5 years later★★★"Can we anticipate that you will make New York your permanent home, Dr. Anastasia?" A redhead woman emerged from the automobile, prompting a reporter to ask out loud. She pushed the door closed and put on her sunglasses as she began walking. Her white skin glistened like crystal in the sunlight, while her hair appeared like a cascade magnified by the dawn. Even though the media representatives were there to conduct their duties, the breathtaking beauty in front of them caused them to gasp in awe."Doctor, who is your boyfriend? Are you getting married anytime soon?" Another reporter inquired as to when Anastasia crossed her path while on her way to the hospital with a guard shielding her from the mob. Though it was unusual for a doctor to be so renowned, Anastasia was a wonderful surgeon at such a young age, and as a result, she was well-known to people of all ages; also, her amazing beauty drew people to her. Despite her notoriety, Dr. Anastasia was extremely pri
★★"I am a doctor. I am here to check your health, Mister. Let go of my hand," Anastasia commanded with a scowl, her wrist throbbing with excruciating pain since the grip was more than just a grab.But the man continued to stare at Ana with wide eyes, until suddenly the grasp on her hand eased, and the man closed his eyes. Anastasia soon realized something was wrong, and she acted fast by reaching over the man and placing her finger under his nose, sensing he was not breathing."Nurse!" Anastasia yelled and began pumping his chest with both hands. However, this was insufficient to help the man breathe, so she pinched his nose opened his mouth, and began transferring air.Her mouth pressed against his, forcing air into his mouth to quicken his heartbeat.Suddenly a man burst into the ward and discovered a woman doing something to his boss."What are you doing? Who lets you in?!" The man raced to Anastasia in an attempt to fling her away from his boss, and she would later face severe pu
★★★"Meaning that I am no longer suffering from a specific ailment that I was unaware even existed until I experienced such a horrible reaction to a woman's touch," Richard contemplated the miracle he had been hoping for ages. Despite the fact that he had left no great doctor to examine him, there was always a dreadful failure he had to face till now. But today a woman touched him, and it was a proper touch, his condition did not trigger."Yes, it is one possible development I can conceive of, but how has your condition gotten better on its own, given that every doctor has informed us there isn't a cure?" George muttered, his forehead furrowed as he tried to figure out how this had happened.Suddenly, the ward door burst open, and a lady trudged in; her face was covered with worry as she hurried to Richard to the bed, but she halted her step at a proper distance because she did not want to make the same mistake of touching him as she had done years ago. She was still terrified as she t
*****With beseeching eyes and a hopeful heart, Jackson asked, "Ana, are you sure you do not want to eat because I was serious about bringing you out of a fine Italian restaurant?"He hoped she would answer 'Yes'"Despite my weakness for Italian food, I am unable to accept this lucrative offer. I am tired!" Anastasia said grumpily, "And you know I have a dog, so I need to train the maid how to manage Sky while I am away. Maybe some other day I would want you to give me such a tempting proposition again," completing her sentence, Ana exited the vehicle, leaving Jackson with a void in his heart that he smothered with a pursed lip."I need to establish a place in your home before gaining entry to your heart," Jackson reasoned while maintaining his good mood before exclaiming, "All right, Anastasia. Good night!"Anastasia gave him a soft grin and waved her hand before entering her flat, which was more akin to a top-floor penthouse. Though she was only in New York for a short time, she pre
****Anastasia arrived at the hospital around 1 o'clock. Her heels clicked on the ground as she made her way to that specific floor. However, when the lift came to a halt, she noticed the same man standing with whom she had spoken before. His expression gave away that he was waiting for her or someone else."I am grateful that you decided to return. While a doctor handled the problem rather effectively, we still need your watchful eye to ensure the boss is safe," George remarked, casting a sidelong glance at the attractive woman whose face resembled a bud ready to bloom. She did not use makeup, so one could tell she was extremely youthful, yet her aura was as powerful as that of a mature woman."It is not advisable to ask another doctor to treat a patient who has received excellent treatment from the first one. He is under the watch of another doctor, therefore I am not going to prescribe any medication," Anastasia stated sternly before dragging her heels towards the ward."I apologis
****"The point is, I am thinking of providing your people a doctor's name in Texas; he is a fantastic dermatologist, and your disease may be treated successfully," Anastasia offered with a soft grin.Richard felt as if Anastasia was seeking a way to brush him off, even though she had realized she could touch him, but was hesitant to treat him. A powerful irritation welled up in his throat as he spat, "I have gone everywhere, but none of them has been able to assist me. Tell me how much money you require."Not again! Anastasia's thoughts shouted as she said, "I am afraid I can not help you with this because I am a neurologist. I sincerely hope that you will not bring up the money again. I do believe you have plenty of money, but it cannot help the fact that I am unable to treat you."Anastasia considered such money-throwing men aggravating as if they believed that possessing money could buy anyone's head. She had met so many of them over the years, and now she truly believed this was a
****"You are spot on. Though I have never thought of hiding anything from you, I have also never considered bothering myself by telling you. You are going to remain until I figure out why you are the only woman who can freely touch me," Richard remarked casually, no longer attempting to be kind to Anastasia as he had in the morning. "You wish, sir! I don't work for you, and I clearly have no idea how you forced the dean to ask me to stay, but unfortunately, it won't happen tomorrow or any other day. If someone forces me, I will walk away," Anastasia responded calmly, not removing the grin from her face or giving him the impression that she was pushing herself to be strong in front of him.With a comfortable demeanour, Richard declared, "I murder people." His eyes lingered on Ana, taking in her gorgeous brown eyes and the freckles that dotted her face like beauty spots, giving her the appearance of an exotic flower. As his sight slid down, he saw her cherry-coloured, luscious lips, w
****"George!" Emilia yelled. "George, get over here!" Emilia's furious voice echoed across the room. As a result, Richard and Anastasia wake up at the same time. "Miss Emilia, you are making incorrect assumptions." George's voice was hurried as he spoke from behind, and his gaze landed on the clasped hands, demonstrating why Miss Emilia lost her cool as soon as she came in. "I am in no position to hear whether I am making incorrect or correct assumptions. So, who exactly is she? What's she doing in this ward so close to the bed? Are you truly taking care of him?" Emilia yelled at George before shifting her gaze to Anastasia with an angry grimace, displaying her evident urge to drag Ana with her hair. "You have brought another yelling menace. What's wrong with you? Perhaps your employer is in good condition, but that doesn't imply the other wards on this floor are vacant," Anastasia told George, her gaze fixated on Emilia, who was clenching her teeth, perplexing Ana as she tried to
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