Leah quietly packed the last of her belongings into her old, worn-out luggage. The faded fabric was frayed at the corners, its handle stiff from years of use. The luggage came with nostalgia for her.
When she moved into this giant mansion, it was the same luggage she stuffed her things in, holding hope and anticipation.
Now, almost a decade later, it is with this luggage she is departing from this family— her heart heavier than when she came in.
Her lips curved into a faint smile, dimples pressing into her cheeks as she whispered to herself, "From here on, everything will be fine."
"Didn't expect it, but you're truly like your mother. It hasn't been a day, yet you managed to seduce Leo Zhen into your hand. Commendable, I must say."
The snarky comment made Leah's head snap up, finding Arianna standing in front of her. A scornful sneer twisted on her lips while Arianna walked over to her. There is undisguised hostility in her eyes.
Raising her hand, Arianna's fingers clamped onto her chin tightly, applying pressure. Leah's face contorted from the pain.
"You are putting that innocent face of yours to good use. Usually, you go around acting like you don't understand anything, but in your mind, you have thoughts deeper than rest. You're nothing but a scheming little bitch."
Leah's brows furrowed, and with a sharp motion she shoved Arianna's hand away, taking a cautious step back.
She turned, intent on leaving, but Arianna's venomous voice followed.
"Entertain me as well. I am curious. How did you satisfy Leo Zhen? I heard he is quite perverted. He must have tortured you a lot. Did you enjoy it? You must have pleased him a lot, like an obedient dog, and that's why he came to give you a sweet treat today."
Leah froze. Arianna's words dripped like poison, meant to stain her pride.
"After you go home, what are you going to do? Wag your tail at him? You're quite dirty, aren't you? Don't be pleased. You're a temporary pleasure for him. Soon, he is going to abandon you like a washed-out rag."
Leah's hands balled into fists at her sides. Her voice, though quiet, was steady.
"Don't badmouth Leo," Leah said, "he is very nice."
Arianna stared at her silently for a second before throwing her head back and bursting out into loud laughter.
"Nice? Him to you? You are a damned retard, aren't you? He probably is nice to you for a couple fucks and then, watch him go around with other women," Arianna commented.
Leah shook her head at Arianna. There was no point in talking with her.
In front of others, Arianna pretended that mentioning Leah would be shameful for her status, but behind everyone, she couldn't stop her mouth from chattering nonstop in front of Leah.
When Leah paid no attention to her, she would go choose extreme words to provoke her, and only when Leah lost her composure would she show a satisfied reaction.
By now, Leah was bored with the routine.
Her hazel eyes stared at Arianna blankly, asking her if she was done.
Arianna closed the gap between them. Her eyes shone with menace as she vocalized, "That whore of a mother of yours will be proud of you. Be sure to follow her teachings, and keep—"
The words cut off abruptly as Leah's hand flew up and struck her across the face.
Crack!
The sound echoed through the room. Arianna's head snapped to the side, her cheek burning red as her eyes widened in disbelief.
"How dare you raise your hand at me!?" she shrieked, rage twisting her features. Her arm whipped back, ready to retaliate.
Leah's nerve froze, abandoning her, and she tightly closed her eyes.
But the palm never touched her.
When she opened her eyes, Leah found Arianna's wrist being grabbed by Leo. Her face turned ugly in pain when Leo twisted her wrist before harshly releasing it. Arianna took a step back from the impact.
Leo checked Leah from top to bottom with concern. The cold, sinister intent in his eyes dissipated to hold warmth in them, and he gently asked, "Are you alright?"
Leah nodded.
"Arianna, Baby, did you get hurt?" Jenny rushed forward, fussing over her daughter. The bright red imprint of Leah's hand was clear on Arianna's cheek.
Miles's eyes rolled in rage, glaring at Leah next as though he wished to tear her apart.
"You insolent girl! You really need to be taught a lesson!" he roared, raising his hand.
However, his hand paused mid-air, trembling, when Leo's eyes fell in his direction. As he raised one of his brows, his imposing height left a looming shadow on Miles, overpowering him.
"You dare touch her?" Leo's words held a threatening undertone.
Then, his focus was directed towards Leah. He asked, "Did you slap her?"
Thinking how Leo would also assume it was wrong of her to hurt Arianna, Leah lowered her line of sight, feeling guilty. Nevertheless, she nodded her head.
A sigh left Leo's mouth before he reached out to grab her hand and rubbed them gently.
"Next time, let me handle the rough work," Leo voiced out. His low, hoarse voice held a gentle undertone in it.
Everyone was beyond astonished by his sudden shift in demeanour.
They wondered whether Leah had afflicted him with some dark magic, or else why would he do a complete one-eighty-degree turn when facing her.
Leah's cheeks warmed under his touch. She gave her hand a little shake, trying to mask her shyness, and softly reminded him, "You promised me ice cream. I want chocolate."