Chapter 26
I thought marrying Martin, leaving the past behind, would bring me peace. And for a while, it did. The wedding, the honeymoon, the laughter I thought I’d lost forever–it was everything I had once told myself I would never have again.” But peace is fragile. And the past always has a way of clawing back.
I knew it wouldn’t stay hidden forever–that one day, someone would learn the truth, that Leandro would discover I was alive. I told myself I would be ready. I told myself I could face him when the time came.”
Yet when Martin and I returned home, the weight of it settled on me like a storm waiting to break.”
I needed to stay strong–for Gwen most of all. She had already suffered too much. She couldn’t bear another shadow looming over her little world. So I smiled for her, tucked her hair behind her ears, kissed her forehead at night. I reminded myself over and over: She deserves light, not fear.”
That night, Martin came to me in my studio, his face etched with regret. “Emerald,” he said quietly, “I’m sorry. I should have been more careful. Someone leaked the wedding. Leandro knows.“}
I
I set my brush down, my hand still trembling with the wet streak of paint I hadn’t finished. My heart thudded, but I forced myself to meet his eyes. “It’s okay,” I said softly. “I didn’t want to hide forever. Sooner or later, this day was coming. Better now than years from now.”
“Still,” he muttered, stepping closer, “I should’ve protected you better.“}
I shook my head and placed my hand on his. “Martin, listen to me. What matters is that Gwen and I are safe with you. If Leandro comes… then we face him. But promise me one thing–whatever happens, don’t let him drag Gwen into his world again.””
He nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. “I promise. I’ll protect you both.“}
And as if my words had summoned him, the next day, the storm arrived.”
Leandro.
The gates of our estate swung open to admit his car, his presence heavy long before he even stepped into the house. My chest constricted, memories rushing back–his laughter in the early years, the warmth that once made me believe in forever, and the cruelty that shattered it all.
When he entered, his eyes locked on mine like a man seeing a ghost. His voice cracked with disbelief and fury. “Emerald.“”
I stood tall, though my knees wanted to buckle. “Leandro.“}
“What is the meaning of this?” His voice thundered through the hall. “You let me believe you were dead. You let me bury you. You-” His voice broke. “Why? Why would you do this?”
I exhaled, forcing calm into my words. “Because I had no choice. Because the life I lived with you was killing me long before death ever touched me. I had to escape–for myself, and for Gwen.”
His hands trembled as he stepped closer. “You should have told me-“”
“Told you?” My laugh was bitter, sharp. “Told you so you could cage me again? You would never have let me go, Leandro. You wanted control, not love.“”
His face crumbled, and suddenly the anger drained from him. His knees hit the marble floor with a dull thud. “I’m sorry.” His voice cracked, broken and raw. “Emerald, I’m sorry. For everything–for the pain, for not protecting you, for Gwen. I failed you, I know I did. But please–don’t shut me out forever. Please…”
T
Tears stung my eyes, but I held them back. “No, Leandro. I should be the one saying sorry–to myself. Sorry for staying too long. Sorry for letting your promises blind me. But I won’t apologize for saving Gwen, for saving me. That was the only right thing I ever did.“”
}
We argued his pleas, my refusals–words clashing like fire and water. He begged, saying he had changed, that losing everything had taught him what truly mattered. And I, standing there with my new wedding band glinting on my finger, could only whisper: “It’s too late.”
His eyes darkened, grief sharpening into fury. “Too late? Emerald, you didn’t even give me a chance. You ran to him–Martin of all people. My rival. You married him, and you expect me to believe you weren’t cheating before?“”
My breath hitched, and the sting of his accusation lit a fire in me. “Cheating? After everything you did to me? After Nadine? After you let her worm her way into our lives while you left me to rot in silence? Don’t you dare throw that word at me.“”
Leandro’s hands curled into fists against the marble. “And Gwen?” His voice cracked, anger tangled with pain. “Why did you hide her from me? Do you know what it did to me, thinking my daughter was gone forever? Do you have any idea the nights I stayed awake, waiting for the call, for the ransom demand I could pay? I was ready, Emerald–I was ready to give everything. But you couldn’t wait!“”
My throat burned. “Wait?” The word trembled with fury. “You were always too late, Leandro! Too late to hear me when I begged you to listen, too late to see me when I was drowning, too late to protect Gwen when she was taken. Do you even know who planned that kidnapping? Nadine. The woman you promised to marry, the woman carrying your child–you were so
hlind you didn’t even see it!“!
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blind, you didn’t even see it!”
He froze, horror flickering across his features.N
I pressed forward, voice shaking but strong. “You let her destroy us. And when I realized no one would save Gwen, I saved her myself. I faked my death because it was the only way to keep her safe. Not because I wanted to hurt you, Leandro–but because I had no faith left in you.“”
His head dropped, his breath ragged. “And now Martin gets everything–your trust, Gwen’s love, the life that was supposed to be ours.”
I flinched, my chest tightening. “Martin gave me something you never did–peace. Respect. And he never made me choose between myself and his pride.“}
Leandro looked up again, desperation raw in his eyes. “But I loved you, Emerald. Even if I was a fool, even if I lost everything–l loved you.”
“And love without trust, without safety,” I whispered, tears finally spilling, “is nothing.”
And then-
“Daddy?”
The small voice pierced the air like lightning.
I spun around. My heart seized. Gwen stood in the doorway, her doll clutched tightly in her hands, her big eyes wide and wet. She looked from me to him, confusion painted across her face.
Leandro froze, breath hitching. His lips parted, his body trembling. “G–Gwen?” His voice was a whisper, reverent, broken.” Gwen took one hesitant step forward. “Daddy… is it really you?“}
