Mrs. Grant turned to me with an expression that clearly said she was sorry, which confused me, as whoever she invited to her table was not my concern.“Thank you. Please, do you have champagne? Marriage can be stressful sometimes.” She asked as she sat down and picked up a glass of water.“How far along are you?” Mrs. Grant asked her, and she, for a moment, looked confused; it’s like she forgot that she was pregnant, and then, as if the words just clicked, she laughed, Mrs. Grant being polite as always, tried to laugh with her, and realizing she answered:“It was a joke; you should have seen your faces.” She said, which made Mrs. Grant nod.“Yes, Jimena can be so funny sometimes; I even wonder why she didn’t register to be a clown instead of a modeler,” I commented.“Yes, she is.” Mrs. Grant agreed before she picked up her glass of juice and sipped on it.“Yeah right, I'm so talented.” Jimena sarcastically said she was giving me those eyes that she always gave me. “Mrs. Grant, did you
~WILLIAM~When James told me Jimena had left the house, I knew she had come here; I just didn't get how she found my address, but knowing her well, I knew it was possible—she knew LA well—she often came here for work.I quickly rushed to the apartment, and as expected, she was there, dressed provocatively. Well, seeing her even half naked didn't turn me on, so I asked her to cover up, and seeing she failed whatever she had planned, we ended up arguing.She talked of how this was my plan; yes, I once mentioned that it would be good if she got pregnant, but I didn't mean it. I only wanted to go raw because she always asked me to wear a condom, and you know how irritating that is; sometimes I feel nothing in a condom.After the argument, Jimena left—slamming the door hard, and I didn't follow her as I needed a moment; I was worried that Ana heard part of the conversation; so I knew if she heard then my plan to win her wouldn't work.I walked to my room and paced waiting for Jimena, as I
~ANASTASIA~I won't say I was surprised; I expected that from Jimena, to cause a scene, but I didn't think she would go so far as to try to stain Williams' name, not that he didn't deserve it, but the way she made him look, I'm sure everyone in this room would start giving him the side eye.I was by my desk, thankfully by myself, as William went out with Jimena. I prayed he wouldn't come back, as I couldn't deal with them today.The rest of the team was already discussing things with their partners—well, decent partners, because William, god, he was just a headache. I keep wondering how things were just working in his favor, first the apartment and now this. It's like it was all planned; maybe we were shooting a movie or something because there's no way things just turned out like this.With that, I looked around, not that I was sure there were cameras, but lost in thoughts.It was beginning to feel boring, so I stood up, and seeing that no one was concentrating on me, I walked out. I
~JIMENA~After the failed show, I took the first flight here, taking Mons' advice; she said it would be best if I was with him when he found out so I could know how serious the situation was.I mean, I only wanted to attract more clients; I had the best, so everyone in Seattle should buy from me. Why did Anastasia even sell jewelry when she had such a bad taste?Well, it failed. I don't know how, but somehow the jewelry turned out fake, and trust me, I checked before the show, so whoever did it was inside the room with me.After Mom pulled a show for Carol, she told us where her son was living, and if there was a state I knew well, it was LA, especially the wealthy people's homes, so when she said the Grant home, I told her to say no more. As landing in LA, I ordered a cab, which took me to them.Now since I was good at the manipulation game, I got a key to the apartment, and unfortunately, things didn't go as I planned because William was horny for his ex-wife. Well, I didn't really
I was now pacing around, still in a towel, as I thought of what to do with Anastasia when someone suddenly knocked, and without waiting for my permission, they let themselves in.It was just who I was looking for.“Mom, you won't believe what just happened,” I said as she placed the bottle of champagne on the table. “William is now picking her side.”“Whose side?” She didn't really sound interested. I mean, her life depended on my marriage with William, so it should worry her.“Who else if not Anastasia, that bitch!” Her name now naturally irritated me, as if separating us was not enough; now she had the nerve to still be in his life even when he was married to me. I am sure she influenced Mr. Grant into putting them in one apartment, and if not that, what I had to take care of here in Seattle was serious; I would have stayed there and made her experience hell there in LA.“You need to calm down; that's not how a woman talks about another woman.” That was Mom's r
I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here in silence, but it must be a few hours. I still couldn't believe my mom said all those words to me. That she stole from me, let alone blew my cover; what if Carol was listening? What if William could walk in and maybe catch on to our conversation? My life could be over by now, all because of my mom.I don’t know when she left the room, but I remember her asking me to prepare myself to make the video, or she would tell William the truth.This was a big lie; it could not only end my marriage but my career too.I was just shocked that she was the one who convinced me to keep pretending I was still pregnant even after losing the pregnancy; she’s the one who arranged everything with the doctor, but now if it were to come out, I would be the only one in trouble.I was feeling more like myself. I got up from the bed and walked to the mirror. I had tears, and my eyes seemed a bit swollen, I guess from the crying.I quickly wiped my tears before I s
~ANASTASIA~I was here, physically, but my mind wasn't. I sipped on my tea before my thoughts consumed me.I still didn't understand how Juliette was Mr. and Mrs. Grant's daughter while she was working for Hudson; it just didn't make sense.Last night, after seeing the picture, I kept it to myself but didn't know how to act, so I made up a lie that my stomach was upset and then left without speaking to Mr. Grant.Luckily I still didn't find William or Jimena, which was unusual as the Jimena I knew wouldn't give me a chance to rest. Well, I thought maybe they were at a hotel or something, which was not my concern as at least I was left alone.Today I woke up and found that they were not yet back. I was happy, but when I reached the office and found that William was not there too, I got a little worried and was going to call him if not that Vivi had called earlier, and of course, I told her I was going to call William, but she forbade me from doing so. She even asked why I still had his
~JIMENA~I was feeling much better; meeting them was really a great idea because they calmed me. They assured me that everything would work out; I was not going to lose William, and the baby was going to be born. Yes, I was not pregnant, but we had another plan.I parked the car and took a deep breath as I was about to go inside where I knew my mom was waiting to force me to make the video, which I was now more than happy to make.I was just about to open the car door when my phone started to ring. I didn't want to pick it up, but seeing it was my mother, I rolled my eyes and picked it up.“I'm outside.”“Good, now go in there and get your pretty face crying.”“Wait, you're not home?”“I came for a drink; this might be my last night out.”“Yes. I mean, I'm going to make the video now.”“You better, because if I go down—”“I’m coming with you; I got that part okay.” I cut her off as she was beginning to irritate me.“Good, now let me not distract you.” And with that, she ended the call
~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