Chapter Eighteen
Leo’s Dilemma
Leo Durant had been many things in his thirty-two years.
Heir, strategist, friend, confidant but never had he felt more out of place than he did watching Damien Sterling unravel piece by piece.
It started subtly. Damien missed meetings.
Snapped at interns. Showed up to board discussions looking rumpled and hollow-eyed.
The numbers didn’t lie. The firm was steady but its CEO was not.
Leo had known Damien since they were teenagers, both born into privilege, raised on expectations. They had shared secrets over whiskey and laughed through college scandals but this slow disintegration was something else entirely and Leo couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“Is it just me,” Leo said one morning to Jared over coffee, “or has Damien been… off?”
Jared arched a brow. “Off? He’s a ticking time bomb.”
Leo frowned. “You’ve noticed it too?”
“Everyone has,” Jared said. “But no one’s saying anything because he’s Damien Sterling. Untouchable.”
Leo looked down into his espresso. “No one is untouchable.”
It was a week later when Leo finally confronted him. The office was unusually quiet. Damien sat behind his desk, tie loose, sleeves rolled up, staring at a blank document on his screen like it had personally offended him.
“Busy?” Leo asked, stepping in.
Damien didn’t glance up. “If you’re here to lecture me, don’t.”
Leo closed the door. “I’m here because I’m your friend. And I’m worried.”
Damien leaned back, rubbing his eyes. “Don’t be.”
“Too late for that.”
Silence stretched.
“I know about Kelly,” Leo said quietly.
Damien stilled.
Leo continued. “I know it’s been going on for a while. And I know it’s eating you alive.”
Damien stood abruptly. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know Cassie deserves better than this,” Leo said. “And so do you.”
“Don’t bring her into this,” Damien snapped.
Leo’s jaw tightened. “She’s already in it. She’s your wife.”
Damien looked away.
Leo exhaled. “You’re losing everything. And for what?”
Damien didn’t answer so Leo left and he didn’t come back.
The next time Leo saw Cassie, it was at the Legacy Gala planning session. She was poised, focused, but her eyes were tired. He waited until everyone left, then approached.
“Cassie,” he said gently. “You got a moment?”
She looked up, surprised. “Leo?”
“I need to talk to you.”
They moved to the balcony, away from curious ears.
“I know about Damien,” he said.
She stiffened.
“I’m not here to judge. Or to defend him.” He hesitated. “I want to help.”
Cassie studied him for a long moment. “Why?”
“Because I see you. I see what you’re doing and what it’s costing you and because if anyone deserves allies right now, it’s you.”
She didn’t speak.
“I’m not asking for anything. Just… let me be someone you don’t have to lie to.”
Cassie’s voice was quiet. “How do I know I can trust you?”
Leo looked her straight in the eye. “Because I’m tired of pretending, too.”
A long pause stretched between them. Then, slowly, she nodded.
“Alright,” she said. “Then you’d better catch up.”
And so, the first defection began. Damien’s closest friend was now Cassie’s quietest weapon. The game had changed and the queen was no longer alone.