As I slowly came to, the familiar warmth of Leonâs embrace anchored me to reality. The soft hum of his breathing, steady and comforting, was the first sound I registered. I opened my eyes to find myself nestled against his chest, his strong arms wrapped protectively around me. The evening light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden hue over us.It was a rare kind of tranquility, the kind that made me want to stay in this bed forever, away from the chaos of the world outside. In this moment, it felt like it was just the two of us against everything else, and I wouldnât have had it any other way.I shifted slightly, causing Leon to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and a lazy smile spread across his face as he looked down at me. "Evening, sleepyhead," he murmured, his voice thick with affection."Evening," I replied, my voice still soft from sleep. I reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead, my fingers lingering on his warm skin. He leaned in, pressing a tende
"Margarette, are you ready? We donât want to be late for the hearing." Aunt Lou said. The sun had barely risen when Aunt Lou knocked on my door, her voice gentle yet firm. I groaned softly, still tangled in the warmth of my bed, the weight of the day ahead pressing on my chest. Today was the hearing, the one I had been dreading and anticipating in equal measure. Justinâs lawsuit against me was hanging over my head like a dark cloud, and I knew I couldnât avoid it any longer."I'm coming, Aunt Lou," I called out, forcing myself to sit up. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves that were already starting to fray. After quickly dressing, I headed downstairs where Aunt Lou was waiting by the door, her expression a mix of concern and determination.She smiled at me, though it didnât quite reach her eyes. "Donât worry, Margarette. Whatever happens today, youâve got me by your side."I nodded, grateful for her presence. Aunt Lou had always been my rock, especially after everythin
I couldnât shake the unease that gnawed at me as I stared at Justinâs text. Meeting him wasnât something I wanted to do, not after everything heâd put me through. But as much as I hated the idea, I couldnât ignore the thought of finally getting my properties back without dragging this lawsuit out any longer. The question was, could I trust him? The answer was obvious, yet the temptation lingered.I spent the entire morning going back and forth, trying to convince myself that this was a trap, that Justin was just playing more of his twisted games. But what if, by some miracle, he was serious? What if he really was willing to return everything without a fight? The thought was too enticing to dismiss.Eventually, my curiosity and desperation won out. I needed to know what he was up to, even if it meant facing him again. So, after much hesitation, I messaged Justin, agreeing to meet him at my parentsâ old vacation house.The ride there felt like it took forever, my mind racing with all th
The cafÃĐ buzzed with the usual hum of activityâclinking cups, the hiss of the espresso machine, the low murmur of conversations blending into a soothing white noise. Yet, to me, it all felt distant, like I was trapped in a glass box, separated from the world around me. The vibrant chatter, the occasional laughter, the shuffle of footstepsâall of it faded into the background, muffled as if I were submerged underwater.I sat at a small table by the window, my usual spot, but today it felt different. The sun streamed in through the glass, casting a warm glow across the room, yet I couldnât feel its warmth. My hands trembled as I gripped the cup of coffee in front of me, the ceramic cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the roiling heat inside me. I brought the cup to my lips, but the rich aroma that usually comforted me now did nothing to settle my nerves.I stared into the dark liquid, trying to find some semblance of calm in its depths, but all I saw was the reflection of my own tu
The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light that did little to lift the weight on my shoulders. As I walked along the main road after my frustrating encounter with Regina at the cafÃĐ, the anger and frustration still simmered beneath my skin. I needed to talk to someone who would understand, someone who could help me make sense of this mess. Without thinking twice, I pulled out my phone and dialed Aunt Louâs number.âMargarette, is everything alright?â Aunt Louâs voice was laced with concern the moment she answered.I hesitated, not wanting to worry her, but I couldnât keep it all bottled up anymore. âAunt Lou, is it okay if I drop by your clinic? I need to talk.ââOf course, dear. Iâm finishing up with my last patient now. Come over, Iâll be here.ââThank you,â I murmured, relief washing over me. I hung up and flagged down a taxi, my mind already racing ahead to the conversation I knew I had to have.The ride to Aunt Louâs clinic felt longer than usual, th
The days following the incident with Justin and Regina were filled with a tumultuous blend of determination and dread. I kept telling myself that I wouldnât let them get to me, that I would push forward and secure the victory in the lawsuit. Every morning, I woke up with a renewed sense of purpose, reminding myself that I had to prove to Justinâand to myselfâthat I wasnât someone who would simply surrender to his manipulations.On one such morning, as I descended the stairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, mingling with the faint scent of the flowers Aunt Lou always kept in a vase by the kitchen window. But instead of the usual peaceful start to the day, I was met with an unusual sightâAunt Lou, standing by the living room couch, her hand clutching the phone to her ear, her expression strained. She was talking to someone, and the anxiety etched into her features made my heart skip a beat. I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, not wanting to intrude, but as Aunt Louâ
The silence in the car was almost suffocating, each of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. I glanced at Uncle George as he drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white against the worn leather. It had been years since Iâd last seen him, and though the circumstances were far from ideal, the wear of time was etched deeply on his face. He looked older, more burdened by the weight of lifeâs unexpected blows.Aunt Lou sat beside him, trying and failing to hide her tears. She dabbed at her eyes with a crumpled tissue, thinking no one noticed. But I did. I saw everythingâthe silent sorrow in the set of her shoulders, the tremor in her hands.I wanted to say something, anything, to ease the tension, but the words just wouldnât come. Instead, I stared out the window, watching the world blur past, my own emotions a tangled mess that I couldnât begin to unravel.The car hummed quietly, the sound only amplifying the tension.When we finally arrived a
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of the hospital room, casting a pale glow on the sterile environment. My heart pounded in my chest, but I tried to push down the nerves as I prepared myself to donate blood for Lena. After a restless night, I knew that this was the least I could do for Aunt Lou and my cousin.The nurse smiled at me as she prepped the needle. "Youâre doing a wonderful thing," she said softly.I forced a smile back, trying to ignore the slight tremor in my hand as I clenched and unclenched it. "Iâm just glad I can help."The donation itself was quick, though the aftermath left me feeling light-headed. The nurse offered me juice and a snack, insisting I rest for a bit, but I was too anxious to stay still. I needed to see Aunt Lou, to make sure she was okay.As I walked out of the donation room, I found Aunt Lou pacing in the hallway, her worry etched into every line of her face. When she saw me, her expression shifted to one of relief, though concern s
The rain was falling again.It always did on days like thisâdays that felt like endings.I stood on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the stormy waters of Anacortes, my coat pulled tightly around me, the hood shielding my face from the wind that carried the scent of salt and something olderâsomething like goodbye.Leon stood behind me. I didnât have to turn around to feel him there. His presence was familiar now, carved into my skin like muscle memory. Heâd been my gravity, my storm, my salvation, and my ruinâsometimes all at once.âItâs really over, isnât it?â I whispered, more to the wind than to him.He didnât answer right away. His silence was as heavy as the stormclouds above us.âI wanted to fix everything for you,â he said finally, his voice hoarse, like it had been dragged across a battlefield. âI wanted to give you a life that didnât hurt.âI closed my eyes. The ache in my chest pulsed with every beat of my heart. âYou did,â I said. âFor a while, you did.âI heard the crunch
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. âIâm not the same person I was before,â I said, my voice firm, unwavering. âAnd Iâm not walking away this time.âThe manâs eyes flickered with a moment of doubt, just enough for me to catch. And then, before I could even register what had happened, Leon moved.Faster than I could blink, Leon was in front of me, his hand grabbing the gun and twisting it out of the manâs grasp. The force of it sent the man stumbling back, but he didnât go down easily. His bodyguards rushed in, but Leon was already a step ahead, disarming one of them with a swift, calculated move.I stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what I was witnessing. Leonâalways so calm, always so carefulâwas ruthless. He was like a force of nature, determined to protect me at all costs.But the fight wasnât over yet. The man recovered, his eyes burning with rage. âYou really think youâve won?â he spat, his voice dripping with venom. âYouâre nothing but a pawn in a game you canât ev
The sound of boots drew closer, pounding the floor with an urgency that echoed through the cavernous halls of the estate. My heart raced as the reality of what I had just heard crashed into me like a tidal wave. The man who had once been a part of my lifeâmy familyâs betrayer, the one who had orchestrated their deathsâstood there, calmly, as if this was just another night for him.Leonâs grip on my hand tightened, but I didnât let him pull me away. I could feel the air thickening with tension, the walls pressing in as everything I thought I knew began to crumble.The intruders were only moments away.The manâheâsmirked, watching us. âYou think this will end well? Youâve no idea what youâre up against. My people are everywhere.âI took a step forward, ignoring Leonâs silent plea to retreat. âYou killed them. And you thought I would be the next one to fall in line?â My voice was a whisper, but it held a power I hadnât realized I had. âYou were wrong.âThe manâs face faltered, just for a
Next Morning at the Estate Archives. The basement was cold and damp, and the air smelled of mildew and secrets. Old boxes lined the walls, labeled in my fatherâs tidy script. Financial records. Land deeds. Correspondence.Leon sifted through a crate of documents while I dug through another.Then something caught my eye.A faded folder labeled: Project Thornfield.I opened it slowly.Inside were blueprintsâplans for development across coastal land that was supposed to be protected forest. There were signatures from multiple board members, including names I recognized.And then, one I didnât.N. Vallis.Leon leaned over. âYou know that name?âI shook my head. âNo. But look hereâhe signed off on the project two weeks before my parents died.âLeon pulled out his phone. âIâll run a background check.âI kept flipping through the documentsâand found something that made my blood run cold.An aerial photo.Of the cliffside. Our property.With a giant red X drawn over the coordinates where my p
THREE WEEKS LATER...The investigation moved faster than Iâd expected. With the board fully on our side now, the paper trail unraveled like a thread pulled from an old sweaterâeach piece of evidence exposing the next. Shell companies. Forged contracts. Witnesses who had remained silent out of fear but were finally coming forward.Still, no one had seen him since the day of the summit. He had vanished without a trace. No flights. No offshore activity. No messages. It was like heâd disappeared into smoke.But Dorian didnât believe in ghosts. âHeâs hiding,â he said as he handed me a thick folder. âAnd thisâthis will force him out.âI flipped through the documents. Bank records. A property registered under an alias. Hidden deep in the woods outside of Anacortes. I felt my stomach twist.Leon stepped up behind me, his hand grazing my shoulder. âLetâs pay him a visit.âThe cabin was barely more than a shadow tucked between trees. No lights. No car. Just silence and the thrum of insects in t
Sunlight crept cautiously through the cracks in the blinds, casting golden slivers across the hardwood floor of the safe house bedroom. I sat curled up on the edge of the bed, a blanket draped around my shoulders and the journal heavy in my lap. The cover was cracked, worn with age and secrets. My fingers hovered over the first page for what felt like an eternity.Leon was nearbyâhe hadnât slept much, either. He stood at the window with a mug of black coffee, watching the world outside with quiet alertness. When I finally opened the journal, he turned slightly but didnât speak. He knew I needed silence for this.The first entry was dated nearly two decades ago.July 14th. We signed the contract today. Two families, one future. The woman from Delmar Holdings is more cunning than I expected. She knows weâre desperateâand she used it. I told Mariana to trust me. That this was the only way. God help me, I hope Iâm right.My breath hitched. Marianaâthat was my motherâs name.I flipped thro
MARGARETTE'S POVBefore we could react, the door behind us burst open.Three armed men rushed in, dressed in black, their movements precise and rehearsed. Leon shoved me behind him, drawing his gun up in an instant. Dorian, who had been lingering near the entrance, took cover behind a cabinet, gun already out.âEliseâs father wasnât bluffing,â I breathed, my heart hammering. âHe had backup ready.âLeon fired the first shot, catching one of the intruders in the shoulder and sending him crashing to the floor. Chaos erupted. Dorian ducked low and returned fire, narrowly missing another attacker who retaliated with a spray of bullets that shattered the windows.I crouched behind an overturned table, the sound of gunfire drowning out my thoughts. The locket in my palm dug into my skin, its edges sharpâa painful reminder that I couldnât afford to lose control now.âEliseâs father!â I shouted to Leon. âHeâs escaping!âThrough the haze of smoke and broken glass, I saw the man slinking toward
The sound of footsteps pounding in the hallway was the last thing I heard before the door slammed open.I barely had time to react before a rush of armed men poured into the room, their eyes scanning every corner, landing finally on me. There was no mistaking the intent behind their cold stares.âGet down!â Leonâs voice crackled through the earpiece again, but there was no time to obey. I couldnât allow myself to hesitateânot now, not when the truth was within reach.I raised my gun, my hands steady despite the chaos unfolding around me. I wasnât going down without a fight, not after everything I had lost. Not after everything Eliseâs father had taken from me.Before the first man could react, I fired. The sound of the shot echoed in the confined space, the bullet finding its mark in the manâs chest. His body crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud, but the others didnât hesitate. They moved in faster, their guns drawn, but I was ready.I ducked behind the desk, using it as cover
Dawn came in silver slivers through the cracks in the window. I hadnât sleptânot really. My mind was too loud, looping the footage over and over like a broken reel.Leon sat across from me at the table, sipping his coffee like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. Neither of us had said much since the footage. We didnât need to. The truth had cut so deep, it didnât leave room for small talk.But I had questions.And I needed answers.âHow long do you think heâs known I survived?â I finally asked, voice hoarse.Leon didnât look away from his mug. âLong enough to start covering his tracks. But he didnât expect the locket to resurface.âMy hand instinctively reached for it. The locket was warm now, like it had absorbed my grief and fury. Inside was a picture of my mother and meâher arm around my tiny shoulders, her smile soft but tired. A photo I hadnât even remembered until last night.âHe killed her,â I whispered. âHe killed my father. For what? A project?ââNot just a project,â