Who is Leila?

The Web of Revenge

Leila lay on the bed, her body still humming from the intensity of their time together, but her mind had already shifted back to their plan. She rested her head on Ryan’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, both of them wrapped in the quiet aftermath of their passion. The dim lighting in the room cast soft shadows on their faces, creating an intimate, conspiratorial atmosphere.

Ryan’s hand stroked her back absentmindedly as his thoughts turned dark, his gaze focused on the ceiling above them. “So,” he began, his voice low and serious, “now that you’re in the company and have met the core team, we need to move quickly. Mark’s already in talks with his lawyer to patent the Alzheimer’s technology.”

Leila lifted her head, her dark curls spilling over her shoulder as she looked at him. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp with determination. “I know. It won’t be long before everything is in place for him. We need to speed things up on our end. Once the technology is completed, it will be too late to stop him.”

Ryan’s brow furrowed as he considered their next steps. “The technology is crucial for both companies. If we can steal it before Techno files the patent, we can ruin Mark and his father’s legacy. The key is to do it quietly. We can’t afford any slip-ups.”

Leila nodded, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Ryan’s chest as she thought about the delicate balance they had to maintain. “I’ve already started earning the team’s trust. If I can get access to the project files and make a copy, we’ll have everything we need. We’ll file the patent under your company’s name, and by the time Mark realizes what’s happened, it’ll be too late for him to recover.”

Ryan smirked, his hand tightening around her waist as he pulled her closer. “We’ve waited ten years for this, Leila. It’s our time now.”

Leila’s gaze darkened as memories of their past flooded her mind—of the fire, the betrayal, and the years of suffering that followed. "We were just kids when everything fell apart. When Mark left us, we had no one."

Ryan’s face hardened at the mention of their childhood. His real name was Ryan Oliver, but that life felt like it belonged to someone else. After the fire that killed their fathers, he and Leila had been left orphaned, abandoned by the one person who could have helped them. Mark had disappeared, sent away to Germany for surgery, while they were left to fend for themselves in a world that seemed determined to break them.

“I’ll never forget that day,” Ryan said, his voice tight with anger. “We were taken to that hellhole of an orphanage. Abused. Starved. And when we thought things couldn’t get worse, we were separated.”

Leila’s heart clenched as she remembered how they had been torn apart. Ryan had been adopted by a famous celebrity in the U.S., his name changed from Oliver to Jackson to fit his new life. A year later, the same adoptive parents took her in, not officially adopting her but keeping her close enough so that she could be with Ryan. They had been inseparable ever since, weathering every storm together.

“You were the only thing that kept me sane back then,” Leila whispered, her voice soft but fierce. “When we finally reunited, I swore we’d never be apart again. And we haven’t.”

Ryan’s hand cupped her cheek, his eyes softening with affection. “You’ve always been my strength, Leila. We built our lives back up from nothing. And now, we’re going to take everything from them.”

Together, they had gone to university, with Ryan using the support of his adoptive parents to start his own company—a company that had grown into Techno’s main competitor. He had changed his name and buried his past, but the plan for revenge had always been simmering beneath the surface.

Leila’s name change had been symbolic, too. Emily had died the day of the fire. Leila was the person who emerged from the ashes, stronger, more determined, and ready to take down the people who had ruined their lives.

“Mark will pay for what his family did,” Ryan said, his voice cold and resolute. “And once we file that patent under my company, Techno will fall. Steve Donovan’s legacy will crumble, and Mark will be left with nothing.”

Leila’s lips curved into a slow, calculating smile. “It’s poetic, really. They took everything from us, and now we’ll take everything from them.”

Ryan nodded, his hand drifting down her back. “But we have to be careful. Mark may not suspect you now, but he’s smart. He could start connecting the dots. We can’t let him realize who you really are.”

“I know,” Leila agreed. “That’s why I’m playing the long game. I’ll get close to him, earn his trust. But once I have the technology in my hands, we strike.”

Ryan’s gaze darkened with approval. “Just be cautious. And remember… you’re my wife. Don’t get too close.”

Leila raised an eyebrow, amused by his possessiveness. “Jealous, are we?”

Ryan smirked. “Just reminding you where your loyalties lie.”

Leila leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Always with you, Ryan. Always.”

As the night wore on, their plan became clearer, each piece of the puzzle falling into place. Mark Donovan had no idea what was coming for him. He might have forgotten his childhood friends, but Leila and Ryan—Emma and Oliver—had never forgotten.

And soon, they would have their revenge.