~ANASTASIA~Santiago seemed to have noticed I was trying to hide from someone, so he turned to look before he turned to Mr. West and told him we had to say hello to someone, and with that he made us walk toward Mrs. Frost.“Oh my God, so it is true?” Mrs. Frost sounded shocked, and with that, she freed me from Santiago before taking me in her arms. “Ana?” She was hugging me so tightly that I felt like I would break at any moment.“Yes, Mrs. Frost, my sister is back,” Santiago said while Mrs. Frost pulled away.“I’m so happy; Martinez was miserable when she left.” She said, Martinez is Dad's first name. “How have you been dear? How’s your daughter?” She kindly asked, and I nodded, then forced a smile and told her everything was going well.“Ivy is doing pretty good too,” I said, and she smiled.“Oh, I came with your fiancé; he left to greet his partners, and I came straight here as soon as I saw you.” She said she was referring to Hudson; well, I didn't expect her to be this kind to me
~ANASTASIA~I don't even know why seeing the ring made it feel so real; it felt like my marriage with William was just ending today. I guess even when I refused to admit it, I still had hoped that somehow we would fix it and get back together. I was okay with the little he gave me. I was okay with it all but this; god, I couldn't take it anymore.“Tell them, honey,” Mrs. Frost’s voice shook me out of my thoughts; I felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes.“I... I have to use the bathroom.” And with that, I ran out of there with no direction as to where I was going; I just wanted to get away from there, get away from Jimena, William, and everyone else.My heart was beating in my chest; I could hear it through my ears. God, why was I acting like I hadn't prepared for this like Jimena hadn't called me last night and told me about it? Why did it still hurt like I was just finding out today?I was lost in thoughts but sure felt it when I bumped into the wall, “Ouch!” I complained and l
~ANASTASIA~I calmed myself as much as I wanted to scream; I didn't want to attract more attention to myself.I looked up at his face with a bored expression. “What do you want, William?” I asked; he didn't respond; instead, he looked shocked, as if he wasn’t expecting me to have such courage. “Shouldn't you be with your fiancé?”“Are you jealous?”“What?” I chuckled, “Am I jealous?” I couldn't believe he was asking such a stupid question. When we were together he told me I had no right to be jealous so what a foolish question. “Why should I? I'm not your wife anymore, so who you marry is not my business.”“You're jealous,” he said with a mischievous smile. “I told you, you thought you could leave me; you're the one who drugged me so I could sleep with you. I should be the one to leave you.”“Blame game again; God, you're so sick.”“Yes, I'm sick of you. Following me around, did you think I would cancel the engagement when I see you?”“W-what?” Okay, he was out of his mind. “Let me go
~WILLIAM~I walked straight to the kitchen, went to the drink cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of whisky, and a shot glass.I walked to the kitchen counter, jumped up, and sat on it before opening the bottle and pouring the drink into the glass.I don't know what I was feeling; I mean, I should be happy that I'm marrying Jimena, that at least Anastasia would not be in our way anymore. This should be good news, but it wasn't; I wasn't happy at all. How could I be?Hudson marrying Ana? I couldn't let that happen, and the way she said it earlier sounded like she was happy.Hudson was the man she was supposed to marry, the man her family chose for her, till she decided to drug and take advantage of me. I agreed to marry her to save my fortune, and even when I was going to change my mind at the last minute, as she was a total stranger, she told me she was pregnant. I just couldn't abandon a pregnant woman.She owes me; Anastasia owes me because when her family disowned her, I accepted her.
~WILLIAM~I looked up at Jimena, who was now shaking her head in disbelief. “Jimena, I—”“Save it. Save it, William, I mean, I always knew there was something fishy about the marriage; I just didn't know it was… this?” She eyed me head to toe.“I think you're angry. Why don't we have this in the morning? The doctor said stress is not good for you, so—”“Oh, now you're pretending to care?”“What do you mean? You know how much I care for you.”“If you knew stress is not good for me, why the hell did you kiss Anastasia?”“Oh, that again…” I ran my hand through my hair. “I'm going to bed,” I said and turned to get my bottle, but before I could even get there, Jimena stopped me as she suddenly appeared in my way. God, I don't even know how she kept doing that when she was pregnant; she moved like a vampire.“I said no one is sleeping,” she said, blocking my way. I closed my eyes and calmed down as I remembered what happened the last time we had such a fight; she ended up in the hospital, a
~ANASTASIA~I woke up feeling better. Last night I thought I would lose my baby; Santiago called doctor Luke, as I couldn't afford to go to the hospital. William was too smart; he had loyal people working in hospitals, and so we knew he could have gotten the news of my pregnancy.Home, Doctor Luke checked and examined me; it turned out the wetness on my panties was harmless, my baby was fine, but he warned me to rest as the recent stress was weakening my body, which wouldn't be good for the baby.Doctor Luke recommended a few things that I was supposed to do to avoid what had happened to the report itself.So just like he said, I woke up feeling better, but since I was told to rest, Carmen insisted I stay in bed.I walked to the bathroom and took a shower while Carmen said she would be back with my breakfast.It didn't take long to finish putting myself together, as I was now done.I was on my bed and scrolling through my phone. I was bored, and even though I wanted to work, I cared f
~ANASTASIA~ My mood was suddenly ruined, as hearing Williams's name was like rubbing salt in a wound. “Ms., are you sure?” “Don't make me repeat myself; trash them!” “Go on, you know her condition; why are you making her shout?” Carmen questioned, and she quickly apologized before she picked up the bouquet and walked toward the door. “You forgot this,” I said, referring to the gift bag. She turned and then came toward the table to get it, but before she could reach it, a knock was heard on the door, making her rush to get it, which she didn't need to. But as soon as she opened the door, the person pushed her out of the way and came running to me. “Ow, Ana?” It was Vivienne. “I'm fine, Vivi; you didn't need to come here. I told you.” I said, and then eyed Carmen to leave. Vivi and I talked about things besties would talk about, things that we didn't want others to hear. If you have a best friend, you will
~ANASTASIA~Vivi looked as shocked as me; well, I was not going to fall for his games. Although this was the first he ever sent such a thoughtful gift, I was not a fool, so I looked away from Vivi.“You’re right…” Vivi said, which made me slowly turn to her, “This gift means nothing compared to what he put you through.” She said, and I nodded my head. “Oh, and that’s not the only reason I’m here.”“Okay?” I was curious as she reached into her handbag and brought out a card.“The meeting is set this afternoon at a fancy restaurant.”“What meeting?” I was confused.“Oh, we found a business investor. You know how much the company needs an investor.”“And he’s willing to invest?”Vivi nodded, confirming, “And what’s more he’s one of William's top investors. If we get him on our side, we might let’s say, convince him to leave Roger’s Enterprise; a little revenge would be helpful after what that bastard put you through.”“I don’t want revenge, Vivi; I’m the one who drugged him.”“You did?”
~ANASTASIA~Hudson opened the car door for me, but I didn't move. I was looking at Jimena, who was now threatening them.“William will not spare any of you.” I felt bad as Vivi asked one of them to give her their phone so she could call the police. “No, I wasn't trespassing; I... I came to speak to Anastasia.” Jimena continued.“Anastasia and you are not friends; why would you follow her here?” Vivi wasn't giving in as she was now waiting for the guard to unlock the phone. “The same way Ana sat in that cell is the same way you'll sit there tonight.” Vivi didn't seem like she was going to give in, and I don't know why I was now feeling bad, but the way they tied her up touched my heart.She was on her knees, her wrists and legs tied together.“If you move, I'll kick you, and you'll lose that stupid pregnancy if you're even pregnant.” Vivi threatened.“Let's go; Vivi will deal with her,” Hudson said, but I couldn't just leave a pregnant woman in such a situation. Yes, this was Jimena, b
~ANASTASIA~“Listen…” Jimena said after clearing her throat, “I followed you from the hotel because I want to speak to you.”“Oh, is that the reason you were eavesdropping?”“I wasn't eavesdropping; I just wanted to get some information, at least something I can use against you.” It was crazy how she didn't even try to deny it.“Mhmm, I wish you were always this honest,” I said and then walked past her.“Hey, hold up. I came all the way here to speak to you.”“I have nothing to say to you, Jimena.”“Well, I have something to say.”“Then set an appointment, speak to my assistant, and see if she can squeeze you into my busy schedule.” I said, reaching the car Hudson and I came in, but I realized it was locked and he had the key, “How the fuck did you pass through guards even?” I questioned running my hand through my hair.“You know that's easy; you only need a hundred-dollar note in Seattle to bribe anyone. Now back to why I'm here—”“As I said, schedule an appointment and see when she
~ANASTASIA~I don't know why her cry didn't surprise me; I mean, Jimena always did the same, although for her it was different, as I never touched her, but this one I did, and I would do it again and again if she repeated the nonsense she just called my daughter.She called my daughter fatherless, saying I wanted to steal Hudson from her so he could father my abandoned daughter, like she didn't know a thing about that, and William, even though he never treated Ivy like a daughter, never once questioned if Ivy was his, as he knew she was, so who was she to?It didn't take long for the door to open and for Hudson to barge in with Mrs. Frost and Vivi. I was shocked that Hudson came to me, leaving Maddison, who was on the floor.“Are... are you okay?” He checked me for injuries while Mrs. Frost helped Maddison up, who pretended to be in pain—I say pretended as I slapped her cheeks why the hell was she holding her neck?I didn't respond to Hudson as I massaged my hand, which was in a littl
~ANASTASIA~Somehow seeing her eyes red made me feel a little bad, as I didn't really get her side of the story; what if Hudson was just painting her as the villain when he was actually the villain? I mean, him taking more than ten minutes just to speak to her was proof on its own.I watched as she took steps coming closer to me; she then pointed a finger at me.“Gabby told me about you; actually…” she laughed, “I looked you up.”“Okay, what's your point?”“My point is I know about your failed marriage with William, how you almost stole him from Jimena, but thank God you found her looking, and trust me, I won't let you spend even a month with my man.” Okay, I still couldn't judge, but she was coming off as guilty: “I'm not Jimena; I won't pity you.”“You don't have to. I don't know if you were told, but Hudson and I have been engaged since we were kids.”“Yes, and it was a joke until you became obsessed with it.”“Excuse me?”“He told me, Ana, how you almost ended your life just becau
~ANASTASIA~I calmed myself as they got nearer.“We can still go back.” I heard Hudson suggest it; I hated that he noticed, but still, there was nothing I could do. Before I could respond, Mrs. Frost got to us.She took Hudson in her arms and kissed both his cheeks before she turned to me and did the same, although I was still halfway in the car as my legs were now on the ground.“Come on, there’s something I want to show you.” She said and helped me out; I didn’t get a chance to stand as she dragged me into the house, leaving Hudson and Maddison behind. “This, your husband, was very naughty; I know you know that, but wait until you see the pictures.” She sounded so excited.Inside it’s like she had everything ready as we found the album in the living room; she helped me sit before she started paging through the album, showing me pictures of Hudson. I wasn’t interested but pretended to be, not that I’d seen them already or that I didn’t love Hudson, but because my focus was on Hudson
~ANASTASIA~No, it couldn't be. Trey would never do that to me. I was going to call his name when someone called mine, which made me turn back.“I was told you came here; is everything okay?” It was Hudson.“Yes, I…” I turned back to where Trey and Nicole were but saw that they had disappeared like they were just there a few minutes ago, so how did they?… I rubbed my eyes just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, and it shocked me to see that they weren't there.“Is everything okay?” Hudson sounded concerned; I didn't respond but instead turned and then walked past him back to our room.When I reached inside, I headed straight to the bathroom; locking the door, I stripped out of my clothes and went into the bathtub.Maybe I was losing my mind. I mean, would you blame me? So much was going on that I didn't even know where to focus.I closed my eyes and rested my head on the tub as I just needed to relax, not thinking of anything.I stayed there for an hour if I'm being accurate; unfort
~ANASTASIA~I couldn't believe that I was kissing back William; I mean, it could be understandable if he was still my husband, but now? I was married for God's sake.Thinking of that brought back my senses as I pushed William off me and quickly spat on the floor—I could taste the alcohol from his tongue.“So you do want me?” He said, running his tongue over his teeth, he tried to reach for me, but I moved away this time.“What the hell is your problem?” I was so upset, not with him but with myself; why was I so stupid like this? How could I allow him to kiss me? How could I kiss him back?“There's no need to hide it; you're still my wife, so it's not a crime,” he said in a drunken tone, I was already on my feet as I had earlier sat on the bar stool.“You're delusional,” I said and was going to turn to leave when he held me back by my arm, but before he could speak, another voice made us both turn in a certain direction.“Oh my god, can you believe it? We are engaged, and she just got
~ANASTASIA~I couldn't believe it, but if I learned anything from my experience with William and Jimena, it was to be calm, so I held my ground and asked her to give me a second; she wanted me to feel intimidated. If she knew about me, then her intentions were not good at all.I turned to Hudson, who now used his thumbs to massage his temples. I knew then he didn't want to speak to her, so I cleared my voice before responding.“Sorry, he just… left.”“Are you sure? It's me, Maddie, his—”“I have to go.” I ended the call as I couldn't stand her voice. God, this was disrespect. I don't know what Hudson told her, but lawfully I was his wife, and she was just his girlfriend. God, it felt so wrong to feel this way. I mean, I was carrying another man's baby in my womb now, so what right did I have?“I… I'm sorry; I honestly didn't think she would go this far.” I heard Hudson say, I only nodded my head and told him it was getting late and that I needed to rest before dinner. I just wanted a
~ANASTASIA~I remained silent as I watched Hudson and Gabby now argue like I wasn't there at all.I wasn't even surprised; I told you how marrying a billionaire wasn't a blessing as everyone made it seem, how these men were never faithful, how all they could think of was their wealth, and how they used their money to get any woman they wanted. So this didn't shock me at all.Well, a little, as the way Hudson behaved made me start falling for his lies, but now that it was revealed, wow, I was just glad it happened before anything, well, not that I was going to fall for him, but at least now I wouldn't feel bad.“You promised it was not going to happen.”“Yes, I know, but things happen, Hudson.”“What about the doctor? I personally took her myself.”“Again, it didn't guarantee a hundred percent safety. Look, Hudson, the point is she's pregnant, and she can't work as your flight attendant anymore. She's carrying your child, your heir, Hudson.”“Which is a mistake, an illegitimate child.