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*****"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
******Emilia went to the procedure as per Mason's demand, but she was not feeling good to go through this procedure. No matter what if Richard got to know she was pregnant with his child, he might kill her before she could give birth."Doctor, how risky is that?!" Emilia asked as she lay down with trepidation."It has a lot. Furthermore, stealing sperm will result in a lengthy prison sentence, besides, this is Richard Hill's sperm." The doctor said who had a mask on."Then why are you doing this!!?" Emilia shouted out as terror crept into her heart."You are linked to this, you know that, and the consequences are beyond my control," the doctor added as he bent forward to gather his equipment when Emilia shoved him hard and dropped her feet on the ground to flee. But then two large guards walked forward, blocking Emilia's way to run."Please, just let me go! "I do not want to do this!" Emilia howled aloud."You must do this; you cannot flee," one of the men remarked, narrowing his gaz
***** "I really like you, Mason! I am not lying. Richard never reached out to me. I just..." Sonia coughed again, her words breaking off as she struggled to breathe. "Cough!" Her saliva dribbled out as her eyes pleaded for help. Mason still gazed at her hatefully, but he reached out for a glass of water and held it in front of Sonia. She grasped the glass quickly, her hands trembling, before swallowing the water down in desperate gulps. Mason's eyes remained hard, but a flicker of reluctant compassion crossed his face as he watched her. "I really feel like strangling you and ending your life, but I am giving you one more chance. After this, I will not forgive you for a second mistake," Mason said, his voice ice-cold. "Now, tell me when you arranged all this and how you managed to cheat me so easily!" He leaned in closer, his intense gaze piercing through her as she shakily prepared to explain. "Last night, while meeting with you, I drugged the water and the food that you ordered af
******"What do you mean? Regardless, I must insist that you leave now as I am fully awake," Phoebe stated firmly. She then swiftly approached Johnny, who was contentedly playing with his toys and appeared to be in high spirits."Do not approach him. You reek of alcohol," Jackson exclaimed, hindering Phoebe's steps. "I can see how careless you are being with him. Before you even think about holding him, go to the bathroom and clean yourself up."Phoebe nodded, her face a mixture of confusion and concern, as she turned and quickly made her way to the bathroom to freshen up. A wave of fear washed over her, stemming from Jackson's evident doubts about her ability to care for her son. Simultaneously, her mind raced as she contemplated fabricating a story to alleviate his suspicions and protect her son.After a few minutes, Phoebe emerged into the hallway, a towel wrapped around her head. Her expression was one of evident trepidation, reflecting the anxiety." I am done with everything, yo
***** "Aunt Selena, what are you doing here?" Emilia muttered in confusion. "I share your curiosity regarding your unexpected appearance," Selena replied, furrowing her brow and casting a concerned glance at Mason as a dark fear crept into her heart. Emilia noticed the terror in Selena's eyes, which were fixed on Mason, as if a sudden realization had struck her, bringing dread to her expression. "Do you know Mason, Aunt Selena?" Emilia asked, hoping to dispel the tension. Selena's voice quivered slightly as she responded, "No, I do not. Why do you ask?" Emilia glanced between them, sensing the unease. "It's just that you seemed startled when you saw him. Is everything alright?" "How can you say you don't know him, Mother?" Richard's voice rang out from the top floor, drawing everyone's eyes as he descended the stairs with a cold, menacing smile. Selena instantly sensed the danger and hurriedly said, "I'm not feeling well, Richard!" "The doctor will be here soon, Mother," Richa
******Emilia turned on her heels and ran away before they could pay attention to her. She decided she wouldn't stay in New York for another second.On the other hand, Richard punched Mason in the face, each word coming out between gnashing teeth, "You think going through plastic surgery would make you attractive to Ana, to my Ana? Never!""She is mine! You left her like trash, while I protected her. You do not deserve her!" Mason shouted, launching a kick to Richard's stomach. Richard fell to the floor but immediately got back on his feet and punched Mason in the nose, causing him to stumble."Don't you dare talk about deserving her," Richard growled. Mason wiped the blood from his nose, his eyes blazing with anger. "And you think abandoning her was the right thing to do? You were a coward!"Richard lunged at Mason, grabbing his collar. "I never abandoned her! I stepped back because I thought it was best for her."Selena, in tears, screamed, "Stop it, both of you! This isn't helping
**** "I will tear your mouth off if you ever speak to me like that again," Ana hissed, her eyes blazing with fury. "I didn't realize you could be so foolish, especially knowing that your nephew is aware of everything. Do you really think you can get away with this?" Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration. Despite knowing that talking to him might not yield any useful information, it was the only way to understand what was really going on in his mind. "Oh, my worthless nephew," Jerry sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "He's too preoccupied with other women, indulging in how they feel in his hands. I doubt he'll bother rescuing you. And even if he does try, by then, I will have taken you far away from New York." A menacing glow illuminated his face in the darkness, amplifying the sinister edge of his smirk. Ana felt a sharp pang in her heart, tears threatening to spill, but she held them back. "You can't do this," she said, her voice trembling with restrained
*****As Richard stepped in, he suspiciously found the place was empty. His senses heightened, every shadow seemed to move, every creak a warning. Suddenly, he heard Ana's voice, crying for help.Richard hurriedly followed the sound, arriving at a shadowy hallway where a single, heavy door stood. His eyes sharply looked around as he called out, "Ana, are you here?!""Richard, is it you?!" Ana's voice rang out, a mix of joy and relief."Yes, it's me," Richard replied, his voice steady. The sound brought a wave of relief over Ana, who wiped her tears with a trembling smile. She had scarcely hoped to hear his voice so soon and now couldn't hold back her desire to embrace him."I thought you wouldn't come," Ana confessed, her voice trembling with a mix of jealousy and hurt. "I've seen you with other girls, holding hands with them." Her eyes, usually so strong, now brimmed with tears she couldn't hold back. Despite her efforts to appear indifferent, the sight of Richard with other women h
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