My whole body was shivering, and I knew standing further would just make me faint, so I sat on the bed and I tried to put myself together; it was very difficult with William standing in front of me as he waited for an explanation, which I didn't have.I just blamed myself for purchasing online and having them deliver to this address; what even came over me?“That's it? You're not going to explain this?” I heard him ask; his voice sounded harsh, and it hurt me because William, no matter the mistake I made, would always side with me. He never lost his cool with me. I sent Anastasia a vibrator on their anniversary; it was very disrespectful, and I knew it was, but William just warned me not to do it again.Whenever we were out, I would take pictures and send them to Anastasia, but he would do nothing. I even intentionally bullied her in his face but he still sided with me, now hearing him shout at me caused my heart pain.“Jimena?!” he yelled, and that's when I let tears roll down my che
~ANASTASIA~I was very shocked hearing Mrs. Grant say that. I then agreed to go to a cooking lesson with her as I wanted to hear what she knew and why she did what she did—putting me in the same room with William.I couldn't even concentrate. I really wanted to hear Mrs. Grant out, so as soon as it was lunch, I informed Sebastian I had something important to attend to. Of course, he tried to stop me, but I used William. I told him how I didn't have a partner, and he fell for it as he let me go.Outside, I didn't even need to tell my driver where I was going, as he told me Mrs. Grant had informed him already.In the car I kept my mind busy by thinking of Hudson's situation; I didn't understand why he didn't want his child when even the devil rushed and took me to the hospital to get me tested when he heard I was pregnant. I could read William, so when the doctor told him I was not pregnant, I could tell what he was feeling. I wasn't sure at that time, but now thinking of it, William lo
I was so upset. I remember Hudson speaking to me about announcing the pregnancy as his. I asked him to wait; I was still thinking about it. I know Vivi told me it was a great idea; that that way I could get rid of William, but there was no getting rid of William. We had Ivy, and no matter what, we would still be connected.I calmed myself, as I didn't want to cause a scene, but I knew if I stood there any longer and pretended everything was okay, I would be lying to myself, and all I wanted was to confront Hudson about it, so I gave Mrs. Grant her phone back and told her I had to go. She tried to stop me, but I didn't listen, and not wanting to cause a scene, she let me go.I was already outside about to enter the car when my phone started ringing; I quickly reached for my handbag and picked it up.“Santiago?”“I saw the news; I'm so proud of you.”“What news?” I asked, entering the car.“The pregnancy, you don't know how much you saved our family’s name. Finally, you are doing someth
Years back I would immediately cry; whenever Carol said something bad to me, I would cry—cry to William, who never did a thing about it. Well, I thank God for my experience because now I know how to defend myself; calming myself, I cleared my throat and asked her what she was talking about.“It is not a joke.”“I know it's not; that's why I'm confused. What do you mean by my baby is my ex-husbands’? Did Hudson say that?”“Hudson is a fool, but I'm not. There's no way you got pregnant when you rarely spend time—”“When I was in Sedona, I met Hudson.”“W-what?”“How sure are you that we were not having an affair? How sure are you that we didn't sleep together, Mrs. Frost, or do you have cameras installed in his apartments?”“No, it's impossible.”“Hudson and I are expecting our first child. Yes, Maddison is pregnant too, but I'm his legal wife, and the public will support me.” I really didn't want to do this with her, but if I had to defend myself, this was the only way.“No, that baby
~ANONYMOUS~I took off my coat and gave it to the guard waiting by the door before I stepped in. I went straight to where everyone was, and reaching there, I found that they were seated, already discussing ideas, so I walked to the head seat and joined them.I remained silent as I listened to their ideas, but none were impressive, so I asked them to keep quiet.“How far are we with the girl?”“She's ready to step into the world,” one of them answered.“And she knows what we want?”“She wants the same.”“But you know only one can get it right?”“Yes, we use her; after she gets what we want, we take it from her.”“By holding something against her while she's still on our side.”“And do you have anything?”“Not yet, but we will soon. If we don't find any, we will create our own.”“Good, an update on Ms. Lancaster?”“Still in Los Angeles, she hasn't fallen for Mr. Frost, but her love for Mr. Rogers is dying.”“Why do you say so?”“She doesn't look at him the same way, and with the way she
~HUDSON~After hearing Williams' voice, Anastasia ended the call which left me feeling uncertain as I ran a hand through my hair.I didn't want to overthink it, Anastasia admitted to not wanting William to know of the baby so it was alright, if William was there she was going to tell him the baby was mine and she would do anything to get away from him, she was Anastasia, she wouldn't cheat on me even if the man was who she loved.“Shit.” I cursed under my breath and then dialed a contact.“Mr. Frost?”“I asked the reporter not to publish anything without my permission; I was going to ask Anastasia for permission first.”“I understand, but you know how untrusted reporters are; a little gossip like that looks like clicks and paid pages; they can't just take your word for it,” Juliette said, and she was right; I shouldn't have mentioned that in my interview, but the interview was a few weeks ago. Why did they wait until now?“It doesn't matter; I know that the reporter wouldn't mention a
~ANASTASIA~I still couldn't believe William was here on his knees begging for my forgiveness. I felt disgusted and, at the same time, confused that I almost left when he held me back by my leg, begging that I hear him out.“William?”“Please, Ana, please.”“The baby is not yours,” I said, looking away from him as he was still on his knees, he looked like he meant it, and I didn't want to pity him. “It's Hudsons’.”“W-what?” I slowly looked back at him and saw a smile on his lips; William never smiled, so I was shocked. “There is really a baby,” he sounded unsure, he then raised his hand and almost touched my belly, but I quickly moved away.“I'm saying it's not your baby. Why are you here, William?” I asked, looking to the other side as I calmed myself.“I know it's mine; you can't get pregnant; your marriage is not even a month old, and besides, you can't let any man touch you; you—”“You think I still love you?” I slowly turned and faced him; the smile had now widened. “News flash:
~HUDSON~I won't lie. I was impressed; I never thought Maddison was this cunning, but for her to think I would give in because she threatened to take me to jail? I mean, sure, she said she was going to lie that I forced her to sign the contract, and the public would obviously believe her, but I was a man. With what I've gone through, prison didn't scare me, not even a bit.“Leave.” I said, and she looked shocked like she expected me to shiver hearing prison, “Now. Before I change my mind.” I said in a warning tone, and she said I was making a mistake.“You have seventy-two hours to decide; this is only because you're too handsome, and I want you in our child's life. Don't take it for granted.” She said before she turned and left, I waited for her to close the door before I yelled; I didn't want her to think her little threats were getting to me.But shit, Mom and Maddison were now working together. What if they tried to harm Anastasia or Ivy? I knew what my mom was capable of, and for
She sounded confident, making me gasp in shock; her confidence shocked me. I mean, this was absurd; this company was mine. It didn't matter if she managed it for a month or so; I was the rightful owner, and no board member would choose who to manage as this was Adira, very different from all other companies.Hearing the knock on the door, I walked and got it.“Mrs. Frost.” It was the Director, also a board member. “I was in—”“Get security; we have a trespasser.”“I—”“Now and let others know that they won't be voting; I am back.”“Yes, Mrs. Frost, guard!” He called for a guard who I assume was patrolling.“Wait, you're not serious, are you?”“If I were you, I would use the few minutes I have to button up my shirt and leave as soon as possible because I am very sure reporters are on their way. See, we have spies here, and they probably heard of this.”“Oh, I don't care. Like you said, I'm not a Lancaster; I have no reputation to uphold.”“Even better, the media will destroy you as an
I mean, she is a cheater since she slept with Harriot too, but Daniella was new and a woman, so how did they already hit it off?I silently watched as she asked Jimena to excuse us—she even called her babe?…Well, Jimena, who looked ashamed as she couldn't even meet my eyes, rushed out, leaving Daniella and me alone.“Why are you here?” was the question she thought was important, “an hour ago you were enjoying your series looking all miserable, and now you're here all… dressed? What's this? A comedy? Are there hidden cameras I don't know about?” She started looking around, making me shake my head. “Ana, you—”“Do you know she's married?” I cut her off with a question, sure, after what William made me go through, Jimena cheating on him shouldn't be my concern; in fact, it should make me happy, but I wasn't a fan of cheaters, so this disturbed me.“Excuse me?”“Jimena and I didn't know you liked women, but to do it in my office? Now that's unacceptable.”“Wait, wait, wait, did…” She lau
I was waiting for Hudson to explain why I couldn't go, but he just swallowed his saliva, insisting that I couldn't just go. Well, I really wanted to see my company, so not listening, I told him I would be back before dinner.“Actually… I'm thinking the restaurant. Feels like I've been locked up here for years.” I added it before finally leaving.Outside I was glad to find Matt already waiting by the car.“Mrs. Frost.” He said as he held the door open for me, at least he was the only one who wasn't looking at me like I was a ghost or something.“Thank you, Matt,” I said as I got in, and after closing the door, he got in the driver's seat, and without saying a word, started the car.The ride to the company was quiet.I was wondering what was happening with Hudson, why he didn't want me to come to my company. Well, I was suspecting the part about Dad because he also asked that I not see him, but I didn't want to overthink it; it would just give me unnecessary stress.I was lost in my tho
~ANASTASIA~After the shower, I asked Juliette to leave as she was making me uncomfortable. I then realized the house decor, tulips on the coffee desk instead of the window stand, and coffee mugs on the coffee table, which made it look untidy. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail and started cleaning and organizing the place.It took me thirty minutes, and once that was done, I went to wash my face again and apply makeup because, with the way my face was feeling, it was like I hadn't worn makeup in weeks.After that I got in the kitchen and started preparing lunch; it was really confusing as I didn't remember when I got here or when Ivy and Hudson left for work, although Juliette insisted they left in the morning. All I remember was Dad losing consciousness and Trey asking me to get help. Speaking of Dad, I made a mental note to visit him after lunch; I was not sure if he was taken to the hospital or back home.I baked potatoes for Hudson and Ivy while I made salad; there was no s
She was my mother, the woman who gave me life. Megan asked that I hear her out, so maybe… Nah, she didn’t deserve a chance. Ending the call, I got in the car and drove back to the abandoned apartment.I found that William and Dahlia were both treated. William wanted to leave; now I didn't need him. If anything, I wanted him to be with Ivy, so I let him go while I set up my computer and tried to figure out Margot, why she would be interested in the Lancsters' downfall. Was she perhaps in love with Martinez? I mean, this can be the only explanation for this.“Put a tracker in the socket; she can't be fully trusted,” I told Dr. Luke, who nodded before doing as I asked.It was already the early hours of the next day, so I knew Daniella and Rowan were driving to D.C, and with the secret code, the president would surely let them in. Matt was still waiting for a perfect chance to get into Lancaster's mansion so he could get Margot.Well, Dr. Luke had left; it was just me and Dahlia. I could
The woman ended the call before I could ask any questions. I mean, not like I needed to, because if she was telling the truth, then it meant Margot had been behind everything. Now Dahlia mentioned the woman had a team working with her, so she was not to be easily taken.Turning to Matt, I asked him to track the caller, as I wanted to still see the maid who called me.“Dahlia knows the woman; trust me, if I take her left eye, she will speak,” Matt said, I could tell he was bloodthirsty, maybe disappointed in her for going behind his back, but Dahlia was one of us. Sure, she had to tell me why she agreed to it, but for now, finding Margot was important.“I don't know how you'll do it, but I want Margot here within ten minutes.” I said to Matt, who nodded without question, “Rowan, get Gabriella and go to the president. He's back in D.C. Use the code, and they will let you inside the White House. I need him to send help, the Secret Service. We don't know what we are dealing with. Who real
~HUDSON~The past month has been tough. I’ve been working on Maddison; we still didn't know who truly hired her since it was obviously not the president—he was just used. I also didn't believe Martinez died of a natural death because he had a few months left.Trey was the one with him when he had an attack, and he explained he was asking him why he couldn't marry Vivi, and that's when they ended up arguing until he blurted that she was his sister. Well, he hadn't told anyone but me, and according to him, he believes he killed him.He was especially feeling guilty because he took him from Ana; he was blaming himself for his death and her condition.He entered into the gambling lifestyle. I knew that life well because it was what took my father, so I spoke to him, but he didn't listen, and since he was important to Ana, I asked two guards to keep an eye on him.He got into little troubles, but nothing my men couldn't handle. Well, until a woman started helping him. I did research, and s
~ANASTASIA~I woke up to an empty bed. I'm saying empty because Hudson usually wakes up after I do like I've been getting up earlier than both of them lately. So it was weird that he wasn't on his side of the bed today, but, well, I had no time; my series was starting soon.Walking to the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and then washed my face before I went to the living room.I thought I would see Ivy or Hudson, but instead, it was the other girl, not Dahlia. If I recall correctly, she was Trey’s girlfriend, Juliette.“Mrs. Frost, good morning.”“Hi,” I said as I sat down and then got the remote and switched on the TV.“Mr. Frost went to work early; Ivy did as well.”“At work?”“No, school.” She laughed, and I nodded, then turned my attention to the screen. She then told me she would be taking Dahlia's position, taking care of me like I was a baby.“Dahlia is on leave,” she said, and I wasn't really interested, so I nodded and asked if she wanted to join me in watching the series, but s
“So this is what you do?”“Listen, man, I don't have time for this.”“Why the fuck are you here? I asked you to stop seeing my wife.”“Ana is the mother of my daughter; her safety—”“Which I'm taking care of, so again, why the fuck are you here? Where's my daughter?”“She's not safe.”“Okay, I've had enough. Just because Ana is the mother of your child doesn't mean you get to come by my house anytime you feel like it.”“Like I said, Ana is not safe, your…” I stopped myself as I realized Hudson might be behind it. I mean, Dahlia worked for him, so it must be him. “I'm calling the police.”“Oh,” he didn't sound scared.“Just let me go in and take her, then I'll leave peacefully; no one will know.” I lied because from here I was going to let the police know. I mean, why haven't I thought of that? Hudson was a shady man; maybe he was planning something behind Ana's back.Maybe her humiliating him years ago was still haunting him, and he wanted to make it even.I mean, to be truthful, the