***** Ana held her breath, her chest tight with anticipation. She thought of Richard's promise, clinging to the hope that help would arrive soon. The minutes stretched on, and the weight of their stares pressed down on her. She had used words to delay, spinning them out like threads, weaving a barrier against their accusations. But she sensed the futility now. These people were like a storm, gathering force, ready to hurl more mud and slander if she remained silent. "Miss Anastasia, we do not have the entire day to wait for your answer. If you do not have any proof, then accept your fault and resign permanently, because you do not deserve to be a doctor," another reporter said with a harsh tone that cut through Ana like a cold wind. Doctor Perryson placed his fist on his lips, suppressing his laughter like a coyote stifling a howl. At that moment, a young boy entered the council circle, his steps deliberate and his face as solemn as the moon in a cloudless sky. He walked straight t
******Ana turned her head to the reporter and said, "When so much truth has come before you, then the mystery of the nurse's murder will also be unraveled swiftly. I cannot speculate on it.""You were there yesterday, which is why the cops took you into custody?" The same reporter asked as the situation became increasingly tangled."Since I was quite skeptical about Elena being involved in all this, that is why I went to meet her. I also called one of my colleagues yesterday to inquire if she was in the hospital or not. After that, I went to her house. However, she was already dead before my arrival," Ana clarified, her voice as steady as a mountain stream.At that moment, Jackson entered, dark circles beneath his eyes, and spoke, "Sorry, I am late. But I have the proof that she called me and I asked another nurse about Elena's address for Ana. A murderer would never ask for the address of the person she was going to kill, and when Ana knew that she was framed already, she would neve
***** "That must be some business meeting as well. Since Richard has never come in front of the camera with a woman that is why maybe This small thing became a new sensation," Phoebe spoke up when she saw Ana staring at the phone without expressing her thoughts. "Hmm... Maybe," Ana said, drawing a deep breath. "But why do we care who he's with? You know our marriage isn't typical. We've only been together for six months to fulfill our fathers' agreement. After that, we're going our separate ways." Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know, but doesn't it bother you even a little?" Ana shrugged. "Not really. We've both known this was temporary from the start." "But!" Phoebe interjected, sensing Ana's words didn't match her feelings. "Are you sure you're okay with all this? I mean, it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself." "Why are you hesitating so much, like Richard is betraying me with another woman?" Ana said, her voice edged with frustration. She walked to her seat and
*****Emilia arrived at the house where the mysterious man had asked her to come. She felt suspicious and concerned for her safety but also believed that the man had no reason to harm her. She knew she couldn't escape without hearing what he had to say, since he mentioned her dangerous things involving the Hill family and herself, making it visible that he had a good grip on their lives.As Emilia twisted the door handle, she found it was unlocked, just as she had been told. She didn't need to ring the bell."Hello, is anyone here?" Emilia called out as she cautiously stepped inside. The silence was eerie, sending shivers down Emilia's spine."You sure are punctual, right on time," the man said, his voice calm and reassuring. "No need to move like a scared turtle; I ain't planning on hurting you."As he descended the stairs, Emilia's gaze followed him, her attention caught. When she saw his face, recognition dawned on her. "Mason," she said aloud, her voice tinged with surprise. Memor
***** Ana went to her house rather than going to the villa Richard had brought her to. Sinni was delighted to see Ana back in the house. "It's mighty good to see you again, Missy! This all house just ain't the same without you around! I tell ya, it is been emptier than a church on Monday! But don't you worry none, I have been cleaning and preparing your room every single day. Welcome home!" "I know you would do that!" Ana said with a smile as she sat down on the couch. "Could you get me a glass of water, please?" "Sure thing, Missy," Sinni replied, hurrying off to the kitchen. When she returned with the water, she couldn't help but notice something different about Ana. Handing her the glass, she asked, "So, are you thinkin' about leavin' soon? You seem a bit restless, if you don't mind me saying." "No, I'm staying tonight. I look restless because of all the drama that's unfolded at the hospital. I know you might have seen it on TV," Ana replied, gulping down the water. While she
******As they settled into their seats, far enough from the DJ to talk but close enough to feel the energy of the music, Ana, Phoebe, and Sonia each took a shot of tequila. The fiery liquid burned its way down Phoebe's throat, hitting her first with a rush of warmth and exhilaration. Sonia followed suit, feeling the familiar sting of the alcohol as it spread through her veins, loosening the tension in her muscles.But Ana remained alert, her senses sharp as she waited for the right moment to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind. She knew she needed to hear about Phoebe's struggle, no matter how difficult it might be to discuss."Hey, I am going to the bathroom!" Sonia said, and left them alone as headed toward the bathroom. Ana saw this as an excellent opportunity to question Phoebe about the secret she was keeping from her, and she suspected Phoebe was in severe trouble as a result."So, Phoebe," Ana began, leaning in closer to hear, "You mentioned there was someth
****** The server this time placed two more shots for Phoebe and Ana while Sonia was staring at them from the far end of the bar. "Forgive me! I have to do this if I want Mom and Dad to be safe and alive," Sonia muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the noise of the bar. Her eyes were fixed on the two friends laughing and clinking their glasses together. Phoebe felt a wave of relief wash over her when she learned Ana was not going to hate her, something she had feared the most. "I was so scared you were going to hate me, just like Jackson did," Phoebe said, her voice trembling slightly. She took a deep breath and looked Ana in the eyes, searching for any hint of lingering resentment. "I know what I did was terrible, and I’ve been beating myself up over it ever since. Jackson’s reaction was so harsh, and it broke me. The thought of losing you the same way... it’s been eating me alive." "Because I don't like Jackson or think of him in a romantic way, it's not a bi
*****"Phoebe, where is Ana?" Jackson arrived at the bar and found Phoebe sleeping on the counter, but Ana was nowhere to be seen, which left him a bit concerned."I don't know. Her sister gave me this letter. Read it, whoever you are," Phoebe muttered as she pushed the letter to the edge of the table. It was about to fall, but Jackson grasped it quickly and unfolded it to read."Hmm, Jackson. Since you are taking time to come, I thought I to take my sister home. I know by the time you will arrive, but also I can't call you because my phone has run out of battery. I hope you will take care of Phoebe. At least take her to her house safely," Sonia had written this in the letter.Jackson balled the paper and shoved it into his pocket, gazing at Phoebe. He didn't want to help this woman at all, but he also couldn't leave her in this place."If you don't hurry up, I'll leave you here at the bar without caring that you're a woman..." Jackson snapped."How dare you talk to me like that? If y
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