LOGINTo be sincere, those words of hers hit harder than I expected. Twenty-five years ago. I was six… still in the Philippines surviving even though I was supposed to be like the son of the king. It was Daniella who was kind enough to play with me. The other kids looked at me weird, especially the boys, knowing I was a boy who dressed like a girl. The boys told them, of course. It was Daniella who still hung around, bringing food for me. But that was only for a few months before they moved away and I was only six… six… Of course, I remembered a girl was nice to me but I can’t remember how she looked or even her name… as I grew older. But now it’s all coming back. I dragged in a slow breath, forcing my mind back to the present. “Leonard, seeing each other again is…” My gaze hardened. “…Stop,” I said quietly. “Stop? What do you mean stop? We found each other, didn’t we?” Her lips trembled. “Yes, look, I truly, truly appreciate what you did for me back then and if
“You….” She smiled and walked down the staircase. “You remembered me last night, now you are looking at me like I am a complete stranger. You've grown into a handsome man Leonard... however, you can say the same for me, won't you?" I drag a hand down my face. "What the hell are you talking about? We didn't have any type of sexual contact last night,right?" I asked, the words feeling like a spear to my chest. She simply smirked then shrugged. “You did ask for it but I declined." “Do you know how stupid you can be to be involved in using such drugs? You are a medical doctor. Drugging me and holding me here against my will? You want to end your career that bad?” She didn’t flinch. Just looked up at me with those calm, dark eyes. “Drugged you? Oh please, you got yourself drunk. Really drunk. Can't you smell it all over you? After the second plate of Jollof you just… passed out. I put you on the couch. Covered you. That’s all.” “Bullshit.” My voice cracked. “I rememb
LEO'S POV"Sad, I have to use this method to keep you here. But the good part is we will have a baby together and that will be a very beautiful love story. It doesn't matter if I lose my license for this, your family's wealth will be more than enough for us, right Leonard? Besides, I never wanted to be a doctor anyway, it was my parents' decision."A voice whispered into my ears.I woke up that instant like I was drowning in an ocean.My neck was stiff, twisted wrong against the arm of the couch I was sitting on.I looked around. That was a strange environment.I held my head with both hands as if trying to stop it from exploding.I noticed I still had my clothes on.However, the sharp stink of alcohol hit me like a slap: stale wine, spilled somewhere close.I glanced at the half-empty bottle of red wine on the low coffee table.Did I get myself drunk?That's impossible.I was supposed to be at the hospital.I pushed myself upright, head throbbing in time with my pulse.Then my mind w
Mei stood there, frozen, her fingers tightening around the edge of her dress.For a moment, she still said nothing.My heart pounded painfully against my chest.“Mom…” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “Please… tell me whatever it is. I am thirty-six years old, for crying out loud. Quit acting like I am a child. I can handle it.”"Charlotte… you just gave birth. It's nothing to worry about, I assure you. You need to relax.""That was yesterday and it is my third time. Also, telling me it's nothing to worry about will only make me more worried. Please tell me what Lois said."She closed her eyes briefly, like she was gathering strength… or courage.“Lois said he’s perfectly fine,” she said again, a little more firmly this time. “He was just… resting at a friend’s place."The words hung in the air.I blinked at her, my tears slowing."He is perfectly fine and resting at a friend’s?”I repeated slowly.“Yes,” she nodded quickly. “He must’ve been exhausted and couldn’t make i
“None…” I cried louder.“Is that Charlotte?”“Yes… She’s crying. She must’ve heard you—the speaker is on,” Mei replied.“Can I talk with her?” Musa asked.“She’s… not in the state to talk right now,” Mei replied carefully. “She hasn’t eaten anything and she’s been crying nonstop since last night. I think you know why… I don’t know how to console her. It’s affecting her mental health and even the baby. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”She sobbed.“I tried all I could to make her…”“Hey, Mei… it’s okay. It’s normal for her to worry about her husband. Don’t be hard on yourself too.”“I know… I just… if I had been a better mother, I would’ve succeeded in calming her down. I don’t know if anything happened to Leo or not, but he better have some good explanations, or else he can’t hurt my daughter and go free.”“Don’t worry, leave that to me. Leo knows better than to mess up. About Charlotte… She will be discharged soon, right?”“She doesn’t want to leave,” Mei explained. “She said sh
CHARLOTTE’S POVMorning came, but it brought no relief and no news about Leo.I hadn’t slept a wink all night, no matter how much the nurses urged me to rest, no matter how much my mother begged.My body felt heavy, my mind numb. Inside, I didn’t even feel alive anymore.“Charlotte, dear, the baby—”my mom began softly.I didn’t even look up to meet her eyes.I brushed the tears from my face and carefully took the baby into my arms before she could finish the sentence.Mei sighed and went to sit on the couch, staring at me as if she had a lot to say but was afraid it might make me angrier.The nurses came in soon after, quietly checking my vitals and asking questions.“How are you feeling this morning, Mrs. Charlotte?” one of them asked gently, her face full of concern.I forced a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes but said nothing.They exchanged glances.“She’s okay… just worried,” Mei replied on my behalf.“Worried? Any pain? Any dizziness?” the nurse asked immediately.“No… not
However, it was too late. Her body gave a great, heaving shudder against mine, and a raw, quiet sob escaped her. “I just… I feel so heavy,” she choked, her voice muffled by my chest. “Like all of it is just… sitting on my chest.” I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. Her tear
CHARLOTTE'S POV My heart was galloping as I followed Musa to a quieter table by the bar, pretending I had no idea who Leo was. A flood of questions swirled in my head. Ignoring the only man who had looked at me differently? Is that really the best thing? Or was I punishing myself for wanti
"Let me go! Please!" I cried, thrashing against his iron grip.His free hand came up, not to my face, but to my breast, palming it roughly through the thin fabric.I gasped, shock and revulsion rolling through me.I shoved at his chest, but it was like pushing a mountain."No! Stop! Get off me!" I
Anyway, Emma stopped in front of him, smiling with that sly, catty expression. I knew something cunning was coming up. "Listen," she purred, "if you really want a woman to notice you-especially one like Charlotte-you've got to make her jealous. She behaves that way because you gave her all the







