(Leigh’s POV)“Are you ready, sweetheart?” Seb asked me, peeking at me in my office.“Almost,” I answered, sending my emails to our suppliers. I glanced at him, smiling as I turned off my computer.Callie barked at Seb when he attempted to enter my office. He raised his hands in the air, looking at her.“Do you really have to bring that mutt to our dinner, sweetheart?” he asked, frowning at the puppy and definitely making me raise my eyebrows. Alfie came to my office. “This one’s not a mutt, Sebastian, but a spoiled baby here in the office. Come to papa, Callie!”Callie barked at Seb, and I wondered if she could smell that he was never a dog person. I sighed, wondering what to do with her if Alex and I divorced. She ran to Alfie.“You want me to babysit for Callie for a few hours?” he offered. “I’m not busy tonight. Plus, I like your apartment.” He grinned at me.I chuckled. “Are you sure?” I rose to my feet, approached Alfie, and pet Callie, scratching her head. “Would you like that
(Leigh’s POV)Distraction.It was all I needed to forget Alex, but heaven must have found my life entertaining that the file Elle gave me was the pictures from yesterday. I heaved a deep sigh, adding more patience to myself because Alfie and Elle were staring at me as if I was a piece of art in Italy. Even Callie was sitting beside me, wagging her tail.I propped my elbow on the computer table, clasping my hands and entwining my fingers as I lowered my head to look at her.“What do you want, Callie?” I asked, smiling sadly at her. She barked at me, coming to me closer and resting her head on my shoes as she lay down.“Mommy, I want to know what’s wrong?” Elle changed her voice, speaking for Callie.Alfie scoffed at Elle, shaking his head and perhaps telling her today wasn’t a good time for jokes.“What?” Elle raised her eyebrows. “You always do that when you talk to Callie.”“Come on, just ask me. You know that I hate you gawking at me like that when you have a gazillion questions.” I
(Leigh’s POV)I rolled to my bed, curling into a fetal position when I woke up, realizing I was alone again. I clutched the hem of the oversize shirt I was wearing. I couldn’t sleep last night, thinking of what Alex could be doing now. After the previous text message he sent, he did not send another. He did not even reply to my message.From the bedroom, I could hear Callie running around the living room. Reaching for my phone, I checked the time. It is still early for her morning walk, but I climb down from my bed to lie on the couch.I didn’t have to go to the office today, and after yesterday, Alfie has been doing all the lifting of heavy stuff in the office, not wanting Elle and me to do it anymore. I let my left arm hang on the couch, and Callie came to me, licking and play biting my hand.“Give mommy a little more time, baby. I feel lazy this morning,” I said listlessly, smiling as I played with her, petting her with my hand she was biting.I was just about to close my eyes agai
(Leigh’s POV)My day yesterday passed like a blur as I spent the day with Eloisa. As I left Callie in the pet salon for her grooming, I pampered my sister by bringing her to the salon. We also went shopping for clothes, and then we met Ellen and Kayla in the restaurant to have an early dinner.When the four of us were complete, Eloisa told us the good news she hadn’t shared with her husband yet. She’s two months pregnant, and she was happy to announce to us that only one heartbeat was heard in her ultrasound, not four.By the time we went home, Eloisa and I were tired that we both retired to bed early.While I replied to the emails and finished editing pictures, Eloisa made herself busy playing with Callie, cooking lunch for us, and calling her children when she was sure that Dave was at work already.When I went out of my bedroom, it was almost six, and I found Eloisa sitting on the couch, looking at the TV even though she was not watching anything.“Is the ending good?” I asked her.
(Leigh’s POV)Alex went on top of me, smiling as he nipped on my bottom lips, kissing me sensually and smiling naughtily as he buried his head on my neck.“I thought you were tired from your long flight, Alex,” I whispered, smiling and gasping as I felt his hand exploring my body again.“Hmm,” he mumbled, nibbling on my earlobe. “Yeah, I was, but God, I miss you. I could do this all night, Leigh. Are you tired?” I could feel his lips curving into a smile as he asked.I chuckled, closing my eyes and not exactly knowing what my body wanted at this moment. All I know is that I melt like snow in the springtime every time he kisses me. Every time our heart and soul become one, I forget about the pain. I feel loved. And I also want to be selfish and greedy, wanting Alex to be mine.He rolled to my side and held my hand, intertwining our fingers. “Let’s not divorce, Leigh,” he said, making my heart skip a beat.My eyes opened, and my head turned to him, wanting to know if he was teasing me,
(Leigh’s POV) In a small private room, we found Zyra sleeping after being brought to the hospital when Emma found her unconscious in her bedroom. She called her last night, crying after she and Alex argued. She overdosed on her sleeping pills, and if I was not mistaken, she took them after her argument with Alex last night. I was leaning on the wall, hiding beside the cabinet as Alex dashed to Zyra’s side, holding her hand and crying in silence. We had to ride a taxi going here as he was trembling with worry and fear after hearing the news. Seeing him confused about what to do, I decided we take the cab instead of him driving going to the hospital. I pressed my lips as I thought, what on earth was I doing here, but I was too worried and anxious for Zyra and scared for Alex. When I peeked at them again, I saw Zyra opening her eyes, and when she saw Alex, she got up and started crying. He wiped her tears as he sat on the edge of her bed, wrapping his arms around her body, hushing her
(Alexander’s POV)George stood in front of me, telling me about my schedule for the day, but I leaned on the backrest of my swivel chair, staring blankly at nothing and not hearing what she was saying. I could only listen to the buzz of the sound of her voice. It has been a week since Leigh and I parted ways in Chase’s office.After signing the divorce papers, she removed the wedding ring off her finger and left the office without talking to me. I breathed out as my eyes lowered, looking at the wedding band on my palm. I leaned forward, propping my elbows on the table as I touched my chin while I raised the ring, looking and thinking of what to do with it.“Oh, Kayleigh called -” George pressed her lips together when my eyes flickered on her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, looking disappointed at me. “Finally! Mr. Hearst, I got your attention,” She sat on the chair in front of my table.George studied my face, twitching her lips as she heaved a deep sigh.“I’m sorry, Boss,
(Leigh’s POV)“Kayleigh, is everything alright?” Abuela asked me worriedly. She peeked her head at the ajar door of my bathroom.“Yes, Granny,” I answered, standing up to go to the sink and clean my mouth and face. “I was just having a hard time,” I said as I touched my upset stomach. I have been feeling tired lately that I only wanted to curl up in my bed.When I went out of the bathroom, I found Abuela sitting at the edge of my bed.“Granny,” I uttered like a child whenever I wanted her to cuddle me. I dashed to her, sitting beside her and wrapping my arms around her body.She chuckled gently, raising her arm to brush her fingers lightly on my face. “What’s wrong with my little Kayleigh?”I threw my head back slightly to look at my grandmother. Her eyes were brightly happy, and her lips curved a light-hearted smile as she gazed at me adoringly. Being the youngest of all her grandchildren, I was always accused by my siblings and cousins as Abuela’s pet, her favorite because despite b