er seat, punched in the code, and let the gates swing open. As the car rolled over the gravel drive, the rumble benea

arched into the mansion, ignoring the startled glances from the house staff. Without sparing a w

eavily. The fury burning in his chest hadn't subsided. Without

had grown up surrounded by wealth and privilege, the silver spoon practically engraved with his name. Leonard, on the other hand, had come from nothing. Raised b

it, and Leonard had been surprised by how grounded the billionaire heir was. After graduation, Maverick had off

t had driven him away, Leonard had always felt like an outsider in Maverick's world. The whispers from staff behind his back, the accusing glances, the cruel nic

il there was nothing left but the urge to escape. Canada had always been his mother's sanctuary, and s

thrice before L

s voice came out rough, but there was a so

ings going over there?" Leonard aske

ttered. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Are you

Oh really? That's sudden but hey, you know my

rs of his lips for the first time in hours. "Of cour

ly are you coming

etting old. You can't even hear proper

ghed. "I'll be expecting you then

ck's chest had eased, just a little. Leonard had a way of doing that,

g was filled with clothes, his casual wear, a few tailored suits, even though he had no plans of using it. The second bag held his shoes, slippers, and essential skincare produc

at the window. The evening outside was quiet, stars h

s godforsaken hole,"

ss because I'm his heir. I gave my everything...I made

ve. Let him keep his damn em

louder than he had intended. The walls p

ied footsteps approached h

p!" came Catherin

?" he barked from

Isabella chimed in, con

ck's voice rang out like thunder, shar

floor just outside his bedroom door, waiting silently.The light flick

t him, not the Maverick they grew u

our l

nd red. The sight that greeted him made his throat tighten, his sisters curled up on th

" he whisper

ce fierce yet gentle. Maverick held her back, burying his face in her sho

's going on with you?" she asked, noticing the puffiness around his eyes,

trying to compose himself, pull

eady trembling, tears brimming in her eyes. "Maverick

irmly. "If we don't know what's go

lenched. "You guys wo

okay, technically twenty-two, but I'm practically there. I've got experience

d his eyes, maybe even teased her. But thi

casm was a shield, but even she cou

r framed her delicate face, her lips trembling as she spoke. "Please, Maver

r escaped do

wn emotions. "Stop pulling this shit, Bella. What the hell are

ice soft. "I don't care what Catherine says. Crying doesn't make you weak. It means you

arly worried, and Isabella, vulnerable yet brave in her emotional way.