Chapter 6

• Ella.
• I wake up with a groan and blankly stare around me.
• I can't believe I broke down in front of Leon like that. He can't know how much his family broke me. When my son gets better, I am going for that bitch and I will ruin her. I will retrieve everything she took from me and have her pay for the death of my family with her life. She thinks she ended me but she forgot what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.
• Not today though. The money transferred to my account is enough for the surgery but I have to find a way for his medicines and the other bills. That's why I need a job. Leon can never know my struggle because I hate pity.
• Our father used to tell us to be brave. He knew our world was full of malice and people would go to any lengths to get whatever they wanted. Just as Leonardo's mother thought I was not good enough for her son. Or perhaps everything to them is about power and more money.
• I wonder what she would do if she found out I had Leo's son. Heaven knows I will fight to my last breath to protect that little boy.
• Getting up from the bed, I walk to the bathroom for a short shower. I must have left my phone in his office.
• After putting on a simple white dress, I exit my room and walk to Leon's. I have never been there and it's a bit uncomfortable to knock on his door this early.
• I knock twice but no one answers.
• Disregarding waking him up, I head over to his office to retrieve my phone and there he is. The man is already in a grey suit ready for the cooperate world. His deadly glare is directed to the man kneeling in front of him and the gun in his firm grip only shows that someone is about to die.
• Leon used to be cold from the beginning. Of all my brother's friends, Damon was the talkative one while Leon was always quiet and cold. Either way, I loved him like crazy. I had a huge crush on him and my stomach would flatter every time he was round. He always watched me though. In a room full of people, I would always catch him staring at me.
• Then at my 18th birthday party, he was there sitting alone as always, and guess where his eyes were? That night, I mustered the courage to kiss him. I was so scared he would push me away but he didn't. The always aloof and cold guy held me close to his heart and tenderly stroked my hair. I was above the moon that day.
• And then he took me out and we started dating lowkey. Was I just being naive or was he never into me? He would have found me right? When his family ended mine, wasn't he curious that maybe I survived and I needed someone? But I never heard rumors that he lost his memory. Everyone knows everything about him in this city, apart from him being in the mafia of course. His name appears everywhere in the blogs.
• I should have listened to Austin when he warned me that Leonardo was dangerous.
• My thoughts are interrupted when the sound of a bullet goes off and I watch the man slowly slump on the cold ground.
• He never wanted to associate himself with the dark world. He preferred clean business while his elder brother chose the underworld. Just what prompted him to mix the two worlds? Is it money? No. Coming from a rich family, he had enough to stand on his feet without his father's influence. So what brought him here?
• "My phone" I clear my throat when I realize his curious eyes are on me.
• Leon dips his hand in his suit jacket and retrieves my phone.
• "Are we going to work?" He asks and my steps falter in the doorway. My son's surgery is tomorrow and I have to be present. Then after that, I need to care for him until he completely recovers. But I can't be away for that long because he will be suspicious of my absence.
• Right now, my friend is watching over him but it's just a matter of time before she calls. What should I do? Finding a nanny is not an option because I don't trust anyone. That bitch has eyes everywhere and it's only sheer luck she hasn't found me yet.
• "Sure" I shrug, and start typing away o my phone. I will make an excuse tomorrow and since Emma is on leave, I will ask her to watch over Leone until I find a solution. School will have to wait for a while.
• *
• The company is buzzing with every kind of activity and my breath hitches when Leon firmly grips my hand. What is he doing? There are paparazzi everywhere and one photo of me will lead that woman to me.
• "What are you doing Leon?" I whisper wiggling from his grip but he doesn't let go.
• "Trust me" That's all he says and starts walking to the enormous building ahead of us. As expected, all eyes and gossip turn to us and my heart feels unsettled. Leon leads me to the private elevator and only then, do I sigh in relief.
• "It's risky what you are doing" I quickly jerk my hand from his and lean on the wall behind me. " A lot can go wrong and I am not ready" If she knows about my son, she will hurt him to get back at me for being with Leon and I can't drag that innocent life into this.
• "We need to talk, Ella. I need to know everything and I can't do that if you keep pushing me away" Leon says. His gaze is so cold and I wonder if he has a heart at all. I don't even recognize this man anymore. He looks so scary and doesn't look at me gently the way he used to. Fuck, I lost him and I should accept that but watching him right now hurts.
• "Will it change anything?" I whisper, suddenly shifting my gaze to my nails. I lost everything. Will he hurt his family for my sake? Of course not. It's just a sham marriage and I need to put my emotions in check. I can't expect anything from him.