~ANASTASIA~
“If you're here to make fun of me, then I advise you to leave now, brother” I said and walked back to the couch while he remained frozen. “I know, yes, I was wrong, and yes, I'm in big trouble, but trust me, I know how to solve my problems, okay?” I said as I picked up my bowl and started eating, the person still didn't respond, and I, not wanting to force anything, ignored him and focused on my food. "Ana?” he finally said after a long moment. “Just get over with it Trey, what are you going to say now? That you warned me? Well, I'm sorry for being-” “I'm so sorry,” he said, surprising me. I turned to look at him, and he nodded his head and then came to me. "Listen, I'm not interested in your pity.” “I'm your brother; if I don't pity you, who will?” He asked as he sat next to me, and then he placed his arm on my back and started running it in a comforting manner, “This bastard hurt you so much. I'm sorry, sis. I really am,” he continuously said, but I didn't respond as I was still shocked. I thought he was going to make fun of me, but I didn't respond as I kept stuffing ice cream into my mouth without swallowing it. “And I promise you, William will pay for hurting you.” “It's not his fault; I'm the one who accepted his marriage even when he told me he didn't love me.” I placed the bowl down and cleaned the tears that rolled down my cheeks. “You shouldn't blame yourself for that bastard's crime, sis; it's not your fault he couldn't keep his dick in his pants.” “It's not that, Trey..." I sniffed and shook my head. "I came between two people who love each other; you all warned me, but I didn't listen.” Thinking of it ached my heart as the emotions I bottled in earlier came crashing all at once. “It’s all my fault; I'm to blame," I sobbed as tears freely rolled down my cheeks. I felt so bad, "if I listened, all this would-” "That's enough, sis!” Trey raised his voice, “Look at me.” He demanded, but I shook my head. I was embarrassed. How could I look him in the eyes after all I had done? He tried to warn me; they all tried to warn me, but I never listened. Now look at where my stubbornness got me. “I said, look at me, Anna!” I was forced to face him: “You didn't do anything wrong; you fell in love and gave yourself a chance.” “Which didn't end well..." I sobbed. “It doesn't matter how it ended; what's important is you realized it before it was too late,” he said, now caressing my cheek. Trey had a way of convincing people it was his gift, and here I was falling for it as I nodded my head. He was right; I didn't do anything wrong. Loving someone and hoping to be loved back isn't a crime. “Daddy will be so proud of you; now we can finally go home.” "No," I quickly said and stood up. “Dad cannot know this; he will never forgive me.” “What are you saying?” Trey also stood up as he faced me and said, "Dad has already forgiven you.” "That's not true; I mean, if he did, why did he not try to find me? He hasn't spoken to me in four years, so how the hell did he forgive me?!” I yelled as I was also upset with my father; I was his daughter—his only daughter for that matter—why on earth would he disown me and take the resources from me just because I made one mistake? “You say he forgave me, right? Then tell me one thing: with the news trending, I'm sure he saw it. Why didn't he come to look for me? Don't tell me he hasn't seen it because I'm sure you are here because you saw it too. If you, who is rarely online, saw it then...” “This is what Mom said,” he said, running a hand into his hair. “She knew both Dad and you are stubborn, but how could she think I was the right candidate for this?” He spoke words that didn't make sense to me. "What's going on with Dad's company? Why is William the biggest investor?” I asked, wiping my tears. “You don't have to worry about that, sis; Santiago will be back soon; he will sort everything out.” “Santiago? Is...is he coming with Ivy?” My voice trembled. Trey took my hands and led me back to the couch. "Answer me, Trey, is Santiago coming with Ivy? When are they coming?” I asked all at once without breathing: Santiago was my elder brother, while Trey was my twin. He behaves like this because he's a minute older than me. Santiago lived in Sedona with his wife and son. Ivy, my daughter, also lived with them. William didn't care about her, and I also didn't want her to watch him mistreat me or experience him ignoring her, so I sent her away. She only came for holidays and sometimes weekends. “Speaking of Ivy,” Trey pulled out his ringing phone, ignoring my question, “There is my angel; how are you?” He said as he picked up the call, the way he held the phone on his face made me realize it was a video call. I quickly wiped my tears, as I didn't want her to suspect anything. Ivy was a little adult, so any mistake she would just notice. "Oh, I'm with your mommy, sweetheart; do you want to speak to her?” Trey asked, and I quickly fixed my face and cleared my voice. Trey looked at me, and I nodded my head as he asked with eyes if I could speak with Ivy. I took the phone from Trey with trembling hands. I didn't want to worry her; growing up without a mother or father was already tough for her. She always begged to return, but I kept making excuses. “Mamma, is everything okay? I tried to call you…” She spoke so fast, but I didn't hear her last words as I was lost in my thoughts. Ivy was William's copy; maybe it was because it was a one-time thing as her eyes, hair, and even nose were exactly William's, but in a female version, “Mamma?!” she screamed, which shook me out of my thoughts. “Is it Pappa? Did he say something to you? Are you two getting a divorce?” She asked, and my heart started racing at her question. She might have seen the news, as Ivy was very smart; she might have searched for it online, but how was I supposed to tell her her daddy was going to have a baby with another woman? I caught a tear that escaped my eye. I couldn't even imagine her pain. She loved her dad so much. Part of the reason I endured all those four years was because of her. Because I wanted to give her a family like others. Is wanting the best for your daughter a crime?~WILLIAM~ I took a swig of my drink as I impatiently stomped my feet. What the fuck was taking her long to get back at me? “Just a small task, and it's taking hours," I complained as I stood up and walked to the window, my fingers tracing my jaw. I couldn't believe Anastasia's audacity; what made her think she could divorce me? She's the one who begged to marry me; I should be the one to sign the divorce papers first, not her. I punched the wall, but as pain shot up my arm, I grunted in pain. "Fuck!" I cursed as I tried to soothe the pain. I couldn't wait for her any longer, so I walked back to the table and took my phone. I dialed her number, and she picked up the first ring. “Mr Rogers?-” “I always ask myself how I employed such an incompetent human; I say do this, and you take hours to get it done.” “But sir, it's over ten hotels.” “And so? People get that done in less than ten minutes.” “I'm sorry, sir.” “Whatever, how many have you contacted so far?” “Seven s
WilliamWhere do I even begin? Anastasia ruined my life. I had to marry her. My grandfather insisted that if I didn’t, I could have lost the company. Honestly, I didn’t care much about the company, but my child? That was different.I was planning to pull out at the last minute when she told me she was pregnant. I was heartless, but I would never let an innocent child suffer for something they didn’t do. That’s why I went ahead and married her.I sat at the table staring at the ring, remembering the day I gave it to her. How could she just take it off and leave it behind without my permission? Was she serious about this divorce? But that wouldn’t make sense. Anastasia loved me; she endured all these years, even when I ignored her. So why was she doing this?I ran a hand through my hair, zoning out as Jimena argued about something. The only thing that snapped me out of my thoughts was the ringtone of my phone. I quickly reached for it and picked up."Speak!" I said, sounding more irrita
~ANASTASIA~ I didn't know how to answer Ivy’s question, and I was going to break when Trey took the phone from me. I could still hear my daughter asking questions, but I couldn't stand and listen; that's why I ran out of the living room and rushed to my room. Inside I climbed onto the bed and pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them, tears streamed freely down my cheeks, lost in my emotions—it was suffocating. My daughter didn't deserve this; she deserved better. I… I failed her. I didn't bother cleaning the tears as I knew it would just be in vain as more would keep falling. I don't know how long I've been there, but it must be long, as looking at the clock showed me it was already evening time. I heard a knock on the door, and since I knew it was my brother, as he had been knocking there for the past hours, I didn't open it before but now I wanted him to go home as it was late, so I got up and walked to the bathroom to wash the dried tears; after that, I walked
~WILLIAM~ I couldn't believe my ears. Anastasia was calling me; she still cared. I knew it was an act earlier. Of course, she was pretending, but why did she have to pretend knowing I would never chase after her? I thought James was taking me to the Lancaster mansion only for him to drop me off at Harriot’s house. Vivi was not welcoming but in the end, Harriot managed to get me to bed in their guestroom, I was about to fall asleep when my phone started ringing, I struggled, and when I saw the caller ID I quickly picked up. I cleared my voice before saying, “Listen if you... If you called to apologize, then it-” “I didn't call to apologize, William.” She cut me, “I just wanted to make sure you are alive; I don't want to be a widow.” “W-what?” I intended to raise my voice but failed as my voice came out as a whisper. “It's impossible to sign anything six feet under, right?” “Wait, so you're saying—” “I'm saying I’d rather you sign the divorce than have people call me a wido
~WILLIAM~ Mom looked confused like there was nothing wrong with what she did. “I'm confused, William; you always complained to Mom about Anastasia and that nuisance daughter of-” “Don't you dare refer to my daughter as a nuisance, Nicole?” “Why not? I mean, she's the reason you married Anastasia in the first place.” “Her name is Ivy, and stay out of my business,” I warned I've had enough of her. “Alright, I'm not saying anything again.” She raised her hands in the air and walked to the sofa. She picked up the glass of juice and crossed her legs, and after taking a sip, she placed the glass down, picked a magazine, and started paging. I turned to Mom, who was still confused. “I want you to leave, both of you.” “What?!” “I will deal with the divorce myself,” I said, and without turning back, I walked toward the stairs and headed to the bedroom. Yes, I always complained about how unhappy
~WILLIAM~ I cleared my voice as I impatiently waited for my daughter to speak, but she didn't say a word; it was just silence, and I started to wonder what was happening. “Baby? Are you there?” I asked. “Yes, I'm just making sure these media people got it right,” she said, and that's when I heard the tapping of the keyboard keys, so she was busy searching on the internet. I mean, wasn't she too young for that? If I remember correctly, she was four, even though I haven't attended any of her birthdays. I always made sure I bought her an expensive gift so I knew she was four; in fact, she had just turned four a few days ago, and that was the reason why Anastasia and I got into that fight that led her to be locked up. “They say mom asked you for a divorce.” “W-what?” "Yes, and I asked Mom, but she didn't tell me this; that's why I called you.” She said, and I groaned and rubbed my temples as what I'd feared had happen
~ANASTASIA~ I was lost in my thoughts looking out the window when my phone started to ring. I quickly reached for my purse and picked it up.“Ana, are you sure? I can still come.”"I'm sure, Vivi, I've got this.”“I know you've got it, but... I'm worried.”“And you're worried for nothing,” I cleared my throat. “It will just take a few minutes, and then I will be done with it, okay?" I sounded confident but it was far from what I was feeling. I was terrified, if I had an option I could have avoided today, but I figured out there was no way, and I was prepared to face it.“Alright, please call me if you need anything or if they give you a hard time.”“Thank you,” I said and then ended the call, as I knew speaking to her for a long time would trigger tears. “Okay,” I said as I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror. “I'm ready,” I said to myself, but Scott responded. “We can try to postpone it if you're not-”“I am ready.” I cut
~ANASTASIA~ I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I let out a chuckle because this was absurd. Why would William change his mind now? He never loved me; our marriage was never meant to happen, so why on earth did he refuse to let me go now? “Is this a joke?” I turned to him, but he wasn't looking at me; instead, he was looking down. “Ms. Anastasia, please have your seat.” “I'm sorry, what? I mean, we both signed the divorce document; I'm here to get my copy, not to have second thoughts.” I said as my heart was now racing. “Ms. Anastasia, please sit down.” “I’m sorry, your honor but can we just get over with it.” “And I refuse to go through,” William said he sounded calm, which was the first as he had never been this calm, only when it came to Jimena. “I'm not signing it; I'm not giving up on my marriage.” “You’re sick. I mean…” I stopped myself as I realized what William was trying to do; he wanted me to
~ANASTASIA~Last time I saw William was two years ago, yes, two years at a family dinner when Trey proposed to Nicole. From there we've only spoken through phone calls.Life has been chill and peaceful for a while now, and there has been no single drama; it almost felt like a dream — like I was dead and had gone to heaven.Okay, who do I start with, Vivi? Yes, Vivi and Harriot worked it out, and as we speak they are in Africa on a tour. Hudson and I were there last year after the tragedy, and let's just say it filled my cup as I managed to forget and found myself again.Carmen was back in Seattle, doing just fine; we speak at least once a day. Santiago, well, I don't know how it happened, but he was now with Julliete, yes, Julliete. I didn't know he had a thing for her, but well, they were together, and I must be honest, she was much better than Gianna.The day I was in the hospital, I told him about Alexander being his father. I mean, Gianna mentioned he chose me over her, so I felt
…It's been a few months since the whole drama; Hudson was the hero; he saved my babies, and I was grateful but not happy if I'm being truthful.Everything fell back into place, well for everyone, as they were all trying to move on; Mom and the priest got together.It turned out he never wanted to be a priest in the first place, that he was forced.Well, Nicole was with Trey, he still hasn't forgiven me. He always said that, and I didn't honestly want his forgiveness; I was just happy he was making my sister happy, even when I failed his sister.Life was – well, I had air in my lungs; that's all I can say now.I focused on my company and my children, of course.I got up very early and got to work. I didn't even have breaks; I always returned home late, sometimes even slept there. I would just take an hour to go and spend time with my children before heading back to either my lonely home or to the company – I've been resting in my penthouse lately.I was driving from Ana's home; it was
The beeping sound of machines forced me out of unconsciousness. Now the pain wasn't much, and I knew I was treated.I didn't really lose consciousness earlier; I was still very much aware of everything. I just didn't have the energy to respond, but after what I've heard, I was in a good mood. Ana was worried for me; she even almost went into the operating room with me. She still cared about me. She still loved me. I knew it!I don't even know why I doubted myself for a second. Man, she loved me; she can't just wake up and unlove me after all the sacrifices. I didn't even want to talk about Jimena at this point; even hearing her name irritated me. She broke my marriage. She broke my family.I felt someone caress my hand, and I knew those soft hands well. It was Ana. I will never forget how soft her hands felt. Yes, years back I pretended like I didn't care, but deep down I loved it.I felt my lips stretch into a smile as I opened my eyes. Of course, I was going to pretend to be in pain
~WILLIAM~Hudson had succeeded in keeping Ana from me, but I didn't give up. While I was searching for our babies, I also took lessons. I had to be better for her.If I wanted her back, then I had to make sure I was worthy of her. The past months have been a regret — I realized my mistakes.She was an amazing woman, the mother of my children; she deserved the world. I was a fool for chasing Jimena while she was giving me her whole. Fuck! The mistakes we make.It pained my heart to see that I was losing her. The way Hudson treated her – god, I was tired, slowly dying inside.Today was the Opulence, and I came here to support her.I was sitting in the crowd, next to celebrities, she tried to make conversation but my mind was on Ana.I was not sure if this was her revenge, but I was done. I couldn't do it anymore. She won; she won. I… fell for her.I told her I would never love her, but I was wrong because right now she was all I could think of, and they say love is like a drug, and I c
“I'm going to end this once and for all; you'll die, we’ll cry about you, and I'll replace you,” she said before forcefully dragging the woman who was earlier lying on the couch, whom I've now learned was Karen.She then forcefully removed the sack from her head and then sat her up. I saw she also had tape on her mouth but was conscious as she was shaking her head, eyes full of tears.Gianna, just like her anger, was aroused by looking at her, started slapping her, so hard, and the ‘twark’ slap sounds echoed in the room. I think she gave her like twenty slaps before she landed about two kicks and then massaged her hand.“You said I would not achieve anything; look at you now, bitch, at my mercy!” She snarled, now making me scared, as the Gia I knew wasn't like this.No wonder Vivi never liked her; it's like she knew she was this evil. Well, Vivi always asked me to stay away from her, but I never listened.“You know I was going to kill the both of you with my bare hands, but time…” She
I silently listened as Gianna narrated everything, from how she killed Susanna to seducing my brother and then drugging me and William. Yep, that was my weakness: hot men. I was young back then; I was an heiress with zero problems, so I thought I could be with only the hottest. Well, she took that as my weakness, and you know the result.“You were my ticket to wealth, and the fact that you are that woman's daughter made me want you to suffer even more. Oh, I almost forgot, Trey.” She outlined her chin and smirked before she told me Trey was like that because of her.“I'm the one who made him addicted to drugs and gambling. I started small, offering him comfort. Of course, I had to use your situation. Each time William made you look like a fool, he would beat himself about it, saying he was failing his mother…” She laughed before she told me how she first gave it to him in his coffee and then later took him to a casino in pretense to relieve stress.Now I don't remember clearly, but th
I've been asking Gianna what her motive was, but she didn't respond; she asked me to shut up, so I did as she threatened to give me more slaps.I silently watched, still not able to feel my heart; I don't know how I was alive at this point.Then after a moment, the man came back with a tray and two glasses, one of juice and another of water.“Give it to her!” Okay, I don't know why she had to scream everything; the Gianna I knew was soft. Was this perhaps her clone?The man forced the glass into my mouth, but I refused to take it. What if it was poisoned?“Take it, Ana, or I'll ask my partner to kill one of your babies; we only need one anyway.” I quickly opened my mouth and took the water. “You should have juice; we are celebrating your funeral. I'll have alcohol, of course.” She walked to the dresser, and I watched as she poured herself a drink.After pouring it into a short glass, she took it and then let out a moan before describing the taste and then saying the brand's name and a
Just like Gianna had ordered, they started kicking me in my stomach so hard that I now fell on the floor with the chair since they used a rope to trap me on it.I couldn't take the pain anymore and I started whimpering.“Good, now give her the scar.” I heard her say, and I don't know what scar she was talking about, but when I felt them push the rope on my stomach, I realized what they were trying to do.“N-no, please, no.” I hated scars!“Yes, yes, please.” Gianna mocked, “You thought you could just leave a scar on me and go free? No, bitch, you messed with the wrong girl.”I felt someone tear the dress using the knife, and I felt the blade on my skin. Okay, the way they hesitated showed me they really didn't want to do it, so I started pleading with them, but they were not listening. The blade went into my flesh with every move sending electricity through my veins, and just as I thought it was going into my stomach, Gianna raised her voice, stopping them.“Sit her up; I think she's
I would lie if I said my heart was beating faster than normal because I wasn't feeling it. It's like it had just stopped. The fact that I was still breathing and standing alive was what made me know it was still there.I could hear Gianna's voice from a distance. I didn't realize my assistant was now holding the phone for me. Of course, she asked others to give us the room.“You have three seconds to respond, or I'm dumping them in the sea. Do you know they are still alive? The doctor even said they are very healthy and that they have strong genes. I guess a Roger does that, right?” She chuckled, sounding so evil that if I didn't know her voice well, I would believe she wasn't Gianna.“Please don't… Don't hurt my babies.”“I won't if you bring yourself here. I know you know how this works. I will send you the address. No police, guards, or those maniac demons fighting for you, deal?”“Yes, yes, deal.” I quickly said, before the call cut; it only took a second for a notification to com