Anna felt him put his hand on her shoulder, starting to panic. At first, he just stroked the spot, but then he squeezed until he drew a groan of pain from Anna, who stared at him with tears in her eyes, as he kept his hand there, squeezing even harder, while staring at her coldly. Anna knew they would hear if she screamed, but she didn't want to worry Allister or give Adam the pleasure, so she closed her eyes and bit her tongue, determined to endure the pain in silence. The grip lessened, but his hand remained on her shoulder. Anna opened her eyes and saw a mixture of surprise and coldness in Adam's eyes. He released her and put his hand back in his pocket. “Go on, miss.” “Do you need any help?” Anna knew she was facing a troubled man. Perhaps a conversation could transform him into someone more... human. “If you stay here, I won't be able to control myself, and you won't like what happens.” Anna stood with her mouth open, not knowing what sound should come out of it.
Allister was surrounded by beeping machines, hoses were coming out of his arm and his mouth was covered by a mouthpiece that helped him breathe. Anna suddenly felt cold. And fear. She never thought she would see that imposing man, so frail. He turned his face towards her and took the mouthpiece out of his mouth. “Come closer, Anna.” She obeyed, but the fear was evident in her gaze. “I took care of you. Those were the months of my life when I was happier than in my entire life. I was born again when I met you.” Anna began to cry. He was saying goodbye. “Don't say that. Are we going to be happy for a few more years? Please, All! Give me a few more years!” She said tearfully. “I still have a lot to talk to you about. Things I don't know how to say, because in my projects, I would do everything in the course of our lives together, and words would become unnecessary because you would know. I have nothing to compare this feeling that binds me, attracts me and makes me dependent
Anna chatted happily with Allister, as if he were as young and healthy as she was, and his father was amused. He didn't have the strength to laugh, but Adam could see the sparkle in his eyes. A sparkle that indicated life. There was still life there. They arrived home after spending the night in hospital. Everyone refused to leave Allister. Anna understood that, despite their differences, they loved each other. All of them. Ryan stayed in one of the apartments on that floor, to be closer to his uncle, and his grandfather and mother were on their way to Las Vegas, to stay there too. Only Allister's eldest son would come, visit and return to his own apartment in the city. Time went by. Anna met Ryan's family. His mother, brother, sister-in-law and grandfather. It was obvious that he had inherited all his mother's features and only his grandfather's lighter hair. He never tired of saying how much his grandson disappointed him, but he tried to stay close to Ryan at all times, as
Anna was convinced that she was being held prisoner so that she could be killed at some opportune moment, and she remembered her father. She wanted to say goodbye to him. He was the only person she wanted to see again before she died. She was lying on the floor, face up and staring at the ceiling, when she heard, after many days, the door opening. She felt so weak from the fruit diet that she didn't have the strength to look at who it might be. She heard the sound of shoes walking lightly, approaching and stopping near her. She looked out of the corner of her eye and saw expensive Italian shoes, very well polished, but she refused to see who they belonged to. Adam? Ryan? Her brother? Would the hand that killed her make a difference? “Something wrong with the bed?” The familiar icy voice sounded in the silence of the room and Anna had to control herself not to show any emotion. He would feel less inclined to prolong the torture if she didn't seem to mind. He might kill her quic
Anna turned her face towards the open door. If she ran, she could get there, but there should be a crowd of men in black suits outside. “You wouldn't get far and I'm not saying that because of the pack outside.” He said, guessing her intention. She turned around with a frown. “Pack?” “I didn't come here for that... I'm not going to have this conversation with you.” He said impatiently. “Do you understand everything you're going to have to do in front of everyone?” “Is a pack another name for lawlessness? For a tribe of cruel men?” “Do you understand, Anna?” He asked again and seemed ready to be merciless. “I understand, but... I'm not going to marry you. I don't want your dirty money! I can't even stand you, you're disgusting! I'll do what you say about your cousin, because I know he has something you want. And I know you're going to take it from him anyway. So, it's for him that I'll do it, but simulating a marriage with you to get rid of the need to be an honora
Kate stood up and everyone started to do so, except Anna and Suzy. “I'm going to fight for your father's last will to be done, Mr. Lens. It's not going to end like this.” She said defiantly and Adam looked at her interested. “What is my father's last will?” Kate took an envelope out of her briefcase and handed it to Suzy. “You can still choose to do what's right, Mrs. Lens.” “I'll wait.” Adam said sharply, opening the door in a suggestive invitation for everyone who remained to leave. Everyone left without speaking to Anna, until she was alone. She breathed a sigh of relief and still fought the urge to scream. Ryan came back into the office and sat down next to her. “Is there anything I can do for you?” “Ryan... I need my bag. It's not with my clothes...” “I'll find out where they kept your things and ask them to deliver them to the green house.” “Thank you.” “But, Anna...” “There is a 'but'...” “The vials of morphine found in your bag have been sent bac
Ryan approached and hugged Anna. His gesture seemed to calm her down. Anna gradually controlled herself and when she was better, she pulled away from Ryan. “I'm sorry...” “I won't let it happen again, Anna. You'll be well fed. Now, sit down and help yourself. I'll accompany you.” Anna sat down and ate furiously. It had been a long time since she had seen real food, and it seemed that nothing was enough to satisfy her. When she finally finished off the last grain of rice from the pot, she leaned back in her chair and looked intently at Ryan. “Thank you.” He smiled. “Anna, there's something I'm very curious about... Adam isn't being good to you, as far as I can tell, and yet you're going to pass on everything my uncle left you to him? Did he threaten you in any way to make you take this decision?” “No.” Anna said, knowing that she couldn't trust anyone. “Then... Why?” “Because it's his. All shouldn't have given me something that rightfully belongs to his son.”
Kate was livid and Anna was pleased with her reaction. But she took off her gloves and went into the house, with Kate following hesitantly. Kate put her suitcase on the table and looked determinedly at Anna. “I know how it might have seemed, me going into Adam's room, but this is my personal life, and I don't mix personal matters with professional ones. The fact that I went out with Adam doesn't interfere with my professional ethics.” “Yes, it does.” “Anna, your suspicion is offensive.” “So, I think I've achieved my goal.” “You can't be... You're kidding, right?” “No.” “That's a very bad feeling, Anna.” “So is being betrayed.” “I didn't betray you...” Anna picked up a glass and filled it with water and began to drink quietly. “I don't trust you, Kate. Tell me what you've come for and leave me alone. It'll be better for both of us if we never meet again.” “Adam blackmailed you into not accepting your inheritance. I need to know, because I can guarantee you