Our only hope.

Leticia was eating when Devon entered, his scent and aura filling the room and grabbing her attention. Though she didn't acknowledge him, he sat down in his usual chair and began eating. Leticia felt a surge of anger towards him so she didn't greet him, unfazed by the possibility that he might choke her against the wall in a fit of rage - a scenario that had played out many times before.

Just then, Luis walked in and greeted them with a cheerful "Good morning."

Leticia replied with a brief "Hi," but Devon remained silent, his focus fixed on his food.

Luis addressed him, saying, "Devon, the Princess is here." before leaving.

Devon dropped his cutlery, and stood up, adjusting his sleeve button. "Let's go," he commanded, his eyes fixed on Leticia.

At first, she pretended not to hear, but Devon's frown deepened. "Are you suddenly deaf?" he asked, his tone firm.

Leticia clenched her jaw, her anger simmering just below the surface. "Let's go," Devon repeated, his voice firm. With a reluctant sigh, Leticia stood up, her eyes avoiding his.

Leticia followed Devon, her mind inexplicably preoccupied with that infuriating kiss. She couldn't believe she was still thinking about it - even dreaming about it!

Devon broke the silence, his tone casual. "We have guests waiting for us. I want you to meet them."

Leticia raised an eyebrow. "Since when did I start meeting your guests?" she asked, a small sarcastic frown creasing her forehead.

Devon's smile was unsettling. "Trust me, you won't regret it."

Leticia's annoyance flared. "Why should I trust you? You've lied to me before."

Devon's expression was nonchalant. "I saved your life."

Leticia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, after lying to me."

Devon's tone remained casual. "Is it a big deal?"

Leticia's frown deepened. "Haven't you ever been lied to before? The feeling of betrayal and regret is suffocating." She expected a reaction, but Devon just glanced at her, his red eyes glinting with a sinister light. "People don't dare lie to me."

Leticia's eyes narrowed, her voice steady. "What happens when they do?"

Devon's smirk sent a shiver down her spine. She remembered what happened to Maddox even though he hadn't lied to him and bit back her next words. Devon was scary, and she needed to tread carefully.

As they entered the large living room, Leticia's heart swelled at the familiar scream, "Big sis!!!"

Her eyes widened in shock as her younger sister, Lily, jumped into her arms. Leticia held her tight, hoping it wasn't a dream, "I missed you so much, big sis!" Lily whined, "Why did you leave Papa and me? I was so scared. I cried, big sis."

Leticia crouched to her level, her opal eyes beaming with tears as she stared at her sister, "I'm so sorry, Lily. I had no other choice. Forgive me?" Lily giggled heartedly, "Owkiiie!!" and the two embraced again.

Ethan watched with a warm smile, relieved to see his daughter alive and thriving. Leticia's eyes widened in surprise as she noticed her father, Alisha, and Devon. "Dad, Alisha, I didn't see you there!" She pulled them into a heartfelt hug, tears of joy welling up in her eyes.

"I missed you so much, daughter," Ethan said, kissing her forehead.

Devon's creepy smile made Alisha shudder as he greeted her, "Hello, Princess."

Alisha muttered a soft "Hi," before taking a seat. Ethan asked Leticia about her wellbeing, and she recounted her experiences, excluding the kiss with Devon though.

Ethan's anxious gaze shifted to Devon, and he requested a private conversation. "Mind excusing us, ladies?" Devon stood up, and Lily made a face at Ethan, "Papa. Your phone please?"

Ethan fished his phone out of his pocket and she received it with an excited squeal. Then, the two men left the room.

Leticia raised an eyebrow, wondering how her father knew Devon personally. Leticia's mind raced with questions, but she remained silent, her eyes fixed on her father and Devon as they exited the room.

Alisha scooted over to Leticia,"I missed you so much, Ali!" Leticia whined, embracing her cousin.

Alisha chuckled. "Same here! I almost died when I found out you were here."

Leticia laughed, and Alisha quickly asked, "So, how is it? How is he treating you?"

Leticia furrowed her brows. "Fairly. He just hates being disobeyed." Alisha rolled her ocean blue eyes. "So cocky."

Leticia's curiosity piqued, she asked, "Do you know him personally?" Alisha squeaked, "Ehh, yeah. I do. He's like an acquaintance. Isn't he hot though? I bet he's tried to make moves on you." Alisha teased, hoping to get some juicy gossip from her cousin.

Leticia's cheeks reddened as she remembered that kiss. "NO!" Alisha rolled her eyes. "I know him too well. I'm sure he's done something. He's a seducer."

Leticia stared, "I'm not even interested in him!"

Alisha grinned mischievously. "Why? He's hot!"

Leticia rolled her eyes. "We should be thinking of a way to get me out of here."

Alisha urged playfully, "Um, yeah. After thinking of a way to get you two on his bed."

Leticia exclaimed at the joke, "SHUT UP, ALISHA!"

Alisha made an innocent face, her signature move after making a lewd joke. Despite her teasing, she was the best friend, sister, and cousin anyone could ask for. Leticia rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

Alisha sighed, the atmosphere turning serious, "I'm shocked he didn't send your head as a parcel to Uncle. It's unlike him."

Leticia replied, "He tried to kill me. I just didn't die." suddenly proud of her own strength.

Alisha nodded, "It's already happening."

Leticia wondered, "What do you think he's talking about to Dad?" Alisha shrugged, and just then, Declan appeared, greeting them with a charming smile. "Hey there, ladies." Alisha and Leticia replied in unison, "Hey Declan."

Leticia's eyes widened, "You know Declan too?"

Before Alisha could reply, Declan settled beside her, "Yup, I'm her personal bodyguard." Declan wrapped his arms around Alisha's shoulders, making her roll her eyes and mutter, "Bodyguard my ass."yet it didn't stop her heart from racing.

She tried to remove his arm, but he persisted, making her groan playfully.

Leticia asked Alisha, "Why aren't you close to Devon then?"

Alisha's face scrunched up, "I don't like him."

A sudden voice made made Alisha's eyes widen. A sly voice dripping with amusement, "Did I just hear the Princess say she doesn't like me?"

"Uh, no. Absolutely not." She rushed and Declan laughed while Leticia tried to hold hers.

As Devon sat down, he made a soft "tch" sound. Alisha's pretty face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes darting away.

Ethan smiled warmly, taking a seat beside Lily, who was engrossed in his phone. "Devon is a good man to talk to," he said, his tone reassuring. "Now, I need to talk to you, Leticia."

Leticia's brow furrowed, a sense of unease settling in. She felt a pang of trepidation, her instincts whispering that this conversation wouldn't be pleasant. Declan, sensing the tension, offered a bright smile to Lily. "Hey, Lily. Wanna see some cool stuff?"

Lily nodded enthusiastically, dropping her father's phone. "May I papa?" Ethan nodded, grateful Declan had stepped in. She skipped out of the room with Declan holding her hand and Devon walking after them, leaving Ethan,Leticia and Alisha alone.

Ethan sighed, collecting his thoughts. How to begin? "Um, Leticia... You know you're my daughter, and I want only the best for you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, right?"

Leticia nodded, her eyes locked on his light blue ones. "Right, dad."

Ethan paused, his expression serious. "So... This is the thing. You have..." Leticia finished his sentence, her voice barely above a whisper. "...to stay with Devon." Ethan's sigh was heavy, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and regret.

Leticia's gaze narrowed, her mind racing. "So he's not willing to let me go." Not like she'd expected her father's presence to convince Devon to let her go but still, her heart ached.

Ethan's voice broke the silence. "Hey, it's not like that, honey. You see, there are some things I've kept from you. I want you to know them because it's dangerous if you don't. Devon is the perfect person for the task."

Leticia's brow furrowed, confusion etched on her face. "What things, dad?" She questioned, her eyes never leaving his face.

Ethan shrugged, his expression evasive. "All your questions should be directed at Devon."

Leticia scoffed, her voice laced with frustration and sarcasm,"You're the one who kept 'things' and he's the one explaining? Seriously, dad?!"

Ethan's eyes filled with a mix of regret and pain. "It has to do with him also, Lissa."

Leticia's face changed, her eyes widening in shock. "What?" She didn't like to talk about her runaway sister; it hurt her every time she remembered.

"It's all my fault. If I'd just been bold, my Lissa would still be alive, and you wouldn't be in this mess."

Leticia's voice trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. "Lissa... She's... She's dead?"

Ethan's face contorted in anguish. "I saw her body. I buried her." Leticia's rage erupted, her words pouring out like a torrent. "You what?! Tell me it's a joke, dad! You saw her and... Gosh... So all these years, I've been loathing my sister, thinking she ran away from home, deserting us, yet you knew she was dead and said nothing about it! Dad!!"

Alisha ,who had been silent, embraced Leticia, trying to comfort her as Ethan apologized, his voice heavy with remorse. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't tell you then. What would I have said? I felt so guilty."

Leticia bit back tears, her heart aching. "You knew about this too?" she asked Alisha, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alisha whispered, "Not until last week." Leticia's heart tightened; she had always wished Lissa would come back home one day, but she was gone. Long gone. "So, what now?" Leticia asked, her voice laced with sadness.

Ethan's expression turned grave. "They are coming after you now, Leticia. I'm so sorry. It's unavoidable."

Leticia frowned, confusion etched on her face. "Why all these?! It's not like we're billionaires or something!"

Alisha explained, "It's not about wealth or so."

Leticia wished it was all a dream. "And Devon's place is the safest. I can't protect you like Devon can. He's our only hope." Ethan said, his eyes pleading for understanding.

Leticia eyed him, still mad at him for keeping the truth from her. "Once all is cleared, he'll actually be fed up and let you go. Devon doesn't linger on things." Ethan said, trying to reassure her.

Leticia nodded, her mind racing with questions and fears. She sighed, feeling a headache coming on. What the heck is going on?