Chapter 5: The Price of Loyalty

**Leylie’s POV**

I spent exactly one hour with my mother, just as Finnian had instructed. She looked better than she had in months: a faint flush of color had returned to her cheeks, and her breathing was steady and even, thanks to the expensive specialists and the imported medications Finnian provided.

Every time I looked at her, I felt the heavy chain around my neck tighten. I couldn't make him angry. I couldn't risk her health. I knew he was capable of cutting her off without a second thought if I stepped out of line.

I kissed her forehead, promised to call, and stepped out of the apartment building into the bright, unforgiving sun. I was halfway to the waiting car when a voice I hadn’t heard in years stopped me cold.

“Leylie? Is that really you?”

I turned and saw a face from years ago.

"Richard?"

It was my high school classmate. He had lived next door to us for years and had been my friend until the day I married Finnian.

One of the first things Finnian did was take my phone and delete every male contact I had, blocking their numbers before I could even say goodbye.

I hadn't seen Richard in four years.

He walked toward me with a wide, genuine smile. “I thought you’d moved away for good. God, Ley… you look…” His voice faltered as his eyes searched my face, and for one brief second, I saw real worry flicker across his features. “Are you okay?”

"I'm fine, Richard. I just... I’ve been busy," I stammered.

I was painfully aware of James standing by the car and even more aware of the public eyes on the street. “It’s good to see you, really, but I should go.”

“Already? We haven’t spoken in years.” He took another small step closer, lowering his voice. “I heard about your husband. He’s… a big deal, right? But you look tired, Ley. Is everything—”

“Leylie!”

The voice didn't come from Richard. It came from behind me, cold and sharp. I turned slowly, my heart in my throat. Finnian was striding toward us, his face a mask of controlled, murderous rage.

He wasn't shouting; he never shouted in public. He valued his reputation as the ‘perfect gentleman’ too much to do so. But the way his jaw was set told me I was in serious danger.

"What are you doing here?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"I... I ran into an old classmate," I stammered, my hands trembling. "We were just saying hello."

Richard’s gaze moved between us, confusion deepening into something closer to alarm. “Ley, who is this?”

Finnian’s head snapped toward him. “Ley?” he repeated, the nickname tasting like poison on his tongue.

“I have to go, Richard. Goodbye,” I said quickly, forcing a tight smile I hoped looked normal, praying my legs would hold me long enough to reach the car.

Richard hesitated, gave a slow, uncertain wave, and then turned and disappeared back into his building.

As soon as he was gone, Finnian turned on me. "So this is why you were so desperate to come here," he hissed. “To meet your little boyfriend on the curb? And then what, follow him inside? Let him put his hands on what’s mine?”

"No, Finn, you’re wrong! I haven't seen him in four years. I swear I just ran into him on my way out of Mom’s building. Please, believe me."

"Liar!" he spat as he signaled to James, who hurried over.

He pointed at me like I was a piece of trash he’d found on the sidewalk. "James, you will drive the car home. My wife walks. Make sure you drive slowly, and that she stays right beside the car the entire way. I don't want anyone giving her a ride.”

I gasped, eyes flying wide. “Finn, please. It’s a five-hour walk from here. I’m in heels. My feet… Please don’t do this.” I reached out, my fingertips brushing toward his hand in silent pleading.

"Don't you dare use the hand you used on your client to touch me," he growled, recoiling as if I were contagious.

He looked at James. "If I find out she set one foot in that car or in any car, you’re fired. Do you understand?"

“Yes, sir,” James whispered, his eyes full of helpless pity.

Finnian didn't look back. He climbed into his own car and drove off, leaving me standing on the hot pavement in four-inch heels.

*****

Five hours later, when I finally stumbled through the gates of the mansion, my feet were raw and blistered. My legs trembled with exhaustion, my vision blurring as black spots danced before my eyes. I pushed open the front door and collapsed onto the living room floor, my breath coming in uneven gasps.

Finnian sat in his leather armchair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked at me for a long moment before he spoke. "After everything I have given you," he said quietly. "For God's sake, I could be with anyone. Anyone. But I chose you. And this is how you repay me, with disrespect. With sneaking around behind my back.”

"I didn't... do anything," I sobbed, the tears finally breaking through.

"You’re being dramatic again," he said, rising slowly to tower over me. "It was just a little walk. Stand up. You look pathetic sprawled on the floor like that.”

I stayed where I was, forehead pressed to the cold tile, too tired and broken to move.

He crossed to the side table, picked up a manila folder, and dropped it beside my head. It landed with a heavy thud that made me flinch. “Since you’re so desperate for male attention,” he said, leaning down until his face was inches from mine, “you’re going to make yourself useful.”

"I’ve never cheated on you, Finn. Why won't you believe me?"

"Because," he whispered, his eyes dark and calculating, “you’re too beautiful for any man to ignore. It’s the only real talent you have, Leylie. And it’s time we put it to work.”

My hands shook as I reached for the file and pulled out a single photograph.

The man in the picture was breathtaking. He had the kind of beauty that felt dangerous: sculpted cheekbones, a sharp jawline with a hint of dark stubble, and eyes the color of storm clouds over the ocean — gray-green and piercing, carrying a loneliness so deep it almost hurt to look at.

"Who is he?" I whispered.

"Your target," he said, reaching down to brush his thumb across my cheek. The gesture was almost tender, which made it a thousand times worse.

"I need you to seduce him. This deal is worth billions, and he’s a lonely widower. I heard he has a weakness for beautiful, intelligent women, and you, my dear, are the best I have."

I stared at him, my heart stopping. "What? Finn, you... You want me to cheat on you?"

"Don't look at me like that, honey," he said with a cold smile. "It’s not cheating if I’m the one handing you over to him.” He leaned closer, voice dropping to a near caress. “It’s an investment in our future."