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 POV As Kate disappeared from view, Leo's friend, Marcus, sauntered over, a sly grin spreading across his face."Hey, Lisa, don't mind Kate. She's just Leo's ex," Marcus said, his voice low.I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.Leo's expression turned cold, his eyes warning Marcus to shut up.But Marcus continued, "Yeah, they had a wild ride, but Leo's moved on. You're the new flavor of the month, Lisa."The group chuckled, their laughter like a slap in the face.I felt a sting, but Leo's silence hurt more. He didn't correct Marcus, didn't defend me."Thanks for the info, Marcus," I said, my voice icy.Marcus winked. "No problem, sweetheart. You should know what you're getting yourself into."I turned to Leo, expecting some sort of explanation or reassurance.But he remained stoic, his eyes avoiding mine.Fury and humiliation boiled inside me.Without a word, I turned and walked away, leaving the party behind.I locked myself in my room, the silence a welcome respite.My mind reeled
LISA'S POV I stood there, my head held high, as my family discussed my life as if I wasn't even in the room.Dad's words cut deep. "Now that Lisa's married to Leo, we can't trust her anymore."I felt a sting, but I remained silent.Mom's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of understanding.But Dad continued, his voice firm. "That's why I demoted her from CEO to nothing. She has no role in the company now."Becky's grip on my hand tightened.Louisa snorted. "Good riddance. She didn't deserve the position anyway."I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep my temper in check.Dad's words kept coming, each one a dagger to my heart. "Lisa will take over the company until you're ready to leave that marriage."Leave Leo? Was that even an option?Dad's reasoning was twisted. "I couldn't let you run the company, not with Leo's influence."As if I was some puppet, controlled by my husband.Louisa chimed in, her voice dripping with malice. "Yes, Dad's right. You're too busy be
LISA'S POV I stomped out into the darkness, blinded by tears. No one was taking me back, but I had to get to Leo; whatever his motives were. Did I care anymore? Not exactly but there just has to be some way that Louisa blinded everyone, or they've had it in them all along to make a fool out of me, and I never noticed. How did I expect to? When all I ever thought of was giving Andre a taste of his own medicine, and trying to win Leo's trust - I still needed his help. Just then, a taxi pulled up from around the corner and I hailed it without a second thought. I had to get away from everyone and everything that constantly reminded me of my pain. And Becky… she didn't try to put her neck on the line for me. It seemed she was somehow in the know of this nasty plot against me, but she put up quite a sordid act of not understanding what the whole situation meant for me. I took out my mobile phone and stole a glance at the screen. Damn! It's late already, but I'll have to act super angry t
LOUISA'S POVI glanced at the paper once more. 5th street. Coffee shop. But I've been sitting here for literally an hour and half. Maybe this person had other motives. Shit! Why didn't I think of that? What if they were only interested in airing me out to Lisa? What did it matter anyway? That sister of mine should be aware that I'm interested in her downfall only. I looked out of the window again. There was no sign of anyone. So, I took yet another sip of the black coffee I had ordered. Why hadn't I discovered this spot all these years? They made coffee the way it should be; not those things we get served at the office. And that's because of Lisa's incompetence! If she couldn’t see to the smallest thing as good coffee , what good was she anyway? I was tapped out of my reverie as the door bell tingled again. This place was so old-fashioned, yet so up-to-date. I guess they wanted to retain the architectural heritage. Wait. That's a familiar face. It's Becky Lyn. Why's she craning her
Lisa’s POVThe thrill of the press conference lingered in the air, a sweet perfume blending with the biting chill that seeped through the slightly open window of my office. Leo closed the door behind us, isolating ourselves in this small sanctuary from the flashing lights and probing questions. The adrenaline crash was imminent, and I could feel it coursing through my veins, more intense than any boardroom battle I had ever experienced.“Can you believe how well that went?” I exclaimed, my heart still racing. I couldn't suppress the wide grin stretching across my face as I turned to face him.“Better than I expected,” he replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear in a tender gesture. “You owned that room, Lisa. Everyone was captivated by your passion and drive. That’s not just charisma; that’s you.”I felt warmth spreading in my chest at his praise. “I was terrified when that reporter asked about my past. But you were right there, grounded by my side. It made all the differ
Lisa’s POVAs I sat in my newly furnished office, looking out over the snowy expanse of Ottawa, my heart lay heavy with emotions I hadn’t quite processed. The view was beautiful, but it felt like a parody of my lifea pristine landscape masking the turbulence within. Leo had made the ultimate sacrifice for me, and I still felt the echoes of betrayal from my past winding through my thoughts, stinging like unresolved wounds.Today was the day we would unveil our joint venture: a philanthropic foundation aimed at helping orphaned children, something Leo had been passionate about since we first met. It was a chance to give back, to make a real difference in lives like his had once been lives that had the potential to achieve greatness. A part of me excitedly anticipated the unveiling while another part of me was terrified. This was not just a business endeavor; it was a collaboration of our fragile trust, a fragile bond that had weathered one of the worst storms life had thrown at us.“Lis
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