MasukLEO'S POV"You are right, I wasn't there but I met with him outside with that friend of his and confronted him. The friend was the one who told me what happened and even said that they had a playful fight before he was able to let Leo come back to us. I guess they must be really close".Her mother replied and walked towards her.Charlotte's gaze was still burning into mine as if trying to figure me out.I swallowed tightly and avoided her eye contact.“Playful fight? Does it look like a playful fight? How old are they, twelve? And very close friends, really? How come you never talked about him, Leo? And where is this friend of yours? He can’t even say hi to your wife but he came with you to this hospital? Does he even have a name?”She folded her arms and pouted.Mei carried the baby. I looked at her, and she gave me a look.“His...his..."I cleared my throat."His name is Richardo. He said he will pay you a visit at home instead, so he...can be..prepared....he is like that...,” I rep
For a split second, the room went completely silent. Leo’s hair was disheveled, his shirt wrinkled and slightly torn at the collar, and there was a faint red mark blooming on his cheek. His chest heaved with every breath. “Leo…” I whispered, my voice barely audible, a mix of relief and worry flooding through me. Musa and Angela exchanged glances, then looked at me. I was surprised, to be honest. Leo wasn’t the guy to get into fights. Did he have a fight with his old friend? That was if his old friend was built like an animal with claws, because of the marks on his neck. I wondered if he was okay. I was speechless. “Daddy!” Angel shouted, breaking the silence. She went and hugged Leo. Jayden too lifted his face in excitement. Leo forced a smile and carried Angel up. “How are you, my love?” “Daddy, you smell so bad. Where did you go?” “It’s… it’s… the drink…” He replied, walking towards me. “You’ve been drinking all night?” I asked. He froze. Before anyone could say an
CHARLOTTE'S POV It was already afternoon and all the information I got was that Leo was perfectly fine, just chilling with an old friend. This wasn't funny anymore. Why is he neglecting my needs? They had a lot of time yesterday. Why wis he not back to me? I had to see him before I leave this hospital. I sighed and looked up, bored and frustrated. I woke up after a nap to find out I was alone, I don't even know where Mei went to. Then later one the baby woke up and I started attending to her. And even after that assurance from Lois . I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility that Leo's old friend might be a woman. My insecurities found a way to creep back in. However... it's most unlikely for someone like Leo to have a female friend... and if he was okay being platonic... no way a sane woman would see a man like Leo and say, “Yeah,let's be just friends.” What was I even thinking about? There was no way Leo had left me to stay with a female friend, right? The door s
To 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
“But you’re still my daughter, you know,” Mei said to Charlotte, her voice trembling. Charlotte let out a bitter laugh. “A daughter you couldn’t love or protect.” Mei nodded slowly. “I was wrong… I’ve been a bad mother.” Tears glimmered in her eyes. Not just glimmered—they pooled, and
CHARLOTTE’S POV Something soft brushed my cheek. Then a lush, velvety sweetness filled my lungs. I blinked my eyes open, the world a hazy blur of morning light and vibrant color. There, resting in my arms as if I’d been cuddling it all night, was an enormous bouquet of deep red roses. I blinke
LEO’S POVThe moment the door clicked shut behind me, I didn’t waste a second.A tight frown arched my brows.I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.“Yeah. It’s me,” I said quietly. “What’s the situation?”A pause as I listened.“Got it.”I ended the call and strode down the hallway with one th
We got out of the rollercoaster, and I felt my phone buzzing. I pulled it out. It was a text message from my manager. “Sir, there’s a tagged picture of you at the fun park. Should I reach out and tell the woman to take it down?” I sighed. Must be the bride. I texted back: “She’s a fan, and I’







