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“Nana! What did you just say?” Leon’s voice started trembling as tears accumulated in his eyes.

Nana Esther pulled Leon into her arms like a child and started soothing him. “You must be strong, my Bubble. You must be strong for the family. Rex is so traumatized to tell you, so I took the liberty to do so. Your father loves you more than you could ever imagine. It breaks his heart to see his end coming without fulfilling the promise he made to me.”

Leon couldn’t remember the last time he cried. He was just a boy in love when he shared his first and only tears. That was the day, Ruth died.

However, as a man, crying was deemed as a sign of weakness and Leon was no weak man. His heart was tougher than even that of Rex Maxwell put together. It was as though nature had blessed Leon with a fierce and hardened soul. Nothing seemed to bother him for very long as he always found the solution to it.

Leon tried hard to stifle his tears but one escaped his shimmering eyes. He gritted his teeth as he cursed death for bringing so much pain to him.

Rex was a father, a mentor, a leader, and a friend to him. Leon had lived his whole life trying to live up to and surpass his father’s expectations. His father was his driving force. His father was his pillar. His father was his role model.

“Leon,” Nana Esther’s voice was stern. ” Marissa, Ella, and your sisters must never find out.” She paused to allow her warning to sink in.

“If Marissa gets wind of your father’s sickness and inevitable death, she would simply die before her time. You know how much she loves your father.” Nana Esther gently stroked Leon’s hair. “Also, you must promise me to forgive your mother. Give her time and she would accept Ella. You and Rex are her pillar. When Rex dies, you must support her. You have to find a way to manage both Ella and Marissa. These are the two most important women in your life. Do not abandon one of them under any circumstances or the consequences will be regrettable.”

.....

Leon nodded his head as he was unable to speak due to the emotion that clogged his throat.

“One more thing, Leon, Rex doesn’t want to be treated like a dying man. He wants to be able to function like a father to you until the day he dies. Do not deny him that chance.”

Leon nodded his head again but said nothing.

“Go! Go and join your wife. You will find solace in her arms.”

Leon simply obeyed and left Nana Esther’s presence. Inside the bedroom, he sat on an armless chair and watched his sleeping wife.

Ella looked so peaceful and happy like she was having a wonderful dream. Leon admired the way her ruby red hair fell on some part of her face making her look like a beautifully painted image. He trailed his eyes on the curve of her body, drinking in her beauty and fullness. A scary thought of losing Ella too flashed in his mind and he quickly shook his head to push them out. Only Ella could give him comfort in the hard times ahead.

Leon breathed in and out as the weight on his chest gradually lessened. As always, Nana Esther was right. Leon’s sleeping beauty was magically calming his throbbing heart.

Climbing onto the bed, Leon pulled Ella into his arms making her flutter her bleary eyes. As if responding to his sensual touch she molded herself into his body thereby stirring deep arousal in him.

Leon brush his nose on her nape and started kissing it gently.

Ella responded to the kiss by softly stroking his arms that were wrapped around her. She wondered why his heart was thumping unusually. It had been a peaceful night. Hence, there was no reason for him to be worried this early morning.

“My love, are you alright?” Ella asked softly “You seem unsettled. Is anything bordering you?”

Leon’s heart started aching again at her questions. He took in a deep breath to control the raging storm in his mind before responding. “I’ll be fine if you turn around and kiss me.”

Ella gently turned around and gazed affectionately into his eyes. However, what she saw in his eyes alarmed her. “Leon, what’s wrong? Did something bad h...”

“Shhh! Don’t say anything.” Leon leaned closer and kissed her lips.

Ella felt something new and different about this kiss. She had never tasted this side of Leon before. It was raw and longing. It was filled with anger and sadness. It was also filled with regret.

She wished Leon could pour out his heart to her. After all, a problem shared is half solved. She thought of something to say to lighten up his mood.

“My love,” Ella broke away from the kiss and cupped Leon’s face in her hands. I have decided that I want to be with you. Since we both want the contract terminated, the conditions would have to go too. That means we would have to be open to one another.”

Leon kept mute for a while before responding. “I still insist on you not getting pregnant or meddling in my business.” Leon’s voice was resolute. “These are the only two things I want from you as my wife. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, I can, as long as you remain happy.” Ella teasingly kissed the tip of his nose.

“One more thing Ella, when we return to Amzone city today, I will be going to Carlpole.”

“Will you be coming back today?” Ella asked in a slightly worried tone.

“Certainly, I will.” Leon resumed kissing her, while his hands got busy, discharging an electrifying spark all around her body.

At 8:00 AM, the couples said their goodbyes to Nana Esther and left Islafub.

———

For the past two days, Albert Robinson had been re-strategizing his next assault. He didn’t believe his eyes when he got the information that his men fell into Leon’s ambush. He cursed himself severally for allowing rage to blind him and Leon to trick him.

This time around, Albert planned on going into stealth mode. He was going to take his time and structure his next assault. He had mistakingly underestimated Leon and this would never repeat itself, he swore. Even if it took him months, he would set his plans perfectly and strike at the right time, when Leon loses his guards. Leon had given him the element of surprise and he intended to use the same mechanics. They would never see him coming. He would hit them hard where it hurts. That idiotic Ariella would regret the day she was born.

Aside from Leon’s prestigious family, Ariella was a nobody, Albert had assessed. It would be easy to use money to lure anyone close to her into betraying her. He gave his chief spy the task of compiling comprehensive research about Ariella’s family. He requested details of her parents, childhood friends, extended family members, or anyone that had a score to settle with Ariella. He planned on using any greedy member of her family to get to her. Even if he had to invest greatly in this person, he wouldn’t mind. As long as he had the couple on their knees, begging for their lives.

After Albert had set his new plans in motion, he returned to his normal life like nothing had happened. He even went back to his wife and daughter to apologize for his earlier outrageous behavior.

Chloe didn’t waste her time on keeping a grudge against her father. She needed him for her plans on destroying Ariella to succeed. Thanks to her mum, her eyes were now open to the fact that Leon was repelled by her. Hence, she decided to also treat him as an enemy. She would work with her father and destroy everything Leon stood for. She would make Leon regret the day he chose Ariella over her.

Chloe pretentiously did something that rendered both her parents speechless. All night, she was awake, thinking and investigating ways to dissuade her parents from ever considering adopting another child.

By morning, Chloe called her parents to join her in the living room. When they both reluctantly did, Chloe went on her knees and begged for forgiveness.

“Dad, mum,” Chloe said with fake and forced tears she had worked very hard to create. “I know I have disappointed you both with my recent actions. For this, I am truly sorry. If I could take it all back, I would. I had never meant to hurt either of you. You both mean the world to me. I would die if anything happened to you.” Chloe paused and smiled wickedly in her heart as she stared at her overwhelmed parents. “I am such an amazing actress,” she echoed in her thoughts gleefully.

“My wonderful parents, I promise henceforth, that I would not chase after Leon’s love. I will hang out with other eligible men and lead a happy life. I will work harder to grow my fashion company and to make it an envious brand in Amzone. I...”

“Chloe,” Albert walked over to her and lifted her gently from the floor. “You don’t have to say much to make me forgive you. I and your mother...” Albert signaled his wife to join him. They both hugged Chloe and took a seat. “We have already forgiven you even before you made any mistake. We were angry and we said so many harsh words that we didn’t mean. You are our pride and joy.” Albert wiped Chloe’s fake tears which had stopped flowing due to a sudden drought in her tears glands.

“One thing you must know is that we will defend you till the very end. Leon had dared to humiliate my daughter and my family. For this, I will make him and his foolish wife pay dearly.” Albert swore solemnly. “Carry on with your life and be happy. Tomorrow I will introduce you to one of my friend’s son who just returned from overseas. He will be a perfect match for you. Together, you both will show the world what a beautiful couple should look like. If he falls within your spec, I will conduct the most glamorous wedding Amzone had ever witnessed.

“Oh, thank you, daddy!” Chloe threw herself into her father’s arms, smiling genuinely.