ARIZONA, SEDONA 2022~ANASTASIA~I grabbed the phone from Gia’s hands to see for myself and was shocked to find that she was telling the truth. What made it worse was that the photoshopped picture they used was of me on my knees crying and, in a sense, begging William not to divorce me while he was holding Jimena's hands, who had her heel on top of my head.“Don't mind them; the media are just a bunch of liars,” Gia said, and she was right: this is how they made their living, by tarnishing people's reputations. I mean, the image didn't exactly hurt me, but the fact that this could happen—I mean, Jimena could literally step on me, and William would do nothing.“I don't blame them,” I said as I walked to the bed and sat down. “I blame myself.”“Ana—”“No, it is me who had a crush on a man who was clearly out of my league.”“Are you kidding me? You're an heiress, for God's sake, so how is William out of your league?”“I know William is your friend, but he has really crossed the line,” I
~WILLIAM~I took a swig of my drink before I walked to the window; I couldn't believe Anastasia. She really decided to leave. I mean, she never wanted to leave my home; she always wanted to be around me, so what made her really think of leaving the country?Well, I hoped the fake news I asked James to fabricate would get her attention.“It will,” I confidently said before I walked back to the table and placed the empty glass down before reaching for my phone and dialing Jimena's number. I was shocked to find the house empty.The phone rang and went to voicemail, and I tried again as I was beginning to worry. Jimena had become like Anastasia, always nagging, but she sounded weird earlier, and how she didn't call me multiple times made me worry a little.“William.”“Oh Jimena, how are you? Where are you?” I asked as I felt a sense of relief.“I’m in Sedona.”“What?”“I came for a shoot; wait, is there a problem?”“No.” I took a deep breath. Anastasia was also in Sedona, but the way she
~ANASTASIA~I can't believe it's been a month. I spent a full month without William, and I was still alive and healthy at that.Don't get me wrong, but since I married William, I always thought I had to be around him; I always thought he wouldn't survive without me. I mean, I had to do everything for him, help manage his company because he was too busy with Jimena, and make sure his meals were warm even when he came late because he liked homemade food. I thought he wouldn't survive without me, that I wouldn't survive without seeing him. Well, here I was, and I wouldn't exaggerate if I said I was a little happy.“Come on, Mommy, we will be late,” Ivy said impatiently, stomping her feet.“Honey, since when are we late for a private jet?” I asked as I searched for a sweater; we were traveling back to Seattle, and Ivy was so excited to see her father. Well, I was not going to stop her from seeing him, but I would just limit their meeting times.“You know I want to see Charlie; I missed hi
~ANASTASIA~Okay, now I couldn't believe her. I mean, who would offer you a seat in a private jet and, on top of that, send his guards to pick you up?“Vivi, stop—”“I'm not lying to you, Ana; now quit wasting time; his guards are almost there,” she said, and it still sounded too good to be true.I mean, Vivi was a heiress; she had wealthy friends. If anything, she was supposed to be married to a billionaire—she was supposed to marry Trey or one of the wealthy sons who were either CEOs or just billionaires, but she refused; she instead married Harriot, who was from a normal family, a simple doctor.Her parents didn't accept it at first, but when she was stubborn, they gave in, and even though they haven't fully accepted Harriot, they still speak to him and treat her as their daughter, unlike my family, who disowned me even when William was a billionaire.“I mean, does he know I'm with Ivy?” I asked.“Yes, silly. Alright, I will see you later. Bye.” And with that, she ended the call.I
~ANASTASIA~Remember that night Gia and Santiago insisted I go with them to that business dinner? Well, the man we were meeting turned out to be the same man standing here.I didn't like him, and I was pretty mean to him because that night I expected we would go for dinner like Gia said, but he changed at the last minute and asked us to meet him at a boxing arena. He was watching people fighting, and with what I took from him that night, I could tell he was a violent man as he got so excited seeing one of the men beaten.“Are... are you sure?” I turned to the guard, who nodded.“Small world, right?” He brought out his hand; well, I needed his help, and since Ivy was already inside, I couldn't ask her to come out, so I forced a smile but didn't give him my hand.“Thank you,” I said. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”“No problem,” he awkwardly cleared his voice. He seemed hurt at first that I didn't take his hand but did well to hide it as he turned to his guards and spoke to them. We
~WILLIAM~I had a hard time at work today. I didn’t understand how I employed a bunch of idiots. I had twenty people working in my company, but none of them had an actual brain.I hate to admit it, but since Anastasia left, things have been a little tough. I had to do everything now to keep the company running because tell me how they couldn’t even secure a simple deal; none of them could come up with a convincing presentation.When Anastasia was here, she did everything for the company. She used to work from home, and if there was a problem, I always asked Vanessa to call her for solutions or help prepare a presentation. She never went to college, but I just taught her once, and she mastered everything.If it weren’t for me, Anastasia’s jewelry company and the Lancaster group would still be running strong.I had just arrived from work and was extremely tired. I was glad Jimena was back to her senses as she was down doing whatever made her happy, either painting her nails or reading a
~WILLIAM~I walked to the window still puffing on the cigarette when someone suddenly barged in.“Tell me this is not true.” It was Jimena; she was holding her phone up, the screen facing me. It was the video of me destroying the flowers. Well, I knew she would see it too, so I expected it already.“It’s just a video, Jimena,” I said, trying to make it seem like it’s not a big deal.“Excuse me? And when did you start smoking?” She questioned.“Today, tada!” I dramatically said as I walked back to my seat and sat down.“My reputation is at stake here; you know the kind of job I do.”“I know, and that’s why I have people working on it. Okay, relax, okay.”“Relax? William, this is my reputation we are talking about. You are the one who announced our engagement to the world; my fans are already questioning me.” She sounded calm, but I could see the anger in her eyes. I was done with the cigarette, so I threw it in the small bin before I looked up at her.“Stress is not good for pregnant
~WILLIAM~“Mr. Rogers…” It was James: “Ms. Anastasia is back in the city.”“What?!”“I just found out; they landed like an hour ago.”“Fuck!” I cursed as it now made sense; she was behind it, but how dare she pull such a stunt? How dare she come for me when her company was even doing badly?“Wait…” Jimena said, and with a boring expression, I turned to her. It happened so fast; next, she grabbed the phone from my hands, and since I didn't have the energy for her, I let her be as I walked to the drink cabinet picked a bottle of alcohol, and walked to the table, my eyes on Jimena, who now seemed to be arguing with James.I was going to pour a drink in my glass when James's voice echoed in my head: ‘Ms. Anastasia is back.’ He even had the guts to call her by her name and not by my last name; that frustrated me as I instead brought the bottle to my lips and gulped down its contents.“I want that bitch to pay; I don't know, do something.” I heard Jimena say, but I didn't stop her. At this
~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