WHISPERS OF THE HEART

zing. She reached over to her nightstand a

am," the text read. "I need t

She got dressed and made her way to the garden, w

el was already there, pacing back and

and serious. "I know you're getting close to Leon, but I have to warn

a step back. "What are you talking

our family will do whatever it takes to protect our interests,"

s about the Dumont family's business dealings, but she ha

this?" she asked, her voi

get hurt," he said. "Leon is a good person, but he's also a Du

ok a step back. She didn't know

thing in his eyes that gave her pause. It

aphael. But could she trust Leon? But she was still

e questions, Beatrice appeared out of no

going on?" Beatrice aske

Beatrice with a mixture of annoyance and warnin

's face. "Oh, I think it does concern me," she said, her voice dripping with swee

ed to bore into her soul. She didn't trust Beatrice

es locked on Beatrice's. "Beatrice, I mean it," he said. "This doesn't

with a mixture of anger and hurt. But then she seemed to

ou to your little chat with Lily. But do

alked away, leaving Lily feeling une

n hers. "I'm sorry about that," he said.

atitude towards Raphael. "It's oka

She knew that she could trust Raphael, but she also knew that she had to be careful ar

that she was in over her head. The Dumont family was complex and multifaceted,

ou something?" Lily s

erious, and he nodded. "Of co

.off about them." Raphael's eyes seemed to cloud over, and he looked away, his jaw clenched. "I don't know what you're talkin

e soft. "I need to know what's going

ith a mixture of surprise and concern. "You're not in dange

a step forward. "What do you mean b

ay, his jaw clenched. "I mean that there are...other people

a surge of fear. "What other people?" sh

yes locked on hers. "I'm not going to

walked away, leaving Lily f

now and focus on her own life. She pulled o

said, trying to

ou?" her mother asked, he

stressed out. I'm staying with the Dumonts

re used to getting what they want, when they want

owards her mother. "Thanks, Mom," she said.

e," her mother said. "Now, how's

. She didn't want to worry her mother,

inally. "He's got a lot of baggage,

ll, just be careful, okay? I

," Lily said

ense of relief wash over her. Talking t

nside, she saw Raphael standin

ou for a minute?" he a

f anxiety. What did Raphael wa

dn't help but feel a sense of unease. Wh

ng on?" Lily asked,

ook a deep breath before speaking. "I wanted to talk

t a surge of curiosity. "What about Leon

. "I just want to warn you, Lily," he said. "Leon is not what he seems. H

ep back, her eyes wide with shock. "What are you

ture of concern and warning. "I'm talking about the fact that Leon i

p back, her eyes wide with shock. What did Ra

look of concern on his face. "Lily, what's

Should she tell Leon about Raphael's wa

e, and she felt a surge of uncertainty. Was Leon really hiding secr

something was wrong. Her eyes seemed

" Leon asked again, his

She didn't want to lie to Leon, but she al

nally, trying to sound convincing. "I

y. "Don't lie to me, Lily," he said, his voice low and

step back, her eyes wide with alarm. How d

voice calm and soothing. "Leon, leave her alone," he

o Raphael. "Stay out of this, Raphael," he said

yes seemed to flash with warning. "Fine, Leon

and walked away, leaving Leo

ily, tell me what's going on," he said, his voice low an

her voice barely above a whisperLeon's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Lily. "Lily, I know something's wrong," he said, his voice low and husky. "And I'm not going to leav

n's expression softened, and he looked at Li

"I didn't mean to scare you. I just...I care

surge of emotion. No one had ever looked a

tell Leon the truth. She had to tell him about

loud noise echoed through the hallwa

," a voice said, echoi

surge of anxiety. But Leon just smiled a

d, his voice low and husky.

otion. She knew that she was falling deeply in love wit

y felt a sense of intensity that she had never felt before. It was as if t

ss, Beatrice appeared in the door

ak with you," she said, her v

d sense his tension. He didn't want to leave her

he said, his voice low and

tment. She had been so close to kissing L

nce. "You're not good enough for him, Lily," she said, her

smiled sweetly at Beatrice. "We'll see ab

room, leaving Lily feeling shaken but determined. She