Annelise's POV I caressed my bulging stomach gently, with love shining in my eyes. Suddenly, I felt a soft kick against my belly and giggled at the sensation. I could feel my baby's feet pressed against me.Pulling up my top, I exposed my stomach and smiled at the tiny feet. "Naughty baby," I scolded gently. I heard chuckling behind me and turned to see Ethan staring at me with love and admiration in his eyes. I blushed at the sight—it was overwhelming.“Why are you chuckling?” I asked.“It’s beautiful seeing you scold our little one with such love,” he answered, sitting beside me. His gaze shifted to my stomach.He placed his large, cold hand on my belly. As if recognizing it was his father’s touch, our baby kicked hard, causing me to flinch. I shot Ethan a glare. He chuckled sheepishly before sighing. I sensed immediately that something was wrong.“What’s wrong?” I asked, taking his hand in mine.“Amanda has been calling me. I haven’t picked up because honestly, I have nothing to s
Ethan's POV Lucas had called me urgently this morning, informing me to be at the company. He didn’t elaborate much, and I was left wondering what was happening.I stood in the elevator, which was taking me to the top floor. I don’t know why, but I felt something was about to change. The soft chime of the elevator door sounded, and as it stopped, the door slid open. I stepped out and walked down the hallway into the conference room.Opening the door, I was greeted by the eyes of the board of directors, including Amanda’s. What was she doing here? I saw Lucas come forward to meet me.“What is happening?” I gritted out.“I don’t know either. Madam Amanda called me this morning, telling me we should be present at this sudden conference meeting she had called.” I nodded at him and walked to the front where an empty seat, clearly meant for me, awaited. I sat down.“Most of us know why we are all here, and we have all heard about the scandal. Now, I want to transfer all my shares to Ethan,
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Five: AnneliseOne Month LaterMy life had finally returned to how it was in the beginning before everything started, but now it felt more peaceful. I remembered the discussion I had with my mom when I asked about my real father, and she finally told me the truth.My biological dad had passed away, and she had remarried to avoid bringing disgrace to her family. She hadn’t told me because she thought everything was fine. I sat on the kitchen counter, enjoying kiwi and peanut butter. I hummed excitedly, swinging my legs gently. It was the most delicious thing I’d eaten.“Want some?” I offered Ethan, who looked at it with disgust.“No, I’m good.” Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes. Ethan’s widened in panic.“I was just kidding. Of course, I want to eat it, but I’m worried it’s not enough for you,” he said hastily.I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you sure? Or do you just not want any?”“Of course, I’m sure,” he replied, his face breaking into an uncharac
Annelise's POVThe tension in the car was so thick that I felt like I could cut it with a knife. I looked beside me to my father, who had been silent since we got into the car. He refused to tell me where we were headed to, and it was killing me. It annoyed the hell out of me to be ignored, but there was nothing I could do right now than to be patient. I dragged down the almost naked dress I was forced to wear by my stepmother.The car finally stopped in front of a huge house like a mansion, and my father stepped outside. I knew I couldn’t stay back in the car, so I got out and was hit by the cold evening air of New York. The area was a place I was not familiar with, and with the houses lined up, one could easily tell that only rich folks live in the neighborhood. I wondered why I was here since my father had made sure I was useless when it comes to the family’s company or, should I say, my mother’s company?I followed my dad as the car was taken away by the valet. The giant oak doo
Ken’s POVThe sudden scream woke me up. The bitch has one hell of a lung. Who the hell was she? She looked up at me with innocent eyes. She was in one of my shirts and was in my bed! Who the hell is she? Did I bring home one of the whores? I had always been careful with that.The party yesterday was already too much for me, and now I have to wake up with this.“Who the hell are you? And what are you doing here?” I snapped at her.She looked angry for a second there. Who dared? She was about to open her mouth to say something apart from her nasty screams when the door opened, and the person who walked in was no other than my grandmother. I know she loves me, but to say she wants to marry me off to the next available female was alarming.This was bad. Grandma took a look at the half-naked female and turned to me. “You are getting married this time around; you are not escaping it.”I rolled my eyes and reached for a shirt to put on. “What?”“I am not getting married to her, grandmother,”
Annelise’s POVI still could not believe what has happened. How could my father leave me there in a stranger's house? I was lucky enough to leave there peacefully. Then I remembered the way the guy Ken called me a whore. My blood boiled as I made my way inside the house. I secretly opened the door to my room with the intention of awakening no trouble, only for me to bump into Anastasia,“Where have you been all night, you mutt? Have you started seeing a man now?" My stepsister Anastasia, who was just two years older than me, asked.I stopped and turned to her. So she didn't know what was going on? “Why do you care?” “Don't even think of running away. I have people keeping an eye on you.” My father interjected And I stared at him in surprise. So it was intentional? “What do you mean, father? Did you plan on leaving me at the party from the start?” I asked as my voice was tinged with annoyance.“You should get ready for your wedding with the Harringtons” he added“There will be no wed
Ethan's POVI was pissed off, and the visitor in front of me was not helping my temper at all. I just found out that a fraud was working in my office, and a lot of money had gone down the drain. Instead of getting the cops involved with the case, I only fired her; she should be gone. That would serve as a lesson to others. The next person I catch in such an act will be sued. And this was not the time to be caught in such a lawsuit, with Ken sniffing around and my grandmother’s hawk eyes on all I do.She has been looking for a way to get Ken married, and Ken has been sidestepping all her efforts. Soon enough, she would focus her attention on me, and before she chooses who I should marry, I would pick out a suitable bride for myself, even if it has to be by contract or arranged marriage. No strings attached, just the way I want it. I have no time to deal with love-related issues.“What about in two weeks' time?” I suggested, my attention on Mr. Simon, who looked tensed. I hope he was no
★A Day Before The Wedding★ Annelise’s POV I could still remember how I couldn't get enough of him. My mind was blank; I was not in my right sense of mind. I must have been under the influence of a hard drug to have lost my virginity to a total stranger that night at the Harrington's mansion. I knew I lost it as I could still feel the pain between my thighs. I jotted awake in my bed back at home. I started to think about how I should have known that my father was up to no good when he told me we were going out that night for business. I thought he would stop making my life miserable since I was not of any good to him. I came down from my bed to the bathroom to clean up my messed up face, tomorrow I'll be married to Ethan Harrington. I hid my red face with layers of makeup that my friend Esther helped me with. She has no idea of the reason why I had been crying for weeks now. Even I myself am confused about the direction of my tears. Was it because I lost my first kiss, my virginity