(Caleb's POV)As she closes her eyes, tears won't stop falling down my face. Adam keeps calling her name while I remain in tears as I held her hand tightly.The nurses block us from entering the emergency room until I watch how the ER doors fully close.Adam grabs his phone, maybe to call Alice and her mom. I sat on the chair as my head rested on my palm.After he called Alice, I felt my phone ring as it continues vibrating underneath my jacket. I tried to ignore the calls but it continues vibrating that it loses my patience.As I was about to cancel the calls when Harry's name flashed on the screen. They should clean up the mess before the police arrived at the scene.I answered the call. "What's wrong, Harry?""Byron's body was gone.""WHAT?!" I shrieked causing Adam to look at me, confused. I stood up and walk back and forth as I brushed my face with my palm. "H-How? I mean... I clearly saw that I shot him in his shoulder." I hissed.Adam walks towards me, "Why shoulder, Caleb?! Lo
(Caleb's POV)I stopped the engine while in a basement parking lot as my eyes were locked in Cecille's black SUV, waiting for them to come out of their shell. I remained my distance from them just a few car's away from them, making sure that they won't notice my presence.Raising my hand to take a glance at my smartwatch, it's been 30 minutes but they still haven't gotten off the car. Am I mistaken?I sigh in frustration. Why am I even here? I should be at Anastasia's side if ever she wakes up later. However, Amanda will just kick me out. She was so enraged just by seeing my presence.I was about to start the engine when the door of Cecille's car opened. Two men in a suit got off first, followed by Amanda then... an injured Byron. He has a cast on his right arm where I shot him. He's walking lamely as if he was hurt on his left leg.They walk inside the building, I followed them silently and texted Adam my location. I put back my phone in my pocket and started walking when they all s
(Anastasia's POV)I came out of a complete coma into a world that was whiter than anything I had ever seen, like the sun rising over the mountains. Sunlight reflected off the carpet due to the little space between the currents. Nearby, nearly behind my ear, I could clearly hear voices conversing softly. The blanket felt warm against my skin as the last time I remember, I was on a cold and dusty floor.My vision was still foggy as the two hazy figures moved in the corner of the room. I take a thorough look at my surroundings. As my vision gradually improved, the white walls and ceilings makes me realize that I'm at the hospital. I looked at the side of the corner, still only partially awake, and saw Adam and mom talking intently.I noticed how strange it was to wake up in this way. My hazy consciousness eventually vanished, and I once more felt extremely drowsy.All of them turned to look at me when I let out a faint moan. I heard footsteps rushing to my side and saw mom tears start to
(Anastasia's POV)"Anastasia, what's wrong? Is everything alright?" Adam asked.I double-checked the papers inside the envelope and I am not really hallucinating. It's a divorce paper.Why...Why would Caleb do this? The last time Adam sent him the divorce paper, he was eager to talk to me and resolve the problems but... Why is he doing this now?No...This is a mistake.He mistakenly signed this and sent it to me. Maybe he was just pranking me even though it's not in his nature though.Or...My eyes wander around... at them. They're scheming again with this divorce thing.I wipe the tears that still escaping from my eyes spontaneously."Anastasia? Are you okay?""A-Adam... W-Why are you doing this again?!" I can't help but raise my voice at him."Doing what?" he asked with confusion plastered on his face.I look at Mom with my raging eyes. "Mom, How many times do I have to tell you that I won't divorce him? Can you please stop pushing me into something that would break my heart?" I p
-1 Year Later-(Anastasia's POV)The cold winds flew silently through the city of Milan. It was fall, and the green leaves fell from the trees, and the red, orange and yellow colors took over the wilderness.I sighed as I watch the leaves fall out from the trees as they freely landed on the ground in the busy street of Via Del Corso. Yeah, I am here in Italy with my family for a year. Alice and I changed our surname to Laverde, commanded by grandfather. The whole world is shocked by the sudden news that Antonio Laverde has daughters. Laverne's tried to explain the situation and why we were hidden all these years. Of course, they hide the fact that my father has a mistress and we are the result out of wedlock, to remain the reputation of their name from the public.It's been a year but... His presence is what I've been missing for a year. He declines to face me.He never explains to me his sudden decision.I don't hate him, I never get angry at him, I never... I unlove him.It's sti
(Anastasia's POV)A knock on the door startled me and woke up from my bed. Then the door slowly opened. I yawn while getting up and glance at the person who entered my room."Ana, it's time for dinner." mom softly said.I lay back on my bed and buried my face in my soft pillow, "I'll pass dinner, mom."After a second, she smacks my ass with her palm causing me to wince in pain, "Mom!""You always skip your meal. Look at you, you are skinny like a barbecue stick."Barbecue stick? She really compared my body to a barbecue stick. I would prefer a Coca-Cola bottle though."I... I'm just tired..." I whined but she slap me for the second time. Oh God! When will she stop treating me like a kid? She just misses Alice as she has no one to throw her scolding to."Stop doing that 'diet' word, Anastasia. It does not make you pretty. You should eat to make yourself beautiful.""I am not trying to be pretty or beautiful or whatever adjective that is.""You need to! You have to get married as soo--
(Anastasia's POV)Cutlery scrapes the plate, there’s wet chewing and loud swallowing. Elbows are drawn in, backs straight, eyes falling everywhere but on other eyes.This is the quietest and most awkward breakfast I have ever experienced since we moved here to Italy.Grandfather visit us with Alice and Adam. As Alice was having a long vacation and time off from school. She begs him and stays here in Italy until her vacation time ended.I don't even have any clue how she persuades this strict old man. After breakfast, he talks to mom in private which makes me confused. I mean, this is not the first time they talk alone but it was just weird and I feel uneasy in my seat now while glancing at the door, leading to the garden.Alice block my view, "What?""You look weird. Do you want to poop?" she asked as she jumps unto the couch beside me.I throw her a pillow while glaring at her. "Stop lying low here. Do your paper works instead." I scowl at her.She rolled her eyes, "C'mon, it's my v
(Anastasia's POV)My mind went blank as I stares at the white folder for almost an hour now. Did not know what to do in this situation to the fact that this is Grandfather wish me to do.Is this what they called Arranged Marriage?I only read this in books and saw this situation in movies as the two people tied the knot without love involved but all because to joined forces with their companies to be more powerful in the business world.Am I experiencing the same situation?I let out a deep sigh while running my fingers through my hair out of frustration as I throw my body on the bed. "What should I do?"How to decline his will? How to disobey his words? Will he kick me out if I do?"This is frustrating!" I got up on the bed and walk back in forth inside my room. "I can't believe Mom agreed to this."I don't want to get married to a stranger! H-How can we provide a new generation if... if we are not in love? We can't force ourselves to have sex. That... was absurd!From this moment, I