INICIAR SESIÓNEPILOGUE : FIVE YEARS LATER“Mummy, you got a pink cake.Pink are for girls, and I’m a boy,” Ashton said in annoyance.I rolled my eyes, dropping the balloon which I held as I turned to him.His bright green eyes stared at me.Looking so much like his father with each day he grew.“It’s also Ashley’s birthday today.And the cake is for her,” I muttered as he gasped loudly at my words like I had just shot him in the chest.“Then what about me?It’s my birthday too,” he said in anger.Like father, like son.Ashton had a temper, just like Ethan.And Ashley, she was my sweet and shy baby, named after my late mother.“And who said a man like you won’t get a cake,” a familiar muttered from behind us.Ashton turned so fast that I could barely catch his movement.His eyes wide with joy and surprise the moment his gaze landed on Killian and he ran towards him.Hugging him like his life depended on it.Killian walked towards where I stood besides the counter as he dropped the other cake which h
It felt like a million needles piercing through me at once, each one tearing through my skin and sinking deeper into my bones.The pain wasn’t just in my chest this time.It was everywhere.In my throat where another scream was lodged in refusing to tear out, hearing Jennifer shout for Ethan to let me go yet again.But he only held tighter as another gun shot ripped through the air and she shot again.“I said let her go!” Jennifer screamed, her voice far from human and completely deranged now.“Please…please let me go, Ethan.Please let me go,” I shouted, trying to move his hands away from mine.I wanted to die, it was better to fall to my death than watch him being killed because of me.But he only held me tighter, gasping for air loudly as his face scrunched up in pain.He shook his head at me, his eyes glassy.“What did I tell you in the past, Leah?That even in death.I’ll never let you go,” he gritted, as blood trailed down from the side of his lips.And this time, he pulled even
“Leah,” his voice called out.And I thought I was dead, or dreaming.And if I was, I never wanted to leave here, because at least his voice was here with me.“Open your eyes, Leah.I’m not dead.We need to get out of here ,” his voice sounded more urgently this time.And I snapped my eyes open.It felt like my heart was on the verge of exploding out of my chest seeing Ethan standing before me.And most importantly alive.“Then, who was…” I stammered, still unable to regulate my breathing.“Ragnar was shot.Killian killed him.He was the one who shot before Ragnar could fire his gun,” Ethan said softly.“K..Killian?” I stuttered in confusion.It felt like I had slipped into the future.“Yes,” he answered, holding my hands tighter.My gaze shifted from him, taking in our environment.Ragnar laid on the floor.A gunshot wound to his head.“Where’s Killian?” I asked in worry, holding onto Ethan’s hands knowing we could not leave him here.“He went to get the police.They are on their way
LEAH’S POVEvery pore in my body froze, and I could barely take in air.The last time I had seen this face was over two decades ago.And as if a dam was left loose.Memories poured into my mind.Those familiar eyes.Me seeing them through our window in that small house.I should have warned mama and papa Derick, but I didn’t.And then he killed my papa.He killed Derick.He was the reason mama Gina had to go back to Richard Harnes.Everything was overwhelming as I stared directly into the face of the man who had ruined your life from the moment you were born.He robbed me of my childhood.Every suffering, every pain I went through was his fault.He killed my birth parents even before I got to know them.Then, he murdered the only man who had loved me like his own.Countless times I had imagined what I'd do when I finally stood before my parents' murderer.But I never imagined it to be this day.Standing fully exposed now at the side, not having Ethan’s body shield me anymore, my eyes
ETHAN’S POV“What are you saying, Jennifer?” I gritted, fed up with her nonsense.All I wanted was to take Leah out of here and get her urgent medical help.But I couldn't do that. Not with Jennifer’s gun still pointed to us.“I fought hard for us, Ethan, every single time.I climbed mountains to be with you!Me! Your Goddamn wife!But all you ever saw was her!Leah left you!She is getting married to another man for Christ sake!” She screamed.I struggled to calm my breathing as I spoke.“Our marriage is invalid, Jennifer.And you know that very well.There is no way I can be married to you when my wife is still alive.So get that into your insane head.”Her eyes flashed at my words and she suddenly calmed.Her lips curled.Then, she took a step forward and closer to us.“I don’t want to kill you, Ethan.I cannot kill the man that I love.I’ve worked too hard for this moment.So step away from Leah.You don’t need her anymore.I’m here for you.Look, I got a cosmetic procedure.So
ETHAN’S POVI was too late!That was the only thing I thought as I walked in to see Leah’s entire body engulfed in flames.I ran as fast as my legs could take me.I had no idea when exactly I reached her, but I knew I barely cared about anything.Not even the pain of the fire burning through the skin of my palms as I tore her dress off her skin.I could hear a voice screaming from behind me, yet it sounded so far away.The only thing that echoed in my head was Leah’s continuous brutal cry.“I would not let you die. I’ll never let you, Leah,” I chanted to her, as I finally ripped the last piece of cloth off her skin, stepping on it, and killing the flames with my legs.Her body trembled as I wrapped my arms around her, bringing her closer to me.“Ethan,” She whispered my name softly, and I was damned.I could feel the dampness which stains my cheeks as I looked at her feeble body.Her skin was hot from the heat of the fire, and yet I wanted to cool it on my own.I knew she was in pain
I bit down on my lips to shut a sob from breaking through, my hands trembled violently, and by now, employees had gathered around us, gossiping while some stared at me with disgust on their face. How could this happen? The Blackwood industries signed an eighty million dollar deal with the Wilsons
Natasha stood there, looking at me for the first time without any hint of jealousy at my closeness with Xavier. Instead, her lips curled into a satisfied smile, and my breath hitched at her actions. There definitely was a bigger play somewhere. “You see, Leah. You doubted Xavier’s intention, wh
“Sir, you have a meeting in five minutes,” the masculine voice from outside, along with the series of knocks that followed, broke whatever was fueling between us, leaving only an embarrassed tension.He finally took his eyes away from me to stare at the door, his expression blazing with anger as if
“Hmm, now is not the time for that, Leah,” my stepmother hissed. Still putting on her fake smile for Xavier's parents. My sharp eyes went to her, and I could only bite on my lips, staying quiet. After all, I could not afford to anger her. Not when my mother’s life lay in her hands. Her stern







