entangled bond

The confession.

"Stephanie, I...I love you so much." He looked into her charming eyes as he stammered, gently reaching for her hands.

Stephanie's heart softened. She looked at him and saw honesty and his past wounds in his eyes. Goose bumps spread across her skin as compassion filled her.

"I need to know you more, Brendan," she said in a low, soft tone.

"I have known so much about you, Stephanie. You are the only woman who has loved me genuinely despite my fertility issues," he continued. "When I told you my fertility problem, you treated me with kindness."

"That's what it means to love people," she replied with a smile. She began to gently rub his hair with the tips of her fingers.

"You healed me from my depression and pain. I once dated a woman who was secretly married with children," he said.

"What?" she said.

"I never knew she had a family, and she was trying to use me to take care of her children. I spent over 10 million dollars taking care of her."

"She is a criminal."

"Yes. When I discovered it, I almost committed suicide." He paused for a moment.

"Sorry for what you have been through. I am here for you. I will make sure you are treated with love," Stephanie spoke as she held Brendan's hand tightly.

Brendan closed his eyes as he remembered the past betrayal.

"Thank you, Stephanie," he spoke as he opened his eyes.

"I love you too."

That day, Brendan took her in his car to her house to drop her off. As she was going home, she got a call from Anita, her friend.

She slipped her hand into her bag and brought out her phone. She picked up the call and was about to greet her, but she heard a panicked voice saying,

"They have taken over your company. Melinda, James, Juliet Hale, and Matthew have taken your position," Anita spoke.

"I don't understand what is happening. Is this a dream or what?" Stephanie asked in frustration.

"What is happening is real. Your company has been taken over. They took the documents of ownership."

"What? This is evil. I am coming to the company to take back my place." She slammed her hands on the table.

"Please don't come. There are guards stationed everywhere in the company."

Stephanie felt a wave of pain.

"Most of the employees wanted to leave. I am also leaving," Anita replied.

"No, don't leave. I want you to stay there and help me watch what is happening in the company," Stephanie replied.

After the phone call, Stephanie looked sad and depressed as her world kept collapsing every day. It was her friend, whom she was living with, who consoled her.

One month later, Brendan called Stephanie one morning. She answered the call and heard Brendan's warm, charming voice.

"How are you, darling? I dreamed about you last night."

"I am fine. I was thinking about you throughout the night," she chuckled.

"Alright. I want you to come to my company today. I want to discuss something with you," Brendan spoke.

"I will come to your company," Stephanie answered.

Before she ended the call, Brendan said,

"Stephanie, there is something I need to tell you. But I need your trust."

"What is it?"

Stephanie was already a bit tense because she was thinking it was something that had to do with his past, his ex-girlfriend, or something dangerous.