Shadows from the Past
571 Words
The morning headlines were merciless.
"Lawson & Ellis: Real or Royal Scam?" "A Fiancée with Secrets? Inside Leona Ellis’ Mysterious Past" "Exposé: From Student Loans to Society Parties—How Did She Get Here So Fast?"
Leona blinked at the screen, throat tight. She hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet.
Her phone buzzed non-stop with texts, calls, email alerts.
She turned to Damian’s side of the bed.
Empty.
Of course.
She pulled on a robe and padded into the living room. Damian stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, voice low and lethal.
"You were supposed to sweep this weeks ago, not after the media circus exploded. If I see that article in print by noon, consider your contract terminated."
He hung up. Turned to her.
"They found your college debt records. And the apartment in River Heights."
Leona swallowed. "That’s public info. Anyone could—"
"They didn’t just dig, Leona. They were fed."
She blinked. "You mean someone gave them that story?"
He nodded. "And I have a damn good idea who."
---
Twelve Hours Earlier
Miles Kincaid was not known for subtlety.
He sat in a leather chair at the Ariston Club, swirling brandy and smiling like a man who held all the aces. The woman across from him wore black sunglasses and a too-perfect bob.
"You’re sure she’ll break?" Miles asked.
"She’s not built for this world," the woman said. "She’s emotional. She’ll crack."
"And Damian?"
"He doesn’t fall for people. He uses them. Like he always has."
Miles grinned. "Perfect. Then the plan continues."
The woman stood. Slid him a flash drive.
"Every skeleton in Leona Ellis’ closet. Enjoy."
---
Present
Leona sat on the edge of the couch, head in her hands.
"Who would want to hurt me like this? I haven’t done anything wrong."
Damian didn’t sit. He paced like a caged lion. "Someone who wants to hurt me. And you’re collateral."
She looked up. "Is this still worth it, Damian? All this fake love for public gain? Maybe we should just walk away."
He stopped pacing. Came to stand in front of her.
"It was fake. But not anymore. Not for me."
Her breath hitched. "Then prove it."
---
That afternoon, the couple made their first unplanned public appearance. Hand in hand. No cameras, no stylists. Just Leona in jeans and a blouse, and Damian in a plain T-shirt.
They walked into one of the most crowded cafes in Midtown.
People turned. Phones lifted. Shutters clicked.
Damian didn’t flinch. He kissed Leona on the cheek.
"Let them look. I want them to."
She smiled.
And it was real.
---
Later, back at the penthouse, Caroline arrived with a USB in hand. Her face was grim.
"You need to see this," she said.
The screen flashed.
A blurry security video.
A woman entering a media agency building. Slipping into the elevator.
The timestamp? 4 a.m. this morning.
The woman?
Veronica Blake. Damian’s ex.
Leona’s stomach dropped. "She’s behind this."
Damian’s face darkened. "I should’ve known. She’s never let go of anything. Not even me."
"Why is she doing this?"
"Because I chose you. And she can’t stand that."
Silence hung between them.
"So what do we do now?" Leona asked.
"We fight back," he said. "Together."
She nodded. "Together."
And as their hands clasped once again, it no longer felt like a performance.
It felt like war.
And this time, they
- Writer
