*****Emilia swallowed nervously when the phone conversation ended. When she contacted Richard in the morning, he had not mentioned going to the hospital, and she could not understand why Ana opted to notify her rather than Richard contacting her and requesting her attendance. "Is Kendell correct in this regard?" Emilia dabbed at her temple. Given that Richard was seeing Ana frequently and that physical contact was a major source of vulnerability for men, she had forewarned her several times that anything may happen in his heart.Emilia called Kendall right away, saying, "Hey, Kendall. Thank you for your wishes! I have a few things to discuss. Could you help me, please!""Yes, sure! Come to my house!" Kendall said from the other end of the phone."Alright! I am soon heading out!" Emilia answered and cut the call.Emilia gripped the phone firmly and made the decision not to visit the hospital because she did not want Richard to think she was insecure, especially after he reassured her
****Ana felt a sense of slowness at the idea of visiting Richard's grandmother, as she neither knew her nor had any compelling reason to do so. Despite this, George's persistent urging left her feeling guilty about ignoring his suggestion. Eventually, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, she reluctantly decided to go.Ana hesitated before gently rapping on the door, then cautiously pushed it open. Inside, she found Richard engaged in conversation with his grandmother. The sudden appearance of Ana startled them both, each reacting with a mix of surprise and curiosity."Please, don't linger at the door. Come in," Richard implored, his eyes brimming with emotion. "I was just considering asking for your company in this room, even though I know you can't offer any assistance." His words carried a sense of ease as if Ana's mere presence brought a sense of comfort to his troubled heart."Who is she, Richi?!" Grandmother asked, her voice tinged with confusion and disbelief, the shock still v
****Ana reluctantly drove her car to the party, it already being underway for hours—an event she felt obliged to attend rather than genuinely excited about. In an effort to blend in and avoid drawing attention to herself, she opted for a casual knee-length outfit and tied her hair up in a high ponytail.She parked her car outside a posh hotel and stepped out carrying a gift bag. Suddenly, the sound of camera clicks nearby caught her off guard, causing her to freeze in her tracks and scan her surroundings apprehensively.Her fingers clenched the bag tightly, her pulse racing as her breath quickened with nervous anticipation. Without a second thought, she hastened towards the venue, instinctively following the unerring guidance of her intuition, since her gut could never be wrong and it was telling her that someone was hiding and looking at her.As Ana stepped into the venue, she collided with a woman, their bodies jolting against each other. "Ow! I'm sorry!" Ana exclaimed with urgency,
"Hey there, birthday queen! You can't spend your time in one person when the whole place is buzzing for you," Kendall's voice echoed from behind Emilia, who spun around with a playful grin. "Well, well, well, look who decided to crash the party!" she exclaimed before whisking Kendall forward. "Allow me to unveil the mystery girl I've been hyping up," Emilia declared, looking at Ana, "the one and only Anastasia!""Oh, hey there! I've heard plenty about you," Kendall remarked, eyeing Ana up and down with keen interest. To her surprise, Emilia's praises were spot on. Despite not wearing any fancy makeup or designer clothes, Ana still managed to stand out like a diamond in the crowd."Hello, a pleasure to meet you, Kendall!" Ana greeted with a polished smile, though she couldn't help but notice Emilia and Kendall's eyes darting behind her, piquing her curiosity. With a raised eyebrow, she turned around to see what had caught their attention, only to be met with an unexpected collision wit
****"Why?" Ana questioned, her brows knitting together in confusion. "I don't like it. He's not there to ease his boredom; he's out to butter you up. Give that fella the heave-ho, or find yourself a new perch," Richard grumbled, sounding like a wild animal at the sight of Mason cozying up to Ana, even though Phoebe was sitting with them as well.He had practically seen the whole shebang: Mason being casual by the door with Ana, then miraculously finding his way to their table. Ana pushed herself up from her seat and edged away from Phoebe and Mason, to avoid them listening to her conversation."Why do you care? Shouldn't you be focusing on celebrating your fiancé's birthday instead of meddling in my business? And let me make it crystal clear: you have no authority over me. I'm no one to you," Ana spat out angrily, her frustration mounting as she confronted Richard. Earlier, he had feigned to be uninterested in attending Emilia's celebration even though he had arrived far earlier tha
***** "You are going too far, Richard. I am not your property to wield your authority over. Your constant intrusion and control over my life have left me utterly drained," she yelled, her voice cracking with the weight of her emotions, as she struggled to wrench her hand free from his tightening grasp.Ignoring Ana's protests, Richard forcefully guided her to a secluded corner of the venue, a grassy lawn bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. With an indifferent demeanour, he swung her around to face him, his grip on her hand tightening before abruptly releasing her, his actions conveying a sense of dominance. Ana stumbled slightly, her body tense with anger and frustration."I clearly told you to stay away from him, but you deliberately seek him out. Are you trying to make me jealous?" he demanded, his words laced with frustration and insecurity. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, as he struggled to contain the turmoil roiling within him. "Is there any particular reason I w
****"Richard!" Emilia's voice echoed with urgency as she frantically scanned everywhere, her heart racing with anxiety. His unanswered phone calls only ignited her worry, prompting her to fear he might have hastily departed the party with Ana."Excuse me," Emilia's voice trembled with concern as she approached the guard stationed outside the hotel entrance. "Have you seen my fiancé, Richard Hill?"The guard glanced at her with a neutral expression before shaking his head. "No, ma'am. No guest has left the hotel yet. Perhaps he's in the bathroom or enjoying the lawn on the other side."Emilia's heart raced, "Thank you," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper, before hurrying off in search of Richard, her mind plagued with worry.Emilia swiftly pivoted away from the venue, her heels clicking against the pavement as she headed towards the lawn. She had already checked the men's washroom with no sign of Richard."Richard!" Emilia's voice echoed urgently from a nearby pillar as she
******Ana breezed into the washroom, swiftly adjusting her hair, only to find her lipstick absent as she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror."Well, looks like I need a lipstick," Ana quipped to herself, a playful glint in her eye. "I bet after tonight's escapade, I'll be on the fast track to hell," she continued with a chuckle before a soft smile spread across her lips as she reminisced. "Who knew I'd be having such a blast? This feeling is pure bliss," Ana mused aloud, accepting the rush of emotions with open arms, her cheeks tinged with a shy yet satisfied warmth."Easy there, Ana, no need to channel your inner teenager," Ana chuckled to herself, giving her cheeks a gentle pat before heading out. As soon as she stepped out of the bathroom she collided with Kendall, who regarded her with a quizzical expression."When did you come to the washroom?" Kendall inquired, her eyebrows arching in suspension as she took in Ana's appearance."Long!" Ana answered with a casual shrug
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