The message came a little after noon.
Leon was stretched out on the couch, one arm covering his eyes, the steady hum of the city coming in through the half open window. His phone buzzed once, then again, and again—insistent. He sighed and reached for it without opening his eyes.
When he finally did, and saw the name on his screen, his hand stilled.
Isabel.
What could she possibly want again?
He hadn't heard from her in weeks, but just seeing her name made his stomach tighten.
He stared at the screen for a moment, thumb frozen midair, before finally tapping the notification open.
So you and your perfect family think you can scare me off that easily?
Filing a case? Really? Cute.
You should remember, Leon, these videos don't just show us. They show you taking things you're not supposed to.
Even if I can't post them, I can still ruin you. And you know I can.
Leon read the message twice. Each word hit harder than the last. His jaws clenched, and a sick feeling settled in his stomach. For a moment, it felt like the air in the room had suddenly thickened, pressing down on his chest.
He let the phone down unto the table and pressed his palms against his eyes, trying to breathe. Deep down he'd known Isabel wouldn't let things go that easily, but seeing the threat spelled out—seeing how far she was willing to go—made his chest tighten.
He shot to his feet and started facing. The walls felt like it was closing in, the air felt still.
Then the phone buzz again.
He froze.
A new message—this time from his father's assistant.
Mr. Leon, the family requests your presence at the house this evening. It's urgent.
Leon exhaled slowly. He didn't need to guess why.
By the time Leon reached the house, the sky had already darkened.
The moment he stepped inside, he already got that suffocating feeling knowing he was about to be judged again for not meeting their expectations.
Everyone was already gathered. His father sat at the head of the long mahogany table, posture rigid as ever. Besides him, Eleanor—his step mother—wore her usual calm expression, though her eyes gave it away: sharp, assessing, ready.
Across from them sat his uncle, his sister Davina, and the family lawyer all waiting in silence that felt too rehearsed to be comfortable.
"Leon" his father said without looking up from a file, "sit."
Leon obeyed, though his impulse were like drums in his ears.
The lawyer spoke first. This situation with Isabel can't continue. She's made new threats. We need to act on it quick, before the press gets to know of it.
Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "She's bluffing. She knows she can't release anything, she's in the video too."
"Bluffing or not", his faith cut in, voice low. "Your reckless choices is what put us in this position in the first place. Do you know what this can do to our family's image if anyone finds out about this?" Even without proof, it's damage.
Leon clenched his jaw. "I already told you, I'm handling it."
"Clearly not." His uncle snapped. "You're lucky she hasn't dragged the rest of us into this. The case we filed only bought us time."
Eleanor's voice came softer, but still had a strict edge to it. "Leon, listen. This is now much bigger than you realize. It isn't just about you anymore. If the story spreads, it affects everyone tied to this name. The board, the companies, your inheritance. You can't afford to act alone anymore. "
Leon laughed, but it came out dry, bitter. "Funny. Because acting alone has been the only thing that ever felt real to me."
His father's eyes shot up—sharp, warning. "Don't start."
"I'm not starting anything" Leon said, leaning forward. "I'm just saying if you would have listened to me years ago and let me make my own choices, we wouldn't be sitting here right now. Now you want to judge you for acting out."
"Watch your tone." Davina muttered under her breath.
Leon turned to her. "Or what? You'll remind me how perfect you are again?"
"Enough!" his father barked, slamming his fist against the table. The echo filled the room. "Haven't you done enough damage? I don't want to hear a single word from you again till you're asked to respond."
"Have you heard me?!"
Leon opened his mouth to respond—but then the sound of clicking heels against the marble cut through the room.\
They all turned.
"Charity?" Eleanor blinked, surprised.
Charity stood at the doorway, wearing a soft beige coat, confusion written all over her face. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt whatever is going on. Eleanor said I could drop by today. I didn't realize you were having a meeting>"
The shift in the room was instant—rigid. Almost panicked.
Eleanor stood quickly, smiling in that careful, social way she always did. "Of course, dear. Yes, I must have forgotten to tell Leon and the rest of the family. We were just finishing up. "She gave her husband a subtle look to end the meeting.
Leon's father exhaled, shutting the folder in front of him. "I guess that's enough for today." He said. "We'll discuss the rest tomorrow."
Everyone began gathering their things in forced calm, the tension clinging to the air like static.
Charity stepped closer, still frowning slightly. "Sorry for cutting you meeting short."
"You didn't do anything wrong" Leon said quietly, rising to his feet. "Can we speak for a minute? Alone?"
She hesitated for a moment, looking between him and others. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah." He said, with a forced smile on his face. "I just need to explain something to you."
She then looked at Eleanor, who gave a polite nod. "You two can use the study."
Leon led Charity down the hallway. She followed quietly.
The silence between Leon and Charity became a Character of its own—thick, fragile and empty with all the words he could not say.
When they reached the study, Leon opened the door for her. She walked in slowly, her eyes scanning through the room like she was trying to read it before she read him.
"So what's this about?" she asked, her voice soft but wary.
He shut the door behind them. His hand stayed on the knob a moment too long. He didn't turn. Couldn't.
His pulse thudded in his throat. The echo of his father's voice was still crawling in his mind, mixing with the sting of Isabel's message.
The silence stretched through.
Then his phone buzzed on the table. Once. Twice.
He turned it just enough to see the screen light up.
Felicity: I'm happy you're starting to see the truth
Leon just stared. His chest tightened, his thoughts a mess of noise—Isabel, his father, Charity, all of it folding in on him. He didn't move. Not even when he realized the truth Felicity meant might be the one thing that finally breaks him.
He just stood there, suspended between choices that would shatter something no matter what he decided.
And for the first time, he realized the truth Felicity was talking about might destroy more than just his name.