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Chapter 03

Penulis: Hayley
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-01-09 09:26:14

ANNA'S P.O.V.

I tugged at the bodice of my wedding dress as the soft material clung to my body. Everything about this dress felt suffocating, but there was absolutely nothing I could do about it, moreover I was forced into a marriage that made absolutely no sense.

Why was I the one marrying Jace? Rose had always been their favorite child and I don't give a damn about this family's affections let alone a prestigious marriage.

The door flew open, and I looked into the mirror to see Rose leaning casually against the door looking at me with a smile on her face. Talk about the devil.

“You look… radiant,” She mumbled, and my face remained emotionless as I ignored her “…Funny, isn’t it?” Ross continued, tracing a finger along the edge of the vanity. “This should’ve been my wedding. But Jace…” She paused, her smile widening. “He’s no fool. He realized his little empire is crumbling, and he needs someone with substance. You, the workhorse of Valerian Interiors, are the perfect candidate. Meanwhile, Anton’s becoming a billionaire. Quite the trade, wouldn’t you say?”

“What are you talking about?” confusion sets in as I turned to look at her and she chuckled

"Oh, didn’t you know? Jace’s business is on the verge of collapse. It’s all hush-hush, of course, but I have my ways. And Anton? He’s thriving. I suppose I’ll have the last laugh after all.” my hand curled into a fist.

"You’re despicable.”

“Am I? Or am I just playing the game better than you? Enjoy your chains, sister. You’ve always been the disposable one.” The door suddenly shut and she was out. My heart felt heavy as I kept looking at the door.

Was Rose telling the truth? Had my parents orchestrated this marriage to offload me onto a man with failing fortunes? But didn't he buy my company?

Her heart sank further and in made my way out while hearing my parent's voices echoing in the wall

“Finally,” mother said, her voice tinged with relief. “We’ll be rid of her. She’s always been a thorn in our side.”

“Jace Lysander can deal with her now. We’ve done our duty.” Father chuckled and my stomach twisted.

Their words sliced through my heart like a dagger and I forced myself to breathe. If they wanted to get rid of me so quickly then so be it.

I stood at the garden that was filled with people from both family and my father extended his hand for mine and I glared at him

"I don’t need you to walk me down,” I mumbled and some guest gasp hearing my words

My father's face flushed in humiliation, but I ignored him and walked down with my head held high completely ignoring the whispers before reaching for Jace's hand without looking at him and the pastor began but Jace cut him off

“Skip to the vows and the kiss,” Jace said, his tone commanding and I glared at him as the pastor hesitated

“You may kiss the bride,” the pastor announced.

Jace blushed his lips against mine as I remained still and as the place erupted in applause he pulled away completely fooling them. How lovely to know I'm not the only one hating every bit of this.

I spared no one the time to speak to me as I got into the car with Jace. There was no need to talk to backstabbers, and now I am stuck with an infuriating husband for the rest of my days.

“You really know how to make an impression,” Jace finally said, his tone amused.

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Funny, I thought we were married.”

“Married in name only,” I snapped. “Don’t think for a second that I’ll play the obedient wife.”

“Good. Obedience would bore me.” He smiled and I rolled my eyes.

Hours passed by and I was now looking at the ceiling of his bedroom and alone in a mansion of a damn house. What kind of husband leaves his wife to dazzle around the house on their wedding night?

A single tear rolled down my cheek as my frustration reached its peak, I can't believe I loved that family.

I'm slowly drifting off to sleep, but I was woken by a soft patting on my cheek and I opened my eyes to find Jace and the sun up in the sky. Didn't I just sleep off?

“Get up,” he said, his voice soft but firm.

“Don’t touch me.” I slapped his hand away.

“Feisty already. I like it.”

“What do you want?”

“I wanted to let you know you’ll keep your position as COO of Valerian Interiors,” A sense of relief washed over me knowing I didn't have to deal with him all day. "Of course, you’ll still answer to me.”

“How refreshing to know” I mumbled dryly

“Oh, and pack your bags,” Jace said, his tone light. “We’re going to Italy for a week.”

“Italy?” my eyes widened as my heart flutters

“Your dream country, isn’t it?” he said, leaning closer. “Consider it a honeymoon.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I frown at the idea of this bastard ruining my Italy dream, but how did he know that information, though?

His smirk sudden faded and his eyes darkened

"You don’t have a choice, Anna. This is your life now. Adjust to it.” My heart raced but not from fear.

His god-damn proximity, the fire in his eyes as his spoke, the heat radiating from his body that was inches away from mine and I hated that my body was reacting this way, especially with him

“Are you going to kiss me or lecture me?” I whispered, and his lips curved in a dangerous smile as he leaned in closer.

Goodness if this man wasn't already my… The door burst open causing my body to go sniff and my eyes met with Ingrid's which made me frown deeply.

“You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, Anna,” Rose snarled, her voice dripping with venom

My heart's pounding reach my ear as I looked at Jace's face and for the first time the confident mask he wore around shattered, and his expression darkened with something I could place a finger on

“What are you doing here?” Jace growled and Rose smiled.

“Oh, I thought you’d tell her, dear husband.”

Husband?

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Bab terkait

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 04

    ANNA'S P.O.V. “What did you just call him?” I asked as I looked at her, and she smirked with a gleam in her eyes. “Oh, did he not tell you? Jace Lysander was my husband first.” I turned to chase with my chest rising and falling as anger and confusion filled me. "Tell me she’s lying,” I demanded. “Tell me she’s lying!” I watched as his lip pressed in a thin line, and he glared at Rose. "Get out.” He growled at her, completely ignoring me. “Not until she knows the truth,” Rose retorted, crossing her arms. “She deserves to know what kind of mess she’s gotten herself into.” "Leave, Rose. Now.” “Why? Afraid she’ll hate you for what happened five years ago? Oh, let me do the honors.” She turned to me, her expression smug. “While you were busy playing the perfect college student, I was living the dream. Jace and I got married in Vegas, yes, married, but it didn’t last. He was so obsessed with his precious business that he forgot I even existed. So, I walked out. I abandoned him.”

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 05

    JACE'S P.O.V. The room became dead quiet as I walked quietly to the shattered window and a relief washed over me when I realized they were gone. I turned around to see Anna holding her knee to her chest while staring into thin air. “They’re gone,” I said softly as I sat next to her “Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “Who were they? Why did they leave so suddenly? And Rose?” I sighed while running my fingers through my hair. “There’s a lot you need to know, and none of it will be easy to hear.” “Then start talking,” She snapped and the fire in her eyes appeared, but there was something else, she was scared. “What aren’t you telling me, Jace?” "I found out the truth about you the night before our wedding,” I began while watching her from the side of my eyes.a “I was at the venue, making final arrangements, when Rose showed up out of nowhere.” “Rose?” “She told me everything, your parents weren’t planning on marrying you off to me. They were planning to sell you to the richest

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-09
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 06

    ANNA POVI had barely settled into the reality of being Jace’s wife before another storm came crashing into our lives. The moment we arrived in Italy, I knew things wouldn’t be easy, but standing face-to-face with Vanya, the woman Jace was supposedly meant to marry, sent a chill down my spine. Her words lingered in the air like a challenge. “I’m here to take back what’s mine.”Jace stiffened beside me, his grip on my hand tightening like he was anchoring me to him. But I didn’t need him to defend me. Not this time. I met her gaze, unwavering. “Jace is not an object to be claimed.” My voice was calm, but beneath it, a storm was brewing. She smirked, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder as she tilted her head—calculating, like a predator playing with its prey. “That’s cute. But you don’t understand how deep our history runs, do you?”Jace exhaled sharply. “Enough, Vanya.”I turned to him, searching his face for any sign of hesitation, but all I saw was disdain. It reassured

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 07

    JACE POVThe next morning, my phone buzzed before the sun had fully settled in the sky. I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face before reaching for it. Father.I stared at the screen, debating whether to ignore it. Then it buzzed again. With a sigh, I answered. “What?”“I want to see you.” His voice was deep, unwavering. A voice that had dictated my life for years. I exhaled sharply. “We have nothing to talk about.” “You’re my son. That alone is reason enough.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “If this is about—” “I won’t repeat myself, Jace Lysander.” Silence. I clenched my jaw. I had spent years putting distance between myself and my parents. Years keeping my life separate from theirs. But something in my father’s voice told me this wasn’t just another attempt to bend me to his will. It was something more. And if there was anything I had learned growing up under my father’s rule—it was to never ignore him.Anna stirred beside me, her soft murmur pulling me

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 08

    ANNA POVThe moment Jace stepped inside, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t in the way he moved—his steps were measured, precise as always. It wasn’t in his expression, either—his face was calm, composed, unreadable. But I had spent enough time with Jace Lysander to know when something was weighing on him. And right now? He was drowning in it.“Welcome back,” I said carefully, watching as he walked toward the kitchen counter. Instead of responding, he placed a bouquet of white roses on the marble surface, followed by a small shopping bag. “For you,” he murmured. His voice was smooth but… lacking warmth.I frowned slightly, glancing at the flowers. They were beautiful—pristine white petals, fresh with morning dew, carrying the faintest scent of something sweet. But flowers didn’t fix the tension in his shoulders. Flowers didn’t erase the way his jaw was clenched, how his eyes held an exhaustion deeper than just lack of sleep. Something had happened. And he wasn’t telli

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-01
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 09

    ANNA POVJace’s fingers tightened around mine, his eyes locked onto mine with a rare intensity that made my heart stutter. “I love you,” he murmured, his voice low but firm, as if he needed me to understand the depth of those words. Before I could say anything, he pulled me into his arms, holding me close. His warmth, his scent, the solid press of his chest against mine—all of it surrounded me.I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his torso, my fingers gripping the back of his shirt like I could hold onto this moment forever. Jace tilted my chin up, his blue eyes dark with emotion, and then his lips claimed mine.It wasn’t hurried. It wasn’t desperate. It was slow—a vow, a promise, an anchor.When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine, exhaling deeply. “I’ll fix this,” he whispered again. I nodded, because what else could I do? Jace loved me and I loved him. That was enough. At least, I hoped it was. ***Jace left after lunch, saying he had to meet hi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 10

    JACE POVI stood before the mirror, adjusting the cuffs of my tailored black suit. The dim lighting of my childhood bedroom cast long shadows against the dark wooden furniture, making the space feel even smaller than I remembered. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want any of this. But my father had left me no choice. The business party was crucial, a gathering of powerful names, and in his eyes, I needed to be there. With Vanya. A scowl tugged at my lips as I straightened my tie. Anna should be the one by my side, not her.Just as I reached for my cufflinks, the door creaked open without a knock. “Ciao, amore mio.” I exhaled sharply, my hands tightening at the sound of that voice. Vanya. She stepped in like she owned the place, her gown clinging to every curve, a slow smirk playing on her lips. The deep emerald fabric shimmered under the light, contrasting against her jet-black hair, which cascaded down her back in perfect waves. She was stunning and I couldn’t care

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02
  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 11

    ANNA POVThe glow of the television screen bathed the dimly lit living room in an eerie light. I sat curled up on the couch, gripping a cushion so tightly my knuckles ached. The air in the room felt heavy, suffocating, as the live coverage of the gala continued, broadcasting to the entire world. And there they were. Jace and Vanya. Side by side, stepping onto the red carpet like a perfectly matched pair. The cameras loved them, the reporters swarming with eager questions. My heart twisted painfully as I watched Jace maneuver through them, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable. But what made my stomach churn was how effortlessly Vanya played her part—her hand hooked around his arm, her dazzling smile never faltering. She looked like she belonged there. Like she belonged with him. What am I doing here?The thoughts came fast, spiraling, impossible to silence. I wasn’t blind—I had known this event would be difficult, had braced myself for the headlines and the whispers.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02

Bab terbaru

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 37

    JACE POVBy the time the wheels of the jet touched down in Italy, the afternoon sun was casting a golden hue over the private tarmac. I glanced at Anna beside me, watching as she took a deep breath, her fingers unconsciously pressing against her belly. She was nervous. I reached over, intertwining our fingers. “We’re home,” I murmured. She didn’t say anything, just nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the window. I knew what she was thinking—what awaited us. My family. The people who had driven her away. The people I would protect her from, no matter what. The drive from the private airstrip to the estate was quiet. Anna sat beside me, her hands resting on her belly, her eyes scanning the familiar roads with a mix of emotions. I knew what she was thinking—what awaited her behind those gates. The memories, the pain, the people who had driven her away.I squeezed her hand. “You okay?”She exhaled softly, nodding. “As okay as I can be.”I brought her hand to my lips, pressing a

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 36

    ANNA POV.Italy. The word alone sent a cold shiver down my spine. I sat still, fingers gripping the sheets as if they were the only thing grounding me. My mind was already racing ahead, painting vivid images of the last time I was in that country. The humiliation. The heartbreak. The way Jace’s mother and Vanya had torn me apart, piece by piece, until I had no fight left in me. And now, he wanted me to go back. I shook my head, my heart pounding. “No. Absolutely not.”Jace, who had been sitting beside me, turned fully to face me. “Anna—”“Jace, no!” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. “I am not going back there. Not after everything.”“It won’t be like before.”I let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t know that.”“I do.” His jaw tightened. “Because I won’t let them treat you like that again.” “You think your mother will just suddenly change? That she’ll be welcoming, excited to see me? She already won, Jace. She got what she wanted. You were about to m

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 35

    JACE POVThe next morning, I woke up to the soft warmth of Anna curled against me, her steady breathing a quiet reassurance that she was here, real, and mine again.Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden hue over her skin, making her look even more breathtaking than I remembered. For a long moment, I just lay there, watching her, committing every detail to memory—the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way a few strands of her hair had fallen across her face, the peaceful expression she wore. She stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before her eyes fluttered open. Sleepy and soft, she blinked up at me, confusion giving way to recognition. A slow, drowsy smile spread across her lips. “You’re still here.”I cupped her cheek, running my thumb along her jaw. “I told you, Anna. I’m not going anywhere.”Her smile widened just a little before she buried her face into my chest. “What time is it?”“Time to find out if we’re having a son or a daughter.”That

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 34

    ANNA POVI had been pacing in the living room, my heart hammering in my chest. The moment Jace opened that door, I knew it was Anton. And I hated that my first reaction wasn’t anger but exhaustion. I was tired of him, tired of the constant calls, the uninvited appearances, the fake concern. But more than that, I was tired of this part of my past that wouldn’t stay buried. The voices outside were growing louder, and when I heard Jace’s low, dangerous tone, I knew this wasn’t going to end well. I took a deep breath and moved toward the door, gripping the handle before pulling it open. The cold evening air hit my skin, but it wasn’t nearly as chilling as the scene in front of me.Jace stood in the doorway, rigid with barely restrained fury, while Anton had that same damn smirk on his face—the one that used to fool me. Not anymore. “Anna,”!Anton turned to me, his expression shifting in an instant. “Finally. Maybe now we can have a rational conversation.”I crossed my arms. “A

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 33

    JACE POVFinally, she let out a slow breath. “I didn’t want to believe them,” she admitted. “But everything was falling apart. You barely spoke to me. It was easier to believe you never cared than to believe I had been that easy to discard.”My chest tightened. “Anna, I have never—” “You let me leave, Jace!” she cut me off, her voice rising. “You let me walk away like I was nothing to you!”I didn’t even realize I had moved until my hands were on her shoulders. “Because I was stupid and angry and hurt!” I rasped. “I thought you didn’t love me! And by the time I figured it out, you were gone.”Her breath hitched, her eyes darting to my face. “It doesn’t change anything.”“It changes everything.” I lowered my voice. “I love you, Anna. I loved you then, and I love you now.”Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, stepping back from my touch. “Even if I wanted to, Jace… I can’t go back with you.”My stomach dropped. “Why not?”“Because your family will never accept u

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 32

    JACE POVAnna’s car disappeared into the distance, leaving me standing in the middle of the street, stunned. I had known she would be furious, but the pure rage in her voice still rattled me. And Anton. What the fuck was he doing in New Zealand? The thought of that bastard lurking around Anna made my blood boil. Had he followed her here? Was he trying to worm his way back into her life? I clenched my fists. If he so much as breathed in the wrong direction around her, I would make sure he regretted it. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I exhaled sharply, running a hand down my face before answering. “Yeah?”“We have her location,” the PI said. “She’s staying in a neighborhood near the city center. I’ll send you the address now.”I let out a slow breath. “Thanks, but I already found her.”There was a pause. “That was fast.”“I got lucky,” I muttered, my mind already spinning. “Send the details to my phone.” I cut the call.Anna was pregnant. That meant she had found out ba

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 31

    ANNA POVI should have left the moment I saw him. The second my eyes locked onto Jace’s through that cafe window, my body screamed at me to run. To slip out the back, to vanish before he got close enough to see what I had been hiding. But I had hesitated and now it was too late. His voice cut through the thick, suffocating air between us. “You’re pregnant.”A statement. Not a question. His eyes—those piercing blue eyes that once made me feel safe—were locked onto my stomach, his expression shifting from shock to something I couldn’t quite name. Pain. Anger. Desperation. I hated that part of me wanted to explain. That part of me still ached at the look on his face. But I had spent months piecing myself back together. Months convincing myself that I didn’t need his validation, his understanding. And yet, here he was. Standing in front of me. Blowing apart the careful distance I had built. I forced myself to stay still, even as my pulse thundered. “Would it have made a

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 30

    JACE POVThe hum of the jet had long faded, replaced by the distant murmur of the airport as I stepped onto New Zealand soil. A rush of cool night air hit me, but it did nothing to ease the anxiety tightening in my chest. She was here. Somewhere in this country, in this city—Anna was here. And I was too damn late. I knew she would have seen the email by now. Hours had passed since the lawyers sent it. What if she had already signed it? What if, at this very moment, she was finalizing the last step that would sever us forever? The thought made me sick. I forced my legs to move, heading toward the nearest transport hub. There were car rental options, but I wasn’t thinking straight. My mind was a whirlwind of regret, frustration, and the desperate hope that I wasn’t too late. Instead, I boarded a bus bound for Auckland, blending into the quiet crowd of passengers. The ride was long, giving me too much time to think. I stared out the window, watching the blurred city lig

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 29

    ANNA POVThe cramping started early that morning, a dull ache that made me pause as I reached for my phone. I pressed a hand to my stomach, exhaling slowly. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was enough to make me uneasy. I had read that cramps could be normal during pregnancy, but the anxiety still crept in, filling every corner of my mind. I should probably get checked. Just to be safe. With that decision made, I reached for my phone to book an appointment, but before I could dial the clinic, a notification popped up. Anton Clyde: We need to talk, Anna.My stomach twisted—not from the cramps this time, but from the sheer frustration of seeing his name. 5 weeks had passed. A whole month and a week, and he was still doing this. Calling, texting, emailing. No matter how many times I ignored him, he just wouldn’t stop. I still didn’t know how he had gotten my new number, but I had my suspicions. He must have stalked my social media, piecing together clues like a desperate man grasp

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