The Real Legacy Was Heartbreak novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

After Valerie Quinn’s husband passed away, his son inherited not only his wealth, but also her, his stepmother, as well.

“Valerie, you’re mine. No one else gets to even look at you…”

Valerie was pushed against the window of the car as the man behind her whispered in a deep voice while moving roughly.

She begged him to stop, but her pleading only made him act more fiercely.

When it was over, Raymond Hibben pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice laced with a trace of guilt.

“I’m sorry I was so harsh. I just can’t take it when others look at you. I get jealous, but I won’t treat you like that again. Rest here in the car. I’ll take you home after I wrap up the deal.”

Just an hour earlier, Valerie had accompanied Raymond to a dinner party. A drunk man there laughed and joked that she should stop playing the grieving widow and consider being with him instead.

Raymond lost his temper and beat the man so badly that he ended up in the hospital. Then, still fuming, he dragged her into the parking garage where he let out all his rage on her.

Valerie hadn’t expected Raymond to be so protective. A wave of warmth stirred in her heart. When she saw he had forgotten his phone in the car, she decided to return it to the private room so he wouldn’t

have to come back for it.

She was just about to knock on the door when she heard some of Raymond’s friends joking loudly inside.

“Raymond, did you really have to go that hard? The guy just whistled at Kaylani a few days ago. You used the excuse of him hitting on your stepmom to break both his legs?”

“What do you know? In Raymond’s eyes, Kaylani is untouchable. Back then, she dumped him because she couldn’t stand the idea of dating an illegitimate son. She ran off overseas with a rich guy, saying that she would come back if Raymond became the heir of the Hibben Group. If it weren’t for the 20% of the Hibben Group’s shares Valerie held, he wouldn’t have touched her and dated her in secret for seven years.”

“Raymond really is something. Even after all that, now that Kaylani is back, he still won’t touch her. He’s taken it all out on Valerie. He even

made her cut her hair and wear white just to make her look like Kaylani. Classic Raymond move.”

Peeking through the small opening in the doorway, Valerie clearly saw Raymond smiling as he spoke, “Keep quiet until I get those shares. Don’t let anyone find out my plan.”

Her eyes widened in shock, and she quickly covered her mouth to keep from letting out a sob.

So this was the truth. Raymond had always loved someone else. All the effort he put into rising in the company was just so he could be good enough for Kaylani Levine.

He never truly cared about her. The whole relationship had been a

have to come back for it.

She was just about to knock on the door when she heard some of Raymond’s friends joking loudly inside.

“Raymond, did you really have to go that hard? The guy just whistled at Kaylani a few days ago. You used the excuse of him hitting on your stepmom to break both his legs?”

“What do you know? In Raymond’s eyes, Kaylani is untouchable. Back then, she dumped him because she couldn’t stand the idea of dating an illegitimate son. She ran off overseas with a rich guy, saying that she would come back if Raymond became the heir of the Hibben Group. If it weren’t for the 20% of the Hibben Group’s shares Valerie held, he wouldn’t have touched her and dated her in secret for seven years.”

“Raymond really is something. Even after all that, now that Kaylani is back, he still won’t touch her. He’s taken it all out on Valerie. He even made her cut her hair and wear white just to make her look like

mind.

Nine

years ago, Raymond’s father was in a car accident and fell into a coma. The family brought Valerie in, hoping to bring good luck and change his fate. But not long after she entered the Hibben family, Raymond’s father passed away. Everyone blamed her, calling her bad luck, and treated her badly, even hurting her physically.

Only Raymond stepped in to shield her, offering comfort and a sense of safety that lasted until today.

Valerie is an orphan. So, this was the first time she had ever felt cared

for. She couldn’t help but fall in love with Raymond.

After Raymond’s father died, the Ilibben family was in chaos. Raymond took control of the company with sheer force. Valerie witnessed him killing his own siblings. He showed no emotion towards his blood relatives, but when he looked at her, his eyes were soft. He would gently pat her head and tell her not to worry.

She truly believed he loved her. That’s why, when he stumbled into her room drunk seven years ago, she gave herself to him without

hesitation.

But now she finally understood. Raymond had never loved her. All his kindness was just to get the 20% shares she owned.

Feeling heartbroken, she turned off Raymond’s phone. Then, with a heavy heart, she picked up her own phone and made a call.

“Bryan, I’ve decided. I’ll take over Sir Hibben’s overseas business in England. Please arrange everything for the transition.”