chapter 10: Vengeance

Ana's pov:

"Goodnight mummy. Goodnight daddy," Sophia said as we both kissed her forehead and tucked her in with her favorite plush toy.

We always tucked her in together and played our parts at being a pseudo family. It was a game that both Sophia and Tylor loved but I worried that it would give them the wrong idea and further encourage Tylor.

"What's the condition?" I asked Tylor as soon as we closed the door to Sophia's room after making sure she was sleeping soundly.

"You have to stay away from Greyson." He said with a straight face.

I rolled my eyes. "Kind of hard to do because I work for him now."

"I know but–" he let out an exasperated breath and raked his hand through his hair. "If it has nothing to do with the job, keep your distance from him. Don't go close to him. Don't let him get close to you. And–"

"That's four conditions, Tylor." I groaned.

"This one's important. Hear me out," he said, walking close to me until he was a hair's breath from me. He looked into my eyes intently. "You have to tell him that I'm your boyfriend."

My jaw dropped. I gaped at him in incredulity. "What?"

He stepped even closer and I stopped, breathing in his hair. "I promise, Ana," he whispered, "I will give you enough time and space to think about letting me into your life as a lover... But, trust me on this. Greyson is not a good man and he never treats his women in any good ways. People talk and rumours spread. He has a reputation. A bad one. I don't want to see you get hurt."

I looked into his earnest blue eyes and took in a deep breath. I patted his chest. "You don't need to worry about me, Ty. I'm a big girl and I have a mind to think for myself. Please don't interfere in my life, I promise that I will make the best decisions for myself and my daughter."

He squeezed his eyes shut, his shoulders sagging under the weight of my words. He let out a defeated sigh and gave me a heartbroken smile. "Of course. I trust your judgement, Ana."

He smiled at me and I smiled back, walking into his arms and giving him a hug because it seemed like he needed it.

His hands rubbed my back as if I was the one that needed comforting.

He buried his face in my hair and inhaled a deep breath. "I wish we could stay like this for a while... It hurts me to say this, Ana... But I have bad news."

Thunder cracked in my skull. I froze in his arms, my heart racing in my chest and beating so hard, I heard it in my ears.

Please don't be about mum. Please don't be about mum. Please don't be about mum, I whispered over and over again, praying with all my heart but bracing myself for the worst.

"I went to the hospital today," he whispered into my hair, his voice muffled and broken. His arms wrapped even tighter around me but all I could This about was no no no...

"Your mother... Your mother has passed away, Ana."

No, God!

I squeezed my eyes together as tears exploded out of me and rolled down my cheeks. My chest wracked with gut wrenching sobs. I shook and rattled in his arms as he held me down against his chest, holding my broken pieces together.

"It can't be!" I whisper—screamed into his shirt, shaking my head vehemently.

"Ana..." He whispered. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to break this to you more gently."

He kissed my head and let me cry.

"How long?" I whispered when my sobs lessened. The tears still spilled from my eyes as he gently stroke my hair.

"A year ago."

I inhaled a shaky breath.

"Your father," Tylor continued, "he buried her hurriedly before you could come back without even giving her a decent funeral. I had to find the nurse who had taken care of your mother for four years to confirm the fact that she had actually died."

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth.

I can't believe I trusted that wicked man to take care of my mother after everything he has already done to her. I can't believe I took his word for it. He probably killed her himself.

That man... That man wasn't my father. He wasn't even nothing to me. That man is my worst enemy and I will burn him to the ground for what he did to my mother, Liam and–

Something suddenly snapped in my head.

"Liam!" I clung to Tylor's shirt, desperately looking into his eyes. "How's Liam?!"

Tylor shut his eyes and shook his head, avoiding my gaze. "The nurse... She also told me that after your mother's death, they tracked your little brother down and sent him to live with a man named Niort."

Niort?!

Niort is my uncle that is a notorious drunk and gambler! How could they do this?

"He blocked the information from getting to you for almost a year now, Ana. I'm sorry that I didn't find out sooner."

"How about the company?" I asked, seething through my teeth. "How about my mother's company?!"

The company was started by my grandparents. They passed it on to my mother because she had been their only child. My father had seduced her and made her trust him enough to have his kids. After he gained ownership of the company, he kicked her out and married his highschool sweetheart, Olivia, who he already had a daughter with.

As if that wasn't enough, he had forced me and Liam to give up our rights to the company.

That mother fucking BASTARD!

"What has he done to the company, Liam. I know you know!"

"Ana, I don't think–"

"WHAT DID HE DO TO MY MOTHER'S COMPANY?!" I growled, angry and vengeful.

He sighed. "H... He kicked out all the old members that were loyal to your grandfather. There's nobody on the board that will take your side in a legal battle. Every one of your grandfather's men got fired."

I let the anger burn through me, churn in my stomach and turn to ice in my veins, the need for revenge, warping around my bones.

I must take revenge on that man. Even if it kills me.

The next morning, I was up early with Sophia.

I didn't even have time to mourn for my mother because I had to pick my life back up and make Robert, Olivia and Jenny regret messing with me and those I love.

I just didn't have a plan of action yet.

I had to work very hard and save as much money as I can and come for them, even if it takes me decades, I will make sure I get my revenge.

True to his world, John was waiting outside my apartment at six in the morning with a chauffeur and expensive Mercedes that Lucas had sent.

"Miss Ana," John smiled at me, as if he hadn't ignored my SOS hint last night when Greyson and Tylor had practically been sizing up themselves and making the whole dinner awkward.

"Now you acknowledge me." I narrowed my eyes at him.

His reply was a polite smile and playful glint in his eyes, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Jones. If you will get in, the chauffeur will take you to the Williams' residence."

I sighed and entered the car with Sophia, who was bouncing excitedly behind me, unable to wait to see her new friend, even though they would only have a few minutes together before he had to go to school.

The chauffeur took us to the Williams' home and I I stepped out of the car and stared at the resplendent and magnificent William’s mansion, my jaw dropped to the ground in amazement.

This was the most beautiful home I have ever seen.

Even Sophia was quiet for once in her life as she stood beside me, gaping at the incredible structure.

"If you'll come with me, Miss Jones, the front door is this way," John said, leading the way.

I swallowed and took my first step into my new future.

Here goes nothing.