With a forced smile that felt brittle on my lips, I walked to my designated seat at the far end of the table. The vast expanse of mahogany between us felt like an insurmountable distance. We ate in a tense silence, the only sounds were the clinking of silverware against China and the labored breaths I couldn't quite control.My appetite was nonexistent. But I forced myself to pick at my food. Halfway through the meal, I could feel Regan's gaze burning into me. In the past, I would make any remark designed to draw him into conversation. But tonight, the words wouldn't come. The image of his hand intertwined with Zarina's, the warmth in his eyes that had been absent for far too long, choked the words back down. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Anastasia,"I ignored him, staring intently at the floral pattern on my plate. The urge to scream, to throw my wine glass across the table, warred with the strange paralysis that gripped me.Regan cleared his throat again, louder this time. "A
Days passed in a blur of empty routines and forced smiles. But as the sun rose on another day, I pushed aside the memories of what I saw in the mall. Of what I and Regan talked about. I promised myself I would try everything I have on this marriage.And that involves staying and giving everything I have. Including chances.As I stirred from my fitful slumber, the weight of exhaustion pulling at my limbs, I found myself greeted by the sight of Regan still sleeping beside me. It was a rare occurrence.His features softened. With each rise and fall of his chest, I couldn't help but admire the sculpted contours of his physique, the gentle curve of his jawline and the way his tousled hair fell in disarray across his forehead. Regan slept with a sense of ease, his chest rising and falling in a steady. The absence of a shirt allowed me to appreciate the taut muscles of his torso. As I watched him, a sense of admiration washed over me. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, to the man who is st
As lunchtime approached, I happily packed the food I had lovingly prepared into a lunchbox. Today is a special day.Susan stands beside me, “I think you should just ask Marlon to send it, Miss Anastasia”I shook my head, "It's been a long time since I've done it myself. And I am sure Marlon must be too tired and sick of delivering lunch for Regan. It is his day off today."But Susan still looked concerned for some reason. “Why? Is there something wrong?”“No, nothing, Miss”I nodded and carried the lunch bag. “I should get going.”“Take care on your way, Miss”I walked out of our house, my house clicking on the garage. I don’t ask for drivers. For me, it was nicer to drive on your own. I entered my Red Mercedes-Benz and sped off the Dynastar Enterprises. It is a billion-multinational company owned by Regan.As I parked my car, I looked at the towering building in front of me. Then I walked inside. The guards greeted me with a polite nod, but I couldn't help but notice the unease that
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 sat on the balcony, staring out into the blank space. My head throbbed where the doctor had treated me. Sheila had left a while ago, saying she'd be back soon. There was food on the table, but I wasn't hungry at all. All I could see in my mind was Regan's face, twisted with worry, as he looked at that other woman, Zarina. It was like a broken record, replaying over and over.Suddenly, I heard the door open. I thought it was Sheila, but then my stepmother's voice echoed instead. She stood in the doorway. She wore a tailored navy-blue dress that hugged her figure perfectly, with a matching jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair was styled in a chignon, not a strand out of place. Her makeup was flawless, highlighting her sharp features, and her eyes were cold, and calculating.I turned to face her, my voice flat. "What are you doing here?"She walked closer, her high heels clicking on the floor. "I called Ella, you know after your old maid Susan told me you went to a party. But Ell
“ANASTASIA!” I heard Sheila’s voice, but it was as if everything around me had slowed down.I felt my body slip, and then there was a sharp, terrifying impact. The side of the pool slammed into my head, sending a pulse of searing pain through my skull. Everything around me spun—twisting, distorting, until I could no longer make sense of the world.Someone grabbed me, pulling me out of the water. The dizziness started to subside, but the ache in my head remained, throbbing relentlessly. As my vision cleared, I saw Alan beside me, his face tight with concern. Sheila was already in the pool, frantically swimming toward me.Everyone else stood frozen, eyes fixed on the scene, their expressions a mixture of shock and confusion."Fuck," Alan muttered under his breath. His voice was tense, and I could hear the faintest edge of panic in it. “You okay?”I wanted to tell him I was fine, but all I could focus on was the sharpness of the pain in my head. I couldn’t think straight. I glanced up, a
My gaze drifted back towards Regan and Zarina, drawn by a strange pull. They were looking in our direction, and for a short moment, our eyes met. A flicker of shock crossed Regan's handsome face; the exhaustion etched into his features momentarily forgotten. He looked… weary. His usually sharp blue eyes were clouded with fatigue, the dark around them. His dark hair, usually meticulously styled, was slightly mussed, as if he'd run a hand through it. Despite the exhaustion, his undeniable good looks were on full display – strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that always captivated me.The tension in the room was thick, but I kept my expression neutral. As I watched Regan and Zarina from across the room, the pain flared again.After a few minutes, I took a deep breath and straightened up. “I’ll just go to the bathroom.”Sheila squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. “If you need anything, just let me know.”I nodded and made my way back to the bathroom, needing a mome
We pulled into the driveway, the festive decorations already visible through the front windows of Ella's house. Sheila parked the car and turned to me with a concerned frown. "Anastasia, are you sure you're up for this?" she asked softly. "We can turn around and head home if you'd rather.""No. I came this far. Besides, I wouldn't want to disappoint Ella."Sheila reached out and squeezed my hand gently. "Of course not. But if things get too overwhelming, don't hesitate to tell me, okay? We can sneak out anytime."Taking another deep breath, I forced a smile onto my face. "Alright, let's do this."We climbed out of the car and made our way towards the house. The cheerful sounds grew louder as we approached. As we reached the front door, it swung open, revealing Ella standing there, a radiant smile lighting up her face."Anastasia!" she exclaimed, "You actually came! I'm so happy to see you!" Before I could respond, she pulled me into a hug, the scent of fresh flowers and baby powder
Five days had crawled by since the trip. Since the storm Regan left without a word, leaving the mansion feeling even emptier than usual. The silence in the house seemed to stretch on, oppressive and suffocating. The maids had fussed over me all morning, urging me to eat, but the sight of food on a silver platter only turned my stomach. Nothing felt right. I couldn’t shake the image of him walking away, of his cold eyes, and the thought that he might be with Zarina now.Zarina. Her name lingered in my mind like a bitter aftertaste. I had no proof, no confirmation, but the way Regan had behaved—it made sense. Maybe they were together. Maybe that was why he’d stormed off. The thought of him with her twisted something inside me, something dark and painful. I didn't want to think about it, but I couldn’t help it. It was all I could think about.I reached for my phone again, fingers trembling as I unlocked it. I scrolled through the messages and then tried calling Regan’s number, again, for
As Alex pulled up to the grand driveway, I felt a lump forming in my throat. The house loomed in the darkness, familiar yet somehow alien after the whirlwind of the past few days. I unbuckled my seatbelt slowly, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. Before I could step out, Alex rounded the car and opened the door for me. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice grounding me. “You’re going to be okay. One step at a time.” I nodded; my throat too tight to respond. As I stood, he surprised me by pulling me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me firmly, shielding me for just a moment from the storm raging in my chest. “Call me if you need anything”“Thank you”He pulled away, his hands lingering briefly on my shoulders before he stepped back. I gave him a faint smile, the best I could muster, and watched as he walked back to his car. He paused for a moment before getting in, as if he wanted to say something else, but then he simply gave me a small wave and drove away. Turning
The car's engine hummed softly as Alex drove away, his focus entirely on the road ahead. We didn’t speak much during the drive, but I could feel Alex’s concern in the way he occasionally glanced at me, his brow furrowed with worry. I felt so exposed, and vulnerable, and yet there was something about his calm presence that grounded me. Eventually, we arrived at the house he had rented, a charming place. The rain was still pouring down in sheets, but I barely noticed it as Alex helped me out of the car and led me inside. The house was cozy and warm. He guided me to the couch, urging me to sit as he went to gather supplies. I watched him move around; his actions were quick but gentle. It was clear he knew what he was doing. “Just a few scratches,” he muttered as he carefully cleaned the scrape on my knee.The warmth of his touch as he tended to my wounds made me feel something unfamiliar, something soft, and I didn’t know whether I should be grateful or confused. "Thank you," I whisp
He stood there, drenched from head to toe, his rugged features softened by the concern on his face. His brown hair was tousled by the wind, a few strands clinging to his forehead as he made his way closer, his jacket sticking to his frame in the rain. The jeans he wore were soaked, hugging his lean figure, and despite the storm, there was a warmth in his eyes—a warmth that was the complete opposite of the coldness I felt inside.I could barely believe my eyes when I saw him standing there."Anastasia," he said again, his voice carrying a sense of relief mixed with panic.His face was full of concern. Without saying a word, he rushed over to me, kneeling beside me in the rain, his hands reaching out, but stopping just short of touching me."What the hell happened?"I could see the worry etched into his face, his brow furrowed, and his eyes scanning me, searching for answers. But I couldn't speak. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him properly. I just stared at the blood on my han
The road blurred before me, my vision a mix of tears and rain streaking down the windshield. I didn’t know where I was going, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to drive—to escape, to feel something other than the pain. I slammed my hands against the steering wheel, my fingers curling into the leather as I tried to steady my breath. “What the hell am I doing?”I was speeding, too fast for this kind of rain, too reckless in my desperate attempt to escape. The road in front of me was a blur, the rain so heavy I could hardly see past the windshield. The wipers swiped back and forth, but it didn’t help. Everything felt so... suffocating.“Why am I doing this?!” I muttered aloud, my voice shaking. “You’re being stupid, Anastasia!”The sound of the tires skidding on the wet pavement made my heart leap into my throat. I swerved, panic rising. I didn’t even know what I was doing.I tried to correct myself, but before I could even think, a flash of movement caught my eye.“Ahh!” I screamed, my