The morning light spilled across the stairs as Stephanie descended, files tucked under her arm, her heels tapping softly against the polished wood. As she reached the bottom, she paused, hearing a burst of laughter from the living room.
"Oh, come on," Anita said between giggles. "You should've seen his face. All serious and broody like he was posing for a perfume ad."
Leo snorted. "The man probably dreams in grayscale. I bet he even frowns when he sleeps."
"I'm still here, you know," Nathan said calmly, standing near the door with his arms crossed, entirely unbothered by the teasing.
Stephanie smiled as she entered the room. "You two should leave him alone. He made me breakfast, remember? That alone deserves a medal."
Leo raised a brow. "You sure this isn't some sophisticated robot version of Nathan Voss? Because the human one I know doesn't look like he can cook—or smile."
Nathan let out a dry huff that almost passed for a chuckle.
"I'm just saying," Leo continued, crossing his arms. "He doesn't seem as cold as he lets on."
The room quieted for a second. Anita leaned forward, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So… is it official now? You two a thing or…?"
Stephanie opened her mouth, then hesitated.
It was Nathan who answered, voice low but steady. "We haven't really put a tag on it," he said, glancing sideways at Steph. "But Stephanie is… very special to me. I care about her deeply."
Anita raised a brow. "That's sweet and all, but that's not the assurance a woman needs, Voss. You're dodging the question."
Nathan's jaw clenched, his throat tightening as he glanced at Stephanie again. He held her gaze for a heartbeat, then looked away, as if the truth was too heavy to speak out loud.
"Our feelings are still… unfolding," he said slowly. "And… I don't want to say something I can't live up to. But I do know one thing—I hope what the future holds for us is something great."
Stephanie's brows pulled slightly together, confusion flashing in her eyes. Her heart ached at his words. Hope? Did he love her—or was this just… another guarded promise?
But Nathan's chest felt like it was splintering. Behind his calm expression, fear clawed at him. What if she finds out? What if Stephanie looked him in the eye one day and learned the truth—that it was his uncle, Victor Voss, who had her father killed? That the boy her family saved eighteen years ago was raised by the same man who tore them apart?
Would she look at him with the same warmth then?
Would she still care—or would she hate him for the bloodline he came from?
He swallowed hard, burying the panic beneath a cool, practiced expression. "I just want to do things right this time," he added, almost more to himself than to them.
Leo broke the silence. "Well, I get that. I mean, I'm taking things slow with Anita too." He looked at her fondly. "She deserves to be asked out properly."
Anita's cheeks warmed, and she nudged him with her elbow. "You're getting there."
Nathan checked his watch. "We should get going. Steph has work, and I've got back-to-back meetings."
As they moved toward the door, Leo suddenly said, "Oh, by the way—I'm heading to the police station today to file a report about the attack. Anita's coming with me."
They both turned at once.
"No," Nathan said firmly.
Leo blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You're not going to the police," Nathan said, his voice sharp and unwavering. "I've got everything under control. My men are already investigating."
Leo looked confused. "You what?"
"The two men who attacked your mother and tried to ambush you—my team has them. They're being questioned as we speak."
"But—" Anita started, frowning.
"If you go to the police now," Nathan continued, "it'll draw attention. These men work for people who are powerful, dangerous, and watching closely. A police report will tip them off. They'll come harder next time. You won't win this battle with official paperwork, Leo. Trust me. I know who we're dealing with."
Stephanie's breath hitched slightly. Even now, Nathan's protectiveness was fierce, relentless. But there was something else beneath it—fear. Not for himself, but for them.
Leo's brow furrowed. "Wait. Did you say… the men who attacked my mom?"
Nathan nodded slowly.
Leo turned to Stephanie. "What happened?"
Steph sighed, finally placing the files on the console table. "Mom was attacked at the hospital last night. Two men showed up pretending to be staff. They wanted her dead, but Nathan's men intervened."
"The men who attacked me… they told me to stay out of Damien's business. Damien is Nathan's cousin," she continued.
Anita blinked. "Damien? Your cousin?" she asked Nathan, startled.
Nathan nodded grimly. "Yes. Damien Voss."
Leo ran a hand through his hair. "What the hell is going on? Why would your cousin attack Steph… and then go after our mom?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out," Nathan said.
"But—what's the connection?" Anita asked, her voice soft.
Nathan hesitated. "That's what I want to ask your mom. My men told me she was frightened when she heard my last name. She asked to see me. I plan to go after my meetings today."
Leo's jaw dropped. "My mom… asked to see you?"
"Yeah."
"But why would she be scared of the name Voss?" Leo asked, his voice rising.
Anita suddenly spoke up, her voice gentle but uncertain. "Maybe… it has something to do with what happened years ago." She turned to Steph. "You told me your dad saved Nathan from an accident. Eighteen years ago, remember?"
Stephanie's eyes widened. "Anita—"
Leo snapped his head toward her. "Wait… what?"
Anita blinked. "What?"
"You knew Nathan was the boy our dad saved? The one from the accident that ruined our family?" Leo asked, voice rising. "And you didn't tell me?"
Stephanie stepped forward. "Leo, calm down—"
"No!" he barked. "You knew too, didn't you?"
Anita's lips parted, pain flickering in her gaze. "I—yes. But I didn't think it was in my place to tell you. Stephanie confided in me."
"That's not an excuse."
"Leo, I'm sorry," Stephanie added, her voice tight with emotion.
Nathan stepped forward. "Leo—"
But Leo held up a hand, chest heaving. "So all this time… you knew. You both knew. And you just let me walk around blind while the truth unraveled behind my back."
His voice cracked, just for a second. "You let me mourn Dad all these years without knowing the full story. You let me hate strangers when the truth was standing right in front of me."
Anita moved toward him, trying to take his arm. "Leo, please—"
He shook her off gently. "I need a minute."
And then he stormed past them, heading straight to his room and slamming the door shut behind him.
Stephanie made to follow, but Anita stopped her, placing a hand on her arm.
"Don't," she said softly. "You'll be late for work. Let me talk to him."
"But—"
"I'll handle it. I promise."
Stephanie searched her best friend's eyes, then nodded slowly. "Thank you."
Anita smiled faintly. "Always."
Nathan placed a hand on the small of Stephanie's back and guided her toward the door. "We should go."
Stephanie looked back once more, concern shadowing her features, but nodded.
As they stepped out of the house, Anita sighed and turned toward the stairs, determination in her eyes.
She headed up slowly, each step bringing her closer to the storm brewing inside Leo's heart.