Victoria_Xoxo

He chuckled. “What’s with the face?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You’re blushing.” His voice held a teasing lit, and I could practically hear the smirk behind it.

“Oh.” I raised a hand to my cheek, rubbing absently, only to feel the warmth spreading across my skin. My lips twisted into a small, guilty smile.

Leo’s eyes gleamed with amusement. There was something about the way he looked at me—steady, knowing—that made me uneasy. Not because I felt uncomfortable, but because I had spent so long misunderstanding him.

Why hadn’t I seen his loyalty from the start? Why had I assumed he wanted me for business, for something transactional? A pang of guilt settled in my chest.

“This place is…” I started, glancing around, searching for words.

He leaned back slightly, one arm draped over the chair. “Deserving of a heiress,” he finished smoothly. “I had a work break.”

A warm rush of gratitude filled me, but it was quickly dampened by a lingering thought. Cassie had mentioned something earlier—something about Ophelia storming into Leo’s office. My fingers curled slightly against the tablecloth.

Kill Lila!

"There's no imagining what Ophelia and Mason could do." I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I grazed my lower lip with my teeth, a nervous habit I hadn't shaken.

The thought of returning to Tadley made my stomach twist painfully. I had spent most of last night turning the idea over in my head, weighing my options. But there were none. I had to go back, even if it meant stepping straight into the lion's den.

What disturbed me the most was how blind I had been. How utterly foolish.

I had given him my trust, my heart—hell, my everything. But he hadn't loved me. He had loved my wealth, the power attached to my last name. The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth, one I doubted I'd ever wash away.

Leo pulled me out of my thoughts when he placed something in my hand.

"We found it half-buried in the mud," he said, his voice soft.

41. The Path Back to Tadley. Lila pov