All the ladies were stunned. They couldn’t believe that Leila was hiding such a secret. With this, she could have easily cleared her name from being the liberated girl that the Yu family knew. But no, she did not choose to do so. What she chose was to protect the dignity of the man she relied on. “Leila, why did you protect him? You gave this to me before your flight to Paris. That was the time when your case against Julius was dismissed for lack of evidence. This much could have sufficed since it will show a history of him…”“…doing it to you,” Phyllis said with so much difficulty. “At the time, I thought he could help me and my mother to get out of the situation that my father put us in. He was pressuring my mother to give out almost all of my mom’s assets. A lot of the executives in the company also sided with him. They even sold their shares to him. The partnership with the Yu family is something important for my mom’s career… I can’t ruin it…”“Plus… I have come to like him… B
Outside the police station, countless reporters were waiting. They were all geared up to get a scoop out of the hottest case in the country. Julius Yu, a respected businessman is imprisoned because of a sexual assault case filed by his ex-girlfriend, Leila Parker. Many were shocked to hear that the most eligible bachelor in the country was involved in such a case. It was highly publicized and even large TV stations are covering the entire case. Taylor Lown, the witness of the crime and also the person who has beaten Julius up to the point that he got jailed, just exited Lieren City Police Station. “Mr. Lown!”“Mr. Lown!”“Any news for Miss Parker’s condition?”“Any comment for what Mr. Yu did?”“Can you detail how you found the hidden camera that Mr. Yu installed in Miss Parker’s office?”“What’s your relationship with Miss Parker?”“Is it only because of your security agency that you’re with her?”“Do you know about the arson case that Mrs. Laura Beaumont filed against the Parker
Taylor, I’m telling you, stop being so stubborn!” “Just drop me off at the hotel, I’ll be fine.” Annoyed, Chase slowed down and stopped near a hotel by Lieren Bay. They’re currently on the way home after a quick dinner with Laura and Theodore. However, since Theodore and Taylor had a small argument, it did not last long. And the initial plan of Taylor staying at Laura’s house is now scrapped. “You can stay at Grandpa’s mansion if you want.” “Or you can just go home to Uncle!” Chase kept on giving suggestions to his stubborn friend. But Taylor just ignored him. He glanced at his phone and saw a text from his friend, Zacharias Lohr. [Phyllis is home. She did not go out today.] [Why?] “I know you’re just going to see Leila, Taylor.” “Let the girl heal. Don’t be another asshole who will ruin her peace!” Taylor got a hold of a bag of toiletries and sleepwear that Laura initially prepared for his stay. Taylor briefly glanced at his friend and lawyer, Clark, who i
Warning: R18 content ahead! The kiss they shared made their bodies hot despite the cold sea breeze. Taylor’s topless body felt so warm as she snaked her arms around his neck. His calloused hand crawled inside her maxi dress. “Ahh…” she moaned arching her back. Her seductive moan caught Taylor from sinking into temptation. Leila’s not well. He pulled his hand back from her dress. “Leila, you’re still recovering. I’m sorry I was not in my right mind.” He patted her shoulders, feeling the coldness of her skin. Her face looked expressionless. Nothing about the passionate kiss they shared changed her blank eyes. She hung her head low, avoiding his eyes. “Let’s go inside, it’s cold here.” He guided her inside the cabin from the main deck. The yacht that Theodore bought Leila was huge. They passed by two cabins already and there’s still so much room. On the way to her room, Leila was eerily quiet. She hugged herself while walking in front of Taylor. “Where’s Theo’s men? I he
“Did you really have to leave Leila?” “You locked yourself up in your atelier for a whole month and then you’re leaving?!” “What’s the point of finishing all your pending dresses when you’re already leaving for good?!” Laura continued to nag Leila as she watched her daughter pack her suitcase. “Mom, I’m only staying in New York for a while.” “I’m not moving there for good. I have a client that I need to dress up for a wedding there. It’s a grand wedding so I need to be overseas to get her correct measurements,” she reasoned. “You can get the measurement and finish the work here! What’s the use of your atelier if you’re not gonna use it?!” “Mom… I just want a new scenery…” “We have a lot of rest houses in the province! You can get a new scenery there!” “Besides, what is there to see in New York?! It’s all just buildings anyway, it’s the same here!” “New York is not a safe place to travel in! You could get in danger!” “Mom, I believe it’s more dangerous here.” “…” With th
Dumbfounded, Leila couldn’t help but wonder why the old lady said so. “Oh, I think you’re mistaken. Theo’s my stepdad, Amanda.” Amanda squinted her eyes, carefully observing Leila’s face. “No. It can’t be!” “You have his eyes!” “Also his smile!” “You can’t fool this old lady into believing otherwise. I watched that kid grow up, there’s no way I can be mistaken,” Amanda added. With a bright smile, Amanda tapped Leila’s hands, “Let’s go up. I’ll show you your dad’s apartment here.” “Sure, let’s go!” She answered, not paying any more attention to what Amanda said about her stepfather. They entered the lift with the luggage in tow. The whole ambiance of the boutique condo is cozy and warm. A lot of beautiful paintings were also hung on the wall, which made the place more appealing. So far, she was impressed. She couldn’t wait to see the unit that she’d live in for the next few months. DING! The elevator opened on the top floor of the building. On the whole floor, she could
Dressed in a comfortable black pleated dress and a pair of nude sandals. She brought her workbag with her so she could give the client a rough sketch for whatever they may discuss. “Darling, I’ll just go to run some errands. I’ll leave you here now.” “Don’t worry about me and go do your thing, grandma.” Amanda smiled. “Well then, I’ll get going now.” Leila waved at Amanda goodbye before she went inside the coffee shop. She was still 10 minutes early so she went up other the counter to quickly order a drink. “Good morning, I’ll have a sea salt latte please,” she ordered before passing her credit card to the cashier. “Good morning, ma’am! I’ll get that ready for you!” Upon getting a receipt and her card back, she went to find a seat near the window. The whole street is bustling with people coming and through. It’s a busy Wednesday morning. “Leila?” A beautiful woman in a pink A-line dress approached her table. Her short hair was straightly cut under her ears, framing her sma
With only her working on the dresses, Leila decided to start early. Her staff would make the whole process efficient, but right now, she prefers to work on it alone. It helps to keep herself busy and avoid thinking unnecessary things. She has completely detached herself from life in Lieren City and focused on working. The events that transpired in the last three months have been extremely stressful. It took a toll on her mental and physical health. Her hand was restlessly sewing on the soft satin pinned on the mannequin. When she is absorbed in her own space, she forgets everything and just continues to work like a robot. “Leila!” She paused. Amanda stood on her side, her hands on her hips, furiously glaring at her. “What are you doing with yourself?! It’s already three in the afternoon and you haven’t touched the food that I’m bringing you!” “Look at you! You look so thin!” “It’s been two months since you moved here and you did nothing but work!” “I rarely even see you
Leila — “Mommy~” Lucienne Lown, my daughter, ran towards me with her arms spread wide. She was wearing a beautiful pink dress that I made for her paired with cute white sandals. “Lucy, don’t run fast!” Taylor Lown, my husband, anxiously ran after our daughter. Yes. Husband. We got married weeks before Lucy was born. Well, it was a shotgun civil wedding. I thought that instead of waiting until Lucienne was born, I just figured we do it before the due date. Of course, Taylor was all for it. He was so quick to arrange the most beautiful ceremony and reception I could ask for in that short amount of time. He did not dilly dally as he was afraid of me changing my mind. His words, not mine! I smiled as spread my arms, hugging Lucienne. “My light…” I kissed her curly hair. “Mommy, can I play with Esme?” Lucienne pointed at Esme, Rui’s daughter, who was walking around the beach with her older brother, Eon. “Sure, darling.” “Daddy, can you accompany Lucy down with Esme
Leila — I got discharged from the hospital a week ago, and I am now staying in my mother’s house upon her insistence. After my parents found out about my pregnancy, they practically threatened me to go home with them. Well, it’s mostly just my mother who threatened me, but my father did worry about letting me live alone after that damn stabbing incident. Every now and then, Taylor would visit the house to talk to my dad about the progress of the investigation. And right now, he’s downstairs talking to them again. Whenever he’s around, I’d pretend to be busy so I have an excuse to not see him. However… “Miss, Ma’am Laura is calling for you. She said she needs you to come down now.” “Tell her I’m busy,” I answered. “But ma’am Laura said she’s not going to take no for an answer…” The maid frightfully ran downstairs, avoiding any of my rejection. “What do they need now?!” I can’t just go down… I can’t see him! But my mother might drag me down if I don’t go down there… Ais
Taylor — “Thank you, handsome!” An old florist passed a beautiful bouquet of roses to me with a huge smile on her face. “I made it extra pretty for your wife,” she winked. With an image of Leila’s beautiful smile flashing in my mind, I unknowingly smiled. “Thank you. She loves roses.” The florist threw in a few petals of lilies on the side and said, “Well, take this lilies for your daughter.” “I— “Ah, ah, ah! It’s okay, don’t refuse! I want to put a smile on your daughter’s face as well. She must have been burdened on making your wife feel better.” “You should do better, handsome.” Confused with the florist’s vague words, I couldn’t help but frown. Still, it’s not like I have a daughter to make a big deal out of it. I walked out of the flower shop and headed back to my car to drive by Leila’s atelier. After everything that happened, perhaps I can formally court her this time. I’ve been so engrossed with work and helping with Leila’s case that I have put my love on hol
Theodore intimately held Laura’s hands, and with a relieved smile, he said, “I’m so happy that the most important woman of my life gave me a chance to express my side.” “I fear of losing you both, especially now that I experienced such a blissful family life.” A surge of warmth emanated from the loving couple in front of Leila. Seeing how her mother’s messy love life unfolded in front of her eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a little bad. She realized that convincing her mother to divorce her father was completely out of line. Rather, she finally understood how deep their love developed. ‘Who am I to ruin such a beautiful couple?’ ‘I don’t even feel that hurt because of what he did… I know, and I can feel that he did it with good intentions.’ ‘The only thing I need to worry about is my family… My mother is already so old, she can figure out the life on her own.’ She instinctively touched her tummy, feeling the baby bump. ‘So long as I have my baby, I know it will all work out
“Darling, you’re awake…” Theodore slowly walked up to the mother and daughter who were staring at him silently. “Did you hear from your mom already?” “About what? That I’m your biological daughter?” She passively asked. With the whirlwind of happenings the past day, everything is just overwhelming Leila. The neglectful father that she knew growing up turned out to not be her biological father. All her life she craved for her father’s affection only to be cast aside without knowing the reason why. It turns out, Allen Parker may have a reason for doing so. After all, not everyone can treat stepchildren as their own. ‘I don’t know if I should be relieved or what… This is so frustrating…’ Leila’s eyes were focused on Theodore who sat next to her mother. “Leila, darling…” “Why didn’t you tell us?” Theodore hesitated, his face looking a bit conflicted. “Darling, it’s complicated…” Laura sneered. “That’s what I asked him, Leila. He never explained why. If you didn’t urgentl
“The baby seems very healthy, Mommy!” Said the doctor as she checked on Leila’s pelvic ultrasound on the screen. “But the baby bump is barely there, doc. What should I do?” With her slender body, she’s still concerned about how the bump that she wishes to see is barely visible. The OB-Gynecologist wiped the cold jelly from her belly and said, “Mommy, I can see a small bump. You’re just naturally fit. But if you observe your body, there are changes.” “I bet you had a really flat stomach before you got pregnant. Am I right?” Leila nodded. The doctor pointed at the visible bump in her lower abdomen area. “This bump right here is not there before right.” “But it’s not big yet… Is my baby getting all the nutrition she needs?” “Of course, mommy. It’s just that your tummy won’t grow that big yet. But it will definitely as your baby develops.” Leila reluctantly nodded. “Alright, doc. Thank you.” “No problem. Visit me whenever you have concerns and don’t miss your scheduled prenat
Several weeks passed in a blur, and it was now Rui’s wedding. It was initially planned for her wedding dress to be loose so that it wouldn’t show her figure. But since she gave birth to her daughter, Esme a few weeks before the wedding. She was able to rest and spend more time with her newborn. The entire wedding preparations were handled by her husband, Chase. Leila expertly adjusted Rui’s gown to perfectly flatter her body. They were all satisfied with how the gown turned out. “Lei, where is Esme?” Rui in a beautiful chiffon gown asked Leila. The guests are having fun as they proceed with the wedding activities. “She’s sleeping in her room and Phyllis is looking after her,” answered Leila as she sipped on the sparkling soda that was handed by a server. Rui sincerely smiled, “Thank you, Lei.” Leila squeezed her hands, “Of course, I got you, my dearest.” Rui then went on with the activities with her husband, Chase. As one of the Maid of Honor, she was in charge of helping
Leila was carefully driving her car back to her mother’s house after driving her friend, Phyllis to the airport. On their street, she saw a lot of cars parked near Phyllis and Zacharias’ house. “Are they media people…? That’s a lot…” The amount of people with big cameras waiting outside her friend’s house is insanely plenty. Just a few days ago, Phyllis’ husband was hospitalized because a crazy fan attempted to kidnap him. Now, people got a hold of this incident and were eager to get a scoop about it. “So that’s why Taylor told me not to go out…” “Well… No wonder that couple decided to flee the country.” She then parked her car in front of the house’s front entrance. She swung her keys as she walked inside her mother’s house. “Leila?!” Her mother jolted up from the couch as soon as she walked in. “What’s up?” “You! What did you do now?!” Confused, Leila asked, “What did I do…?” “First, you lied to Aunt Amanda about Rui’s wedding and impulsively went home. We’re not don
KNOCK KNOCK Leila was drying her hair after a warm bath when she heard a knock on her door. “It must be him.” She hurried out of her room and opened the door. There, she saw Taylor standing outside, his whole body drenched from the rain. “Goodness, what happened to you?!” “Haha… It rained and I forgot to bring an umbrella.” “You didn’t drive?” “Why would I drive if there’s a convenience store nearby?” His hair is still dripping wet and the rainwater made Taylor’s dress shirt see-through. His lean body is showing because of this. His body was shivering from the cold, but still, he smiled as he handed over the plastic full of food that Leila requested. Feeling a little sorry for his appearance, she bit her lips. “Uh…” “Why don’t you come in and change?” She offered. Taylor beamed, “Sure!” He quickly took off his shoes and went inside. Leila could only watch him as he wore the fluffy pink bunny slippers he used before. ‘I mean, I’ll feel guilty if he gets sick aft