Chapter 92

During the journey, Jeslyn occasionally glanced at Leonel, who was focused on driving.

“Thank you for saving me,” Jeslyn finally spoke after a long silence.

“Why were you out alone at night?” Leonel asked. “Were you trying to get yourself killed?” Though his question sounded sarcastic, Jeslyn knew he was genuinely worried about her.

Jeslyn lowered her head, fingers clutching the edge of Leonel’s coat that now wrapped around her. She bit her lip, trying to hold back the sobs that still lingered.

“I… I just needed some time alone,” she whispered. “I didn’t expect them to appear out of nowhere.”

Leonel glanced at her briefly, his eyes cold. “Do you think this world is safe for you? Everyone knows who you are, Jeslyn. That means anyone could make you their target.”

Jeslyn fell silent, her heart growing heavier. Leonel’s words sounded harsh, but she knew they were a real expression of concern.

“If I had been even a minute late—” Leonel exhaled deeply, hands gripping the steering wheel. “I can’t imagine what would have happened to you.”

Jeslyn quickly looked at him, meeting his tense gaze under the car’s dim lights. “But you came. You always come when I need you,” she said, her voice trembling, almost a whisper.

Leonel didn’t answer. His jaw tightened, eyes fixed on the road, refusing to show what he truly felt. Yet his fingers gripped the wheel tighter, betraying the emotions surging inside him.

Silence returned to the cabin, broken only by the sound of the engine and tires on the snowy road. Jeslyn stared at him a little longer, then exhaled, trying to steady herself.

“I won’t go alone again,” she whispered. “I promise.”

This time, Leonel looked at her, eyes deep with unspoken feelings. His lips curved slightly—a faint smile that was hard to call a smile.

“Make sure you keep that promise, Jeslyn,” he said softly, yet with emphasis. “Because I will never let anyone touch you. Even if I have to take down the entire world.”

Jeslyn froze, her eyes burning. His words were not just a threat—they were the coldest admission of how he protected her.

Leonel stopped the car in front of the villa. He turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt.

“Rest. I’ll be going again, but I’ll have two men stationed here. You’ll be safe while you’re here,” he said, stepping out of the car.

Seeing this, Jeslyn also got out, trying to catch up to Leonel walking toward the gate.

“Leon, wait!” she called, stopping him.

“I was wrong,” Jeslyn said, tears streaming down her face. “Forgive me, Leon.”

Leonel turned to face her, eyes meeting hers as she stood, sobbing.

“Apologize for what, Jes?” he asked.

“For all my refusals,” she hiccuped. “I lied. I—I—” Jeslyn bit her lower lip nervously. “I’ve actually fallen in love with you, Leonel.”

Jeslyn lowered her head, shoulders trembling as she fought to hold back her tears. The words finally came out, though it felt like throwing herself into a chasm without a lifeline.

Leonel remained silent. His gaze pierced her, yet his face revealed nothing. Only his eyes softened slightly, as if weighing whether to trust her words.

“I’m sorry for lying. I heard that my twin was killed by you. That’s why I—” she sobbed.

Leonel walked toward her. “I never killed your twin, Jeslyn,” he said, meeting her eyes. “Why didn’t you ask me directly?”

“I—I was too angry and hurt,” Jeslyn hiccuped.

“That night, when your team came to attack me, Jordan and Dimitri had already set a trap,” Leonel explained.

“A trap?” Jeslyn frowned.

“I heard your team was the best and smart. They clearly didn’t want trouble, because at that time Julio and I were negotiating. Then, there was news that the place was rigged with explosives. Julio and I actually managed to get out, but he went back after learning it was a trap for him. He returned to save his team,” Leonel clarified. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him at that time.”

Jeslyn bowed her head, shoulders trembling violently. “I… I didn’t know. I trusted my father’s words too quickly. I accused you without evidence,” she whispered, voice breaking through unstoppable tears. “I’m sorry, Leonel.”

Leonel exhaled deeply, looking at her with eyes soft yet full of strength. “Jeslyn, listen carefully. I never wanted to hurt you, and I never wanted to take your brother’s life. Everything that happened that night was their trap—Jordan, Dimitri, and their people.”

Jeslyn looked into Leonel’s eyes. Their gaze met in a heavy silence. “I… I regret it, Leonel. Regret thinking badly of you, accusing you without knowing the truth,” she whispered.

Leonel stepped closer, gently touching Jeslyn’s cheek, wiping away the remaining tears. “Now you know the truth,” he said softly yet firmly. “No one will separate us with lies or vengeance. You trust me, right, Jessy?”

Jeslyn swallowed, her heart and mind still in turmoil, but slowly nodded. “I trust you. In the end, I have to trust you, Leonel.”

Leonel drew a deep breath, then lowered his head slightly, pressing his forehead to Jeslyn’s temple. “Good. Because I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Not Jordan, not Dimitri, not anyone. You are mine, Jeslyn.”

Jeslyn closed her eyes as Leonel’s cold lips met hers—a touch she had always longed for from the man she loved.

Leonel held the kiss for a moment, letting time seem to pause around them. The snow falling softly around the villa seemed to hold its breath. Jeslyn kept her eyes closed, feeling warmth and safety flowing from his touch.

“Jessy…” Leonel whispered, soft behind his firm exterior. “I promise, no one will threaten you again. I’ll always be here, by your side.”

Jeslyn’s heart raced, hands clutching Leonel’s coat as if afraid to lose the moment. “I… I don’t want to lose you either, Leonel,” she whispered, barely audible over the night wind.

Leonel pulled her closer, whispering into her ear, “Now we start from here—no lies, no fear. Just you and me.”

Jeslyn rested her head against Leonel’s chest. For the first time after all the chaos and misunderstandings, she felt safe, understood, and loved fully. The cold night air seemed to warm, accompanying her in the arms of the man who was her world.

“Marry me, Jessy. Because I love you,” Leonel said firmly.

“You?” Jeslyn was clearly shocked.

“Why? You don’t want to marry me?” Leonel asked.

“Of course I want to,” she giggled.

Leonel’s smile bloomed. “Yes, that’s exactly the answer I wanted, my hot chocolate girl,” he teased.

“Wait, what do you mean by hot chocolate girl?” Jeslyn asked, surprised.

“Ten years ago… did you ever give a glass of milk to a boy?” Leonel looked into her eyes.

“W-was that you?” Jeslyn gasped.

“Yes. Who else do you think it was?”

Jeslyn stared at Leonel, eyes wide, breath caught between shock and amusement. “So all those little memories… it was you?”

Leonel nodded, a thin but victorious smile on his lips. “Yes. The girl who warmed me with hot chocolate, gave me hope that life wasn’t as cold as I felt. Now, after all the storms have passed, I want us to continue our lives together. Forever.”

Jeslyn laughed, a mix of relief, happiness, and emotion. Tears fell again, but this time they were tears of joy. She reached for Leonel’s hand, holding it tightly. “Then I want to, Leon. I want to marry you.”

Leonel pulled Jeslyn into his arms, pressing his forehead to hers, whispering, “You are mine, Jeslyn. And I am yours. Nothing will ever separate us again.”

That night, amid the soft snow, they embraced, letting the world outside the villa disappear. Leonel knew he could face any obstacle ahead because Jeslyn was by his side, with him.

Under the moonlight reflecting off the snow, Leonel and Jeslyn began a new chapter in their lives—stronger and inseparable.

The End