All Chapters of Bound by Fate : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"I don't even have anything formal to wear," Leslie mumbled as she nervously sifted through her clothes. She opted for a somewhat formal beige dress that contrasted with her eyes, pulled her hair up into a delicate loose bun, brushed on some makeup, and glanced at herself in front of the huge oval mirror on her dresser. “Do I look okay?" She anxiously smoothed out the crease on her worn-out dress, took a deep breath, and headed downstairs.Julian had freshened up also. He wore a crisp white button-down shirt that contrasted sharply with his tanned skin and tailored black slacks. Such a simple combo, yet it made this man look so devastatingly handsome. His entire being exuded a commanding presence. Julian looked up at her, and their physical tension was palpable. The dress, though worn out and a tad bit faded, complemented her figure in a chic way, and the chandelier cast a warm, soft glow on her. He cleared his throat and looked away, resisting the urge to compliment her."Come, sit,

“Lock him up in the solitaire!” a middle-aged man with a coarse voice yelled at two bodyguards.“No, Father, please, not the solitaire!” A little boy, not more than 11 years old with dark brown hair resembling the man's, pleaded. “I won't get a B+ ever again. Please forgive me, Fa-”Pak! A slap reverberated through the courtyard.“No son of mine will cry over the punishment he deserves. Now shut up and carry on with your punishment.” The boy's screams became muffled as he was thrown into a huge thick metal box they called the “solitaire.”“Please, I beg you, I.. I'm scared! Don't leave me h..here!” The bodyguards turned a blind eye to his pleas and slammed the door of the huge box, shutting him in.The familiar pitch blackness of the ‘’solitaire” welcoming him swallowing him whole. The air grew stuffy quick. “Dad, please! Mom, let me out!” he yelled, banging on the walls. His heart banging even louder against his ribcage. “Na na na na na, Julian, no one loves you. That's why Daddy k

"I'm sorry, Miss Harrison, but unfortunately, he couldn't be saved," the doctor said to Leslie. She felt her world spin, her heartbeat accelerated, and bile threatened to come up her throat. Her legs gave way, and she collapse to the ground with brute force. She mumbled incoherently, "No, no, no, this isn't possible. Dad is okay, he's alive. I know it. He's always been there for me. He won't leave me now. Dad, you can't be gone. I won't allow it."She got up unsteadily and latched onto the doctor's coat with trembling hands. "Tell me it's a lie, please tell me he's alive," she yelled with full-blown hysteria.The doctor's face morphed into a cold smile as he peeled her fingers off his coat and gripped them tightly. "This is all your fault, Miss Harrison. You didn't come through for your dad. You're a failure, do you hear me? A failure. How could you abandon your own father like that? Now he's dead."Blood drained from Leslie's face, and she cried out hysterically, "No, no, I didn't

Leslie's left hand tapped endlessly on the hardwood table. Her other hand held a cup of nearly empty boba as she took a nervous sip and waited. She'd agreed to meet this person at a popular boba shop downtown. It was midsummer, so she was seated outside in a peach sundress and black boots. If she wasn't so nervous, she'd appreciate the place and enjoy the sun comfortably. Meeting up with a stranger wasn't her cup of tea, but something about the whole ordeal felt… right to her.As she waited, she recalled the call she received an hour ago.---"Good day to you. Am I speaking to Miss Leslie Harrison?" a quirky male voice sounded."Uh, yeah," Leslie said, not bothering to clarify that she was now a Blackwood. "This is she. May I know who's calling?""FINALLYY, I get to speak to you! How are you, my dear?" he said."Um, fine? May I know how you got my number, please?""Oh my, I know this sounds creepy, but I'm a huge fan," the man said, his voice filled with enthusiasm."You are?" Leslie

"Oh Julian, finally! I get to see you again. It's been so long!." Julian thought as he coldly peeled the hands holding him in a vice-like grip and turned to face the woman in black with a blank stare. "What's with that look on your face?" she said, pouting. "Aren't you excited to see me?""What are you doing here?" Julian said, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. She froze slightly but regained her cheerfulness. "Forget that. Tell me, how do I look?" She spun around for Julian to check out, but his eyes remained on her face the whole time. "So, how do I look?""Like a normal human being.""Oh, c'mon," she said, indignation coating her voice. "I look stunning!!."True to her words, she did look stunning. The black wrapped sheath dress she wore clung to her body like a second skin. She was tall and shapely like a Caribbean model. Her feline cat eyes and full plum lips could bring any man under her control. Any man except, well... Julian Blackwood. "I'll ask you again, what are you