Surprised and hopeful, Leonel listened as Alexis continued with a slight smile, âAnika visited my office yesterday.
She mentioned you didnât want to see her, so she came to me instead! Leonel, Iâm not concerned with what exactly went on between you two, but itâs clear Anika is quite upset lately.
Since you started it, it might be best if you resolve things with her⦠I donât want any issues endangering me or my children.
â
Leonel responded quickly, âIâve already ended things with her.
â
âThereâs no need to explain, Leonel.
Honestly, if it werenât for the kids, Iâd hope you two could find happiness together,â Alexis replied, her tone indifferent.
She continued flipping through the journal and mentioned in a casual tone, âEvelyn and Daniel are upstairs waiting for you.
Help yourself.
â
Leonel gave her a long look before standing and making his way upstairs.
âs BunnyBookery
After dropping the kids off at the Fowler residence on Sunday, Leonel drove downtown.
Upon her arrival, Anika was taken aback.
She longed to rush into Leonelâs arms and ki*s him like old timesâ¦
Her infatuation with Leonel was a well-kept secret.
He embodied everything she had ever wanted.
Yet, Leonel avoided her advances with a cool detachment.
He gently pushed Anika aside and took a seat on the sofa, resting his hands on his knees while fixing her with an intense gaze.
Feeling let down, Anika closed the door softly behind her.
She smoothed out her dress and managed a strained smile.
âYouâve finally agreed to see me! Have you spoken to Alexis?â
As Leonel pulled out a pack of cigarettes and was about to Light one, his eyes caught sight of a manâs coat on the sofa.
It was a coat he recognized as his own from a previous visit.
Noticing his focus, Anika glanced at the coat and gave a rueful smile.
âI know what youâre thinking.
You want to break things off with me so you can chase after her again.
Youâre hoping to reconcile with her, arenât you? But Leonel, think about how many times youâve been here and how much weâve hung out.
She definitely knows about us.
Weâve been over for two months, even though we didnât really slept together.
Donât tell me you still expect her to think youâre innocent though.
Wake up.
I bet she despises you and finds you disgusting!â
Anika spat out the words, her
voice tinged with bitterness.
She lit a cigarette, and after taking a few drags, she said sarcastically, âIâve lost everything.
My careerâs a mess, and even my family and friends look down on me for getting involved with a married man.
But it doesnât matter.
At least I still have you, Mr.
Douglas⦠Youâve been dumped by your wife, and your kids canât stand you.
Compared to my mess, youâre struggling even more, right? You used to have it all.
â
Leonel looked at her with a cold gaze, his eyes void of any emotion.
In that moment, Anika and he were nothing more than arch enemies.
Yet men often acted more ruthlessly than women.
Leonel was determined to settle everything once and for all.
He exhaled a cloud of smoke slowly, and then said casually, âIf you leave Duefron and go back to your hometown, Iâll arrange for someone to marry you, Anika.
Thatâs the last thing I can do for you.
â
Shocked, Anika asked, âYou expect me to marry someone else?â