LOGINLayla’s POV“Change direction,” I said suddenly to the cap driverHe glanced at me through the mirror. “Sorry?”“I need to go somewhere else.”I gave him a new address.He nodded and turned the wheel without asking further questions.I leaned back into the seat, my fingers tightening slightly around my phone. The envelope rested on my lap still, heavier than it should have been.I turned off airplane mode.My screen lit up instantly.I had missed calls and messages from Viktor and Naomi.I ignored everything except one.I opened Viktor’s chat and typed.‘Meet me here. Alone. I’m already on my way.’I almost forgot to add the address… I quickly added it and hit send then I locked my phone backA second later, Naomi’s message popped up.‘How did it go?’I stared at it for a moment, then typed back.’It went well. I’ll tell you later.’Sent.And then…I turned my phone off completely.I didn’t want further distractions or interruptions.I just needed silence.I leaned my head back and loo
Layla’s POVI was halfway to the cab stand when it happened.My head was down, my eyes were on my phone as I tried calling Naomi and she didn’t answer.I exhaled sharply, about to try again. Then someone slammed hard into me from the side my phone slipped out of my hand and hit the ground.“Hey- -” I started, looking up.But the person didn’t stop or even slow down.“Excuse me!” I called after him.But he kept walking and disappearing into the crowd like I didn’t exist.I stood there for a second, annoyed.Then I crouched down to pick up my phone.That was when I saw an envelope … right next to my phone.I frowned slightly. … That wasn’t mine.I picked it up slowly, turning it over in my hand. It had no name and no marking.Just… plain.My eyes flicked in the direction the person had gone and he was no longer in sightOf course…A small unease settled in my chest, but I didn’t drop it.I stood up, my phone in one hand and the envelope in the other, I started walking again… but cur
Layla’s POVIt was the day we were meeting with the supposed investor.The investor’s office looked exactly how it was supposed to - — quiet, clean, and professional.Nothing out of place.If I didn’t know better, I would have believed every part of it.I walked in beside Elena, my posture was just a little tense, my expression was carefully arranged into something softer… or uncertain. Like someone who needed help but didn’t want to admit it too loudly.Perfect acting mood.The man behind the desk stood as we entered, smiling warmly.“Ms. Layla,” he said, extending his hand.I shook it. “Thank you for seeing me.”“Of course. Please, have a seat.”We sat across from him. Elena stayed quiet beside me.He started talking almost immediately about opportunities, growth and recovery.About how my company had potential, how he’d been watching from a distance, how he believed in strategic partnerships.I nodded where it made sense and asked questions here and there.“What kind of control wo
Third Person POVLayla disappeared to the bedroom with Drey, she had prepared food to tend him. Drey slept for too long and woke up crying . Her voice was soft as she murmured to him. The faint sound of a door closing followed.Viktor stayed where he was for a moment, then turned toward the living room.Naomi stood near the window, her back to him, her hands were busy with something on the table. She didn’t notice him at first.He cleared his throat lightly.She startled just a little and turned. “Viktor.”He gave a small smile. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”“It’s fine,” she said, trying to get her expression settled.He glanced at what she was doing and asked “What are you up to?”“Nothing,” she said with a quick smile. “Just… passing time.”He nodded. “Mind if I join you?”She hesitated for a second, then shrugged. “Sure.”He stepped closer, resting a hand against the back of a chair. “Where’s Layla?”“With Drey,” Naomi replied. “He just woke up crying. She’s feeding him an
Third Person POVThe night settled around them softly.The park was quiet, the warm lights above casted a beautiful glow over the table. For a while, it felt easy. Like nothing else existed outside of that space.Layla laughed at something Viktor said, shaking her head as she reached for her glass.“You’re lying,” she said.“I’m not,” Viktor replied with a faint smile on his lips.“You are. That never happened.”“It did.”She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re making it up.”“Believe what you want.”She let out a small laugh, leaning back slightly in her chair.it was just a simple evening … Just the two of them. Away from plans, tensions and weight pressing down on themThen Viktor’s smile faded subtly. He set his glass down on the table.The sound was quiet, but it shifted something.Layla noticed.“What is it?” she asked.He didn’t answer immediately he Just looked at her.Then he said, “I want us to leave.”Her brows pulled together. “Leave?”“Yeah.”She straightened slightly. “Wha
Layla’s POVI called Elena instead of texting, it felt better that way.She picked up on the first ring.“Layla?”Her voice was steady.“I’ve been thinking,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “About what you said.”There was a pause.“And?” she asked slowly.I leaned back slightly in my chair. “I want to meet him.”The shift was immediate.I felt it instantly …. Heard it In her breath, a small release.“I’m glad,” she said, a little too fast. Then she slowed down. “I mean… I think that’s a good decision.”I smiled faintly to myself.Of course she did.“But,” I added.That one word changed everything.Her silence stretched.“I’ll need the documents first,” I said. “At least 24 hours before the meeting.”Another pause followedThen I continued, “My lawyer insists on reviewing everything before I sign anything.”I let the silence sit and let her think….Let her adjust.“That shouldn’t be a problem,” she said finally.But there was something in her voice now, something tighter.Like she was cho
Third person’s POVThe courtroom was colder than Layla expected.Not just the temperature, the atmosphere.The wooden benches felt stiff beneath her as she sat beside Naomi, her posture straight, hands folded neatly on her lap. She could hear the faint shuffle of papers, the low murmurs of people w
Third person’s POVThree days passed. Not a word from Caleb, no call, no text, no cryptic update that could be overanalyzed and reread a hundred times. Just silence, thick and deliberate silence.Layla stood by the living room window for the third time that morning, phone in hand, thumb hovering ov
Layla's POV."Do you even remember why you left America in the first place?"Naomi's voice wasn't loud when she said it. It didn't need to be, but it delivered its message clearly.I turned to her slowly, like someone reaching for a memory that hurt too much to touch too fast. My chest first tighte
Layla's POVA month passed by quietly after Caleb flew back to America. He still called sometimes, checking in on me with his usual calm. But every time , I kept my answers short. I wasn't trying to be cold, I was just confused. About how I was starting to feel... about him.That Sunday evening,







