Chapter 43

Curtis had meticulously mapped out the trip, sparking a flame of excitement in Leanne that she hadn’t felt in ages. She dived headfirst into the depths of the internet, scouring blog posts and travel forums for the hidden gems of Iceland. She was serious about crafting the perfect itinerary.

The promise of Iceland’s spring had her imagination blooming with visions of the Northern Lights, fields of wildflowers, and the spectacle of seabirds returning from their

southern winter sojourn across the ocean’s canvas.

Yet, the honeymoon never happened. It fizzled out, just like that.

Curtis became a rare sight at home, and his responses to Leanne’s calls grew colder. It was late when Curtis got home, straight to the shower, then bed, without so much as a whisper of conversation.

Leanne was lost, swirling in what she thought was a dizzying romance, clueless as to why Curtis had suddenly turned so distant.

At the time, Curtis had just broken away from the clutches of the Richardson Group, launching his venture, ElitePinnacle Investments. Curtis was a man brimming with pride, determined to make it without riding on the coattails of the Richardson family.

But for a fledgling investment bank to snag an IPO underwriting deal for a listed company. was no walk in the park.

Leanne tried to console herself, reasoning that his absence was due to the relentless grind of work, that his silence was born from sheer exhaustion, not a lack of desire to

connect.

love for Curtis was at its peak, so she mustered all her bravery and crashed Devin’s birthday bash uninvited, just to

would haunt her at night,

people in the room descended upon her, casting looks of disdain and pity,

it wasn’t his job. She just wasn’t

loved Suzan. Leanne was nothing but a compromise,

in the mood, easily discarded

unseen.

Devin’s gift behind. As she walked out, her spine was straight,

shattered pride lay scattered on the floor, crushed by

1/2

cloud nine, just to pull the rug out

Leanne and Curtis solidified into

Curtis left for Emberland, Rumors swirled that he was still hung up on Suzan, resentful of being

a long stretch, she

at Crystal Cove Villas Number 9, the quiet was deafening.

over at Number 12, looking after the elderly. Their kids are all settled abroad and the old folks are bored stiff. I mentioned our kittens and

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