CHAPTER 11 ANNA“Let’s have the meeting,” I say with all the strength I have in me in order not to appear weak. I don’t want them to find out that my house was broken into. The last thing I want from anyone right now is pity.“Finally, the queen of Seattle is out. I wonder what you were telling that boyfriend of yours that kept you so long,” Damien says sounding very agitated.“Boyfriend? That’s my best friend Lola who called.” I shoot a rude response to him since he’s beginning to irritate me.“Best friend huh? Well if you say so wifey dearest,” Damien says sarcastically.“Thanks for understanding soon-to-be husband,”I respond to him in the same tone.“Can we start now? I would appreciate it if you two don’t pick at each other. Let’s all remember we’re in Mr.Smith’s hospital room and he doesn’t need this. You two should act like adults,” Mr.Luis cautions us.I sit next to my father’s bed and take his hand into mine. I need him now more than ever because I am really going through a l
CHAPTER 12ANNA“Anna, oh my goodness”, Lola rushes to me and gives me a tight hug. “Lola, I feel like dying,” I say to her whilst sobbing.“Hey don’t say that my girl. You have to be strong for your father he needs you more than ever. Everything is going to be fine,” she says.“What about my apartment?Any news from the police yet?”“Not yet Anna. Don’t worry too much about it. They’re doing their best to find the culprit.”Lola reassures me.“ I brought you some clothes and got you a new phone charger as you requested. I also got you some food.”“Thank you, Lola.”“Don’t mention. I want you to go to the washroom and freshen up. Girl you look very rough. Don’t stress I’ll look after your Dad.” she shoves me towards the washroom.I take a quick shower and dress up. I look at myself in the mirror and for the first time in the past 24 hours, I feel a bit better. I hope everything goes well now. I go back to my father’s room and he’s being checked by a team of doctors.“Miss Anna right?”
CHAPTER 13ANNA“Dad please open your eyes.”“My princess..”, he murmurs.“Dad I am so happy that you’re awake. Please hang in there Lola is going to get the doctors.”Lola rushes in with Doctor Lambert, “Miss Anna I would like you to wait outside”, he says.“Why Doctor? He’s awake now so why do I have to go out.”“Anna let the doctor do his job. Your father will be okay. Come on let’s wait outside” Lola urges me.I look at my father whose eyes are closed now for the last time before exiting the room with Lola.Lola calms me down as we wait, “Hey Anna, he’s going to be fine no need for you to panic. Let’s be cheerful that he’s awake now and keep hope alive. You should stop crying.” “Alright, I am just scared. I don’t want to lose my father Lola.” “Mr.Smith is a strong man. You’re not losing him anytime soon. He’s going to be fine and walk you down the aisle.”Lola reassures me.As the minutes go by, my anxiety grows. I am holding onto Lola’s hand tightly for strength as I am emotiona
CHAPTER 14DAMIENThe call from Dr.Lambert earlier today was unexpected. I can’t believe that Mr Smith has passed on since Dr Lambert assured me earlier this morning that he was recuperating. I cancelled all my pending meetings and drove to the hospital to confirm as I still didn’t understand what was happening.I arrive at the hospital and hand straight to his hospital room. I stop death in track with the sight in front of me. Anna is sobbing uncontrollably with Mr Smith’s hand in her hand. She’s being comforted by a lady who I don’t know but that does not calm her down as her sobs continue to become rampant.I am still standing at the door watching Anna and this scene right in front of me reminds me of when I lost my parents. Death is something I hate with everything in me as it makes one weak and distressed. I am hit with emotions when Anna says “Dad, why have you done this to me? I can't survive without you. How do you expect me to do life without you by my side?”. I quickly mak
CHAPTER 15ANNAThe team of nurses comes in to take my father’s body to the mortuary. It feels like a dream as a lot has happened to me during the past few days. My life has shattered right before me and I am finding it hard to come to terms with it.“Hey Anna, please stop crying. Everything will be fine. I am here with you. Your Dad is in Heaven watching over you.”Lola consoles me as she pulls me into an embrace. I haven’t been able to stop crying but her words give me hope.I sit and Lola follows suit with sadness all over her face. “Thank you, Lola, I appreciate you being here with me. Your presence gives me hope that everything will be fine with me”.“That’s fine Anna. I am glad that you find solicit in my company. I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you. I am your best friend don’t forget that.” she reassures me again.I embrace my friend like my life depends on it. “You’ll be fine Anna”, Lola wipes my tears and smiles at me.“What’s it, Lola? I ask as she gives me a m
CHAPTER 16DAMIENI make the necessary arrangements for the burial with the help of Dr.Lambert before I head back home.I have to get a new driver now as Mr Smith is no more since I don’t enjoy driving myself.I get home and Miss Rosie welcomes me with a big smile on her face. She doesn’t know about the passing of Mr.Smith yet. I feel like a bad person at the moment as I am about to break the news to her.“Hey my boy, how was your day? You’re a little bit late today,” she says.“Miss Rosie, my day was not a good one. I am stressed as I have a lot going on right now,| I complain to her.“You this boy, I know you’re complaining because you have been driving yourself these past few days. Don’t worry Mr Smith will be fine soon,” she tells me with much hope.I take in a deep breath, “That won’t be possible anymore, Miss Rosie.”“What do you mean by that, my boy?” she asks sounding confused.“Mr.Smith is no more. He died earlier today at the hospital.” I inform her in a low tone.“Oh my godde
CHAPTER 17 ANNAAs I step into the house, an eerie silence greets me. Once neat and inviting, the living room now looks like a war zone.The coffee table is overturned, and the cushions from the sofa are slashed open, foam spilling out. Picture frames of my parents lie shattered, their glass fragments glinting menacingly in the dim light. I move slowly, my heart pounding, noticing the gaping emptiness where the television and other electronics used to be.In the kitchen, cabinet doors hang open, and broken dishes litter the countertops and floor. The refrigerator door is wide open, its contents hastily ransacked. I step over the debris, feeling anger and sadness wash over me.As I head upstairs, my footfalls echo in the unsettling quiet. The bedrooms are no better; closets are emptied, and clothes and personal belongings are tossed carelessly around. I pause at the doorway of the master bedroom, seeing the open safe with its contents missing.The sense of violation is overwhelming. I
CHAPTER 18ANNAThe morning light filters softly through the curtains, waking me gently from my slumber. I forget where I am for a moment, but the cozy surroundings quickly remind me of Lola’s guest bedroom. I stretch and sit up, feeling more rested than I have in days.I swing my legs over the side of the bed and slip into my slippers. The house is quiet, and I can hear the faint chirping of birds outside. It’s a peaceful sound, a stark contrast to the turmoil of yesterday. I gather my things and head to the bathroom down the hall to freshen up.After a quick shower, I make my way downstairs. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greets me, mingling with the scent of something delicious cooking. I follow the smells to the kitchen, where I find Lola at the stove, flipping pancakes."Good morning," she says with a bright smile. "I hope you slept well.""I did, thank you. This smells amazing," I reply, taking a seat at the kitchen island.Lola hands me a steaming mug of coffee. "I thought
ANNAThe cold air bites at my cheeks as I step out of the terminal at JFK Airport, clutching my suitcase. The New York skyline looms in the distance, a strange mixture of awe and dread settling over me. Ian’s text with his address burns in my mind. My hands tremble slightly as I hail a cab.Was this the right decision?Doubt claws at me, but I shove it aside. Damien doesn’t care. He hasn’t cared for a long time or so I tell myself. The memory of his angry eyes last night twists something deep in my chest, but I force myself to breathe. This is about me now. About starting over.The cab ride feels endless, and when it finally pulls up to a towering building, my stomach churns. Nicholas’s directions lead me to a penthouse suite, the opulence of the place making me hesitate for a moment before knocking.The door swings open almost immediately, and there he is Nicholas, looking as polished as ever in a tailored suit, his dark eyes sharp and calculating."Anna," he greets, his lips curlin
DAMIENThe moment I read Anna’s message, my entire world shifts."Don’t bother coming home tonight. I won’t be here when you do."The words burn in my mind as I grab my car keys and race out of the office. Every mile I drive feels like a lifetime, the thought of her leaving consuming me. She can’t leave. Not like this. Not without me setting things right.My tyres screech as I pull into the driveway, the house eerily silent. The lights are on, but the emptiness screams louder than words. I storm inside, calling out her name."Anna!"No answer.I head upstairs, my chest tightening as I push open the bedroom door. The sight stops me cold. Her side of the closet is half-empty, drawers open and rifled through. A suitcase is gone. My heart pounds.She’s gone."Miss Rosie!" I bellow, my voice echoing through the halls.My appears at the bottom of the stairs, her face pinched with worry. "Damien, what’s wrong?"I take the steps two at a time, reaching her in seconds. "Where is she? Where’s A
ANNAI pace the living room, phone pressed tightly to my ear, waiting for Lola to pick up. My hands are trembling, a mixture of anger, frustration, and something I can’t quite name boiling inside me. After what feels like an eternity, her familiar voice answers."Hey, girl! What’s up?"Lola’s voice is light and casual, but I can’t match her tone."Lola," I say, my voice strained, "I need to talk to you."Her tone shifts immediately. "What’s wrong? Did something happen with Damien?"I sink into the couch, pulling a blanket over my lap. "Everything. Everything is wrong, Lola. We argued last night, and it was bad. He’s distant, I’m distant it’s like we’re tearing each other apart."I pour everything out, my words tumbling over each other in a rush. I tell her about the fight, about Nicholas, and how Damien discovered the messages. I even admit to avoiding Damien due to her advice on being distant from him. By the time I finish, I’m out of breath, my throat tight from holding back tears.L
ANNAThe room feels suffocatingly empty. I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, tears sliding silently down my cheeks. The weight of my argument with Damien presses on my chest like a boulder, making breathing hard.How did we get here? One moment, we’re building something fragile yet hopeful; the next, it’s all crumbling beneath our feet.I glance at the door, hoping against hope that he’ll walk in and say something anything to bridge the widening chasm between us. But the house is eerily quiet.When the clock strikes midnight and there’s still no sign of Damien, the pain in my chest intensifies. He’s always been composed, never one to let his emotions get the better of him, but tonight, he was raw, unfiltered. The anger in his eyes, the hurt in his voice it’s all on replay in my mind.I pull the covers up to my chin, curling into myself as the tears come faster now, sobs shaking my body. The truth of it all stings: I messed up. I avoided him, and let Nicholas’s messages fill a void I
DAMIEN Tonight, I’ve had enough. As I walk into the bedroom, I see her sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone. My chest tightens. Her phone. Again.“Anna,” I say, my voice low but firm.She looks up, startled. “What?”“We need to talk.”Her expression hardens immediately, and she puts her phone down on the nightstand. “About what?”“You know damn well what.”She crosses her arms, her defensiveness a barrier I know all too well. “If this is about me not talking to you much lately, maybe you should look in the mirror first.”That sparks something in me a simmering anger I’ve been trying to suppress for days. “Oh, so this is my fault now?”“Well, you’ve been distant, Damien! You come home late, barely say a word to me, and act like I don’t even exist. What do you expect me to do?”I take a step closer, my voice rising. “Don’t you dare put this on me? You’ve been avoiding me first! Don’t think I haven’t noticed you shutting me out, glued to your phone like it’s the only thing th
DAMIENThe tension in the house is thick enough to choke on. Anna and I move around each other like ghosts, existing in the same space but never really crossing paths. She barely looks at me, her silence a sharp blade that cuts deeper with every passing hour. I tell myself to give her time, but patience has never been my strong suit.It’s late evening when I walk into the living room and find her curled up on the couch, her phone glued to her hand. She doesn’t glance up when I enter, her fingers flying across the screen. I wonder who she’s texting so eagerly, but I push the thought aside. I don’t want to be the paranoid husband.“Anna,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral.“Hmm?” she murmurs, not looking up.“I’m ordering dinner. Do you want anything?”“I’m fine,” she replies, her tone clipped.I nod, even though she doesn’t see it, and walk into the kitchen. The tension is unbearable, and I feel like I’m suffocating in my own home. I’ve tried to bridge the gap between us, but ever
ANNADamien comes down the stairs, his steps steady and deliberate. I’m sitting at the dining table, scrolling aimlessly through my phone. He stops in the doorway, his presence filling the room even before he speaks.“Morning,” he says, his voice soft but edged with something I can’t quite place.I glance up briefly and mutter, “Morning,” before returning my attention to the screen.“Any plans for today?” he asks, trying to sound casual.“Not really,” I reply, my tone clipped.He pauses as if waiting for me to say more, but when I don’t, he pulls out a chair and sits across from me.“Anna,” he says after a moment, leaning forward slightly. “What’s going on?”I don’t answer right away, pretending to be engrossed in my phone.“Don’t do this,” he says, his voice firmer now. “If something’s bothering you, just tell me.”I sigh, finally looking up at him. His eyes are searching mine, filled with an earnestness that makes me uncomfortable. “It’s nothing, Damien. I just need some space.”“Sp
ANNAThe phone feels heavy in my hand as I stare at Lola’s contact picture. It’s been weeks since the wedding, and though we’ve exchanged a few texts here and there, I haven’t seen her in person. She’s been busy with work, and I… well, I’ve been too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions and confusion that is my life with Damien.I hesitate for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip before I finally hit the call button. The line rings twice before her familiar, cheerful voice answers.“Hey, Mrs. Donovan,” she teases. I can practically hear the grin in her voice.“Lola,” I groan, rolling my eyes even though she can’t see me. “Don’t start.”She laughs. “Fine, fine. What’s up? It’s been a minute.”“Can you meet me during your lunch break?” I ask, my voice a little more urgent than I intended. “There’s… a lot I need to talk to you about.”There’s a pause on her end, and I can tell she’s trying to gauge how serious I am. “Are you okay?” she asks, her tone softening.“I will be. I just… I really
ANNAI’m sitting in the living room, scrolling through my phone, mindlessly flipping through photos when I see a notification at the top of my screen. My heart does a small flip as I recognise the name. Nicolas. The guy I met briefly on my honeymoon in the Maldives. I almost laugh at the thought—it seems like a lifetime ago, even though it’s only been a few weeks.“Hey, Anna! I just thought I’d check-in. Hope you’re doing well!”I bite my lip, trying to decide how to respond. Nicolas and I didn’t have any deep connection; it was just a friendly conversation on a beach, a passing encounter. But still, something about him was refreshing, a carefree energy that felt like a brief escape in the middle of everything. I decide to respond, keeping it light and friendly.“Hey, Nicolas! I’m doing well, thanks for checking in. How about you? Still, chasing sunsets in paradise?”A minute later, his reply comes through. “Haha, yes, still living the dream! Life’s good here. Let me know if you and