Chapter 38 ~ Jeslyn’s Fractured Heart

Jeslyn took a deep breath, trying to steady her breathing. Her shoulders trembled, but her eyes remained fixed on the door now firmly shut. Anger, frustration, and fear mixed into a chaotic storm within her chest.

After regaining some composure, she returned to Jefran’s office.

“You’re back? That took a while. What were you and my brother talking about?” Jefran asked, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Jeslyn felt like she was trapped in a web woven between two men—both of whom made her feel equally frustrated.

“I was just explaining the risks we face if Valchev gains full access to Clovies,” Jeslyn replied calmly. “I only wanted to help.”

“I heard you shouting… that I’m your fiancé. Why did you say that?” Jefran asked, puzzled.

“Yes… because Leonel was accusing me of overstepping by helping you. I got upset and blurted it out. After all, you are my fiancé—I couldn’t just let you face trouble alone,” Jeslyn said, forced to lie.

Jefran was moved by her words. He rose from his chair and embraced her tightly.

“I didn’t know you were trying so hard to protect me—standing by my side, especially when my brother is so harsh,” he said softly.

Jeslyn froze in his embrace. Her body stiffened, her mind spinning. His hug should have made her feel safe, but instead, guilt and fear wrapped tightly around her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to erase the lingering image of Leonel that haunted her thoughts.

“I don’t want you to get hurt, Jefran… but this has gotten too complicated,” she whispered, barely audible.

Jefran slowly pulled away, gazing deeply into her eyes. “What did he do to you?” he asked, voice laced with suspicion. “Did he hurt you? Force you?”

Jeslyn looked away. “No,” she answered quickly, though her voice clearly lacked conviction.

Jefran clenched his fists. “I’m going to talk to him—”

“DON’T!” Jeslyn interrupted in panic, grabbing his arm tightly. “Please, don’t start anything with him right now. We need to stay calm and smart. If you act recklessly, you’ll only get yourself in more trouble, Jefran. He’s not just your brother… he’s the CEO of this company. He has full control.”

Jefran stared at her in disbelief, but he could tell—her voice wasn’t lying. It was laced with real fear.

“You’re scared of him, aren’t you?”

Jeslyn didn’t respond. She simply lowered her head—and that alone was enough of an answer.

After a tense pause, Jeslyn spoke softly, “Tomorrow I’m going to the factory. You continue the investigation on the backup server by yourself.”

“Don’t worry about that. I can handle it. Leonel already gave me access, so I don’t think there’ll be any more problems.”

“Good. Then let’s go home,” Jeslyn said.

“Alright. I’ll take you home.”

“No need, Jef. I drove myself,” Jeslyn replied quickly.

“Then at least let me walk you to your car,” Jefran offered, to which Jeslyn nodded silently.

The night had grown darker as they left the office. The quiet, dim corridors echoed their footsteps, giving the atmosphere a strange hollowness. A printer whirred in the distance, but beyond that, there was only the sound of shoes on tile—and Jeslyn’s racing heartbeat.

In the parking lot, Jeslyn unlocked her car. Her hands trembled slightly, but she tried her best to look composed. Jefran stood beside her, his expression unreadable—filled with worry, confusion, and something deeper.

“Jess…” he called softly. Jeslyn paused and looked at him.

“Are you sure… you’re okay?” he asked, sensing something wasn’t right with her since earlier.

Jeslyn looked at him, trying to smile. But the smile was weak, more like an effort to stay standing than a sign of comfort.

“I’m okay, Jef.”

“Since you talked to Leonel, your face has gone pale and you’ve lost focus. He didn’t hurt you, right?” Jefran pressed.

“I’m fine. I’m just upset because he wouldn’t let me help you—when I really wanted to,” Jeslyn replied.

“Actually, thinking back on it, Leonel might have been right. This is my problem—with Valchev. You know how dangerous they are. I don’t want you getting hurt just because you got involved. I don’t want them to target you,” Jefran said, leaving Jeslyn momentarily stunned.

Is that what this is? Was Leonel’s reason for keeping me away… because he wanted to protect me? Jeslyn wondered silently.

“Jess—” Jefran’s voice broke her thoughts.

“Oh, right. I understand now, Jef,” Jeslyn replied. “But if you get stuck, just call me. Maybe I can help from afar.”

“Don’t worry,” Jefran said with a gentle smile. “Drive safe. Let me know if anything happens.”

Jeslyn nodded. “You too.”

She got into her car, started the engine, and gave him a small wave before driving off. But just a few blocks away, she pulled over. Her head dropped to the steering wheel as she closed her eyes and took a shaky breath.

The tears she had held back all night finally spilled over—silent, hot, and uncontrollable. It wasn’t just Leonel’s threats that broke her—it was the overwhelming confusion. Her feelings were a mess. Jefran was her fiancé, the man she was supposed to love.

So why… why did Leonel’s presence still cling to her thoughts? Why did her heart race harder when he was near, even when he was threatening her?

“I need to focus,” she whispered to herself, then started the engine again and drove back toward her apartment.

***

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

Leonel met with Dmitri.

“Well, what’s the occasion? My dear nephew asking me out for dinner?” Dmitri said sarcastically, already seated across from Leonel in a private room at a restaurant.

“Stop using Jefran,” Leonel said coldly.

Dmitri laughed. “Using him? I’m offering him an opportunity. You don’t need to worry, Leonel. The boy’s smart.”

“You think I’m stupid? I know you’ve been meddling with my operations—even my underground ones. You think I don’t see that?” Leonel snapped.

Dmitri raised an eyebrow casually, sipping his wine. “So… you’re not as dumb as I hoped,” he said, voice light but eyes sharp. “Still, you can’t stop me, Leonel. The world is far too big for you to control on your own.”

Leonel leaned back in his chair, but his gaze was locked like a blade. “I don’t need to control the world. I just need to make sure Clovies doesn’t fall into hands like yours.”

Dmitri smirked. “You talk like Clovies belongs to you. When in fact… you’re just the son of my brother’s mistress.”

Leonel’s eyes flared. His fists clenched on the table, but his voice remained calm—and lethal.

“And you’re a washed-up man living in the shadow of a family that never wanted you.”

For a brief moment, Dmitri’s face tightened. But then he chuckled, showing his perfect white teeth.

“Funny. I love seeing you angry, Leonel. But remember—while you still hide that secret, you’ll never truly be free of me.”

Leonel stiffened. “Don’t bring that up.”

“Why not? Isn’t that the real reason you’re so protective of Clovies? Oh, and by the way, you seem very close to your brother’s fiancée,” Dmitri added with a venomous smile.

“Does she even know who you really are, Leonel?” he chuckled. “She’s beautiful… no wonder the brothers are fighting over her.”

Leonel suddenly stood, his chair screeching behind him.

“Touch her, and I’ll erase you from this world.”

“Relax,” Dmitri said, still seated comfortably. “I’m just warning you. Everyone has a weakness. And yours… is laughably obvious. Especially the woman you love in secret.”

“Stay away from Jefran and Jeslyn. If you lay a hand on Clovies’ family again, I won’t show mercy,” Leonel growled.

“Family? You still call them your family?” Dmitri scoffed, shaking his head as he raised his glass.

“How ironic…”

Leonel’s eyes sharpened further, his jaw clenched with emotion.

***