*****"Absolutely no water for that hand, okay? Seriously, get someone to help out if you can't manage it yourself. We do not want that wound to get any worse. And, in a week, you're coming back here so I can snip those stitches. Got it?" Ana instructed firmly, yanking off her gloves after skilfully stitching up the wound."Okay, I got it," Mason replied, but there was a lingering hesitation in his voice as if he didn't want to leave her side just yet. Mason added, "Hey, um, you know, since you helped me with my hand, would you maybe want to grab a coffee? On me, of course!" Mason pushed past her irritation, determined to persuade her to spend more time with him."Pardon me... I have to meet my friend, so I can't," Ana straight refused Mason, with a tight-lipped smile as she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the cabin while the nurse and Mason were still there.The nurse collected all the stuff as she said, "You can leave now since I have to lock the Cabin!" "Can I trouble you for a g
****"Spuurrrr…!" Phoebe spat out the whiskey."What!? Richard Hill is your husband. Oh my God! You are the crazy rich wife in New York." Phoebe's brain shook violently as she plummeted from cloud nine, her mind reeling at the revelation that the man they had been discussing was none other than Richard Hill."I don't want to be that so-called 'rich wife.' A simple life will be fine for me! But what they did is something I can't shake from my thoughts," Ana exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration. With a swift motion, she poured more whiskey down her throat, hoping to drown out the troubling memories."Well, you said Richard had no idea about all this, and he asked forgiveness from you. Why don't you just give him a chance?" Phoebe reasoned, her voice laced with empathy. "Besides, you said both of your families made an agreement, which cannot be overlooked. You have no other way but to accept it.""No, I refuse to give him another chance, and I refuse to be entangled with his fami
*****"What? Who gave you my number?" Ana exclaimed, her confusion palpable as she never fathomed being addressed as Mrs. Hill. Nope! That was definitely not on her radar, and she was far from prepared for it."Do you not know Richard Hill?!" the person on the other end exclaimed with a hint of confusion seeping through."I know him!" Ana retorted."Please, ma'am, it's urgent. You know your husband is a famous man, so the likelihood of the media looking for him is high, so I would definitely want you to come hurry and take him away," the man urgently implored."Okay! I am coming!" Ana replied with determination before swiftly ending the call."Who is the person!? Why do you look tensed, Ana?" Phoebe interrogated, her eyes narrowing as she observed the rapid shift in Ana's expression from bewildered to tense, sensing the urgency in the air."Richard is drunk and he slapped a woman," Ana explained, "so the manager of that particular bar wanted me to take him away before the media approac
****"Who do you think you are, intruding like this!? You can't just walk in and take him away. He not only slapped my friend but also attempted unspeakable acts. When she resisted, he callously laid a hand on her. He's not going anywhere until the cops arrive and she gets the justice she deserves!" The woman's voice boomed as she charged toward Ana with determination.Meanwhile, the woman had started to feel a bit nervous, as though this redhead would take Richard out of there. Furthermore, Richard had not said anything till now, but as soon as this woman entered, he opened his eyes and prepared to depart."You all know, this did not happen," Ana spoke, letting go of Richard's face and turning around, to face those ladies.Ana wore a cruel mask on her face as she conveyed an unmistakable message: their intentions were laid bare before her, a truth they couldn't hide."What do you mean!? You think we're lying here?" she challenged, her tone laced with indignation. "How can you, being
****"Behave," Ana murmured, her cheeks ablaze. She avoided meeting his gaze, but when he abruptly kissed her knuckles, a shiver ran down her spine. "This isn't home." She attempted to pull her hand away, but Richard held it firmly, his face a mask of determination. Such pettiness only added to her discomfort."So you're implying we can do this at home, which, I must admit, I prefer," Richard remarked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as his teasing intensified. Ana couldn't tell if he was genuinely drunk or not, because his teasing was executed with such finesse that it left her puzzled."No, I'll drop you off at home, then I'll head back to my place," Ana asserted, stealing a quick glance over her shoulder. She noticed the curious stares from the girls nearby, evidently intrigued by her interaction with Richard.The next moment, Richard playfully tugged Ana by the hand, causing her to stumble into his lap, right in front of everyone. The manager hastily averted his gaze, while
*****"What!?" Linda snapped in horror, her grip on the bag faltering and causing the packets to tumble to the ground. Her body shook violently with shock, unprepared to discover that the contents in her hand were drugs."Yes, and I've captured everything on this phone. Now, I could ask you to call the cops because I want you all to get the justice you deserve," Ana stated calmly, her eyes conveying a mix of triumph and power. In her composed demeanor, they saw how effortlessly one woman had manipulated them all without needing to raise her voice."You're the one who gave us the drugs! We had no clue!" another woman shouted, her fear palpable as she grappled with the terrifying prospect of getting caught by the cops for drug possession. The thought of facing jail time weighed heavily on her, especially knowing that her father wouldn't lift a finger to help her if she ended up behind bars because of drugs."There is no camera in this room," she stated firmly, her hand gesturing towards
****"Since you are here, take him with you; my car is parked in front. So I will go to my house because it is late," Ana stated as they approached George's car, which was parked at the rear door of the bar."I wouldn't recommend that. The media's still swarming outside, and your car might've attracted some unwanted attention by now. It's safer for you to stay with the boss in his apartment. I'll fetch your car in the morning," George advised, glancing towards the backseat where Richard was sleeping."Also, after dropping him off, you can take me back home. I'm fine with it being a bit late," Ana insisted, her tone leaving no doubt about her reluctance to stay at Richard's place."Okay, first let's go to his apartment," George suggested, gesturing towards the car. "After that, if everything goes well, then I'll definitely drop you off at your home," he assured Ana, his tone comforting yet cautious. "But I want to be clear, I'm not advising any hasty decisions," he emphasized, his conce
*****With a heavy sigh, Ana turned her attention back to Richard, her shoulders slumped slightly. She let out a soft sigh, though it held a hint of exasperation. "I don't know why I am helping you so much when I should be slapping you hard," Ana said with a wry smile, her gaze lingering on Richard's peaceful sleeping face."I was, finally having a rare moment of relaxation with my friend, just chatting and savoring some whiskey. But then you swoop in and completely ruin the vibe. Now I'm stuck playing babysitter to you. Argh! It's just unbelievable!" With a frustrated sigh, she remembered her need to call Phoebe. "And to top it off, I left my phone in the car, and I gave his phone to George. Oh god, could this situation get any more chaotic?""Oh, I need to pee!" Ana kicked off her heels in a fit of frustration, storming toward the bathroom with urgency gnawing at her insides. In her haste, she didn't even consider locking the door as she hurriedly perched herself on the toilet seat,
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