Chapter Eleven: Unraveling Lies &Deeper Desires

Ella's POV

Leo was mine now.

Sophia was gone. Zack was suspicious. Meredith still disapproved. But none of it mattered.

Because Leo chose me every single night.

And I would make sure it stayed that way.

The knock at my door came late-too late for casual visits. I already knew who it was before I opened it.

Zack.

I schooled my expression into something neutral, pushing down my irritation. "What are you doing here?"

He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. His body was tense, his jaw locked. I could tell he had been

overthinking this conversation before even knocking.

"We need to talk," he said, voice clipped.

I sighed, crossing my arms. "Let me guess.

This is about Sophia?"

He exhaled sharply. "Ella, I know you had something to do with her sudden disappearance."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's a strong accusation."

"I don't have proof, but I know you," he said, stepping closer. "You don't let things go. And you don't like competition."

I tilted my head, offering a small, amused smile. "Leo was never interested in her."

"That's not the point!" Zack snapped, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

"The point is, you wanted her gone, and now she is."

I met his gaze, unblinking. "Maybe you should ask yourself why you care so much."

Zack flinched, just slightly, but I caught it. I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "You've always had this protective thing over me, Zack. And for what? To keep me around while you sleep with a new woman every month?"

His throat bobbed. "Ella-"

"No," | whispered, cutting him off, my fingers lightly brushing his arm. "You don't get to be jealous now. You had years, and you wasted them."

His breathing was uneven, his gaze locked onto mine. For a split second, I saw the war inside him-the guilt, the regret, the realization that maybe he did want me.

Too late.

I smiled sweetly, stepping back. "Go home, Zack."

For a moment, he didn't move. Then, jaw clenched, he turned and left.

I closed the door softly, my pulse racing.

One threat down. Another to go.

I didn't have time to dwell on Zack— because soon after, Leo arrived.

The moment he stepped through the door, I felt the pull between us-magnetic, consuming, inevitable. His eyes darkened the second he saw me, as if he had needed me just as hadly as I needed him.

"You okay?" he asked, sensing something in me, always so attuned.

I didn't want to talk.

I needed to feel.

I closed the space between us, pressing my body to his, capturing his lips in a desperate kiss. He made a sound of surprise before his hands gripped my waist, pulling me even closer.

"Ella," he murmured against my lips,

"what's gotten into you?"

I tangled my fingers in his hair, tugging lightly. "I just need you."

His grip on me tightened, his breath ragged. "Then take me."

We didn't make it to the bed right away.

Leo lifted me effortlessly, pressing me against the wall, his lips trailing down my neck, leaving fire in their wake. My legs wrapped around him instinctively, my body arching into his as he claimed me with every kiss, every touch.

"Mine," | whispered breathlessly.

Leo groaned, his grip on me tightening.

"Yours," he promised.

I let him carry me to the bed, where he took his time, worshipping me with slow, deliberate movements. His lips traced down my body, his hands mapping out every inch of me as if memorizing me.

The way he looked at me-like I was his entire world-made my heart race.

Because I was.

And I would never let him forget it.

I lay in Leo's arms, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He played with a strand of my hair absentmindedly, his fingers gentle, absent of suspicion or doubt.

He was mine, and I had never felt more at peace.

"What's on your mind?" Leo murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

I smiled against his chest. "You."

He chuckled. "Good answer."

I lifted my head slightly, meeting his gaze.

"Tell me you're never leaving me."

His expression softened, his fingers tilting my chin up. "Ella, I'm not going anywhere."

I wanted to believe him.

But I knew better than anyone-love is fragile. And I would do whatever it took to protect what was mine.

Even if it meant destroying anyone who tried to take him away.