ego along with your belongings."I turned back, a sweet smile spreading across my face. "Louisa, dear, you're going to need more than just Father's favor to fill my shoes."Her eyes narrowed. "I'll have you know, I've been learning from the best – Father. And I'll make sure to erase every trace of your incompetence."I chuckled, a low, husky sound. "Incompetence? That's rich coming from someone who's only achievement is being born first."Louisa's face reddened, but before she could retort, a smooth voice interrupted." Ladies, please. No need for bloodshed in the office."I turned to see Alexander, a successful businessman and old family friend, standing in the doorway. His piercing blue eyes sparkled with amusement."Alexander, perfect ti
LISA'S POV"Who is this?" I typed, my thumbs hovering over the screen. "No names. Just come," the response read.I showed Leo the exchange. His eyes narrowed. "Don't go, Lisa. It's not safe."I understood his concern, but something about the message resonated. This could be our chance to uncover the truth. "I have to," I said, determination etched on my face.Leo's expression softened. "Then I'm coming with you." I shook my head. "The message said to come alone.""I don't care," Leo insisted. "I'm not letting you go into this blind.” His protectiveness warmed my heart, but I knew I had to do this alone. "Leo, please. Trust me."After a tense moment, he nodded. "Fine. But you're calling me the moment you arrive, and I'll be waiting nearby." I agreed, relief washing over me.At midnight, I pulled into the deserted office parking lot, the only sound the hum of the streetlights. The message had specified the north corner, so I parked there, my heart pounding. A figure emerged from the sha
LISA'S POV I stood there, frozen, as Leo disappeared into the night. "Lisa?" a voice echoed in my mind.His words lingered, stirring emotions I thought were long buried. Did I still love him too?Or was I just desperate to hold onto something familiar? The questions swirled, but I pushed them aside. Now wasn't the time.I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. Taking down Louisa.As I drove home, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from Alexander. "Meet me at the office tomorrow at 9 AM. We'll finalize our plan."I nodded to myself, determination solidifying. Tomorrow would be the day. The day we brought Louisa to justice.But little did I know, tomorrow would also bring its own set of surprises. As I pulled into my driveway, I noticed a strange car parked outside. My heart quickened. Who could it be?I cautiously approached the house, peering through the windows. A figure sat in the living room. My eyes widened.It was my father. The man I thought was innocent. What w
LISA'S POV I trudged through the front door of my father's house, feeling like I'd been put through a wringer. The stress of the day weighed heavily on my shoulders.Dad looked up from his armchair, concern etched on his face. "Hey kiddo, how'd it go?"I flopped onto the couch beside him, letting out a deep sigh. "It was a disaster. Louisa's not giving up without a fight."Dad's expression turned grim. "I knew she wouldn't. She's always been ruthless."I rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the impending headache. "I don't know how much more of this I can take. She's constantly quarreling, trying to undermine me at every turn."Dad placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You're doing great, Lisa. You're standing up for yourself and what's rightfully yours."But his words of encouragement did little to alleviate my frustration. "It's not just about me, Dad. It's about the company. Louisa's going to ruin everything Mom and you built."Dad's eyes clouded over, memories of my mother f
LISA'S POV I stared blankly at my phone, my heart sinking as I read Leo's message. "I'm done playing games, Lisa. Our arrangement is over."The words cut deep, but I wasn't surprised. I'd seen it coming. Leo had never truly wanted me; he'd only married me to spite my father. To prove a point.I remembered the day he proposed, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Marry me, Lisa," he'd said, "and I'll show your father what it means to cross me."I'd been young and naive, blinded by the luxury and power Leo offered. But now, I saw him for what he truly was - a ruthless manipulator.Our marriage had been a sham from the start. Leo had never loved me; he'd only used me to further his own agenda. And now, he was discarding me like trash.I felt a wave of anger wash over me, but I pushed it down. What was the point? I'd known what I was getting into. I'd made a deal with the devil, and now I had to pay the price.But as I looked around my opulent prison, I realized I couldn't take it anymore. I
LISA'S POV I watched Leo's expression change, his eyes hardening as he nodded. "Take all the time you need." But I saw something else there, something that made my heart sink.Resentment. Frustration. Maybe even hatred. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized Leo was tired of me, tired of the drama I'd brought into his life. Tired of me.I took a step back, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. "Leo, I—" I began. But he cut me off. "Just take the time, Lisa. Think about what you want." His voice was cold, detached.I nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. This was it. This was the end. I turned and walked away, leaving Leo standing alone in the room.As I closed the door behind me, I felt a sense of despair wash over me. I'd lost him. I'd lost everything. I wandered through the streets, my mind reeling with thoughts of Leo, of my family, of the mess I'd made.How had it come to this? How had I let things spiral so out of control?I stopped in front of a sma
LISA'S POV I slammed the car door shut, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. That's it, I'd had enough of Leo's games.As I drove away from the house, my phone rang. Leo's brother. I ignored it.Instead, I dialed Alex's number, our secret investigator. We had a score to settle."Alex, it's Lisa," I said, my voice firm."Lisa, what's going on?" Alex asked, concern etched in his voice.I pulled into a parking spot and took a deep breath. "Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th Street."Alex agreed, and I arrived first, my foot tapping impatiently on the floor.When Alex walked in, I waved him over. "Did you forget why I hired you?" I asked, my hand thumping on the table.Alex's expression turned cautious. "No, Lisa. You wanted me to investigate Andre's life."My ex-husband's name still left a bitter taste in my mouth."Exactly," I said, my eyes narrowing. "But you've stopped giving me updates. What's going on?"Alex leaned back, his voice calm. "Lisa, you've been busy with your new marr
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