But just as I took a step, a woman's voice pierced the air from inside Regan's office. I froze, my heart skipping a beat, then seemed to stop altogether, as if time itself had paused in that agonizing moment of realization. Every instinct within me screamed to flee, to escape the inevitable pain that awaited me. Yet, despite the overwhelming urge to run, something compelled me to turn around, my eyes narrowing as I faced the trembling secretary."Who is inside?" My voice was cold."No one, Ma’am. Please, just ignore it and leave."Her pitiful expression only fueled my resolve. "Move.""Ma’am, please, just go back later. I swear no one—""I said step aside."Reluctantly, she bowed, her trembling hands opening a path for me to pass.Without hesitation, I pushed past the secretary, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. With a deep breath, I pushed it open.As I entered the room, my worst fears were realized in an instant. Zarina stood before me, her cheeks flushed, and her
As the elevator doors slid shut behind me, I leaned heavily against the cool metal wall. Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked. I lifted a trembling hand to wipe them away, but they seemed to flow endlessly.As I reached my car, I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The engine roared to life as I peeled out of the parking space, the tires screeching against the pavement. My vision blurred with tears as I drove aimlessly through the streets. I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to escape.To get as far with Regan as I can.It was then that I saw it – a bridge in the distance. Without a second thought, I veered off the main road and drove underneath it. The car came to a stop, the engine ticking as it cooled.With trembling legs, I stepped out of the car and leaned against its cool metal frame, the tears flowing freely down my cheeks. Each sob tore through me like a knife. I doubled over, my body wracked with heaving sobs.The memori
Tonight, I wore my best dress—a sleek, black satin maxi dress that hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my graceful silhouette. The dress had a plunging neckline and a slit up the side that added a touch of elegance and allure. My dark, wavy hair cascaded down my shoulders, framing my face softly. I meticulously painted my lips a bold shade of red, a striking contrast against my fair skin.I sat in the corner of the restaurant, the glow of candlelight forming shadows across the tablecloth. The ambiance was romantic, but my heart was still heavy with dull ache. After my breakdown, I went back to the mansion like nothing happened.I’ll stay with Regan, with my husband no matter what. That’s what I decided three years ago.I wore my best dress and painted my lips a bold shade of red like always.This restaurant held a special significance for me—it was where Regan had first brought me after he saved me ten years ago. I was 17 when I got lost in the pouring rain, terrified by the thund
As I rose from my seat, a wave of dizziness washed over me, causing the room to spin. The waitress quickly hold my arms."Are you okay, Ma’am?""Yeah, I'm fine," I slurred, attempting to steady myself on the table."Are you sure you should be driving?""I'll manage, thanks though. Just need some fresh air."She nodded reluctantly as I made my unsteady way to the door. The truth was, I was more than fine—I was tipsy, bordering on drunk. I hadn't realized I'd consumed so much wine, but my high tolerance for alcohol often masked the effects until it was too late.Struggling to maintain my balance, I made my way out of the restaurant and to the parking space. My head pounding with every step.“Ugh shit” I groaned, holding my throbbing head.As I approached my car, relief washed over me momentarily. But as I stepped forward, something fell on my face—tiny droplets that quickly morphed into a downpour. I stood frozen, feeling the cold droplets soak through my clothes, mixing with the tears
Regan’s POVI reclined against the headboard, the weight of the whiskey glass heavy in my hand. The scent of alcohol hung thick in the air, mingling with the subtle perfume that clung to Zarina's skin.She shifted beside me, not bothering to cover her naked body. "You should sleep here in the penthouse tonight."I shook my head, taking a long sip of the amber liquid. "No, I need to go home.""Why do you always go home to her?"I paused, grappling for an answer that I didn't have. Why did I always return to Anastasia, even when I knew I shouldn't?"I... I don't know."But deep down, I knew she was right. I should have stayed away from my wife, but something within me resisted. As Zarina's words echoed in my mind, a pang of guilt washed over me. Today was our anniversary, a day that held significance for Anastasia, even if it held none for me. She always prepared for our anniversary, despite knowing that I would never be there to celebrate with her.I don’t know why she can’t let our ma
I stormed out of the penthouse, the sound of Zarina's pleading voice fading behind me as I raced down the hallway. After I reached the parking garage and practically threw myself into my car. The engine roared to life as I slammed my foot down on the accelerator, the car lurching forward as I sped out into the rainy night.Rain pounded against the windshield, the wipers working overtime to clear the deluge. But I barely noticed. All I could think about was Anastasia, alone and waiting, somewhere out there in the storm.“I told her not to wait” I grumbled.For the first time, I pushed the speedometer beyond its limits. When I finally arrived at the restaurant, my heart sank. The doors were locked, the windows dark. Raindrops cascaded down the windows. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I noticed Anastasia's car still parked in the lot—the red car.I stepped out into the rain, the cold droplets soaking through my clothes. I checked my phone, h
As I skidded to a halt outside the towering building with a big sign Skyview Heights. I leaped out of the car and dashed towards the entrance. Then, I saw him—the man from the video—strolling casually inside as though he hadn't a care in the world.“Hey!” I shouted, storming inside the building. “Stop right there!”The man turned, his eyes narrowing in annoyance, but before he could respond, the two guards stationed at the entrance blocked my path.“Sir, you are not allowed to be here”“Let go! Do you not know who I am?!” I snapped, my frustration boiling over.“Sorry, Sir, but we cannot let you in,” the other guard insisted, crossing his arms in front of him.My jaw ticked with irritation. Pointing towards Anastasia, who lay unconscious in the man’s arms, I practically spat out my words. “She is my wife! And that asshole kidnapped her!”The guards exchanged a glance, but the man simply looked annoyed. “You don’t seem to be his husban
I undressed Anastasia and lowered her gently into the steaming bath. I had removed my shirt, not bothering to change my wet jeans. I was cleaning her arms and she was in the bath, eyes closed, and leaning on the bathtub when she suddenly sat upright.“Hey” I blurted out, holding her arms but to my surprise, she touched my cheek.“Hmm? Are Regan?” her words are slurred as she rakes her gaze in my face “My husband is really my husband even in my dreams”I removed her hand from my face, but she leaned forward, pecking a kiss on my cheeks, and smiled widely. “You’re frowning again, like always” and she closed her eyes before she fell backward.I quickly grabbed her, my gaze landing on her face.Anastasia Saavedra Del Valle. The youngest daughter of the owner of the Stellar Holdings. She was a famous woman in the conglomerate world. The fallen pianist prodigy. Everyone knows what happened to her mother—Alisha Saavedra. The chairwoman who killed herself after jumping on the balcony.The poli
The city lights began to twinkle as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Exhausted and emotionally drained, I craved a moment of peace. With a sigh, I decided to visit Le Ciel Bleu."Marlon, can we go to Le Ciel Bleu.""Certainly, Ma'am," he replied. He pulled away from the curb, the familiar route to the restaurant a blur as I leaned my head against the cool glass window.Le Ciel Bleu exuded a certain Parisian charm. A wrought-iron fence adorned with climbing ivy surrounded a small patio.As we arrived, Marlon opened the car door for me with his usual courtesy."You can go home, Marlon," I said, turning to my driver. "I'll call you when I'm ready.""Are you sure, Ma'am?""Yes, thank you," I replied and walked towards the restaurant, taking a seat at a corner table near the large glass wall.I opted for a quiet table in the corner, away from the main crow
The next day, Regan was still not coming home, and the day stretched before me. By the time I woke, the day had reached its peak. As the afternoon sun cast its golden rays through the window, a notification buzzed on my phone. Pulling it out of my pocket, I glanced at the screen. It was a text from Gerard. His message was simple – a request to meet.Despite the fatigue that weighed me down, and the nausea churning in my stomach, I knew I couldn't ignore him. With a deep breath, I pushed myself off the couch. Moving on autopilot, I made my way to my room. The reflection in the mirror startled me. My usually bright green eyes were dull and shadowed. Choosing a red maxi dress, I slipped it on. The long sleeves offered a welcome layer of comfort, hiding the fading bruise blooming on my arm. The one I received from where Regan shoved me in a staff room. The red color felt like a shield, a way to mask the vulnerability I still felt.Reachi
When I woke up, Regan was not by my side. He also hadn't slept beside me, but I heard him take clothes from his closet during the night. I sighed, feeling the emptiness of the bed. I came down, feeling lazy and not quite ready to face the day. I sank into the couch in the living room. Susan, one of the maids, brought me a tray of breakfast. I nibbled on the food, my appetite barely there. Sheila's sudden appearance startled me out of my thoughts. Her face, usually alight with a friendly smile, was etched with concern. She hurried over, her movements quick and worried, and sank down onto the couch beside me. "You look dead. Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for answers. I forced a weak smile, the kind that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm fine, Sheila," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired." Sheila wasn't convinced. She scrutinized me with a knowing look, her brow furrowed in worry. "Don't try to play it off, Anastasia. What happened? Tell me everythi
Anastasia's POVThe towering cityscape of the city finally rose into view bringing a sliver of relief. My eyes felt gritty and raw like sandpaper had been rubbed across them. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest with each movement. Pulling into the familiar driveway of our mansion, I practically tumbled out of the taxi, my legs shaky.Susan practically ran our household, and rushed out the front door, her face etched with a mixture of surprise and concern. "Miss Anastasia? My goodness, what are you doing here? And why are you taking a taxi?"Behind her, the other maids peeked out from the doorway, their faces mirroring Susan's astonishment. I plastered a weak smile on my face, but I could feel the exhaustion radiating off me in waves. "Hey, Susan," I mumbled in a hoarse whisper. "Long story,""But... but where is Sir Regan..." Susan stammered, confusion clouding her features. She clearly expected me to be with Regan and the family at th
Regan's POV The car ride home was tense and silent. My family and I sat in the dimly lit vehicle, each lost in our thoughts. I couldn't shake the image of Anastasia's eyes, filled with pain and betrayal, from my mind. I hadn’t known she was there. My father had left first, and one of my cousins had stayed behind with Zarina, who thankfully seemed fine now. But the frustration gnawed at me, knowing I had somehow failed Anastasia again. As we drove, I finally broke the silence. "Does anyone know where Anastasia went? It's already 10 in the evening." My mother, sitting beside me, glanced at me with concern. "She might be at the house by now," We pulled into the driveway, and Dad was waiting outside, his face etched with concern. "Is Anastasia with you?" he asked the moment I stepped out of the car. "No," I replied, a knot of dread forming in my stomach. Just the
The sky had darkened considerably, the last rays of sunlight giving way to the inky blackness of night. A cold wind swept through the deserted road, sending chills down my spine. Despite the situation, an instinct for survival kicked in. I knew I couldn't stay there, exposed and vulnerable. Taking a shaky breath, I pushed myself to my feet and started walking. The road ahead was covered in darkness, but it was the only path I had. As I stumbled along, I raised a hand in a futile attempt to flag down passing cars, each one ignored. Night had completely fallen by the time I finally saw headlights way in the distance, getting bigger and brighter. Hope and fear battled each other in my chest. This had to work. I had to do something. Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists and stepped right into the middle of the road, squeezing my eyes shut tight. This was it. Whatever happened next, I couldn't take it anymore. With all the strength I had left, I screame
Time seemed to lose all meaning. But eventually, with a shaky breath, I forced myself to my feet. My face was a tear-streaked mess, my body ached with a dull throb. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away the tears. Straightening my clothes, and brushing away the dust and grime, I walked out of the room.I needed to see Zarina. Needed to know she was okay, if there was even a remote chance of explaining myself. Each step towards the emergency room felt like trudging through mud. As I approached, the murmur of voices grew louder. Regan's family huddled around Zarina; their faces etched with concern. Lost in their worry, they didn't notice me linger at the edge of the group. Taking a bite of my lip, the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth. I had to speak up, and explain what truly happened. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, a nurse cut through the tense atmosphere. "Excuse me, Mr. Del Valle," she addressed Regan, "but is there any immediate family member f
The sobs eventually subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache in my chest and a numbness that spread through my limbs. Pulling away from Paul's embrace, I stood on shaky legs, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady me.My voice hoarse from crying, I managed a choked plea. "I... I need to go to her."Paul's brow furrowed in concern. "No, Anastasia. You can't. It's better for you to stay at the house and wait for Regan."I shook my head. Biting my lip, I wiped away the tears that still clung to my lashes. "Please, Paul. I just want to know if she's okay. And I need to explain myself.""Anastasia—""Please," I cut him off, my gaze meeting his. There was a desperation in my eyes that I couldn't hide.Paul hesitated, his eyes scanning my tear-streaked face. He seemed to be weighing the risks. With a sigh, he nods.......The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, pulling me back to the present momen
The forest felt eerily silent, the only sound was my ragged breathing. I tried to focus, to ground myself in the present, but the past and the present blurred together. It was almost suffocating. The pain, the fear, the helplessness—it was all suffocating until I could hear distant shouts now, voices growing nearer.Regan's voice cut through the haze, but I couldn't make out the words. I closed my eyes, trying to block out everything, but the images of my mother and Zarina's blood-stained figure were still on my mind.A hazy blur swam into focus as I registered the distant sound of Regan's voice calling Zarina's name. It echoed through the trees, distorted and faint as if I were underwater. My body felt numb, rooted to the spot where I had collapsed. Tears streamed down my face.Through my tear-filled eyes, I saw Regan materialize from the trees. He crouched beside Zarina, his face etched with fear as he cradled her head in his hands, calling her name with