LOGINTHIRTY MINUTES LATERLeona’s car rolled into the compound of her company, a tall glass building that caught the early morning light. The sky was soft, pale blue, and the air smelled fresh after a light night rain. She stepped out of the car with calm steps, her face smooth, her head held high. Her driver jogged ahead and opened the main door for her. She nodded once, then walked into the lobby. Heads turned and her workers whispered amongst themselves.Everyone knew something big was happening in the Ashford world, and everyone also knew Leona used to be part of that world. People kept their eyes on her as she walked to the elevator, her heels firm against the marble floor.She didn’t look at any of them. She didn’t need to.The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside. Her reflection stared back at her in the silver walls. Her skin looked clear. Her hair was neat. Her lips held a faint, cold line. She looked like someone who had slept well. Someone who had made peace with her p
Leona slept like a child. Deep, warm and calm. No nightmares. No tossing. No memories trying to choke her awake.When she finally opened her eyes, sunlight was already sliding through the curtains, soft and golden. She stretched, letting out a small yawn. Her body felt light, almost weightless. It had been a long time since she felt this kind of peace.The world was loud yesterday. Scandal everywhere. Selene running from place to place like a rat with its tail on fire. Leona smiled to herself.Actions had consequences. Selene had always wanted to be the queen, the favorite, the perfect girlfriend. She snatched a man that never belonged to her in the first place. She stabbed Leona over and over with lies. Now everything was crumbling on her head.And it was only the beginning. Leona sat up and tied her hair into a loose ponytail. She slipped out of bed, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and walked into the living room. Her father was reading the newspaper with his glasses low on his
The gate slid open with a slow metal groan, letting Leona’s car roll into the compound. The evening sky was dark blue, the air thick and heavy after a long workday. Leona leaned her head back against the seat for a moment, letting out a tired breath while the car eased to a stop in front of the steps.Her driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “We’re home, ma’am.”“Thank you,” Leona murmured, rubbing her forehead. Her shoulders were stiff from hours of meetings. She wanted nothing more than to walk inside, take off her heels, shower, and sleep. She was already reaching for the door handle when another engine sound drifted into the quiet compound.A second car pulled in. Leona froze.Her driver frowned. “Ma’am… we’re not expecting anyone tonight.”“I know,” Leona said under her breath.The second car stopped right beside theirs. The door opened fast, almost like the person inside was running from something. Selene stepped out.Her hair was neat, her makeup untouched, but he
The hallway was quiet again after the fight. Selene slipped out to make a call, leaving Dorian alone. He stood there for a moment, breathing slowly, trying to settle the storm in his head. His cheek still stung from her slap, but the pain inside his chest hurt more.He pushed open the door to his son’s room.The lights were low, warm and gentle. Machines hummed softly around the small hospital bed. The little boy lay curled to one side, an IV taped to his hand, his chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths. He looked so small under the white sheets, his lashes long against his pale skin.Dorian walked closer, his footsteps quiet. His throat tightened when he saw the bandage on the boy’s arm. His heart squeezed so hard he had to press a hand to his ribs. He pulled the chair closer and sat down, elbows on his knees.For a long moment he just stared.“He could have died,” he whispered, voice breaking in the still air.His fingers shook as he brushed a stray curl from the boy’s for
HOURS LATERThe lobby was quiet, almost too quiet. The sterile smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint scent of flowers from the reception desk. Sunlight poured through the large windows, catching on the polished floor and bouncing into the tense faces of the two people standing near the elevators.Dorian leaned against the marble railing, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at Selene. He looked tire, anger and disbelief pulling at his sharp features. “You’re serious? You want to hold a press conference? Now?” His voice was low, harsh, but contained an undercurrent of panic he couldn’t hide.Selene’s lips pressed into a firm line. She refused to meet his eyes, glancing down at her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes. We need to control the story before it spreads any further. The tabloids are already sniffing around. If we don’t, it will get worse. It’s better if we say it ourselves.”Dorian’s hands clenched into fists. “Selene… you can’t just decide this on your own. You’re not allowed to
Selene stayed in that small room for a long moment, breathing in sharp, broken pulls. Her legs felt weak, like they might give out at any second. She wanted to run after Dorian, to grab him and force him to listen. She wanted to scream at the doctor for ruining her life. She wanted to break something. Maybe everything.Instead, she stood still, shaking.“No,” she whispered again. “I can fix this. I can.”She paced the room, rubbing her arms as if she were cold. Her eyes darted around like she was searching for a plan on the walls. The truth sat heavy in her throat. The truth she never wanted to say. The truth she never wanted him to find out.Her hands covered her mouth.“I can’t let it end like this,” she mumbled. “I won’t.”Outside the room, she could hear nurses walking by, rolling carts, talking softly to patients. Life kept moving. None of them knew her world had cracked open. She slid down the wall and sat on the floor, hugging her knees.Her phone buzzed in her robe pocket. She







