Legally Not Yours

The Breaking Point

POV: Leah Rosewood

I had stopped feeling like a person. Lately, I felt more like a trophy. Polished. Displayed. Silently traded. Carlson’s grip had tightened.

Not physically—yet. But emotionally? Strategically? He wrapped around me like a vice. At my place, at his place, at work, at events, he was always there. Always touching. Always watching.

And when I pulled away? He reminded me.

How he can ruin me so easily. He can pull me to hell and there’s no going back. I hate the feeling of being tied down. I hate him and will make sure he sees my wrath one day.

For now, I had to take a few steps back. I need to figure out how to.

“If you say anything to Jared,” he whispered once in my ear, “I will bury both of you. And trust me, Leah—I know how to ruin you and him altogether.”

* * *

I tried to talk to Jeff. I tried to bring him in. But Eva beat me there.

I don’t know how she did it, how she’s able to have him in the palm of her hands. She was in his office constantly now.

Laughing. Whispering. Dropping comments like bombs: about loyalty, about Jared’s emotional instability, about me.

And Jeff? He was listening, convinced by her manipulation. I don’t know how she was able to manipulate someone like Jeff, but it’s working. She must have bring a fake evidence about something that we did that made him listen to her.

He must be so tired with the situation that he believed her easily.

* * *

Then came the charity gala. High-profile. Cameras. Donors. CEOs. Carlson put a hand on my waist and smiled at Jeff.

“I just wanted to say how grateful I am,” he said. “Leah and I… we wouldn’t be here without you.”

Jeff gave a short nod. “You seem good together.”

I nearly choked. I also can’t believe that he prefers Carlson over Jared. Jared’s work ethic and results are ten times better than Carlson, but I guess he successfully manipulated it too.

Carlson pulled me closer and kissed my cheek. It felt like branding. I smiled through it. Nodded. Played along like my ribs weren’t squeezing around my lungs.

Jared saw it all.

Across the room with a drink in hand and rage behind his eyes. And when our eyes met, he broke first.

He walked out and I followed.

* * *

We found each other in the empty corridor near the kitchens, breathless and angry.

“What the hell is this?” he snapped.

“I can’t—”

“No more lies, Leah. You and I both know that you don’t love him or care about him. You know you can tell me if he has something on you. I’m pretty sure you’re aware that I’m not the bad guy here.”

I didn’t respond.

“You don’t even like him that way,” he growled. “So why are you pretending?”

“Because I have to,” I whispered.

He stepped closer. “Bullshit.”

“You don’t understand—”

“I understand you. I see you. And I know you enough to know that you’re on a leash. You also want me.”

My chest rose fast. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s true.”

Silence. Raw and burning. We looked at each other — and everything broke.

His mouth crashed into mine. This time, it wasn’t angry. It wasn’t punishment. It was hunger. Relief. The kind of kiss that tasted like forgiveness and fire at the same time.

But then I heard it. A gasp. Sharp. Real.

I turned to see Carlson. Standing at the end of the hallway. Watching me with those evil eyes.

Shit.

* * *

That night was hell. He cornered me in the car. His hands on the steering wheel white-knuckled.

“You think I didn’t know you wanted him? We got a deal, Leah. You know what’s going to happen next right?”

“Carlson—”

“You kissed him. We had a FUCKING DEAL!” He grabbed my arm, digging his nails into my skin.

“Let me go—”

He slammed his palm against the dash. “You’re mine. You said yes. You don’t get to crawl back now.”

“You threatened me, Carlson.” He looked at me like I was stupid. “You’re sick.”

“You haven’t seen sick,” he hissed. “If you think you can ruin me, after everything I’ve done for you, you have no idea what I’m capable of. I lied about my health, I sabotaged your projects, I messed everything up that the two of you made and many more…”

He’s indeed fucking sick. My heart thudded.

He leaned in closer, voice low and cold. “You will smile when I announce the engagement to the public tomorrow. You will smile for every photo and answer every question like we’re so fucking in love with each other. And after that? You’ll do exactly as I say. Or I’ll make sure Jared and your career burn to ash.”

“No.” His eyes turned dark and he wrapped his hand around my neck, choking me. I wanted to scream, but his nails were digging into my skin. I looked around to find something to smash his head with, but he really cut the oxygen from going in. I was losing my consciousness.

I looked down and found one last chance to escape, I kicked his balls and pushed him away.

I ran from him and I could feel my wrists bruised from where he’d grabbed me. My dress torn from where I fought back.

I didn’t call. I didn’t think. I just went straight to Jared.