As soon as Lisa got home, a deep wave of exhaustion swept over her. She barely spared a glance at the waiting meal or the quiet hum of the house. Without a word, she slipped off her heels, letting them fall where they may, and walked straight to her bathroom.
Moments later, she sank into the warmth of her lavender scented bath, the water lapping gently against her skin like a soft lullaby. It was her way of unwinding of reclaiming peace after a day woven with power plays and calculated silence. The lavender bath soothed her so much, and for a while, she let herself melt into the stillness, her head resting against the porcelain, eyes closed. This was her ritual, No boardroom tension, no masks just silence, solitude, and steam. The chaos of the day began to fade as the water embraced her like an old friend. Then, the shrill ring of her phone sliced through the calm. With a sigh, Lisa reached for the device without opening her eyes, "Talia." She answered.
"Lisa! Thank God. I've been trying to reach you your father wants to see you, It's urgent." Lisa sat up, water rippling around her. "What's going on?" she asked, already knowing Talia wouldn't call unless it truly mattered. "I don't know exactly," Talia said hurriedly, "but you need to leave right now." The peace she'd carefully constructed drained from the room. Lisa rose from the tub, her mind already shifting back into motion. As she wrapped herself in a robe and made her way to the closet, her thoughts began to race, unraveling every possible reason her father might urgently want to see her. There were a dozen possibilities business, family, maybe something trivial blown out of proportion.
But then, John came to mind.bHer breath caught ever so slightly. Could it be about the marriage? The very thought made her stomach tighten. She paused, one hand resting on the wardrobe handle, silently willing the idea away. No... not that. Please, not that, she thought. She had pushed the matter to the back of her mind, hoping silence might bury it. But now, it felt like it was resurfacing loud, uninvited, and far too real. She closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself. If it's about the marriage… then what? She was never going to marry john not while her soul remained in her body All she could do now was pray and hope that it wasn't what she feared. She dressed up with her usual precision effortless, yet striking. Even though it was late into the evening, her beauty seemed untouched by time. The night didn't dim her glow; instead, it framed her in a quiet, captivating radiance. Descending via the elevator, the soft hum of its movement echoed the stillness in her mind. When the doors slid open, a man stood waiting for her in the lobby silent, composed, likely sent ahead. He offered a polite nod without a word. Just then, her car pulled up. The driver stepped out, opening the door swiftly and respectfully.
Without hesitation, she stepped in, her expression unreadable.
As soon as Talia got into the car, it sped off into the night. "I think it could be about John," she said softly. Lisa exhaled not a sigh of relief, but one burdened with dread. "Is he with Father right now?" she asked, her voice low, almost cautious.
Talia gave a small nod, then whispered, "Yes." Lisa closed her eyes, willing her thoughts to quiet. Her mind searched desperately for a way out for a strategy, a shield, a path that wouldn't end with her being cornered. The silence between them stretched, heavy and fragile. Soon, the car eased to a halt. Lisa's eyes opened slowly as the chauffeur came around and opened the door. She stepped out without a word, composure intact, grace unwavering Talia followed closely behind, her presence quiet, almost protective till she got to the front of a room which seemed like a guest room.
Lisa sat still facing her father, her gaze fixed and unreadable. The silence between them was heavy, tense almost suffocating. Her father finally broke it. " Sweet lisa" Lisa's ear stiffened as soon as her father said that he only called her that way when he needed her. He smiled sweetly but lisa could only perceive it as his way of manipulating her. "I didn't call you here to argue, Lisa," he said quietly, "I know things did not end well last dinner I hope we can leave all that behind us" her serious expression did not change "it's all in the past dad I'm used to it already" he nodded silently then adjusted I'm his seat before speaking again "I called you to remind you of reality. This marriage will happen." She raised an eyebrow, her voice ice. "And if I refuse?" He exhaled slowly, then walked over to a cabinet and retrieved a small black folder. Placing it gently on the table, he slid it toward her. "You recognize this, don't you?" he said. Lisa's body froze. She didn't touch it, She didn't need to, She already knew what it was. "John had a habit of documenting things," he continued. His tone was disturbingly calm. "And unfortunately, not all of it stayed between you two. You think your silence would bury everything? No, Silence leaves loose ends, This... this will ruin you." Her jaw clenched. "You're threatening me...with that?" she asked, barely above a whisper. "I'm protecting what's left of your dignity," he said, voice sharp now. "One leak, Lisa just one and the media will feast on your pain like vultures. I won't let that happen to you, you're my sweet daughter and not only do I respect you, i Iove you way more than you know, But you need to cooperate." She turned her head slightly, swallowing hard. Her voice was tight. "You're using my trauma to control me..... You claim to love me but you're willing to expose me to the public" she said so slowly tears almost like she was too dumbfounded "No," he said, very softly "I'm trying to prevent it from becoming tomorrow's headline. And John's family? They're the only reason you still have a name to protect. They've cleaned up more than you'll ever know. I owe them. We owe them." Lisa's chest rose and fell in restrained fury. "You owe them, Not me, why do I have to marry the one who raped and abused me why is this not a topic for Vivian?" She questioned looking him dead in the eyes. "They protected you," he snapped, "when you were too broken to even speak. You think I could have handled the backlash alone? We would've lost everything, Everything." She looked away, every muscle in her face pulled taut. He stepped closer. "Do this one thing, Lisa, Just this, After that, you'll never hear from me about it again, Marry John....Seal the alliance, Put it behind you." Silence stretched between them. Then, "So you're handing me over to the man who destroyed me… because you made a deal." Her father didn't answer. Lisa slowly turned her gaze back to him quiet, blazing. "You disgust me." He didn't flinch. "Be that as it may your silence won't protect you anymore, but your cooperation will, you know the wise option I'm giving you 24,hrs to think about,...
Lest I forget your response determines the new owner of the company" he said sternly and walked out of the room leaving lisa in her thoughts, she was overwhelmed she was feeling anger something she had stopped feeling, cold shivers went down her spine with great intensity she managed to stand but her legs fell weak instantly slouching back into the chair. Just then the quiet room was disturbed by the creak of the door, John appeared seemingly joyous which was the exact opposite of what lisa was feeling "babe" he called out grinning widely not caring that she wasn't responding he kept speaking " did you see the little present I gave to daddy" he chuckled slightly "our sex rodeo, the almighty lisa Richards at the brink of losing everything ....oh how the mighty have fallen, your reputation..." Lisa having heard enough stood up and walked straight for the door John immediately grabbed her by the arm, without a second thought she kicked his groin and gave him a resounding slap
"Don't ever touch again.....ever" she warned and walked away. As Lisa stepped out of the house, her heels striking the marble floor with unwavering grace, she walked with the kind of poise only few could command shoulders squared, chin high, her silence louder than any retort. She didn't spare a glance at anyone. The staff stiffened as she passed, unsure whether to greet or retreat. They knew better than to interrupt her in this state. Veronica, lounging nearby with a wicked smirk curled on her lips, called out mockingly, her voice sharp with fake concern. "Leaving so soon, darling? You forgot to say goodbye." Lisa didn't flinch, She didn't look,
neither did she stop. Her steps never faltered. It was as if Veronica's voice was no more than the rustle of dry leaves beneath her notice, beneath her dignity. The words may have been intended to wound, but Lisa had mastered the art of appearing untouchable. She simply walked straight, proud, and silent through the heavy gate, the sunlight catching the shimmer of her hair like a crown. The chauffeur, already waiting, rushed to open the door. Lisa slid in with the effortless elegance of a woman born into power, yet forged in pain. As soon as the door shut behind her, the engine hummed to life, and the car began to move. Even Talia dared not say a word. She didn't cry, she wouldn't. But behind the stillness of her eyes was a weight she carried alone an ache too old for tears. Her heart was bruised, not broken it had already been broken a long time ago what was bruised were the few lingering pieces. And though sorrow pressed hard against her chest, it only added to her fire. Let them talk, let them mock, she would never bow.