Dear Ex, No More Second Chances

Chapter4

"So, let's cut to the chase, shall we?" Leah suggested curtly, after they had exchanged pleasantries. "You've been texting me all week to meet up with you because you have something important you want to discuss. I'm going to skip asking how you even got my new contact and just go straight to the point, yeah? What's this about?" She asked, leaning back in her chair, undeterred.

Elias Logan also relaxed into his seat, taking a moment to study Leah. Leah's gaze was resolute and frosty as per her demeanor, just exactly the personality of a partner Elias wanted by his side when he began to enact his plans on the Castillos. He had his own reasons for reaching out to Leah, and he was pleased she had agreed to meet after being reluctant all week.

After what felt like ages, Elias finally cleared his throat and spoke up. "I'm proposing an alliance with you."

Leah blinked in surprise, her expression shifting to confusion. "I'm sorry, what?"

"An alliance," he reiterated calmly. "Let's join forces and exact revenge on the Castillos."

Leah chuckled skeptically, more like derisively. "What's this? Some high school teenagers plotting revenge after being bullied by their classmates?" She scoffed again, but her amusement faded as she added seriously. "If that's all you've got to say, I think it's time for me to leave. I have better things to do with my time."

But Elias pressed on, "Come on, think about it. I know you want to get back at them for what they did to you. They rejected you and never saw you as family."

"And how the hell do you know that?" Leah shot back. "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

Elias shrugged nonchalantly. "Just someone who has a bone to pick with the Castillos. And I could use your help."

"I still don't see how that's got anything to do with me. I barely know you. And besides," Leah insisted. "From what I gathered about you online, you have more than enough resources to achieve your goals on your own. So what’s all this about really?"

"No, I need you because you were once a part of that family—once their daughter-in-law. You are familiar with their affairs, and I also know you hold a grudge against them. With you on my side, I stand a higher chance of getting what I want."

"And what is it that you want?"

"Revenge. To see the Castillo Empire crumble to the ground. There's a bone of contention between me and your ex-husband, Lucas, including his family. I hate them just as much as you do, Leah. The only thing is, my resentment is a bit more intense, and I'm willing to do anything to get my revenge."

Leah paused, recognizing Elias was one of Lucas's many foes. Being a ruthless business tycoon came with its difficulties and Lucas had unfortunately landed himself an enemy who was bold enough to pursue him.

Even though she harbored resentment toward Lucas for his betrayal, Leah had no intention of helping this strange man in his malicious plans. She barely knew him, and secondly, his thirst for revenge was none of her concern, so she couldn't care less.

"Forgive me when I say this, Mr. Logan, but I really don't give two craps about what you have going on with Lucas. Lucas and I are already divorced. I am no longer entangled with him, and as such, I wouldn't like to get myself involved with anything or anyone that has to do with him or his family. I hope you can understand," she stated firmly, her thoughts briefly drifting to her unborn child.

After Leah's assertion, she clutched her bag, preparing to leave, but Elias's next response halted her in her tracks.

"What if I tell you I can reconnect you with your biological family? Your parents," he emphasized, his statement making Leah's heart race as she froze instantly.

Her eyes cut through his grin, and Elias basked in her astonishment.

"W- what?" Leah managed to stammer.

Her family?—She thought she had none left. The old woman who raised her had told her years ago that her family had been gone since she was very young, and Leah had no memory of them. How could this revelation even be true?

But then again, it was Elias—he had a knack for unearthing secrets from the darkest shadows. Could he have found something about her past? Leah mused.

Finally reeling from her astonishment, Leah pressed him, her voice dripping with skepticism. "You know my biological family?"

Elias nodded affirmatively. "Yes, I do. You come from a prestigious family, Leah. You just don't know that yet. You happen to be the lost heiress of..." He let his words trail off with a self-satisfied grin.

"Of whom?" Leah snapped with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

"No name until you accept my proposal," he replied casually, taking a sip of wine from the glass a waiter had just placed on their table.

"Are you f*****g kidding me right now?" Leah scowled. However, she realized guessing her family's name would be futile—there were countless prominent families across the country, and Elias hadn’t exactly specified where her supposed family was located. It would be nearly impossible to figure it out on her own.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Leah noticed Elias shrugging as he spoke. "Just agree, Leah, and I'll tell you. Let's strike a deal. Or aren't you eager to connect with your family, who's actually been searching for you all these years?"

Leah thought about walking away, but her curiosity got the best of her. She was eager to meet her real family. For the sake that she needed assistance now more than ever.

"Fine... I agree with your stupid proposal." She finally relented, her face marred with annoyance as she sat back down. "I'll get you whatever information you want on Lucas and the Castillos in general."

Not that she genuinely wanted to help, but she thought bluffing her way through would be it. However, Elias had other plans.

"Great!" He exclaimed enthusiastically, as he retrieved a folder Leah hadn't noticed was with him before now. "I need you to sign here." He said, placing a document on the table.

"What?" Leah was taken aback.

Elias grinned. "I have trust issues, especially when it comes to women," he tsked. "So I'd need you to sign right here, baby. It's a simple contract." He tapped on the designated space with his pen.

Leah scowled at him, her frustration simmering. "And how do I know you're not playing me right now?"

"I am not. Take my word for it." Elias asserted, "I really do know your biological family, and I've told them everything about their long-lost daughter—You. They expect to meet you soon. So, the ball is in your court now, love."

Leah stared at him hesitantly, his words stirring curiosity within her. Though she was skeptical, she felt compelled to take the chance. After all, what was there to lose?

Snatching the pen from Elias, she skimmed through the contract agreement before signing in the spot for signatures.

Unknown to Leah, Elias wore a sinister smirk as he watched her seal the agreement.

A DAY LATER~

"Lucas!" Lola Castillo called from downstairs, "Son, we're running late. Where are you? You don't want to start a beef with the Forbes family now, do you?" Her voice carried up the stairs.

Meanwhile, Lucas remained seated on his bed in his master's bedroom. He was smartly dressed in a white and black tuxedo, his hair all slicked back as usual with some rebellious strands falling over his devilishly handsome face.

His expression was solemn as his gaze lingered on the picture frame in his hand. Pain tugged at his heartstrings as he took in the radiant smile of the woman captured in the photograph. His woman. The love of his life—Leah Milton.

He missed her so much, and this picture was his only means of seeing her; he sought solace from the photograph whenever he missed her deeply. He was still unaware of Leah's whereabouts after she disappeared the night of their forced divorce.

He'd been secretly searching for her but his efforts seemed futile. It was as if he was looking for a pin lost in a haystack—she was unfindable. Still, he held onto the hope that someday, he'd see her again, and explain things to her understanding after pulling her into his arms. He missed her so much, it was killing him.

"Son?" Lucas's reverie was broken as his mother's voice resonated through the walls to his ears, reaching his ears. It dawned on him that Lola wouldn’t stop calling him unless he had made his presence known.

Exhaling a heavy sigh, he pressed a soft kiss to the photograph before placing it back on his bedside table. He then stood and moved toward the exit.

Upon stepping out of his room, he was slightly taken aback to see Harper waiting at his door.

"Hi," she greeted with a skeptical smile.

Lucas regarded her appearance. She was dressed in a shimmering green dress that hugged her curves perfectly and her brown hair was styled in soft waves cascading down her shoulders. Although she looked really attractive tonight, Lucas felt no attraction towards her.

If anything, he scoffed as he disregarded her, making his way downstairs. Harper's heart twisted, but she kept her smile intact, trailing behind him with a purse clutched tightly against her side.

"Oh my goodness, you look magnificent, my dear!" Lola exclaimed upon spotting Harper descending the stairs with Lucas. "This is what I'm talking about! The perfect wife for my perfect billionaire son,"

Harper couldn't conceal her grin, her eyes gleaming with delight as she approached Lola. "Oh, thank you so much, Mother."

Lola embraced her lightly. "You look beautiful, my dear." She then turned to Lucas and regarded him. "Even you too, Son. Everyone at the Forbes event tonight is going to be drooling once they set their eyes on you. I'm certain even their long-lost heiress would be no exception."

Lola and Harper chuckled while Lucas held the urge to roll his eyes. "Well, shall we go now? I'd like to return home before midnight." He stated, noting the time was past 10 PM.

"Of course! We're all set." Lola replied, beckoning Harper and pulling her to her side. "Come on, my dear. Let's walk together."

With that, the three of them, including the Moores who had just arrived in time to join them, made their way to the awaiting limousine outside.

The grand ballroom which served as the venue for the Forbes ceremony, was filled with a gathering of distinguished guests of notable societal value, in attendance for the introduction of the long-lost heiress, whom the Forbes family had recently discovered, as reported in the news earlier that day.

The Forbes were a prominent and influential family, well-known across the City. They were also business partners with the Castillos. Hence, the reason Lucas and the rest of his family were in attendance for the event.

From the moment they arrived minutes ago, Lucas appeared disengaged from the party as he was highly antisocial. The other guests had formed small clusters of two or three, and while the Castillos and Moores mingled with others, Harper chose to stay close to Lucas.

"Such a lovely evening," she attempted to break the silence, hoping to start a conversation with Lucas. "I wonder what she’s like..."

Lucas frowned slightly, finally glancing at her for the first time since their arrival. "Who?"

Harper turned to him and smiled coyly. "Duh, who else but Forbes' long-lost heiress?"

He hesitated, briefly contemplating, but quickly turned his focus back as the master of ceremonies took over from the singer, capturing the audience's full attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Forbes are ready to introduce their daughter, whom they have been separated from for nearly twenty-five years." The MC announced after a brief interlude of entertainment.

Just like everyone else, Lucas was drawn to the stage with eager anticipation, although his mind occasionally wandered to thoughts of Leah, reminding him that he needed to find her as soon as possible as the absence of her presence still left him feeling hollow.

However, a few minutes after Lincoln Forbes introduced himself, he made an announcement to introduce his daughter—the long-lost heiress.

"Allow me to introduce you to our daughter, the rightful heir to our family legacy, who we thought lost to time but has now returned... Please join me in welcoming Stacy Forbes to the stage," he declared and the room erupted in cheer.

Lucas's attention was barely captured, however, his focus instantly zeroed in on the stage when he caught Harper murmur a familiar name skeptically. 'Leah?'

Harper tensed beside Lucas just the moment his eyes captivated the young lady who was approaching Lincoln Forbes on the stage. A captivating smile was etched on her face, her familiar movements elegant as she walked in silver stilettos. A silver purse was clutched to her side, which matched the color of her hair, and her shiny green mermaid dress perfectly complemented her sparkly emerald eyes—Eyes Lucas were familiar with! Eyes he recognized almost instantly despite standing a short distance!

Shock washed over Lucas, and his eyes widened in astonishment as he witnessed the woman embrace her supposed father, Lincoln Forbes.

Lucas couldn't believe the sight. And there was no room for doubt, considering she was now standing firmly before him on the stage. His heart slammed in his chest once again in sheer bewilderment.

Just then, an announcement sliced through his thoughts.

"Hi, my name is Stacy Forbes," The lady star

ted, her resonant yet confident voice shaking the Castillos, including the Moores, as she added sedately, "And I formally go by the name—Leah Milton.”