LEO'S POV The twelve-year-old boy looked at me, and all I could see was a male version of Kate. Did she clone herself already? We'd arrived quite early to take his samples for the testing. Dr Lamar was very careful, and Kate wasn't anywhere near the hospital. The huge hole in her plan would make the whole framework of it fall through. I eyed the top of his blonde head as he sat beside me. Why did Kate give him up for the test so easily? I shuddered all over again. Could he really be my son? I looked at his face once more. I couldn't see anything that looked like mine: eyes, nose, lips - they were all Kate's.“Dad?" I almost hit the lad when he addressed me so. We didn't even have proof of that yet. Kate had been feeding him with so many lies, and he bought them all. I'm sure he also inherited her fish brain. He looked at me with piercing eyes.“Dad? Why aren't you saying anything? Am I sick? I've been getting lots of tests lately." I huffed. Explaining things to this kid might make
KATE'S POVI watched Leo's reaction as he came out of the hospital. I'd been sitting out here the whole time, waiting for him to show up with our son so that I could take a photograph of both of them together, and it came out perfect. They were even holding hands.“What's the meaning of this, Kate? We agreed that you wouldn't come around here." I almost laughed, recalling the action that would have best gone with his words, if we weren't in a public place. Lenny came over and took my hand.“Was he nice?" I asked my son while my eyes rested on his father. He pumped my hand twice. “Good." I held Leo's gaze. “I'm really impressed by your parenting skills, Leo. At least, that's something you haven't blown up for yourself." I watched his jaw tense. It seemed like everything to me when his frustrating was right about frothing out of the cup. Who did he think he was anyway that he could do away with me like trash? There's no better way to torture him.“Aren't you going to say anything, Leo
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
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 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 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
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
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 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