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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: THE TIME TO HEAL
Huling Na-update:
2022-10-26 21:41:52Kaugnay na kabanata
Time to heal EPILOGUE: THE WEDDING BATTLEFIELD
“Aimee, she’s driving me crazy,” Ana complained for the umpteenth time as she joined her friend in the coffee room after one laden session with Jennifer about the wedding plans. Having no wish for a grand wedding, Ana had done the intrinsic mistake of handing the preparations over to her PR, who had suddenly transformed into her worst nightmare.Things were inexorably getting out of hands – what had started as an unpretentious family affair had transmuted to a celebrity wedding, precisely what Ana had been circumventing. Jennifer being her whimsical self was controlling the wedding to the weeniest details, from the color of the flowers to the food which would be served.“I know she can be a pain, honey. The wedding’s only a week ahead. Keep ignoring her,” Aimee responded soothingly, sending her a sympathetic look before frowning back to the ivory mess of fabric in front of her.Even handing Aimee the mission of designing her dress had been like winning a battle – Jennifer had insisted
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26Time to heal FACTS NOT TO FORGET
FACTS NOT TO FORGETHi. I hope you like my story. I had a really wonderful time writing about it and hope that my next venture will be an equally outstanding experience.I will be really ungrateful brat if I end this without thanking the GoodNovel Team for this wonderful platform. I have been a writer since school days but had never dared shown anyone my story before.It feels really good to be appreciated for your work. I would request other writers not to copy my work as it is a copyright book. I would be ready to help you if ever you are stuck with your own story if it is possible for me to do so of course.Last but not least, I am putting up a table of events throughout the story which had helped me relate to the story every now and then without getting lost. I would definitely recommend other writers to use this tip and it is a key for my readers.THANK YOU AND KEEP POSTING YOUR COMMENTS..1982 Devin bornApril 1986Con man Alastair Forrester had bee
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26Time to heal PROLOGUE: CHANCE ENCOUNTER
“Can I buy you a drink?” someone asked behind Anastasia Hazel Forrester, and she schooled her features into an impassive mask before turning to face her interlocutor. A pair of stunning blue eyes stared back at her coupled with a dazzling smile meant to charm. “I’m all good,” she drawled lazily, indicating her glass and dismissed the handsome stranger who had accosted her without second thoughts. She loathed the fact that the opposite sex seemed to think that every lonely woman at a bar was fair game. “Are you sure?” he insisted with an obvious slurred Italian accent, unfazed to the fact that she was clearly not interested. Ana refrained from replying, praying that he would pick the hint. Thankfully he did. She breathed a sigh of relief – that was her fifth overtures for the night, and she was not impressed. She’d heard that Italians were pretty flirtatious and straight-forward but had never been a hands-on witness to the fact until today. She’d just landed in Milan the previous
Huling Na-update : 2022-09-19Time to heal CHAPTER ONE: HER DOUBLE LIFE
FIVE YEARS LATER…A frigid cold smile plastered on her face; Anastasia stared at the culprit standing in her line of vision with undisguised disdain. Consideration or pity were not part of her dictionary, so she could not be bothered that the poor man stood completely humiliated in front of her, his head bent in resigned shame. In fact, it gave her a sense of perverse satisfaction to know that she had the power to make that man cower like a worm. She was an unfeeling bitch, she knew – in general models were supposed to have a mean side.Anyway, she was after all Anastasia Forrester– the queen bee of the contemporary NY fashion world which gave her enough leeway to do anything she wanted. Humility was not her thing. Had been in the past but now she felt better being the proud princess she was. It was life, after all, which had molded her into who she was now, who she was meant to be.“So, what will it be Mr. Patterson? You have two options. Either you accept that you have stolen the sa
Huling Na-update : 2022-09-19Time to heal CHAPTER TWO: THE ENCOUNTER
Anastasia Hazel Forrester had been a stunner in her early twenties, in her prime womanhood, she was a total knockout. Devin knew he was a goner the moment he laid eyes on her walking down the runway unaware of him. Her presence on stage shone through like a ray of sunshine after a long period of overcast weather. Aside from a complete make-over, her expression was cold and impassible, so unlike the Ana he’d known five years ago. To think that he was the one who’d transformed her into that version of virago caused a small constriction in the region where his heart was supposed to be. Even if he hated her. Still hated her vehemently, with every fiber of his being. Their association in the past had taught him that she was a spoilt and self-centered little brat, who venerated her father endlessly. That was her only unpardonable crime, but she didn’t need any other incrimination considering who her father was. With a sneer, restless anticipation poured in his veins, unable to keep his atte
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26Time to heal CHAPTER THREE: THE FLASHBACK
Time stopped for Ana when she heard the devastating news coming so bluntly from the man in front of her.For a little while, even for a transient moment, she’d felt genuine happiness at Kevin’s party. She had even managed to stop the flow of memories from flooding her with grief, having put Devin’s Crighton re-appearance in her life as an unfortunate coincidence. It had all been possible because of the wonderful time she’d been spending with Kevin who’d been so sure she would skip because of her hectic schedule. But she would never be too busy for him. For them. She loved them unconditionally and limitlessly.The orphanage kids. Over such a short span of time, they had become such an integral part of her life that now she could hardly imagine her future without them. Especially when she brought such joy to them, not only for monetary purposes, but with her presence and love. When life had knocked her out with sadistic perversion, she had used them as anchor to rebuild her shattered wo
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26Time to heal CHAPTER FOUR: THE FUNERAL
There she was. Finally! Bloody stubborn woman! To have reached on time, she must have left at twilight, and must be wired from the long drive. What kind of woman refused the luxury of his private jet to face the rough ride of the road? A foolish one? Or one who wanted to avoid his company at all cost, a conniving voice inside him taunted.What the hell had taken over him to suggest that she flew with him anyway? He was supposed to be keeping his distance, bid his time until he got back his due, not warming up to her like old times. That era of sham was gone, their enmity no longer masked, and he knew better than to expect mercy from her. Wasn’t that what he’d wanted after all? That she hated him with the same ardor as him? For someone who was supposed to hate her, he was clearly not excelling at the job.Now that he felt no longer coerced to pretend to like her, there was a significant layer of protection and self-preservation which was conspicuously missing. That void left him raw an
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26Time to heal CHAPTER FIVE: THE TWIST IN THE WILL
“Ana,” a voice halted her steps from behind as she was leaving the cemetery after Melissa’s dramatic departure. At first, used to the wailings of her sister, she had not given much credit to the show the latter was putting on. It was only when insults had been directed at her, that she had paid scant attention interrupting her prayers. And the only emotion she could muster was grim irritation for having disturbed her silent plea to God to forgive her father, hoping that he’d at least found salvation.As for accepting the condolences, she’d preferred a laid-back performance, granting her father’s cousin Aunt Mathilda the main role while Melissa had been making a spectacle of herself. It had felt more appropriate, everyone from the family hated her anyway, considering she was not the rightful heir to her father’s millions.Like she needed that kind of dirty money, she chided derisively to herself while she waited for Uncle Jeremy to reach her at the end of the alley, most probably to ta
Huling Na-update : 2022-10-26
Pinakabagong kabanata
Time to heal FACTS NOT TO FORGET
FACTS NOT TO FORGETHi. I hope you like my story. I had a really wonderful time writing about it and hope that my next venture will be an equally outstanding experience.I will be really ungrateful brat if I end this without thanking the GoodNovel Team for this wonderful platform. I have been a writer since school days but had never dared shown anyone my story before.It feels really good to be appreciated for your work. I would request other writers not to copy my work as it is a copyright book. I would be ready to help you if ever you are stuck with your own story if it is possible for me to do so of course.Last but not least, I am putting up a table of events throughout the story which had helped me relate to the story every now and then without getting lost. I would definitely recommend other writers to use this tip and it is a key for my readers.THANK YOU AND KEEP POSTING YOUR COMMENTS..1982 Devin bornApril 1986Con man Alastair Forrester had bee
Time to heal EPILOGUE: THE WEDDING BATTLEFIELD
“Aimee, she’s driving me crazy,” Ana complained for the umpteenth time as she joined her friend in the coffee room after one laden session with Jennifer about the wedding plans. Having no wish for a grand wedding, Ana had done the intrinsic mistake of handing the preparations over to her PR, who had suddenly transformed into her worst nightmare.Things were inexorably getting out of hands – what had started as an unpretentious family affair had transmuted to a celebrity wedding, precisely what Ana had been circumventing. Jennifer being her whimsical self was controlling the wedding to the weeniest details, from the color of the flowers to the food which would be served.“I know she can be a pain, honey. The wedding’s only a week ahead. Keep ignoring her,” Aimee responded soothingly, sending her a sympathetic look before frowning back to the ivory mess of fabric in front of her.Even handing Aimee the mission of designing her dress had been like winning a battle – Jennifer had insisted
Time to heal CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: THE TIME TO HEAL
Cuddled in the only place she ever wanted to be, Ana listened to Dev’s ardent declaration with relish, letting him stew for some time before she confessed her feelings. It was true she’d figured out that much that she needed to forgive him to be able to build a life without resentment with him.It was not going to be easy to forget all the past pain, but she was counting on him to build new memories to erase the bad ones. Wasn’t that how forgiveness worked anyway?Even as the positive thoughts surrounded her, she felt herself being freed from some inner shackles, and a genuine grin of complete bliss break on her face as she inhaled his so beloved scent. Thrilled, she hugged him tightly, vowing to herself that she would work hard for their relationship.Looking up at him, waiting for his expression, she searched his face searching for anything which might make her want to back off. There was only a profound anguish, eyes caught in extreme tension as he waited for her response with an a
Time to heal CHAPTER TWENTY: THE PUBLIC DECLARATION
“Aimee, the strategy of making her jealous is not working out. The whole charade's been going on for nearly one month without any reaction from her behalf. Forget about making a scene, she's not even responding to my phone calls,” growled Dev frustratingly on the phone clutching the device so hard that his knuckles turned white.“I know! I never knew she was so indelible,” Aimee responded according, a facsimile of his own resentment for having his plans thwarted. “Can you give me until this afternoon to confirm something before you start using your caveman tactics?”Dev muttered something unintelligible under his breath, only curbing himself just in time from uttering a harsh expletive out of respect for the lady in question. “Do I at least get to know what you’re planning?” he asked gruffly, doubtful that her ploy would function.“Jennifer is planning a conference tonight with the media who claims that Ana’s fans are dying to know about her impromptu love story. Ana’s been stalling t
Time to heal CHAPTER NINETEEN: A LITTLE BIT OF CLICHÉ
Two days later, Ana peeped surreptitiously through her apartment windows for the hundredth time, trying futilely to wait for the phalanx of paparazzi to subside. Her whole building was surrounded by those leeches, like hounds being unleashed on some defenseless prey.Not that she was without armor. Her malevolent cover was protection enough against anyone with baleful intentions. Yet, she was stashed in her apartment, struggling to make herself unobtrusive feeling very reticent to face the media after her disastrous farewell with Dev.As for her career going downhill like Aimee had been so worried, everything was finally sorted out. Jennifer had changed the whole dynamics of the story by masterly transforming it into an epic love story. Photos of their heroic exit had been deliberately provided to serve as ammunitions for backing up the forfeit fairy-tale. Not that she gave a damn. She was no longer concerned about what the world thought of her – she just wished they would leave her a
Time to heal CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: OH NO NO NO!
Dev awoke with a start like he’d been jerked from a profound dreamless sleep, something which had always eluded him in the past. Then, something that he could feel even in his deep subconscious had changed.Ana was gone.For a panicked moment, a feeling of abject desolation gripped him as he fumbled in the empty sheets trying to get his bearings. He felt like that lost teenager once again caught up in indecision and despair, struggling to adjust to the cruel reality of life.What appalled him was that Ana had left despite the beautiful intimacy they’d shared, making a point to turn into something sleazy and cheap. Not because she was aiming for retribution – no, that was not in her nature, but she was most probably trying to protect herself from him.From the monster he was.Completely wretched, he could only stare blankly at the wall, trying to figure out his next move. How could he offer any future to Ana when he could not even forgive himself? Then, her words from the previous migh
Time to heal CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE COURTSHIP
“Put me down, DEVIN!” Ana screamed with outrage to the Neanderthal, pounding furiously against his broad back for good measure. Not that it was serving any purpose, she felt like one of the minuscule Lilliputians trying abortively to harm the giant Gulliver with small pins.“Don’t hold your breath baby,” he replied insolently patting her on the butt.Aware that a phalanx of reporters was starting to surround them with their cameras, Ana schooled her expression into an impassible one but for once she felt her mask slip. It was difficult to maintain dignity in the upside position she was it, whenever she turned to address her abductor, it felt like she was talking to her butt.Irascible anger gripped her at the realization that the tabloids were going to have fun at her expense, the images of the scandalous pictures which were going to be splashed in the gossip magazines making her cringe inwardly. Incredible at it might sound, she had managed to dodge a single disgrace throughout her c
Time to heal CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A SECOND CHANCE
Being a man of various devises, Dev came up with several strategies, exploring different scenarios but ultimately realized that things didn’t quite worked systematically in the matters of heart. Finally defeated, Devin found himself doing the only thing he’d promised himself he wouldn’t succumb to – phoning the aggressive Aimee McKenzie.He was adamant to conquer her back. There was no way he would let her slip away from his fingers, he would beg and grovel until she would have no other option than to accept him back. There was no other salvation for him – he was too far gone to ever hope for peace of mind. He was going to be her redemption.It had not been easy to convince that harridan McKenzie of his sincerity; she had railroaded him so much that he had to ultimately beg for her cooperation.“You don’t have to like me,” he abruptly announced the moment she arrived at the restaurant after several persistent calls.“You’ve better come up with a good explanation right now!” she retort
Time to heal CHAPTER FIFTEEN: ONLY YOU
It hadn’t been easy pushing Dev away so heartlessly, but Ana simply couldn’t give him what he was asking for. Forgiveness. She didn’t know if she had it in her to exonerate him for his crimes. It was asking too much of her - she wasn’t that much of a saint.Besides, he must have found out the whole truth from Uncle Jeremy, and that was probably the reason why he’d landed on her doorstep so early in the morning. A guilty conscience had the ability to meddle one’s head. But it was okay – she was okay now. Now that she’d settled that debt, she would find the force to continue her life without any ounce of happiness on horizon, wouldn’t she?Then, why did she feel that horribly heavy burden in her heart? Like someone had taken hold of the organ and wouldn’t let go? Bygones were bygones. Now, they both had to look forward to the future, but whatever life she was envisaging without him seemed bleak.Was she ever going to outlive that jinx? The curse of loving a man who simply didn’t deserve
