Chapter 5

“M-Martin!”

“Yeah?”

“Ahhh! Faster, Martin!” she begged.

Martin smiled mischievously and granted Chloe's request. He moved on top of her and increased the pace of his movements. Oh, damn! Compared to the other women he had one-night stands with before, Chloe was dull.

He would not have invited her to join him at that hotel if it wasn't for his plan.

Before formulating his plan, he delved into Chloe Cain's background and discovered that she had cheated on Mateo. He also found out that Chloe frequently went to clubs and was involved with other men. Additionally, he learned that Ana had become friends with Chloe because Chloe was interested in Mateo.

Martin grabbed Chloe's hair and forced her to look up at him, only to be met with her annoying face.

“You like me, don't you?” he asked as he continued his quick movements from behind her. “You can't resist me,” Martin said, grinning.

Chloe nodded. “Fuck, Martin! Harder, please!”

Martin grinned again and pulled her hair even harder. “If that's what you want!” he said, increasing the intensity of his movements.

Martin sat on the sofa, sipping wine, when his friend Paris called.

“Is she sleeping?” asked Martin.

“Yeah, she's fine; don't worry about her,” Paris replied with a sigh. “Are you sure about your plan?” she asked, expressing her concern for Martin's plans.

Martin smirked as he glanced at Chloe sleeping on the bed. “Yeah,” he replied, taking another sip of wine. “Take care of her first, Paris, and I'll head home,” he said.

Paris rolled her eyes, as it was her responsibility to monitor the girl Martin had saved. “Yeah, whatever,” she replied, laughing at her friend. “If it wasn't for Ana, I would've never followed you!” Paris exclaimed. “I don't know what to do with you if Ana finds out what you did!”

Martin was about to respond when his friend abruptly hung up the phone. “What the f-ck,” he muttered, staring at his phone. “Why is she angry? TSK.” He shook his head in frustration.

After a while, Martin let out a sigh and got dressed. He picked up Mateo's business proposal from the bedside table and glanced at it before shifting his gaze to Chloe.

He clenched his jaw. “I will make sure you pay for what you did to Ana,” he said, throwing the business proposal at Chloe and leaving the room.

As soon as he left the hotel, he was greeted by his staff member, Alexis.

“Did you take a picture?” he asked.

Alexis nodded in response.

Martin patted him on the shoulder. “Good! Let's go.” He got into his car.

Alexis started the car and they drove off. Martin stared out the window, lost in thought. He recalled how he and Ana had returned to his hacienda in San Alfonso the previous week.

When the hospital staff discovered that Ana was no longer there, they questioned Martin about her whereabouts. He simply informed them that he had taken Ana home to his hacienda for her complete recovery.

Since returning home, Ana had done nothing but cry. The pain of her ex-husband's infidelity haunted her. Martin promised himself that he would reveal everything to Ana, even if she couldn't remember what had happened before.

He refused to let Ana suffer again, which is why he devised a plan, with Chloe Cain as his first target.

He would never forgive those who had hurt Ana. They had nearly taken her life. If Martin hadn't stumbled upon her on the road while he was unconscious, he was certain that Ana would have vanished from the world long ago.

After finding Ana on the street, he had seen news reports about her, prompting him to create a plan. He paid people to fake her death and went to great lengths to hide her. Martin was convinced that if those who wanted to harm Ana discovered she was still alive, her life would be in even greater danger.

The Villalobos family was his prime suspect in what had happened to Ana. He just needed more evidence to bring down the family that had nearly taken Ana's life. Soon, Ana would have her revenge on those who had hurt her.

Upon arriving at the hacienda, Martin immediately searched for Ana and found her in her room, fast asleep.

A smile crept onto his lips as he approached her bed. He sat on the edge and gently stroked her hair, gazing at her peaceful face.

“From now on, you will be known as Ana Mystica,” he whispered.

ANA’s POV

“You are no longer Ana Bernardino, from now on. You will now be known as Ana Mystica.”

What is this feeling I'm experiencing? What is happening to me? Why am I smiling? Why do I feel different? I pressed my lips together as a small grin appeared. No! This isn't me. I don't want to feel this way.

I looked in the mirror and a shiver ran through my body.

“This is your time, Ana. Time to seek revenge on those who killed you!” a voice whispered in my ear, causing my hair to stand on end.

I spun around, but there was nothing there except the window curtain swaying in the breeze.

I glanced back at the mirror and saw a wide grin on my face. After a moment, fear washed over me as the mirror suddenly shattered.

“Ahhh!”

I jolted awake, clutching my chest. Sitting on the bed, I panted heavily. I ran my fingers through my slightly disheveled hair.

It was just a dream!

But why did I see a different version of myself in the dream? It didn't feel like me.

“Ana, what happened?”

The door opened, and Martin entered. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me, then he approached me.

“Hey!” His face showed concern.

“Martin!” My voice trembled slightly. I suddenly hugged him, and he immediately returned the embrace, holding me tightly.

“What's wrong?” he asked, worry evident in his voice.

I shook my head, unable to find the words, and nestled into his chest.

“Shhh! Everything will be okay, Ana,” he whispered.

“You won't leave me, will you, Martin?”

Before he could answer, I felt his lips press against my forehead. “Of course not,” he said. “I won't leave you, Ana.” He held me even tighter. “Rest now. I'm here, and I won't leave your side.”

I let out a deep breath, feeling the sincerity in his words. Martin wouldn't abandon me.

I stayed in his arms for a while before he gently guided me back onto the bed, tucking the surrounding blanket.

“Martin,” I called out.

“Hmm?”

I smiled at him.

“What happened?” I asked. “Why did I have an accident? What really happened?”

He hesitated for a moment, taken aback by my question.

I felt that something terrible had occurred before my accident. I knew something was wrong. And it felt like there was a barrier preventing me from remembering what had transpired.

He let out a deep sigh. “Just… sleep, Ana,” he deflected, avoiding my question.

“Martin,” I insisted. “Can you… tell me what happened before the accident? Please! And why are you with me instead of Mateo?”

He avoided my gaze and turned away.

“Martin, I want to know why I had an accident. What happened to me? Why do I feel like someone is out to kill me at any moment?”

I stared at the ceiling, receiving no response from him.

“And… who are you?” I asked, my gaze fixed on the empty air.

Silence hung in the room for a few seconds. Eventually, I turned to him, but he still had his back turned.

I let out a bitter laugh. “You saved me, right?” I asked again. “You just felt sorry for me. That's why you saved me, Martin, isn't it?”

He suddenly faced me, walking back to my side.

He shook his head. “No,” he replied. “It's not like that, Ana.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head at his words. “Thank you, Martin.”

He furrowed his brow, studying me intently. I returned his gaze.

“Thank you for saving me, Martin,” I whispered.

His hand reached up, gently caressing my cheek, causing me to close my eyes.

“Promise me you'll tell me the truth.”

And promise me you won't leave me. Because I'm afraid of being alone.