A year ago, Anna had everything—a family, a perfect life, and a loving boyfriend. But one fateful night, everything shattered into pieces and she became all alone in this world with nobody to run to.
She was born into a powerful and wealthy family as her father owned one of the largest conglomerates in the USA. She recalled a time when her parents were madly in love with each other. However, things took a turn when she was ten. Her mother left home after a heated argument with her father. After that, her mother never returned. That day she not only lost her mother but also her father. Anastasia’s life turned into a battleground of legal battle– choosing which parent to stay with. However, nobody had much of a choice when the person was one of the most powerful people in the country. Her mother couldn't win the custody case and she had to stay with her father, which meant she would never see her mother again. When Anna was eleven, her father introduced her to his new wife. Accepting her stepmother was difficult, but accepting her new stepsister, Regina, was even harder. Regina competed for everything ranging from everything Anastasia owned to her father’s attention. She often succeeded at the expense of Anastasia's standing. Fortunately, Regina and Anastasia attended different high schools. There, Anastasia met her perfect partner, only to lose him when Regina’s scheming drove a wedge between them. Regina had taken the last of Anastasia’s happiness when they were in their senior year of high school. A scandal erupted when Anastasia was accused of hosting a drug party. Her half-naked photos were circulating online with boys rubbing against her. Two boys were also hospitalised due to drug overdoses. Her father’s rage was greater than the punishment that the law had given her. “What is this, Anna?” Harold’s voice was thunderous as he questioned her. “A drug scandal? Do you realise the damage you have done to my reputation? Do you know how much money I will have to spend to keep it under wraps?! You are just like your mother! Good for nothing! Causing losses to me all the time!” “You’re only worried about money, Harold!” Anastasia retorted. Her tears of anger and pain streamed down her face. She could not believe that her father believed the nonsense devised by a teenager so easily! None of them were true! She did not host such a party. Yes, she did host a party but it was to make Damien jealous! He knew that she needed him but he chose to help Regina over her! She was jealous and mad with anger. She did the most stupid thing that she could. She broke up with him in a fit of anger and threw a party to get his attention! She didn't know that things would turn so bad. Harold slapped her. “You will not disrespect me!” Anastasia looked at her father as he didn't shy away from inflicting violence on her. He was a neglectful father but he never used physical force against her. A hurt and prideful Anastasia couldn't accept it. Her bloodied lips were silent as her father announced, “You will pack your bags and move to Australia until I decide otherwise.” “I’m not going anywhere,” She murmured through her pain. “You will, or I’ll disown you!” With those harsh words, She packed her belongings and moved to Australia on her father's orders. However, as she turned eighteen, she left Spencer's family. She disowned that family before they could do anything. In a foreign country, she was alone and her life was in tatters. The only regret she carried while leaving her old life behind was the boy she lost due to Regina’s scheming. More than scheming, she realized that she would never be enough for him. No matter what she does, Regina will always be the number one in his heart. She could not spend her life competing with the person she loathed. Months later, Anastasia managed to find her mother. Fiona had left New York and returned to England, abandoning her glamorous life for a quiet life. Finding her mother had given Anna a hint of hope. But just as quickly, that hope was snatched away. Her mother had died and now she was all alone in this world.Damien stood with his back against the sleek-black car with his arms crossed and exuding an air of impatience and elegance. Behind him, his secretary Jack was a bundle of nerves who had beads of sweat trickling down his face. They had been waiting outside the civil affairs bureau for over half an hour and the tension in the air was thick around then. Jack gulped nervously while casting anxious glances between his boss and the entrance, and silently praying that the mysterious woman Damien was set to marry today would appear soon. If she didn’t, Jack knew all too well the kind of storm that would follow. To mess up with Damien Callahan was no less messing with the devil himself. Jack still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that just days before, Damien had been on the verge of finalizing his engagement to Miss Regina Spencer, a woman with great family ties and social standing. How on earth had he decided to leave her for this mystery woman—someone who might not even have the s
Damien glanced at Anna who was grinning like a fool with her eyes fixated on the wedding certificate that she was holding in her hands for the last thirty minutes. “How can a stupid piece of paper make you so happy?” The words escaped his mouth before he could stop himself.Anna’s gaze shifted to him as her smile unwavering today. She said with her usual joy, “How can it be stupid, Hubby? This is our marriage certificate. It’s always been my dream to marry you.”Damien's eyes darkened as he heard her say, “First of all, the affection in your voice makes my skin crawl. Second, don’t call me endearments you don’t mean. And lastly, don’t forget you are the one who shattered your own dream and left everything behind.”The joy in her eyes dimmed as the weight of his words pressed down on her. The past she had been trying to bury resurfaced and her smile faded completely now. Damien's lips turned into a smirk and was satisfied with the impact of his words on her. Inwardly, he seethed. Bi
It was late at night, and Anna sat in the room that Damien had assigned her. It was located at the far end of the mansion. She wondered if he had chosen this room to keep her out of sight, so they wouldn’t cross paths too often. A few hours had passed since his mother left. When the housekeeper came to call her for dinner, Anna realized she would have to eat alone because Damien had asked the maid to bring her food to her room.Anna ate slowly with her heart heavy. When she returned to her room, she couldn't sleep or rest. Her mind was filled with thoughts she wished she could avoid. She paced back and forth, trying to clear her head. Then, her thoughts turned to Damien. Unable to stop herself, she left her room to find him. Standing outside his door, she tried to push it open but it was locked from the inside. She felt restless, knowing he might be in a bad mood and she was probably the last person he wanted to see. But despite that, she needed to check on him because wished to know
For three nights straight, Anna had stayed awake until midnight, waiting for Damien. Each time, he returned too late and left before she could wake up. He was slipping through her life like a shadow. A whole week passed without her seeing her husband yet she continued preparing food for him without any expectations. On the eighth night, Anna decided enough was enough. She made up her mind to wait for him in the living room. Sitting on the sofa, she waited for him. She had been busy all day managing household tasks and her own errands without a moment's rest. Now, at 2 a.m., with her eyes growing heavy from sleep, she still held on as she refused to surrender to sleep. Seven days without a word from him was too long. Today, she would see him by hook or crook. Finally, the front door creaked open. A man dressed in a sharp suit stepped inside. Anna jumped to her feet. As he entered, he glanced briefly at her and then at the housekeeper who had likely also gotten up to make sure there wa
Since they had stayed up late, neither had breakfast in the morning. Damien woke up and came downstairs around lunchtime. He seemed to be waiting for someone when Mrs. Luna served him his meal. Noticing that he hadn’t started eating, she asked, “Master, is the food not to your liking? Shall I cook something else for you?”Damien looked around, appearing a bit distracted. “No, no, the food is fine.” He began to poke at his meal with his fork.After a moment, Mrs. Luna spoke again. “Master, I forgot to mention that Madam told me to inform you that she went out and will be back for dinner.” She hesitated, as though there was more to say.Did he believe that Anna was this polite and kind? Nope. She was a big troublemaker. She does not say, she orders. She was tiny but god so bossy! Damien glanced up. “Mrs. Luna, what were her exact words?”Mrs Luna paused, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile before she hesitantly quoted, “She said, 'Tell Damien to have his meal on time and wait fo
As Anna had promised Damien she would be home by dinner, she made sure to be there on time. She asked Mrs. Luna, "Is Damien coming for dinner?" Mrs. Luna replied, "Master is in his study. He mentioned having an important conference scheduled. He might be a little late, but he'll be here."Anna smiled. "Okay, I will wait for him."Mrs. Luna then noticed Anna’s appearance. "Madam, how did you hurt yourself?" Anna was wearing a pink summer dress with spots of blood on it. "Your forehead is bruised. Why didn’t you go to the doctor? Please, sit here. Let me take care of it." She guided Anna to a chair and went to get the first aid kit. Mrs. Luna cleaned the wound and seeing it wasn’t too deep, she applied some medicine and a bandage. She treated Anna so gently that all the emotions Anna had been holding back throughout the day, especially the hurt from the Spencer family and their treatment came spilling out in hot and fat tears.Mrs. Luna asked, "Madam, is it hurting?"Anna cleared her st
“Mr. Callahan, do you want to make any changes to the final draft? We will make an announcement and start accepting applications,” The director of the Public Relations department said.Damien was in a meeting with all the shareholders. The company usually holds a contest every three years.this contest/ competition was called Scarlet Hearts and it was one of the biggest event of the comologrete as it was no less than a tradition for them. In this contest, Callahan Comologerete’s fashion house, the largest jewelry company in the country, collaborates with various companies to launch a collection that is only released once every three years. Along with this, they sign an exclusive contract with the winner for the following three years. This tradition had been in place since Damien’s grandfather started Scarlet Hearts, a jewelry brand under the comolegrate.Every department had been working for the past two months to prepare for this contest. In today's meeting, they were set to make the
When the meeting ended, Damien and Abel arrived back to the company office and were also accompanied by Rowan. As they approached the lobby, they noticed Regina standing at the reception while filling out a form. Damien paused as she turned her head to look at them suddenly. Among the three friends, Rowan had always shared a closer bond with Regina and seeing her here made him happy instantly.“Hey, what are you doing here?” Rowan greeted her as his face lighting up with a wide smile.Regina responded softly, her gaze lingering on Damien for a moment. “I am here to apply for the competition.”“That is great!” Rowan exclaimed. “I’m certain you will win this! Your company is already doing fantastic work.” He turned towards Damien, his enthusiasm was at peak. “You already know the winner, Damien.”Damien simply stood there while saying nothing and maintaining his neutral expression. Abel stepped in with his curious and a little playful tone. “Regina, I don’t understand you. In this age o
As planned, Regina went to meet her father at a café.Harold sat quietly, staring at his cup of coffee. His thoughts were heavy. Both his daughters had refused to come back to his house, and that hurt more than he wanted to admit. He also knew why Damien always came with Anastasia. It was so she could feel safe in the mansion she grew up in but now couldn’t stand.Deep down, Harold knew the truth. The blame wasn’t on his kids or even Claire. It was him. His pride had ruined everything.“How are you?” Harold asked when Regina sat down across from him.Regina looked beautiful. Her pregnancy glow made her even more radiant, and though she had gained some weight, it suited her. At that moment, Harold thought she looked just like Fiona in her younger days.He had always seen more of Fiona in Regina than in Anastasia. For years, he told himself it was just his guilt talking. A reminder of the affair that had destroyed their family.But now, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. He was the one who
Regina glanced at her phone, her brow furrowed as she read the message from Giovanni:“Regina, I wanted to let you know that I’m going out for a project, and Gideon is staying with his dad. I can’t take care of her, and I doubt she’ll appreciate staying alone with just her caretaker. If you can, either visit her often or consider living with her.”A wave of worry washed over her. Over the past few months, she had been caring for the woman she’d found in the dungeon. Though she wouldn’t admit it aloud, she had grown attached to her. The woman’s warm and loving nature made it impossible to remain distant.“What’s wrong?” Abel asked, noticing the concern etched on his wife’s face.Regina hesitated before responding. “Actually, I have been taking care of someone—a friend. She is sick, and the person who has been looking after her needs to leave town. She doesn’t like being alone with her caretaker, and I’m not sure what to do.”“She can stay with us,” Abel suggested without hesitation. “W
A round of applause echoed through the courthouse as Regina and Abel signed the marriage certificates, officially becoming husband and wife. Anastasia and Ronan served as witnesses, while Adeline and Damien stood by, offering their unwavering moral support.After the formalities, the celebratory mood carried the group to the Smith House, where Abel’s parents had arranged an intimate party for family and close friends. Glasses were raised high as everyone toasted. “To Abel and Regina!” Mr. Smith beamed with pride, his voice filled with emotion. “I have never been happier than I am today, seeing my son start this new chapter.”Mrs. Smith leaned into her husband with a playful smile. “Well, except for the day when we got married.”The crowd laughed as they were charmed by the couple’s banter.Damien added. “Honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around it. Abel—married? And about to be a father? It feels like we have stepped into an alternate reality.”Ronan smirked, adding his two cents
say we couldn’t be seen together?”Claire stood before her and said in frustration and exasperation. “I told you not to come here. What part of that didn’t you understand?”Eleanor crossed her arms defiantly. “Why can’t I come? You don’t get to lecture me about this, Claire. You have kept me locked up in that house for months! I came here on my merit.”Claire’s eyes flashed. “If I hadn’t locked you up, you would have been punished far worse. Do you have any idea what you have done? Picking a fight with Anastasia and her friend was reckless!”Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Reckless? I was standing up for myself. They are not untouchable, Claire.”Claire’s voice dropped to a sharp whisper. “You don’t understand the consequences of your actions.”Eleanor’s defiance wavered, but she masked it with a glare. “Maybe you should stop underestimating me.”Claire sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not about underestimating you. It’s about protecting you—from your
“Abel and I are going to the courthouse tomorrow to get married. Would you like to be my witness?” Regina asked casually, as though she had just invited Anastasia for coffee. Her tone was like she and Anastasia had been a pair of best sisters all these years. Well, what was she supposed to do with the fact that Anastasia was no longer her half-sister? They shared the same parents. This made them full siblings. She had nothing to fight with this woman, right? Anastasia was annoying but she could do with it. Anastasia’s jaw dropped. “You are getting married? To Abel? And you want me to be your witness? Tell me the truth, were you smoking pot, Regina?”Regina burst out laughing. “Trust me, my life story is smoking pot.” She wiped a tear of amusement from her eye before adding, “Yes, I’m marrying Abel. He is a nice guy. I’m not looking for love. Giving a stable home to our kids before they arrive feels like the responsible thing to do. And if the marriage doesn’t last, that is okay too.
Anastasia stepped out of the banquet hall and found Regina sitting on a bench in the expansive garden of the Callahan mansion. Regina who was usually poised and sophisticated held a paper plate with a large slice of chocolate cake and was eating it with an unabashed delight that seemed out of character.For a moment, Anastasia simply stared at her but her curiosity was piqued by the rare sight.Regina’s gaze lifted and when she noticed Anastasia, she extended the plate with her used plastic fork. “Destiny was right. The birthday cake was awful, but this—” she gestured toward the cake with a satisfied sigh, “This tastes like heaven.”Anastasia raised an eyebrow.Regina grinned and said, “I walked an entire mile in these heels to get this cake from a bakery. The reviews didn’t lie. It’s worth every step.”Anastasia gaped. “You walked a mile? In those heels? Why didn’t you just tell Abel?”Regina shrugged nonchalantly. “I didn’t want to disturb him. He was with his friends. Besides, I ne
Regina replied softly, “I wish I could answer that.”Abel’s expression tightened as he whispered, “Claire isn’t your birth mother?”What on earth did he just see? Wait, she let him see this information? Did it mean, she really trust him with her life? Before he could get happy, she began saying. Regina shook her head. The DNA test had confirmed what she never imagined—Claire was not her birth mother. She didn’t know how to process it.She said, “The doctor told me there was a possibility I was adopted. Since I recently did a DNA test with my dad, I was certain that Harold is my biological father. All my life, Claire told me Harold wasn’t my father when they both knew the truth. Then suddenly, the doctor pointed out that with their blood types, they couldn’t have had a child with AB+. I was racking my brain, trying to figure it all out. Finally, I decided to test my DNA against the rest of my family.”Regina took a deep breath before continuing. “My DNA matched with my father... but, s
After the cake-cutting ceremony, Regina stood far away from the crowd when a little girl approached her with a plate full of cake slices. The girl stopped near her and said, “Hello, this is for you.”Regina looked at the little princess, who had become the apple of everyone’s eye tonight. She crouched down to the girl’s level and said, “Thank you. Did you bring this for me?”Destiny turned around and pointed at Anastasia. “Anna asked me to give cake to everyone who didn’t get any.”Regina asked, “Did you give cake to everyone?”Destiny shook her head. “No, just you.”Regina chuckled. “Thank you.” She took the cake and bit into it. “Oh, it’s delicious.”Destiny made a face and said, “No, it’s not.” Leaning closer, she whispered in Regina’s ear, “My mommy makes cakes with real sugar and cream. This one has fake sugar and cream.”Regina laughed again. The cake was low-fat and low-sugar, but since she rarely had sugar or dairy, she didn’t notice the difference. She said, “I will try a real
“Why is she here?” Anastasia asked, her voice low but sharp as her eyes fixed on Eleanor standing confidently in the hall. The nerve of that woman to show up at her house after trying to hurt her family.Damien leaned in slightly, keeping his tone casual. “She is Chris’s plus one.”Anastasia exhaled, quickly understanding the situation. “Okay. I will be on my best behaviour.”Though she wasn’t one to bow to others’ opinions, Anastasia had been making extra efforts lately. Damien’s family hadn’t fully warmed up to her, and for her husband’s sake, she was resolved to leave them with no reason to criticise. She wasn’t naturally a people-pleaser, but she knew that making peace with his relatives meant comfort for him and that mattered.Damien wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a side hug. “My wife is always on her best behaviour. It is just other people who know how to get under her skin.”Anastasia smiled faintly, conceding, “You are not wrong.”He chuckled, then flagged down a