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Chapter 09
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-02 01:28:09
Kaugnay na kabanata
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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02The 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.
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02The Price Of Us Chapter 12
JACE POV.Anna trembled in my arms, her breathing uneven, her fingers curled tightly into my shirt. It broke me—seeing her like this, knowing I was the reason for her pain. I hadn’t wanted this. I hadn’t wanted her to feel like she was fighting this battle alone. But my father, my mother, Vanya…the Lysander name, all of it was pulling me in directions I never wanted to go. I ran a hand down her back, trying to calm her. “You’ll never be alone,” I murmured against her hair. “I promise you that.”She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t pull away either. That was enough for now.I exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss to her temple before gently cupping her face in my hands. Her eyes were red, her cheeks damp, but damn it, she was beautiful—even when she was hurting. “Look at me,” I said softly. Her lashes fluttered, but she didn’t resist as I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. There was something in her eyes—uncertainty, exhaustion, heartbreak. But beneath it all, there
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03The Price Of Us Chapter 13
ANNA POV.The days that followed were filled with warmth, laughter, and a sense of security I hadn’t felt in a long time. Jace poured every ounce of his energy into making me feel loved, and treasured. Mornings started with slow kisses, the warmth of his arms keeping me in bed longer than I should have stayed. He’d tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and murmur, *l“Stay a little longer, amore.” And I always did. Afternoons were filled with stolen moments—private lunches on the villa’s terrace, our laughter mingling with the soft hum of the Italian breeze. He’d take my hand, lace our fingers together, and tell me stories about his childhood, about the mischief he and Alessandro got into when they were younger. And the nights? They belonged to us. Under the golden glow of candlelight, he made love to me with a desperation that stole my breath, as if proving over and over again that I was the only woman in his world. It felt real. It felt permanent. But deep down, I knew i
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03The Price Of Us Chapter 14
JACE POV.I could see the doubt in Anna’s eyes, the way she hesitated before saying she believed me. And it gutted me. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve the whispered rumors, the tension creeping into our home, the way my mother manipulated every moment we spent at the estate to make her feel like she didn’t belong. I had sworn to protect her from it. Yet, here we were. I reached for her hand, squeezing gently, but she didn’t squeeze back. That hurt more than I cared to admit. “Anna—” “I’m tired, Jace.” She pulled away, shaking her head as she stood. “I just need some sleep.” I watched as she walked into the bedroom, my gut twisting painfully. Sleep wouldn’t fix this. I wasn’t an idiot. I knew the effect my mother had on her. I had seen it the moment we stepped foot into the Lysander estate. The way Anna straightened her spine, feigning confidence, while Luciana scrutinized every inch of her. My mother had always been calculated. She didn’t need to raise h
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-03The Price Of Us Chapter 15
JACE POVI was already dressed, adjusting my cufflinks, when I heard the soft footsteps behind me. I turned, expecting to see Anna in the gown I had picked for her—the one that would remind the world exactly who she was.Instead, she stood in the doorway, wrapped in her silk robe, her hands gripping the fabric tightly.My stomach tightened. Something was wrong.“I’m not coming,” she said softly.I frowned. “What?”She lifted her chin, forcing a small smile. “I think it’s best if I skip this one.”“No,” I said immediately, stepping closer. “We talked about this. You’re my wife, Anna. You belong there.”She sighed, lowering her gaze. “It’s not that simple, Jace.”“Why not?”Her silence stretched between us like a canyon. Then, finally, she whispered, “I spoke to your mother.”I exhaled sharply, already feeling the anger rising in my chest. “What did she say?”Anna hesitated, then forced another smile. “She just… helped me see reason.”Bullshit.I reached for her hand, but she pulled bac
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04The Price Of Us Chapter 16
ANNA POVJace was pulling away from me. Not physically—his arm was still around me, his body warm against mine. But I could feel the distance. The hesitation in his touch. The way his thoughts lingered somewhere else, somewhere darker. I stared at the ceiling, my pulse drumming in my ears. The air between us felt heavier than usual, thick with words neither of us were saying. I turned onto my side, facing him. “Jace,” I whispered. He didn’t answer at first, just kept staring at the ceiling. Then, finally, his gaze flickered to mine. “Hmm?”I hesitated, searching his face. “Are you okay?”A second of silence. A second too long. “Yeah,” he said, his voice quieter than before. “Just tired.”It was a lie. I knew it the way I knew every shift in his moods, every flicker of emotion he tried to hide. I didn’t call him out on it though, instead, I reached up, tracing my fingers along his jaw, feeling the tension there. “You’re thinking about something.”His lips pressed together.
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04The Price Of Us Chapter 17
ANNA POVThe garden was peaceful in the early morning light, the scent of blooming roses drifting through the air. I sat beneath the shade of an old willow tree, my embroidery hoop resting in my lap. The needle weaved through the fabric, but my mind wasn’t truly on the stitches. I was thinking about yesterday. About Luciana’s words. Vanya’s smirk.He pities you.I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Jace wasn’t like that. He had always been there for me, but out of love… right? A soft rustling of skirts pulled me from my thoughts. Teresa approached with a gentle smile, carrying a small basket of freshly cut fruits. “You’ve been out here a while,” she said, setting the basket beside me. “I thought you might be hungry.”I managed a small smile. “Thank you, Teresa.”She sat beside me, her hands settling on her lap. “Your thoughts are loud today, child.”I let out a soft laugh, though there was little humor in it. “That obvious, huh?”She nodded knowingly. “The hands may work,
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-04
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
