“Excuse me, Mr. Carter,” Herbert addressed his boss upon arriving at his desk.


    Nelson, who had been absentmindedly typing away on hisptop, trying to push Leni’s words out of his mind, gave his assistant a cold look when he didn’t continue speaking.


    He had left the meeting early because he couldn’t concentrate and now Herbert hade to fill him in on the rest of the discussion.


    “Sir, as you are aware, theunch party is scheduled for next week, and the board of directors has requested that you bring your…” Herbert paused, his tongue darting out to moisten his lips.


    Observing his assistant’s contemtion, Neslon reclined in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Bring my what?”


    “Your wife, sir,” Herbert finally got the words out.


    “Hmmm… Is that so?” Nelson asked quietly.


    Herbert nodded eagerly, “I believe it would be wise to do so, Mr. Carter. Remember, this marriage is only a facade between the two of you, but those around you believe it to be a genuine marriage,” he advised.


    Nelson looked down at the ring on his finger and let out a sigh. “Very well, you may go now.”


    After giving a small nod, Herbert turned and left the office.


    ***


    Ethan’s intense amber eyes gleamed with ferocity as he watched Hannah’s boyfriend, David, emerging from the bedroom with a woman in his arms.


    Seeing the glint of murder in Ethan’s eyes, David whispered something in the woman’s ear before casually walking over to where Ethan sat in his wheelchair.


    “Why do you look like you want to kill me, buddy?” David asked, squatting down to Ethan’s level in the chair. Ethan remained silent, but his nostrils red in anger.


    “Oh, you’re upset because I brought another woman to Hannah’s house, is that it?” David taunted, his thin lips curling into a smug smirk.


    “Do not be this way, buddy. It is within a man’s nature to seek as many pleasures as he desires. You may not understand this yet, being incapable…” he trailed off, locking eyes with Ethan’s piercing gaze.


    Ethan’s eyes shed dangerously, his jaw tensing and releasing.


    “Whoa there, calm yourself, brother,” David chuckled, giving Ethan a gentle pat on the leg before rising from the floor.


    “This must remain between us, Ethan,” David spoke gravely, the mischievous glint in his eye vanishing.


    “If Hannah discovers it, you will not be pleased with yourself,” he warned.


    As Ethan watched David’s muscr form walk back to the blonde woman, tears welled up in his eyes and spilled over as David passionately kissed her, disregarding Ethanpletely.


    Some time passed, and Ethan had ceased crying, but he remained downtrodden as he gazed at his limp legs.


    He desperately wished for a miracle to allow him to walk once more.


    Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening broke him out of his reverie, and just as he began to fear it was David returning, his sister’s cheerful voice filled the room.


    “Where is my dear brother?” Leni’s lively voice rang out. Ethan’s heart soared with joy. He cursed his useless legs as a strong desire to run and embrace his sister washed over him.


    “I am here, Lani!” he shouted, wheeling himself out of the kitchen. He hade for a drink of water but had be lost in his own thoughts.


    He met Leni halfway, and without hesitation, she dropped all the shopping bags she carried and knelt before her younger brother, enveloping him in a tight hug.


    “I missed you so much, Ethan,” Leni whimpered, nting kisses all over his face as Ethan giggled with delight.


    “I missed you more, my Lani. But why are you here? Did you not say you would be busy for the next three months?” Ethan inquired.


    “Indeed, Ethan,” Lani stated, her voice dripping with generosity.


    “My boss granted me some personal time today, and that’s why I’vee to see you.” Ethan couldn’t hide his admiration.


    “You have a wonderful boss, Lani.” Leni simply smiled and suddenly gasped, bending over to reach for the shopping bags.


    “I got you quite a few things, Ethan,” she announced, producing a variety of men’s clothing and shoes from the bags.


    Ethan’s face lit up in amusement as he epted the items from his sister. “You bought all these for me?”


    “Of course, my dear,” Leni chuckled, pushing three morerge bags towards Ethan.


    “These two are for you, and this one is for Hannah,” she rified.


    But as soon as Hannah’s name was mentioned, Ethan’s mood shifted and his earlier happiness evaporated.


    Leni, who had been busy unpacking yet another bag, stopped and muttered something about hoping Mom would like the gifts.


    She then looked up and saw the clouded expression on Ethan’s face.


    “What’s wrong, Ethan? Don’t you like them? Do you want something else? Did I do something wrong?” Leni bombarded him with questions in quick session.


    Ethan let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Lani, could you please ask Hannah not to rely on her boyfriend?” Hearing this, Leni blinked in disbelief.


    “Why are you saying that, Ethan? You know how much Hannah loves David, and they’ve been together for over a year now. What’s going on?”


    This was Ethan’s biggest worry. He understood Hannah’s love for her boyfriend, but he had no idea how to tell her to leave him.


    “Tell me, my dear. Did you catch David doing something terrible?” Leni couldn’t contain her curiosity.


    “No, Lani. I just don’t think David is right for Hannah. She deserves better,” Ethan said in frustration, attempting to keep his animosity in check.


    Leniughed and took Ethan’s hands in hers, gazing into his eyes tenderly.


    “David loves Hannah just as much as she loves him, Ethan. Please don’t be negative about their rtionship.” Ethan fell silent, helplessly staring at Leni’s face.     **********


    “Are these all for me?” Susan questioned, peering into therge shopping bag that she held tightly.


    “Yes, Mom. You deserve so much more,” Leni replied with a beaming grin. Lowering the bag to the ground, Susan turned towards Leni on the elegant European-style seating they were both on.


    “You’re so kind, Leni. I wish my son could see how wonderful you are. Then he would know that not all women are the same,” Susan said, tears welling up in her eyes.


    Leni was taken aback. She wasn’t sure why Susan was suddenly crying, but she could feel the pain in her heart.


    Without hesitation, she moved closer and enveloped Susan in a gentle embrace, rubbing her back lovingly.


    Later that night.


    “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you wereing to visit today, Lani. That’s not fair,” Hannah scolded over the phone in Leni’s ear.


    “I’m sorry, Best. I saw an opportunity and I took it,” Leni replied, her free hand gripping the balcony railing.


    The vi was illuminated with colorful lights, making the town with its towering buildings look even more alive than during the day.


    “I understand, but where did you get the money for all those things, Lani? Did he change his mind about not giving you a single penny for the deal?” Hannah asked curiously.


    Leni’s face lit up with a slight smile. “Not exactly, Hannah. I pulled a little trick on both him and his mother, and it worked. Just keep praying that his mother will continue to like me.”


    As she spoke, her eyes focused on the beautiful half-moon that dominated the sparkling starry sky.


    “Don’t worry, Lani. I’m rooting for you and I know everything will work out. And thank you so much for the dresses and shoes. I love them all,” Hannah said.


    Leni couldn’t help but smile even wider, but her expression momentarily faltered when she saw Nelson’s car speeding into the premises and pulling into the garage.


    She continued conversing with Hannah, refraining from mentioning Ethan’s musings about David.


    Instead, she urged Hannah to update her on their beloved show.


    Nelson soon spotted her on the balcony, causing his pace to slow as he observed the sheer joy emanating from her countenance.


    Though he couldn’t decipher her dialogue, her constant chuckles and tucking of her hair behind her ear indicated she was speaking with her favorite person.


    “Perhaps her boyfriend,” a voice whispered in Nelson’s mind, causing him to scoff before continuing into the house.


    “I’ll call you another time, Hannah. Take care. Love you,” Leni quickly said, noticing Nelson had reached their bedroom.


    She ended the call and turned to find him standing at the terrace entrance, his typical cold expression in ce.


    “Who were you talking to?” he inquired, his hands in his trousers’ pockets. Leni checked behind her to confirm he was addressing her and not someone else, bracing herself for his question. “How is that your concern?”


    Wordlessly, Nelson advanced toward her with calcted steps, resembling a predator stalking its prey.


    “Remember, as long as this deal stands, you are my wife.”


    Leni’s throat tightened as if an electric charge had traveled through her body, stirring every cell.


    “As long as this contract exists, you are mine, Leni,”