****"My family can't do that! They accepted you," Richard said as his voice went low because his heart sank as her tears pierced him with the painful truth. He slowly withdrew his hand from her side, silently granting her the space she needed to step away. He never imagined that their marriage could inflict such deep wounds upon her."Hah, they welcomed me; perhaps my memories neglected to preserve this magnificent gesture in mind," Ana remarked, pushing him away with one hand while taking a deep breath."Emilia was the one they had chosen for you, and they were so proud of that choice because my family has no status," Ana's voice dwindled a little with suppressed anguish. "I toiled like a maid in your house for twenty gruelling hours a day, barely given enough sustenance to survive. It landed me in the hospital. Then, one cruel day, your mother ordered a servant to feed me dog food, deeming me unworthy of human meals," Ana finally released the painful truth she had buried deep within
****"I followed your instructions to the letter, so why are you still here in my house?" Sonia's voice reverberated with frustration as she confronted the person lounging on her couch. With a smirk curling his lips, he rose from his seat, taking a step closer to Sonia, his smile only widening."Well, there's no need for you to be so flustered. I'm simply here to hear the outcome of your actions," the person remarked, a sly glimmer in his eyes as he casually slipped his hands into his pockets. "Looks like your sister has extended her forgiveness to all of you.""It is none of your business! And as for the news, what I have heard is that they are considering divorce," Sonia added, tightening her fist and digging her nails into her palm. She had no idea who this person was until last evening when he unexpectedly stopped her on her way home and threatened to destroy her family if she did not obey. She had to accept his demands and then she learned about Ana. Sonia could tell that this ma
****"Anastasia long!" Selena repeated, her confusion was palpable. "Did you find her?" Jerry exclaimed, springing up from his seat with excitement, then quickly reining in his emotions as he continued, "I mean, why are you mentioning her like that? It's as if you've just come back from seeing her.""How did you get the wound on your head?!" Richard snapped his attention toward his uncle, striding purposefully to where Jerry stood before coming to an abrupt halt a few paces away from him."I did not appreciate the tone you used, Richard, and as for my wound, everyone knows how and who caused it," Jerry added, his voice deepening as thick anxiety circled his heart because he sensed Richard was not in the mood to make jokes."Don't lie to me!" Richard shouted, lunging forward towards Jerry and grabbing his collar, causing everyone to jolt up in horror."Richard! What are you doing, son!?" Selena's voice boomed from behind, her hand shooting up to cover her gaping mouth as her eyes widen
****"What?!" Selena exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Richard, are you even hearing yourself? Who is she to you? Why does it feel like you're suddenly giving her all this attention?" Her confusion was evident, her words laced with a mixture of shock and bewilderment."She did not flee the house with her boyfriend; rather, you forced her to do so, while your brother attempted to rape her," Richard remained enraged as he looked in the direction of Jerry, who was shocked and scared because Richard was not buying his mother's words, so his words would only add fuel."Where is she? Let me meet her. I want to know how she made such an allegation about my brother," Selena defended Jerry, her voice rising in defiance as she noticed Richard's intense glares directed at him. The tension in the room was palpable, with Richard's anger simmering dangerously, making it feel like he would tear Jerry apart at any moment."You are my mother, so I do not want to say anything else to you, nor do
*****"I was not aware of it," Richard said to his grandma, glancing at Ana. He would not mind if she showed her distaste or rage, but what was worse than anything was the stillness she was exhibiting. As Richard remained in this stillness longer, he could feel a sharp knife repeatedly piercing his heart."Your mom and the family came second," his grandmother's voice quivered with anger, "but it was you who didn't stand with her when the marriage took place. It was supposed to be a bride and groom. She was just a little girl back then."Richard's grandmother grappled with her fury, the realization hitting her like a tidal wave after years of being kept in the dark. She had been misled, believing the false narrative that the girl had run away with her lover, tarnishing their family's reputation. That's why she never sought out Ana again."That no longer matters how young I was or what I've been through; what I want now is divorce. I'll be more than pleased," Ana expressed her thoughts e
****"I can't, Ana. I don't have the information. Both your father's affairs were entrusted to Mr. Warner, Richard's father's loyal subordinate and renowned lawyer. No matter how hard you try, you won't get anything from him until both of you follow the agreement. I've tried. He's in Liverpool now!"Richard's grandmother sighed heavily, the strain of lengthy conversation evident on her weary face. Yet, despite her exhaustion, she knew she had no choice but to respond to the inquiries of these two youngsters.Ana's shoulders slumped in disappointment, her restlessness to uncover her father's possession growing stronger with each passing moment. At the same time, confusion mingled with her emotions as she pondered why her mother had never disclosed this information."Does my mother know?" Ana's voice caught in her throat, choked with emotion, as she sought answers."No, otherwise I wouldn't have had to offer her money for your hand, Ana. I deeply regret that such a terrible incident has
*****"Why?" Mason's voice sliced through the tense air. "Why did you drug Anastasia when you had no issues with her?" Kendall's breath froze in her throat, and a shiver ran down her spine.Her mind whirled with confusion as she thought even if Mason knew her plan to drug Ana, why would he resort to kidnapping her unless there was a deeper, more intimate connection between Mason and Ana that she hadn't considered before?With a heart heavy with turmoil, Kendall asked, "Who is she to you?" Despite the pain coursing through her body, she couldn't bring herself to focus on it, her entire being consumed by the urgency of understanding Mason's connection to Anastasia."She is everything," Mason confessed, his voice weighted with feelings. "Throughout the party, I gave you plenty of signals about my feelings, but it seemed like you were determined to remain oblivious.""You knew her all along, didn't you?" Kendall's words hung heavy with revelation. "And you purposefully assisted me so that
****Ana was gathering her staff to leave her cabin, feeling utterly distracted and unable to focus on anything. Despite her reluctance, she made the decision to take leave, canceling all her scheduled visits—a rare occurrence for her.As she stepped out of her cabin, intending to clear her head, her eyes fell upon Mason, his hand stained with blood."Mason, what happened?" Ana hurriedly asked, concern evident in her voice as she quickly approached him, while a nurse also hurried over to assist."Ana, I had no idea you worked here,” Mason displayed his surprise, “I have a bad migraine problem, and I was chopping fruits when I felt a spin on my head, and this happened," Mason stated nonchalantly as if it was no big deal. "Don't you have anyone at home? Severe migraines can lead to serious accidents," Ana expressed her concern, gesturing for the nurse to attend to Mason's hand, which clearly needed stitches. "No, I live alone," Mason replied."Alright, make sure to schedule a doctor's
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