~ANASTASIA~
I didn't understand what William was doing here, so I quickly stood up and walked to the door with Dad following behind.Reaching the door, I was shocked to find that William and Trey were taking turns on each other—hitting each other like little kids on the grass.“Oh my god, somebody stop them!” I screamed, and that's when the gateman and two guards rushed to them and separated them. I couldn't just wait by the door, so I walked to them and asked the guards to free them since they were both struggling and wanting to hit each other more.“Trey, go inside,” I said, and Trey shook his head.“You're not speaking to him, sis; this bastard mistreated you for four years. Give me a good reason why I should leave him alone with you.” Trey questioned."He's in my house; I can take care of myself here, and besides, the guards are here; he can't do anything to me,” I s~ANASTASIA~ You won't believe I've been married to William for four years and still never saw this side of him. With the mistreatment, I still never imagined him calling me a thief. “You're unbelievable.” “I know you have it.” "Well, my father is experiencing a little trouble now, but that does not mean we are desperate for money.” "I honestly don't care the reason you took it; you know how Jimena is.” “I don't care about Jimena!” I yelled as I was tired of hearing her name, “You love her; then fine, go be with her and stop bothering me.” “What is that?” “What is what?” “I knew it; you still want me,” he said, a smile on his lips as if that's all he wanted to see. Well, if I didn't know him well, I would think he wanted a second chance, but this was William; he would never love anyone apart from Jimena, and besides, I was nothing more than the villai
~JIMENA~ I took a sip of my glass of milk and then glanced at my phone. I don't even know why I was checking at this point when it was clear that William was not going to call. I don't know where to start; this was all so shocking to me. Why was William behaving like this? I mean, a few days ago he was talking about our marriage, how he was going to divorce Anastasia and marry me, how he was going to give me and our child the world, so what changed? I kept asking myself if I had done something wrong, but nothing came to mind. I don't remember doing anything that could have upset him. “Did he fall in love with her?” I asked myself in a low tone as I was in the kitchen still waiting for him to return as he stormed out earlier, leaving his mother and me. “It is like he doesn't want to marry me?” I said as I remembered earlier when he said he didn't care about our honeymoon and his reaction when Carol, his mother, said she was going to move our wedding date. "No, he loves me; we've
~JIMENA~ “Shit!” I cursed as the call ended, “What am I going to do now?” I asked myself as I started pacing around, “They made it clear, god!” I slapped my cheek but quickly rubbed it as it started to tingle in pain. They made it clear that if their plan got ruined, I would be the one to pay for it. “But I... I can’t leave William now.” I said to myself as I stopped pacing, “Mom, she knows what to do.” I said as I got my phone, and with trembling fingers, I dialed Mom's number, and she picked on the third. “Sweetheart, I’m in the middle of something… can…can you call back la-” “You can fuck him later; I need you.” I cut her as I could hear moans; yes, that was my mom. Since Dad died, all she did was sleep around with young men. “Okay, that’s rude,” she said, but I could hear movements, which meant she was now seated. “What happened?” “It’s William.” “What did he d
~ANASTASIA~ I woke up about thirty minutes ago; I had already taken a shower and prepared myself for the day. I had to see Harriot today for my first appointment. Sadly, it wasn’t weird that William was not going with me. I mean, even with Ivy, he never attended any of the appointments; he was only present at her birth, which he made sure to trend on the news as that was his main goal. I was standing in front of the mirror combing my rich chocolate brown hair. I haven’t looked at myself in a mirror in such a long time. Marrying William somehow made me question myself if I was just that ugly, whenever I looked in the mirror, I saw that ugly woman who destroyed William's life, so I refrained from looking, but now that I wanted to rebuild my confidence, it was going to be difficult, but I had to try. I noticed I had bags under my eyes, so I quickly picked the foundation and hid them. I was pregnant, so I was so emotional that even a little thing made me cry. Last night, after t
~ANASTASIA~ I couldn't believe it was happening again—Dad choosing Carmen and this time Carol's side too. I could feel my tears threatening to fall, but I bit my inner cheeks, keeping them in; this was not the time nor the place to cry. “Really?” I tried to sound confident, “I should publicly embarrass myself?” “Honey-” “Don't you dare!” I yelled as Carmen almost came to me; she really knew how to play nice; I mean, she just agreed to me publicly humiliating myself. “You need to calm down.” Dad said, and I shook my head, “I might not agree with Carol now, but what she's saying is making sense.” “Why should I go and embarrass myself?” “For peace...” Carmen answered, “We, your family know the truth, so it won't matter what the public will say, right, love?” She turned to Dad, who nodded. “If what the public says is not important, then why bother holdin
~ANASTASIA~ I was back in my room packing the things I left out while Trey was outside preparing the car. I just prayed that Carol kept her word; she said if I was leaving, there was no need for me to call for a press conference as she would make sure her son married Jimena as soon as possible. Well, it hurt me, but there was nothing I could do. William loved her, and it was for the best. I wanted to leave Seattle as soon as possible; I just wanted to be with my daughter now. “Of course, honey, but please don’t tell Daddy, and I have a surprise for you,” I said as I looked at the phone. I was on a video call with Ivy. “Surprise?” She still couldn’t believe I was going to tell her, “Tell me? Is it a new bag? A brand I haven’t seen?” Yes, Ivy liked expensive things; at her age, she was already aware of brands, and she’s not to blame but William; to make up for his absence in her life, he spoils her with expensive things.
~ANASTASIA~ My eyes were on the clock. I didn't understand what was taking him so long. “Calm down; everything is going to be okay,” Carmen said, but I ignored her as my eyes darted to the door. “Good, the next flight leaves in an hour; let’s hope this fool is back by then,” Trey said, Yes, Trey hated Harriot as well; his crime was being friends with William, but I didn’t hate Harriot; I mean, he was not the reason William was who he is. Dad asked him to show some respect, but he just rolled his eyes and turned to me, “You’ll be fine, sis; I won’t let anything happen to you.” He said, and I nodded my head, and that’s when the door opened, and I quickly sat up. “What’s wrong with my baby?” I asked as soon as Harriot walked in. “Speak.” Trey, who was trying so hard to hold in his temper said. “Calm down everyone,” Harriot said before he looked into his notepad. “I thought it was a big issue, but it’s just stress, th
~WILLIAM~ Leaving Anastasia’s house, I went straight to a bar. I was in pain as that Trey guy had the guts to hit me even knowing his family company was at stake. I didn’t care about the pain though, and I don’t know why I was feeling weird that Anastasia asked guards to throw me out. I thought she would be asking for forgiveness; I expected her to be on her knees, but instead, she did that. I honestly didn’t understand her. I mean, if she was playing hard to get me, was she not afraid of losing me? Because as far as I remember, Anastasia was in love with me; even when she found out I was cheating on her with Jimena, she still stayed, so this... this wasn’t making any sense. I was already parked outside the bar; I don’t know what I was waiting for, but I couldn’t bring myself to go in. “I need to be sober,” I said to myself, and with that, I started the car and drove away. Drinking now would not help. I needed solutions because there
~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