Novels by Leemah's Luxe

What RemainsDinner that night stretches longer than any of our Friday routines, the two of us lingering at a corner table long after the restaurant's other patrons have filtered out into the evening, the weight of the trial's conclusion settling into something quieter, gentler between us."I keep thinking about Ivy," I admit, turning my water glass slowly on the table. "Wherever this goes for you and me, I hope we figure out the right way to be part of her life. She didn't choose any of this.""The custody hearing is scheduled for next month." Noah's expression turns thoughtful. "Margaret's been incredible through all of it, honestly. She's been visiting Ivy every week at the temporary placement, making sure she has some consistency while everything gets sorted.""And you? Have you seen her?""Twice." He hesitates. "It's strange, meeting a sister I never knew existed, who's spent her entire short life believing she belonged to someone who was using her as a weapon. She asked me last

: Same Time Next WeekThe weeks that follow settle into a quiet rhythm neither of us discusses out loud, dinners every Friday at the same small restaurant, sometimes joined by Lila for an early meal before Noah drives her back to my father's estate, sometimes just the two of us lingering long after the other tables have emptied.I watch him carefully during each one, waiting for the old patterns to resurface, the distracted phone checking, the clipped impatience whenever a conversation ventures somewhere uncomfortable. They don't come. If anything, he seems more present with each visit, asking questions about my work that show he's actually been listening, remembering small details from previous conversations that used to slip past him entirely during our marriage."You've mentioned Whitmore three times now," he says one evening, four weeks into whatever this has slowly become. "The board member who keeps testing you in meetings.""He's finally starting to ease up." I twirl my fork th

FridayFriday arrives faster than I expect, and by six thirty I've changed my outfit three times, a fact I refuse to admit out loud to Elena, who watches from my bed with an expression of barely contained amusement."You've worn the green dress twice already tonight." She gestures at the pile of discarded options scattered across the room. "I think that's your answer.""It's not a statement of anything." I smooth down the fabric, studying my reflection with more scrutiny than the occasion probably warrants. "It's just a dress.""Sure." Elena's smile widens, but she doesn't push further, simply reaching over to adjust the clasp of my necklace before I can protest.Noah arrives at exactly seven, dressed simply, no tailored suit tonight, just dark slacks and a button down that makes him look more like the version of himself Elena once described from before his father died, before the pressure hardened him into someone else entirely."You look beautiful." His voice carries none of the old

About UsI stare at Noah's message for a long time before I type anything back, my thumb hovering over the screen while my father waits patiently by the car, giving me the privacy to work through whatever's unfolding on my phone.Amara:Not today. Today has been enough for both of us. But soon, yes.His reply comes almost instantly. **Noah:** Thank you. Take whatever time you need.I slide the phone into my bag and climb into the car, my father settling in beside me, studying my face with the same careful attention he's given every development over the last year."He wants to talk," I say before he can ask. "About us.""And what do you want?" His voice stays neutral, offering no pressure in either direction."I don't know yet." I lean my head back against the seat, exhaustion finally catching up with me after two days of bracing for whatever truth waited in that conference room. "A year ago I would have known instantly. I would have run toward whatever scrap of attention he offered, g

The Weight of ItMargaret is the one who finally breaks the silence, her voice quiet but firm as she turns to Sarah. "You've carried this alone for twenty years. I should have found a way to lift some of that burden sooner.""You promised Eleanor." Sarah's eyes are wet now, the years of guilt finally spilling over. "I made you promise too, after she passed. I was so afraid of what it would do to Robert's reputation, to Ivy's stability, to everything Eleanor built to protect all of us.""Eleanor's protection cost my daughter a year of public humiliation." My father's voice is hard, though not unkind. "It cost Amara a marriage built on secrets that had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with a family determined to bury its own history rather than face it.""I know." Sarah's hands press flat against the table, steadying herself. "I've known for months, since Isabella first resurfaced in the news, exactly what she was doing with the truth I gave her decades ago. I should have co

What Margaret KnowsI read Julian's message three times before the words fully register, my grip tightening on the phone as the car rolls to a stop in front of the house."What is it now." My father's voice carries the weary caution of a man who's learned to brace for the worst every time my phone buzzes.I turn the screen toward him wordlessly, watching his face shift from confusion to something darker as he reads Julian's text."Margaret." His voice comes out low. "Eleanor's sister has known the truth about Sarah Chen this entire time?""That's what Julian's message says." I'm already typing a reply, my hands unsteady. "I need to call him."Julian answers on the first ring, his voice tight with the same disbelief written across my father's face. "Detective Reyes just got off the phone with Sarah Chen directly. She was very specific. She won't talk without Margaret present, and when Reyes pushed for a reason, Sarah said, and I'm quoting her exactly, 'Margaret has spent twenty years