Veronica woke up before the alarm.
For a few seconds, she lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to remember where she was.
The room felt too big.
Too quiet.
Then it came back.
The mansion.
The marriage.
Leon.
She let out a long breath and ran a hand over her face.
"Right… this is real."
She got up slowly and walked to the window. The garden was bathed in the soft light of the morning, and for a brief moment, everything looked peaceful.
Beautiful, even.
But that didn't change the fact that her life had been turned upside down in less than two days.
She took a quick shower, chose a simple outfit, and made her way downstairs.
The house was still silent.
Until she caught the scent of coffee.
She followed it into the kitchen.
Leon was there.
Standing by the coffee machine, sleeves rolled up, dressed in a dark shirt.
For a strange second, the scene felt… normal.
Like they were just two people starting an ordinary day.
He looked at her.
"Good morning."
Veronica took a moment before replying.
"Good morning."
She sat at the counter.
"Do you always wake up this early?"
"Habit."
He placed a cup in front of her.
"Coffee?"
"Thank you."
She wrapped her hands around the cup.
The warmth helped ease the heaviness in her chest—just a little.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
She made a small face.
"More or less."
Leon seemed to understand without needing more.
"I figured."
She took a sip.
"This still feels… strange."
"It will take time."
"For me or for you?"
Leon rested his hands on the counter.
"For both of us."
Veronica studied him for a moment.
It was curious.
She had expected someone cold and distant all the time.
But Leon felt… different.
Controlled, yes.
Reserved.
But not arrogant.
"Can I ask you something?" she said.
"You can."
"Do you usually solve problems by marrying people?"
A faint smile appeared.
"No."
"Good to know."
"This was a first."
"How romantic."
Leon shook his head slightly.
"Don't use that word to describe this."
"Then how would you describe it?"
He thought for a moment.
"Practical."
Veronica laughed.
"You really are a businessman."
"Blame my family."
She went quiet for a second.
"Speaking of that…"
Leon looked at her.
"Did your family know about this?"
"They did."
"And they approved?"
"Let's just say… they accepted it."
She took another sip of coffee.
"My mother almost fainted when I told her."
Leon looked mildly surprised.
"You told her?"
"Of course."
"I thought you'd want to avoid questions."
"You can't exactly hide a marriage."
He nodded.
"Fair point."
Silence settled again.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Just… new.
Like they were still learning how to exist in the same space.
Then Leon's phone vibrated on the counter.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
Veronica noticed immediately.
"Something wrong?"
Leon read the message before answering.
"Maybe."
"What happened?"
He set the phone down.
"One of our company contracts was canceled this morning."
She frowned.
"That sounds serious."
"It is."
"Why?"
"It was one of our biggest partners."
Veronica leaned forward slightly.
"And they just canceled like that?"
Leon nodded.
"They claimed a shift in strategy."
"That sounds suspicious."
"Because it is."
She stayed quiet for a moment.
"Do you think it has something to do with what happened to my family?"
Leon took a second before answering.
"I don't know yet."
But something in his tone suggested he was starting to suspect something.
Veronica traced the rim of her cup absentmindedly.
"Daniel works at his family's company now."
Leon looked at her.
"The Armands?"
"Yes."
"They've been rivals for years."
"I know."
"Do you think he could be involved?"
She hesitated.
Daniel had never been cruel.
But he had never handled rejection well either.
"I… don't know."
Leon watched her for a few seconds.
"Do you still have feelings for him?"
The question caught her off guard.
"What?"
"It's a simple question."
She crossed her arms.
"We broke up a long time ago."
"That's not an answer."
"No."
Leon nodded slowly.
"I see."
"And you?" she asked.
"Me what?"
"Have you ever been in love like that?"
Leon was silent for a moment.
As if searching for an honest answer.
"No."
"Never?"
"Never had the time."
Veronica raised an eyebrow.
"That's kind of sad."
"Or practical."
She laughed again.
"You really like that word."
"It works."
At that same moment…
Across the city…
Daniel sat in his office.
One of his employees stepped inside.
"Mr. Armand… the contract with Alighieri Corporation has been canceled, just as you requested."
Daniel nodded.
"Good."
The employee hesitated.
"This could cause problems."
Daniel looked up.
"I know."
"Then why do it?"
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then answered calmly:
"Because sometimes, you have to start small."
He walked to the window.
From there, he could see part of the city.
"And sometimes… the best way to bring someone down…"
His grip tightened around his phone.
"…is to take them apart piece by piece."
The employee left without another word.
Daniel remained alone.
He opened a drawer.
Inside, there was a photograph.
Veronica.
He stared at it for a few seconds.
"I'm going to get you out of there."
His voice was low.
But firm.
"Even if he's the last obstacle in my way."