Logan’s POV
I stared at the headlines on my phone, my stomach twisting. The photo of Leigh and me was everywhere. The media was having a field day, spinning the narrative as if we were more than an interviewer and her subject. The words burned into my eyes: “Logan Hunt and Mysterious Woman: Secret Affair Exposed?”
This wasn’t just unfair—it was cruel. Leigh didn’t ask for this, and now her career might be at risk. All because she had the misfortune of crossing paths with me.
I tossed my phone onto the desk and rubbed my temples. My mind raced, trying to figure out who would stoop this low. Only one name stood out. Francesca.
She always had a knack for stirring trouble. Ever since we broke up, she’d been bitter, finding ways to remind me she could still cause chaos in my life. I had no proof it was her, but my gut told me she was involved.
Logan’s POVThe knock on my office door was sharp and impatient. Before I could answer, the door opened, and Mr. Grayson stepped in. His face was red, and his jaw was tight. I knew immediately this wasn’t going to be a friendly visit.“Logan,” he said, slamming the door behind him. “We need to talk. Now.”“Good morning to you too, Mr. Grayson,” I said, forcing a calm tone. I gestured to the chair across from me. “Please, have a seat.”“I won’t be sitting,” he snapped, his voice cold. “Explain this nonsense!”He threw a newspaper onto my desk. I didn’t need to look at it to know what it was about. The headline blared something ridiculous about me being caught with a “secret lover.” The photo of Leigh and me was front and center.I sighed, l
Leigh’s POVI sat on the couch, legs folded under me, staring at the wall like it held all the answers I needed. My head felt heavy, and my chest even more so. Everything was going wrong. The whispers at work, the photos online, the endless judgment. It all pressed down on me like a weight I couldn’t carry anymore.Mo walked into the room, a steaming cup of tea in her hand. She placed it gently on the table in front of me and sat down beside me.“You’ve been sitting there all day,” she said softly, like she was afraid her words might shatter me.I shrugged, still staring at the wall. “What else am I supposed to do, Mo? Pretend everything’s fine? Because it’s not. My life’s falling apart.”Mo reached over and put a hand on my shoulder. “Leigh, I know it feels like that right now, but this isn’t the end. You’ll get through this.”I turned to her, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “How, Mo? How am I supposed to get through this? Everywhere I turn, people are talking about me. At work,
Logan’s POVIt had been a week of chaos and unanswered questions, and the city streets offered the only reprieve I could find. Driving through the bustling nightlife in my Benz, I tried to clear my mind. The soft hum of the engine was soothing, but no amount of speed could quiet the storm of thoughts raging inside me. Francesca’s name lingered like a ghost in my head, her voice from our last conversation echoing in my ears.The woman was a master of manipulation, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had her fingerprints all over the mess between Leigh and me. Every time I thought I’d left Francesca in the past, she found a way to creep back into my life. And now, with Leigh in the picture, it felt deliberate—like she was trying to dismantle everything I cared about.The streets were alive with energy: neon signs flickered, couples walked arm in arm, and laughter spilled ou
Leigh’s POVDays blended into each other, each one feeling heavier than the last. I couldn’t remember the last time I truly smiled or even felt like myself. All I did was sit on the couch, stare at the TV, and eat whatever junk food was within reach.My mornings had no structure anymore. I used to wake up with purpose—excited to head to work, grab a coffee, and tackle the day’s challenges. Now, I woke up because I had no choice. I’d lie in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, wondering how my life had unraveled so quickly.“Leigh, do you want breakfast?” Mo’s voice called from the kitchen one morning.“No, thanks,” I muttered, even though my stomach growled. Food didn’t even taste good anymore.I shuffled to the couch, the one place that had become my refuge. I grabbed a bag of chips from the table
Chapter 49Leigh’s POVThe invitation sat on the counter like it was mocking me. Mo had put it there as a reminder after our little talk. The event was tonight, and she was convinced that dragging me out of this apartment would somehow fix everything. I wasn’t so sure.I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My hair was a mess, my eyes were puffy, and my clothes hung on me like they didn’t belong. This wasn’t me. This wasn’t the Leigh who used to brighten a room just by walking into it.I sighed and pulled my hair into a loose ponytail. Mo knocked on my door and poked her head in. “You’re not even dressed yet?” she asked, exasperated.I shrugged. “I’m not sure I’m going.”“Yes, you are,” she said, stepping fully into the room. “I didn’t pressure you into this j
Logan’s POVThe night of the event had finally arrived, and as I adjusted the cuffs of my suit, I couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of excitement and dread. Mason, my closest confidant, leaned against the doorframe, watching me with a smirk.“You clean up nice,” he said, crossing his arms. “Trying to impress anyone tonight?”I gave him a sideways glance. “No one in particular.”“Sure,” he drawled. “And I suppose that extra polish on your shoes was just for the fun of it?”I rolled my eyes and turned back to the mirror. The suit fit perfectly, tailored to precision. The dark navy fabric contrasted sharply with the crisp white shirt underneath. A black bow tie completed the look, simple but elegant.“It’s a business event,” I said, adjusting my tie. &ldquo
Leigh’s POV“Leigh, get up!” Mo yanked my blanket off, her voice loud and determined. I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut.“Mo, it’s late. I’m not going anywhere.”“Late? It’s just 7 p.m. And you are going somewhere,” she snapped, planting her hands on her hips. “You’ve been sulking in this room for days. Enough is enough.”I rolled over, burying my face into my pillow. “I’m fine, Mo.”“No, you’re not. And even if you were, you need some air.” She strode over to my wardrobe, flinging the doors open. “We’re going to that event, and you’re going to look fabulous.”“I’m not in the mood for fabulous,” I muttered.She ignored me, pulling out dresses and tossing them onto my bed. After a moment, she held up a red one. “This. It’s perfect. Put it on.”I sat up, glaring at her. “Mo, I’m not going—”“You are.” She shoved the dress into my hands. “Now, get dressed before I do it for you.”Her tone left no room for argument. With a sigh, I dragged myself to the bathroom and changed. The dress clun
Leigh’s POVI stood there, frozen, my back pressed against the cool wall, my hands gripping the hem of my dress. The noise of the crowd felt muffled, distant, like I was underwater. My eyes stayed fixed on Mo and Logan.Mo’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and hot, like the hiss of steam from a boiling kettle. “You think you’re so untouchable, don’t you? So high and mighty with all your money and power.” Her finger jabbed the air between them, her whole body practically shaking with anger.Logan stood his ground, his face calm but his eyes sharp. He tilted his head slightly, the faintest twitch in his jaw. “Mo, you’re overreacting.”“Overreacting?” she echoed, her voice rising even louder. People started to glance their way, but she didn’t care. “Do you even hear yourself, Logan? Overreacting? Leigh lost h
Logan's POVThe train station was quiet, almost too quiet. I sat on a cold bench, staring at the empty platform. My head felt heavy, like I was carrying a weight I couldn’t drop. Leigh kept filling my thoughts. Her voice, her face, the way she looked at me when she was mad—it was all stuck in my mind.Why did she leave?I didn’t even know where she went. I didn’t know how to fix this. And the worst part? I wasn’t sure if I deserved to.I called Mason earlier, and told him to meet me here. He showed up ten minutes later, looking annoyed like always. His hands were shoved in his pockets, and his coat was zipped all the way up to his neck.“You really got me to leave my warm apartment for this?” he grumbled, sitting next to me on the bench.I didn’t answer right away. My thoughts were messy, too messy
Leigh POVThe train slowed down, making a loud screech as it stopped at the small, almost-empty station. I stepped off with my small suitcase, looking around at the unfamiliar town. The air smelled fresher here, almost like rain even though the sky was clear. The platform was quiet except for a few people walking past me, their steps quick and purposeful.I didn’t know where to go next. I just knew I needed to be away. Away from Logan. Away from Mo. Away from the city where everything felt heavy.I pulled out my phone, checking for directions to the address of the place I had rented. It was a small room I found online the night before I left. The pictures didn’t look great, but it was all I could afford for now.As I walked down the narrow streets, I noticed how different this place was from the city. No tall buildings. No honking cars. Just little houses with
Leigh’s POVThe train shook as it moved fast, and I sat by the window, holding my bag close. Outside, trees and houses flew past so quickly, like they were running away. I wished I could run away that fast too. The glass window was cold, and I leaned my head on it, hoping it would calm my heart.I couldn’t stay in that city anymore. It was too much. Mo shouting at Logan, Logan trying to talk to me, the looks people gave me because of that stupid photo. I hated it all.My phone beeped. I looked at the screen. It was Mo.Mo: “Leigh, pls don’t do this. Don’t run away like this.”I sighed and turned the screen off. What did she know? Mo always thought she was right, but she didn’t understand. She didn’t feel the pain I was feeling.It wasn’t just about her. It wasn’t just abou
Leigh’s POVThe train station was crowded, but it felt like I was the only person there. People rushed past me, dragging suitcases and clutching tickets, their voices blending into an indistinct hum. My feet felt heavy as I walked toward the platform, one step at a time, like each step carried the weight of everything I was leaving behind.I held my ticket tightly in my hand. The edges were crumpled from how long I had been clutching it. I didn’t even look at it again—I already knew where I was going, though I wasn’t sure why. Anywhere but here. That was the only thing that made sense in my head.As I sat on the bench, waiting for the train, the smell of hot coffee and engine grease filled the air. The announcements over the speaker barely registered in my mind. My head was too loud, full of thoughts I didn’t want to think about.I closed my eyes and took a
Logan’s POVMason leaned against the edge of my desk, his usual smirk replaced by something more serious. His arms were crossed, and he tilted his head like he was trying to read my mind. I hated when he did that.“You’ve been pacing for the last five minutes, Logan,” he said finally. “Care to explain, or should I guess?”I stopped walking, my shoes making a soft scuff against the polished floor. I turned to face him but couldn’t hold his gaze for long. “It’s... nothing,” I said, though even I didn't even believe it.Mason raised an eyebrow. “Right. Because ‘nothing’ always puts that look on your face.”I sighed and leaned against the wall, folding my arms. “It’s complicated.”“It’s always complicated with you,” Mason shot back, his smirk re
Leigh's POVThe suitcase sat open on the bed, half-filled with clothes and memories I didn’t want to take with me. The room felt cold and unfamiliar, as though it already knew I was leaving.***I have always been careful. Careful of the choices I made, careful of my life, and most of all my heart. But last night, I didn't know what came over me, because this feeling of recklessness was what I felt. Something I hadn't felt in years.The bass thumped through my veins, the drink left this cold burn on my hand, and across the crowded room, my eyes locked with his. I should have looked away. Better still, I should have walked away, but something was in the intensity of his gaze that pinned me down.I had no idea who this man was, and I cared less. He was too hot, his face glittering, his ocean blue eyes staring deep into mine, with his thick brown hair that fell to
Leigh’s POVThe cool night air hit my face as Mo and I walked out of the building. My heels clicked against the pavement, but her voice was the loudest thing around. She was practically seething, her words sharp and fast, like arrows aimed directly at me.“Leigh, what the hell was that?” Mo snapped, grabbing my arm to stop me. “You just stood there, watching. Watching me, watching him, watching everyone like a bystander in your own life.”I pulled my arm free, my teeth clenching. “You don’t get to do this, Moe. Not tonight.”“Oh, I get to do this,” she shot back, stepping closer. “You know why? Because someone has to say it. Someone has to remind you of who you are—or used to be, at least. You’ve been so... so passive.”I didn’t respond right away. My chest felt heavy, like someone had tied
Logan's POVThe glass felt cool in my palm as I held the untouched drink, the low hum of voices in the room barely registering. My eyes darted toward the entrance, as if Leigh might reappear, though I knew she wouldn’t. My fingers tightened around the glass, the faint buzz of conversations around me almost unbearable.I glanced toward the growing crowd, watching as the ripples of attention from Mo’s outburst slowly faded. Yet the whispers didn’t.“Who is she?”“Did you see what she said to him?”“Logan Hunt in a public spat? Never thought I’d see it.”The murmurs hung in the air like smoke, suffocating and impossible to ignore. I didn’t need to look to know they were about me. The curious, judgment
Leigh’s POVI stood there, frozen, my back pressed against the cool wall, my hands gripping the hem of my dress. The noise of the crowd felt muffled, distant, like I was underwater. My eyes stayed fixed on Mo and Logan.Mo’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and hot, like the hiss of steam from a boiling kettle. “You think you’re so untouchable, don’t you? So high and mighty with all your money and power.” Her finger jabbed the air between them, her whole body practically shaking with anger.Logan stood his ground, his face calm but his eyes sharp. He tilted his head slightly, the faintest twitch in his jaw. “Mo, you’re overreacting.”“Overreacting?” she echoed, her voice rising even louder. People started to glance their way, but she didn’t care. “Do you even hear yourself, Logan? Overreacting? Leigh lost h