I watched as Landen cradled Owen in his arms and rocked him back and forth like a baby. I could see the tenderness in his gaze as a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Seeing him this protective and caring kind of guy reminded me of their planned connection. "He's so peaceful when he sleeps." I walked over to them and whispered, “Like all the pain and chaos we’ve been through never touched him.”Landen glanced up at me, his eyes shining with a warmth I hadn’t seen in years. “It’s because of you, Anna. You’ve always protected him, kept him safe when I couldn’t.”I smiled softly, reaching out to brush my fingers through Owen’s hair. “We both protected him, Landen. We’re both his parents.”A flicker of something—guilt, regret—crossed his face. He looked down at Owen, his jaw tightening.“I failed him. I failed both of you. I let you go… let you suffer alone because I didn’t see what was right in front of me.”“Landen,” I whispered, my voice gentle but firm. “We’ve been throug
The living room was filled with the soft hum of conversation and occasional laughter, the warmth of companionship wrapping around me like a familiar blanket.Navian sat beside me, his eyes reflecting both relief and concern. I glanced around at the others—Rita, Mikel, and someone I hadn’t expected to see—Elena, Navian’s fiancée.Having Elena in the room made me feel off and it only got worse when she took a step forward, the atmosphere thickening. Her eyelids were puffy and her cheeks were crimson.It looked like she had been sobbing non-stop for many hours. I studied her with caution because I didn’t know what to anticipate.Elena said with a trembling voice, "Anna." “I—I need to apologize. For everything.”I frowned, glancing at Navian for an explanation, but he nodded, silently urging me to hear her out.“I—worked with Hannah to get you and Owen kidnapped,” she continued, her words tumbling out in a rush.“I was jealous and insecure. I thought—thought Navian still had feelings for
ANNA’S POVIf it were 12 months ago, before my son was even conceived, I would have let this darkness swallow me. But now that I have found a reason to live, a reason to walk the earth without shame, I want to fight the things that pull me into the embrace of death.The faint sound of the medical equipment came in gaps. I would have succumbed to the darkness that enveloped me but right now, I want to live for my pup. He should not live a life without his mother and his father beside him.Memories came rushing through my mind, was this what they meant when they said ‘Your life flashes before your eyes?’“You are pregnant, Mrs. Luther. You’re three months along,” the doctor’s voice echoed in my memory.“That is impossible, Doctor Sara. You are aware of my infertility. So how could it have happened?” I jolted up from my seat, bending across to her, my whole body trembling.“I should say miracles happen, Mrs. Luther,” she responded with a shrug.I should be happy. After three years of mar
The news Doctor Sara gave me wasn’t very good, but I will take the good part and forget the bad one. I was going to have this child by all means."I will fight for you," I promised, my voice trembling with a mixture of hope and fear. "You are my miracle, and I will do everything in my power to bring you into this world."I found strength in my unborn child. The thought of holding him in my arms gave me the courage to face my reality.It was time to bring him into this world after nine months, but my life was hanging in the balance. I had told Doctor Sara that if there were any complications, she should by all means save my child.The pain was undeniably unbearable. I was so determined to give birth to my baby, but I had absolutely no strength at all. The strength of each contraction seemed like a wave coming over me and almost drowning me. The intense desire to bring my pup into the world and the agony of labor caused my body to become a battlefield."You have to give your all, Mrs. L
ANNA’S POVWith the last strength in me, I carried my child. Was it a mother’s instinct? Whatever it was I was feeling, I needed to heed it. The hospital room was so dark all of a sudden. The lights had gone out, but of course, because of our keen senses, I could still see through the fog of darkness.I knew immediately I needed to take my son away from there. Doctor Sara must have gone home; she was with me all day, and the nurses were working nonstop. The noise in other wards and the hallway showed everyone was as surprised as I was. What could have happened to such a luxurious hospital's electricity all of a sudden?I heard footsteps advancing through my room door. I could feel murderous intent from them. Who was it? I sent a letter and picture of our son to Landen yesterday, but he didn’t respond or even visit. Did it perhaps fall into the wrong hands? I wrapped my child in the baby cloth he was lying on. Despite the pain in my head and body—though it had been three months since I
"Ah! My child, somebody please, help me," I wailed, turning toward the car that just hit me. The headlights still pointed directly at me, their brightness harsh and unforgiving. I could feel blood running down my head, the bandage wrapped around it barely holding. My head was yet to heal from the surgery."My goodness, oh my God, we have to get you to the hospital," the man who stepped out from the driver’s seat said, his voice urgent and tinged with panic."No, I’m fine. My baby, just make sure my baby is fine, please," I cried, my lips trembling uncontrollably.The second man, dressed in a well-tailored suit, came down from the car’s back seat. He bent down and gently lifted my child, carrying him back to the car he had come from. The driver helped me up, and I stumbled into the back seat, my wet dress clinging to me uncomfortably.I had no control over my sobs and tears at this point. I peeped at my son in the man's arms as he checked him, my heart aching with worry."Liam, drive b
Anna's Pov "Anna, you need to see this." My secretary, Emily, called my attention to something on her tablet. Emily, now more than just a secretary, had become my right hand, managing day-to-day operations. She handed me a glossy brochure from a rival fashion house in town. "The designs look eerily similar to my blueprint, Emily. This cannot be a mere coincidence," I exclaimed, my thoughts rapidly going in circles. Anxiety began to eat me up, and a cold sweat started to form on my brow. "That's what I thought. Are you going to sue them?" she asked with concern, her eyes mirroring the worry I felt. "We can't just sue them; we need proof. Someone from the design department might have leaked it," I responded, frustration creeping into my voice as I got up from my chair. I glanced at the time. It was a few minutes before I needed to pick up Owen from school. Before I could finish thinking about it, two tiny legs jumped through the door with a wonderful smile on his face. "Mum
“Anna, please try to compose yourself,” was Navian’s attempt to soothe me, his voice peaceful amidst my emotional tumult. I gazed at my son; he was fast asleep at last, his little body rising and falling with each breath he took. Relief mingled with residual fear, making my knees weak."What was the last thing he ate?" Navian asked the maids who had been with him at the time."Oh, he ate peanuts," one responded, her face pale with worry."Peanuts it is then," Navian responded, nodding as he looked down at Owen."What do you mean 'peanuts it is then'? Was he choking on it?" I asked, my voice rising in panic again. "Oh no, he seems to be allergic to peanuts. Do you know if anyone in your family has experienced that before?" Navian said, looking at me with concern."Uhm, when I was little, my father never tasted them. He usually said he was allergic to nuts," I responded sincerely, a realization dawning on me."The young man was reacting to the peanuts," Navian confirmed, his expressio