Chapter 3

ANNALISE'S POV

The next day, I woke up to the sound of running water, a steady stream filling the quiet room. 

My head was throbbing, a dull ache pulsing behind my eyes. 

I pressed my hand to my head, hoping to find some form of relief from the pain. 

"My head is killing me," I muttered softly. 

I blinked, trying to shake the grogginess that clung to me like a thick fog. 

I didn’t recognize my surroundings. The walls were unfamiliar and I shifted in the bed, the sheets cool against my bare skin, and it hit me. Bare skin.

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as I shot up, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as realization washed over me. 

"Oh God," I gasped, placing a hand over my mouth. 

The events of last night came rushing back like a tidal wave, crashing over me with relentless force.

I had slept with a stranger. 

My body trembled with embarrassment, my stomach churning with the nauseating mix of regret and shame.

How could I let my pain get the best of me, causing me to fall victim to a one-night stand? 

What if he's some psychopath?

I bit my finger as many thoughts started running through my mind. 

Did we even use protection?

I ruffled my hair in frustration as panic surged through my body. 

What if he has some deadly diseases? Or worse, what if I get pregnant?

I rolled my eyes when I remembered my situation; I was a barren woman.

The water in the shower turned off, and I froze, not daring to move. 

I didn’t know what to do, so I laid back on the bed, pretending to be fast asleep. 

My heart raced as I heard the bathroom door creak open, followed by the sound of footsteps. 

I tried my best to keep my face neutral to avoid arousing his suspicion. 

I was acting like a child, but I was so embarrassed by my actions. 

What was I supposed to do?

I squeezed my eyes shut, terrified of what I might see if I dared to look. 

I couldn’t bear it. 

The shame, the humiliation—it was all too much.

But curiosity got the better of me. I cracked one eye open, sneaking a glance as the man stepped into the room. 

He was towel-drying his hair, droplets of water sliding down the muscular contours of his chest. 

My breath hitched. He was beautiful.

Even in my shame, I couldn’t deny that much. 

I quickly closed my eyes again, heart pounding against my ribcage.

"Calm down, Annalise, he's just a man," I whispered to myself.

I heard the sound of clothes rustling, the soft whisper of fabric as he got dressed. 

My body stiffened as the footsteps stopped near the bed. 

I felt his presence hovering over me, and I prayed he would just leave.

But then, he leaned down. 

His lips brushed against my forehead, the softest of touches, sending a jolt through my entire body.

"Sleep well, love. I'll be back soon," he whispered, his voice low and husky. 

The footsteps resumed, retreating toward the door. I waited until I heard the soft click of the door closing behind him.

The moment he was gone, I bolted upright, my chest heaving with erratic breaths. 

I slid out of the bed with a hand on my chest.

What the hell had I done?

I had to leave before he came back. 

My hands trembled as I gathered my clothes from the floor. 

My heart pounded as I fumbled to get dressed.

When I was done, I fled down the hallway and rushed down the stairs. 

I stared at the bustling city streets, feeling the weight of my situation. 

I had nowhere to go and not a penny to my name.

But then, a flicker of hope surfaced.

I remembered the joint account Diego and I shared. With that money, I could finally start over, far away from this chaos.  

"I'm going to start over," I whispered with renewed resolve.

FIVE YEARS LATER

"Jenny, what's next on my schedule?" I asked, glancing over at my assistant, who stood dutifully by my side.

"Let me check," she replied, her fingers moving swiftly over the tablet.

"You're done for the day!" she said cheerfully.

"Finally," I exhaled, sinking back into my chair with relief.

I couldn't believe I had been in this chair for eight hours, working my ass off. 

"I'll be right back," Jenny hurried toward the door, disappearing into the hallway.

I leaned back, scanning my office as a triumphant smile crept across my face. 

Five years had passed, and here I was, one of the most sought-after architects in Eastport Haven, my new home. 

Looking back, I felt nothing but gratitude for the day I decided to walk away from the mess that was my life. 

That decision had led me here, to a place where I didn’t have to rely on anyone else anymore, unlike before. 

Hard work, grit, and independence had gotten me everything I had now. 

"Mom!" The sudden sound of my daughter’s voice jolted me back to reality. 

I looked up just in time to see her racing toward me, her ponytail bouncing behind her. 

She launched herself into my arms, and I stood up, spinning us both in a circle as her laughter filled the room.

"Mommy, I missed you so much!" she whined, burying her face in my neck, her little arms squeezing me tightly. 

"Aunt Caroline didn’t get me ice cream!" she added, pouting against my skin.

I held her close, this small bundle of joy that had given me the strength I never knew I had. 

Five years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, I had been terrified, devastated even, not knowing who the father was. 

But that fear quickly turned into determination when I realized I was going to be a mother. 

I did everything in my power to make sure she was cared for. 

She would never suffer the way I did, and even though I still didn’t know who her father was, it didn’t matter. 

She was mine, and no one could take her away from me.

"You little snitch!" Caroline teased as she walked into the room, rolling her eyes.

"Must you report everything to your mother?"

I laughed, turning to face her. 

Caroline Bloom, my best friend and co-CEO. How lucky I was to have her. 

We had met again after years of lost contact, and she took me in. 

Since we were both architects, we started our own company. It hadn’t been easy, but we made it.

"Mommy, you haven’t asked me about my day!" Hope sighed dramatically, her tiny hands still wrapped around my neck.

I smiled, giving her hair a soft pat.

"I got distracted, but I’m all ears now, sweetheart," I said, pulling her closer. 

Hope was everything to me, and I would do anything just to see her smile.

The door swung open, and Jenny walked back in.

"Aunt Jenny!" Hope squealed in delight, wriggling out of my arms and running over to her.

"How’s my favorite little one doing?" Jenny cooed, kneeling to give Hope a kiss on the cheek.

"Why do you always call me your favorite when I’m your only baby?" Hope grumbled, hands on her hips. 

"Are you cheating on me?"  Hope chuckled nervously. 

"Of course not, sweetie!"

"Miss, I have some news," Jenny said, straightening up.

"Go ahead."

"You have a meeting with a client tomorrow in Sterling City."

My heart dropped. That was the last name I wanted to hear.

"Cancel it," I said immediately, my voice tight. 

I sat down, pulling Hope back into my lap as I tried to keep my hands steady.

"Are you sure, Miss?" Jenny asked hesitantly.

I shot her a sharp look, and she quickly lowered her head, pressing her lips together.

"Ann, come on," Caroline interjected, her voice soft yet insistent. 

"It’s been five years. When are you finally going to get over it?" 

"You, of all people, should understand why I can’t go back there," I muttered, biting down on my lip as memories of that place threatened to resurface.  

"I know," Caroline said with a sigh. 

 "but this deal could push our business to the next level. There are endless opportunities in Sterling City."

"I don’t care."

"Why are you always so stubborn?" Caroline shook her head. 

"The money they’re offering is huge. This could change everything for us."

"That’s not my concern," I said firmly, my voice betraying the turmoil swirling inside me.  

"Mommy, why don’t you want to go to Sterling City?" Hope asked, her innocent eyes wide with curiosity.

The walls I had built around myself began to crack as I gazed into her emerald eyes. 

How could I explain to her the pain that city held for me? 

The scars I carried from that time?

"It’s nothing, baby," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. 

"Mommy’s fine."

"But if Aunt Caroline says it’s a good thing, then you should try it," Hope said, her small hands cupping my face. 

"Don’t worry. If you’re scared, I’ll hold your hand tightly."

My sweet, wise little girl was growing up so fast. 

She didn’t understand, but in her own way, she was pushing me to face the very thing I had been avoiding for years.

I glanced at Jenny, swallowing hard as I forced the words from my mouth.

"Get my things ready. We’re going to Sterling City tomorrow."