~ANASTASIA~
I watched my assistant walk toward the door but stopped her when she reached it by asking her to forward me a copy of the order of pieces that needed to be shipped outside the USA. Yes, we could now ship outside the USA; we had an account on social media, but I wouldn’t say it was doing well, but we just started, so there was time.“Right away, Mrs., anything else?”“Oh yes, push my meeting to three tomorrow; I have an emergency,” I told her, and she nodded, then after that excused herself.I had to see Vivi; I hadn’t seen her since I got back. She kept making excuses, but today I wasn’t taking that.The only reason I hadn’t barged in her room was because with how things got with Mrs. Frost, I knew she wouldn’t allow me at her home, but I was now done; I needed to see Vivi; I needed to make sure she was okay; if it meant breaking into the Frost mansion, then so be it.It’s been a month since I returned to Seattle as the whole competition thinI was silently staring at her as I held back the tears that were threatening to fall. I felt really terrible for not insisting on seeing her before, as she seemed to have been going through it, and considering how she’s been there for me, it was only right I was there for her too.“Wow, it’s really bigger than the videos.” She commented on my bump; yes, it was now fully showing, even in the loose dress, but what shocked me was how steady her voice sounded. I expected it to crack, maybe even tremble, because she’d clearly been crying. Instead, her voice came out confident, almost too composed, despite the dark circles under her eyes. It didn’t add up, and I couldn’t quite figure out why.“I’m so sorry, Vivi. I know it must be difficult considering how much you loved him.” I said and tried to touch her hands, but she moved away.“It doesn’t matter; we were getting a divorce anyway.” She answered, not showing any emotion, “It’s for the best; he’s a rapist.”“I… I don’t
I felt betrayed; Hudson talking to his sister about our private matters was not right at all; it just didn't sit well with me, but I knew I was in front of the driver, and I knew with my reputation I couldn't lose it just anyhow, so I quickly reached for my belly, and gently caressing it, I asked the driver to take me home.This is the way I've been calming myself lately, by reminding myself that my son's health depended on me; stress was not good for him.I rested my head on the seat and took in steady breaths.Before I knew it, we were already parking. We still stayed at the apartment as the house was not yet done, so without waiting for the driver to open my door, I got out and headed straight in after telling him not to pick Ivy up today as she was going with Gianna since we were having dinner later.Inside, I walked straight to the kitchen and got a bottle of water. After pouring in a glass, I took it, and just then my phone started ringing, I didn't at first want to pick it up a
I moved from the bed and tried to act normal, as Hudson seemed to have noticed.“Hi?” He greeted; it sounded more like a question.“Hi,” I answered, not wanting him to notice I was hiding something. Yes, I haven't told him about the box William sent me because I knew he would have asked me to trash it or maybe send it back. I also don't know why I accepted it, but I did, I knew it was not okay to accept stuff from my ex-husband, but again, this was the father of my child—children at that, so even when deep down I knew there was nothing that he could have sent that involved Ivy, still I used that excuse to feel better about accepting it.“Santiago called—”“Oh yes, dinner, it's almost time,” I said, glancing at the clock, Hudson seemed to be coming from the gym, as he was in a vest and shorts; the shoes just confirmed my guess.“We are going, right?”“Yes, but you will have to change first.” I pointed at his shorts; I tried so hard not to look at him inappropr
The drive to the mansion was silent, Matt, his guard drove us; now here is something that has been bothering me: Hudson never liked guards or drivers; he once said that himself, but it was until recently when he said Matt would be driving me to work since I went to work a little late. He always dropped Ivy off even when his company was the one you found first.I couldn't drop her off as I wasn't allowed to drive for now, but as soon as I'm in a state to drive, it will change.And about Matt, it was beginning to seem like he was more than my driver; for starters, he looked so dangerous, like if you were to meet him at a corner, you would literally run because not only did he have a bad odor, but his eyes were red—always red—which was a weird color for me.We have finally arrived. I haven't come here since I returned. Dad and Carmen visited me, but I never returned the favor. I've missed two Sunday lunches already.Matt opened the door for me, and I thanked him before
I had to confront him; I had to hear why he would encourage Trey to cheat or have a mistress. Did it mean he was cheating on Gianna too? That he had a mistress? Is that why he had been so busy?I wasn’t checking where I was going as I was lost in thoughts until I bumped into someone who quickly apologized.“It’s okay; it was… it was my fault,” I said, looking at my back, as I didn’t want Trey or Santiago to notice I was listening to their conversation.“I’m Daniella.” The girl introduced herself; well, I already knew who she was, so I nodded, and rubbed my bump—I had to calm down, “You’re Ana, right?” She asked, and I nodded my head again, “I saw your pictures; you’re so beautiful.”“T-thank you, you too.”“Well, let me go down and greet my guests. They are hosting this dinner for me, right?” She smiled; she spoke just like Carmen and was as kind.“Yes, of course.”“I know, and I'm so nervous. I’ve always been alone; I never knew I had such a big family,
I wasn’t happy with Carmen at all; this was not right, but I understood her, even though I had a bad feeling about her daughter. I still ignored it, as I thought that was what I first thought about Carmen, but she turned out to be a sweet soul, so nodding my head, I told her Daniella was a lovely person.‘When we have a moment, I will confront her and ask her to tell Daniella the truth.’ I made a mental note.Shortly after, we joined everyone in the dining room. I truly just wanted to get over the dinner.“I will sit next to Hudson, Ana honey, sit right here,” Carmen said, and I sat next to Dad. Santiago was in the head seat while Gianna was on his right, Trey was in between Daniella and Juliette, and Hudson was on the other side, where Carmen joined him.Dad then said some words about how he was happy to see everyone, especially us his children: “I live under the same roof as Trey, but I rarely see him.” He added, making everyone nod, “And then our beautiful daughte
I stood up and followed Hudson, asking him to stop, but I was late, as when I reached the children’s dining room, he was wiping Ivy's mouth with the napkin, getting her ready.I couldn't argue as Charlie and two of the servants were here helping them eat, so instead I swallowed my saliva and greeted Charlie, who was still eating.“We are going home,” Hudson said, and I just nodded.When he was done wiping Ivy’s hands, she said her goodbye before they came toward me. They left before me as I was still a bit confused about what was going on in his head. When I finally snapped out of it, Carmen appeared.“I'm so sorry, Ana, it’s my fault.” She apologized, but I just nodded and then followed Hudson. When I reached out, I found Hudson waiting outside the car; he was holding the door for me. I really couldn't read what was going on as his facial expression was just plain. I got in and sat next to Ivy; Hudson joined, and the car started.The ride back to the apartment w
Carmen begged that she hadn't told Daniella about her real father and that she had her reasons.“I didn't just wake up and choose to throw my daughter into that orphanage; I had my reasons.” She said, reminding me of Hudson's case, I'm not sure if he had found his real mother because whenever I asked him, he just dismissed it, saying it wasn't important. But one thing his father told me was that the woman had her reasons; he asked me to ask Hudson not to judge her.Taking a deep breath, I told Carmen I would see what I could do and then ended the call.Outside, Matt was already waiting for me; after greeting him, I entered the car, and he drove me to work.“Are they necessary?” I asked Matt, pointing at the guards who were patrolling outside my company; they wore casual clothes to not raise suspicions, according to Hudson. I honestly didn't see the need for security. I mean, nothing had happened since I got back, and I didn't see their need here. Like, protect me fro
~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