*****Later that night, George arrived to pick up Grandmother and Helena, leaving the house with only Richard and Ana. Ana had made up her mind to retreat to another room for the night. However, as she began to gather her belongings to leave, Richard blocked her path, questioning, "Where are you going?""To sleep in another room. Since there are plenty of rooms in the house, why can't we use them?" Ana retorted, her lips twisting with determination. She remained adamant about not staying in the same room with him, no matter how much he might try to persuade her otherwise."Are you kidding? Sleeping with me won't bother your sleep!" Richard retorted, his tone laced with a palpable sense of frustration at Ana's steadfast insistence on sleeping separately."No, I love having my own space; I've been living alone for many years," Ana asserted, her tone carrying a sense of fondness for the solitude she had grown accustomed to."It's different now because you have a husband who needs you in
****As the morning arrived, Ana groaned in her sleep before opening her eyes. As soon as she recognized the new environment, she moved her head sharply at her side to find Richard, but he was not there. Ana unintentionally breathed while resting her cheek on the cushion next to her. The pillow smelled like Richard's, which meant he slept next to her all night, but where he had gone! Ana sat up and gathered all her hair into a bun when she noticed a piece of paper on the lamp table, her brows rose in question. She grabbed it and began reading, "I will be out of town for today so there will be a maid in the house to take care of you. Don't meet men in my absence or I will snatch their life out of their body." Ana rolled her eyes and folded the paper again, but this time she tucked it beneath her pillow before going to the restroom.After twenty minutes, Ana emerged from her room and walked to the kitchen, where she met the maid who Richard had hired before leaving the home. "Madam,
*****"Emilia," Jerry arrived to see Emilia in her ward, where she was alone at the moment and eating fruit sliced into pieces in a box."Uncle Jerry, please come in!" Emilia replied with a sweet grin, "Mom and Dad just departed for home." Jerry moved over to the bed before taking a chair to sit on, his gaze drawn to Emilia, who appeared to be at ease as if she was not worried about Richard."I can sense Uncle Jerry trying to figure out how I am so casual rather than throwing a tantrum or exposing my tears," Emilia added, prodding a slice of watermelon with her fork before placing it in her mouth while she smiled at Jerry."What? No, I am not!" Jerry hesitated since he did not think Emilia could able to read his thoughts."It's fine, Uncle Jerry, I understand. This is how people used to know me, but I do not want to be that Emilia anymore since I know what I did and how I hurt my parents, the only ones who love me the most in this world," Emilia stated, lowering the box to her lap wi
******"Doctor Anastasia, we absolutely agree with your views, but we are obligated to accept that the handwriting on the prescription is yours," another doctor kindly stated."I grasp the gravity of the situation, which is precisely why I implore all of you to grant me a mere twenty-four hours. Within this brief span, I am determined to unearth evidence of deliberate malfeasance," Ana replied with a profound sense of determination."Okay, as long as the CEO is not engaged in this subject, we can do it for you!" the same doctor promised Ana. "Alright, thank you!" Ana replied and hung up the call. "I do not see why we are aiding her. We don't know her well. She is very young, and I can see that her popularity stems primarily from her appearance. There is nothing extraordinary," the previous doctor, who had hostility toward Ana spoke up with a strong stubbornness that Ana was not a miracle doctor."I strongly disagree with your views, Dr. Perryson. If you admit to not knowing her well
***** Ana stood up, her whole body trembling, feeling too paralyzed to even move. The person she had come to find lay dead, and to her horror, she could not able to move as her legs went numb. "Oh God!" Ana gasped, her hands trembling uncontrollably as she stood frozen in place. She glanced down at her clothes, feeling a shiver run down her spine. Ana turned towards the door, her heart pounding in her chest, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the house. But before she could take a single step, the door burst open with a deafening crash, and two police officers stormed in, their guns drawn and aimed directly at Ana. "Raise your hands!" one of the cops barked, his voice echoed through the room. Ana understood their suspicions and quickly tried to plead her innocence, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "I did not do this! I swear, I didn't! When I arrived, she was already dead," she exclaimed, desperation lacing her voice as she struggled to make them believe her.
*****"I swear, I didn't do anything! Elena was already dead... The blood on me... it's because I... I fell on her body accidentally," Ana's voice trembled, haunted by the vivid image of the blood-smeared scene."Ana, we're not here to accuse you," Phoebe's voice softened, though her eyes betrayed a deep disappointment. "But we have to face the truth. We lack concrete evidence. Whoever orchestrated this... they were cunning. They knew you'd seek out the nurse for proof, and they were there, waiting. It was a meticulously planned trap, and you unwittingly walked right into it." Her words hung heavy in the air, a chilling realization settling over them all.Suddenly, an eerie hush enveloped the bustling police station, drowning out the usual hum of activity. Phoebe's words trailed off, her gaze darting around the room, mirroring the confusion etched on Sonia's face.It was as though time itself had frozen, leaving them suspended in an unsettling silence."What's going on?!" Ana's voice
***** Not finding Ana in the room, Richard's concern grew, leading him to the bathroom in search of her. The doorknob yielded easily under his touch, revealing an unlocked door. Peering into the dimly lit room, his eyes immediately fell upon Ana, huddled in the bathtub, her tear-streaked face illuminated by the faint glow of the bathroom light. Richard could tell just how much the situation had rattled Ana's confidence. Without hesitation, he entered the bathroom and gently closed the door behind him. Moving closer to Ana, he took a seat beside the bathtub, offering his support and understanding without a word, letting her know she wasn't alone in facing her struggles. "Vulnerability doesn't seem like your style," Richard remarked, reaching out to gently touch her neck. She still had her clothes on in the bathtub. "Thank you for bringing me out of such a place, it was a scary place to stay. I do not know what would happen to me in the morning if I had to stay there," Ana mumbled sh
*****Ana simply shook her head in response, her attempt to ignore Richard's deliberate words proving futile. His habits were ingrained, his persistence unwavering, as he continued to navigate the intimate moment with a sense of determination and care."Just place your hand on my hand; that will make me know how to move smoothly," Richard said, his tone laced with a playful charm as he met Ana's gaze with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.Ana hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether to comply with his suggestive request. "I think I can manage on my own," she replied, attempting to maintain her composure despite the subtle allure in Richard's voice.Richard chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on her. "Come on, Ana, don't be shy," he teased, extending his hand towards hers with a playful grin. "Let's make this bath time a little more enjoyable, shall we?"Ana had to obey him even if she didn't want to, otherwise, this man would not deviate from his intention.She placed her hand over
Thank you for reading. Regarding the letters from Mr. Warner: I previously mentioned Richard confiding in Ana about the clot in his brain, revealing that he doesn’t have much time left. Richard's father was aware of this as well. Moreover, he didn’t want to tarnish his mother’s image in Richard’s mind, which is why he wrote those letters and kept them hidden, setting certain conditions. Ana received a letter where her father explained why he accepted the marriage proposal from Richard's father. After being betrayed by Richard's mother, Richard's father feared that if Selena gained control, disaster could befall Richard. To protect his son, Richard's father chose Ana to be Richard’s wife when they were children and conveyed this wish to Richard's grandmother. I didn’t mention the letter Ana received from her father because she never asked Richard for it. She placed complete trust in him and her father's decision for her to marry Richard. She believed that if anything serious were me
****** Ana spotted her mother in the crowd, her heart clenching with a mix of emotions. Despite the hurt and anger she felt towards her mother and those who had wronged her in the past, there was a part of Ana that longed for reconciliation, for a chance to mend the broken relationships. "You're late, the party started long ago," Ana said, her tone tinged with a hint of reproach. Her mother turned to her, her eyes filled with warmth and regret. "I know, Ana, and I'm sorry. But seeing you now, looking so beautiful and radiant, I couldn't help but be filled with pride and joy. You're glowing like a new bride, my dear. I want to give you all my blessings and wishes, and I pray that God, if there is one, will shower you with happiness for the rest of your life." Ana felt a lump form in her throat as her mother enveloped her in a warm embrace. It had been so long since they had shared such a moment, since Ana had felt the comforting embrace of her mother's arms and the familiar scent th
***** The party began with a flurry of guests and media personnel, all abuzz with the shocking revelation that Richard Hill had been secretly married for years. The news was a stark contrast to his highly publicized engagement with Miss Emilia, which turned out to be a complete hoax. "Mr. Hill, this is quite the surprise!" a reporter exclaimed, approaching Richard, who stood among his friends, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked every bit the charismatic figure, exuding an almost godlike presence. Richard smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I suppose I’ve always had a knack for surprises." The reporter leaned in, eager for more details. "I believe there will be many wedding photos you would love to share with us. How did you manage to keep your marriage a secret for so long?" Richard chuckled softly. "It wasn't easy, I assure you. But sometimes, the most important things in life are worth the extra effort to keep private. My wife and I valued our privacy above all
*****One month later; There was a grand celebration at Hill Mansion, where Richard used to live. Grandmother had already arranged the event for Richard and Ana, so they couldn't cancel the party despite their initial plans. Richard had been bedridden for a month, resting. When he finally decided to take a vacation, Grandmother's request delayed their departure by a couple of days."Ana, what is taking you so long to pick a dress for the party?" Phoebe asked, clearly stressed. Ana's indifference and laid-back attitude about the event were getting on her nerves."This dress makes me feel like a billionaire," Ana grumbled, flopping onto the bed. "It's too much. I prefer a low-profile look."Phoebe sighed, exasperated. "Ana, this isn't just any party. Grandmother has called the media to announce your marriage. Can't you make an exception just this once?"Ana looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "I know, Phoebe. I just don't want to stand out too much. But for Richard, I'll
****** "Are you alright?" Sonia asked Mason, who had just undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his arm. Despite his critical condition, no one had come to visit him except for Selena. "I don’t need your sympathy," Mason replied coldly. "Knowing about my health won’t gain you anything. You can leave." Sonia frowned, feeling hurt by his harsh words. "Mason, I’m not here to gain anything. I was with you the entire time, talking to the doctors and making sure you were okay." Mason’s expression softened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a scowl. "Why would you do that? I didn’t ask for your help." Sonia took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "You didn’t have to ask. I care about you, Mason. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while you were fighting for your life." Mason looked away, his jaw tightening. "You shouldn’t care. It only makes things more complicated." Sonia stepped closer, her eyes filled with determination. "Why? Why does it have to be complicat
******Ana blushed further, like a young girl who had just felt her heart flutter upon hearing the truth from the man she had taken a liking to."Then who was that girl with you, and why did you let her touch you?" Ana asked, her brow furrowed in displeasure."She was Mr. Warner's daughter," Richard explained gently. "I met with her to discuss the letters from our fathers. Her touching me was accidental. I quickly moved away, worried my body might react again. It wasn't the right time to fall ill," he added with a soft smile."The blood clot in your brain was the reason for this unusual reaction in your body. It was never your disease," Ana revealed the truth to Richard.Richard smiled lightly, causing Ana to raise her eyebrows in confusion. "What’s so funny about what I said?" she asked."Are you hiding something from me?" Ana probed, her voice tinged with concern."No, I'm not hiding anything," Richard replied, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "When I read the letter
******It had been two long days since Richard was staying to the emergency room. Following the surgery, Ana had instructed everyone that he needed ample time to rest and recover, so they had purposefully kept him sedated to aid his healing process.On the morning of the third day, Richard's fingers twitched, signaling the first signs of awakening. Slowly, he opened his eyes, the room coming into soft focus around him. As his vision cleared, he noticed an abundance of flowers surrounding his bed, their vibrant colors filling the room.He sat up with a cold expression, immediately sensing something was amiss. Reaching up, his hand brushed the side of his head, where he discovered a significant chunk of hair missing. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to piece together what had happened.Just then, a nurse entered the room, her cheerful demeanor contrasting with his bewilderment. "Sir, you're awake! We've been expecting this. How are you feeling?" she asked with a bright smile."Wha
*****"Ana," Phoebe called softly, tugging lightly at Ana's hand as she stepped out in her surgical gown."Are you really sure about this?" Phoebe's voice trembled with concern. "What if Richard doesn't even remember you? Do you want to go through with it so hastily?" Her eyes were filled with worry, her brow furrowed as she stared at Ana's face for reassurance."His life means everything to me," Ana said, taking a deep breath. "Right now, it doesn't matter to me whether he recognizes me when he wakes up or not. I'll accept whatever fate has in store for us."Phoebe looked at her friend, noticing the cold, almost clinical expression on Ana's face. It was a look she'd seen before—one Ana wore whenever she prepared for a major work. Ana believed that feelings and emotions had no place in critical moments, and today was no exception."But Ana," Phoebe pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation, "how can you be so detached about this? This isn't just any operation. This is Richard. Your R
"I had very carefully put Ana to bed last night," Sonia said with confidence. "I'm sure whatever happened must have occurred this morning. At the same time, I messaged Jackson and asked him to send you home," she explained, her voice steady. She had left Ana safely in another room before heading over to Mason's room. However, when she returned to Ana's room in the morning, she didn't find her there, which made her think Ana might have left for home. Phoebe looked puzzled. "So, you're saying Ana was fine when you left her?" "Yes," Sonia confirmed. "I made sure she was safe and asleep. I wouldn't have left her otherwise." Phoebe's voice quivered as she spoke, "I'm sorry if I sound judgmental, but I can't shake this feeling that I should have been more careful last night." Tears welled up in her eyes as she fretted over what could have happened to Ana while she was safe at home. Sonia responded with empathy, "I understand. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray for the best." She r