"What? What do you mean?”"I'm in love with another Ryan, the reason I agreed to your deal and married you was because I havesomeone I need to get back him.” I tell him as softly as I could muster."The child is not mine? How could you?” I sigh again."I was hoping this conversation would go smoothly Ryan, Loyalty and commitment is not an area ofpractice in this relationship, I'm sure you already know that.” I say outright."but I was ready to work things out.” He says getting angry."when, when in particular were you ready to work things out hmm, tell me, when you hit me? or was itafter, or maybe it was after you apologized for being such an ass and then I come home and find you inbed with another woman hmm?” I ask him getting angry too.How dare he make himself out to be a saint like he wasn't just as much filthy.“I apologized for that a thousand times already, what more could you possibly want? Is that why you hadto go and be such a whore?” He yells at me and I flinch violent
“Where do you think you are coming from?” The sudden voice startles me, I didn't expect for him to stillbe awake.I hold the pepper spray Max insisted on getting me even after many reassurances that I was fine, in myhand out. “Don't try anything funny Ryan, I've had a really long day okay, I don't need this right now.” Itell him truly exhausted.“Where have you been? I called your parents house and guess what? they were very much cluelessabout your whereabouts.” Ryan says moving closer to me again.“Stay where you are Ryan, I'm not playing with you.” I say to him keeping my voice firm. “I will nothesitate to turn you into a screaming, howling bitch if you try me.” Never have I said it and meant toharm someone so badly.“Is this what it's going to be now?” Ryan asks going back to his doctile good boy self.“I don't want it to be like this either Ryan, I want us to go back to how we were, living peacefully and civiland just quietly waiting for a year to be over, now we just
My life has been peaceful for the last weeks and I'm grateful for the that. My baby is doing well andkicking and Max calls to check up on us whenever he's free from work.I've been home less since I decided to take up Mr. Jaxon offer of me handling one his stores business thathe proposed days after my wedding.I was thankful when the process for the property transfer didn't take too long, it was a jewelry store but Iwas sure I could maintain the stores luxury and good market. I wasnt too good at selling because of mybeing reserved but I needed this new place to run off too and being productive.I've been thinking too, I love Jaxon with all my heart but I needed something to my name and a source ofincome, to be able to provide for my baby and I.“Jersey here, you can have this delivered to Mrs. Campbell, you can go home after, I can lock up myself,thank you for today.” I say to my assistant who I have grown very fond of since I started here, she's beenputting me through ever
“You look beautiful dear wife.” Ryan tells me as I come down the stairs all dressed up for the dinner withhis parents.“Why, thank you dear husband.” I say returning his full blown smile.Ryan has been acting like a school boy all day and I will admit, it's refreshing to see.“Thank you Beatrice.” I bid her farewell as we leave the house.“Thank you for coming with me Ana, two of us under my parents scrutiny will reduce the intensity of it.”Ryan laughs like he just dropped the shortest and amusing joke.“What? So what am I to you for this dinner? Backup?” I lash at him.“What? No, that's not what I mean-” Ryan stutters.I burst out laughing “I was just kidding, we all need space away from our parents sometimes, Iunderstand you.” I laugh at his face.“I have no problem being your sidekick Ryan.” I assure and smoothen his tense form that's prepared for afight.“Hahaha, that was very funny, scared the shit out of me.” Ryan admits.“Ohh, you are that scared of me?” I ask h
I feel my breathe go tense like I have been knocked off my feet repeatedly as questions flow through mymind.What is she doing here?How is she here?What game is she playing at by being here?“Ana? Ana baby.” Ryan's continous call drags me from being trapped in my mind.“Yes?” I answer startled.“Are you not feeling well my love?” Ryan asks, he's brows creasing as he waits for my reply.The attention of the whole room is on me, one thing that i adore a lot.“Yes, yes. I'm fine, sorry, I was just- what were you saying?” I ask instead.“Are you sure? You are sweating.” Ryan remarks handing a tissue to me.“Yes, Ryan I'm fine.” I manage to say firmly, casting a glance at the almighty Scarlett.And then she stands, a triumphant smirk on her face. I manage to school my features.“Always after the attention?” Ryan's mother grumbles in a low tone but the entire room heard thatanyway.I turn my body towards her direction, ready to flip this table over with the what the fuck did
Max’s POVMy head goes round in 360 degrees as Ana stares at me like an alien that just killed her puppy.“What the actual fuck Max.” She yells at me, her eyes wide in disbelieve, I can see the anger beginning toflash in her eyes.Ana is my innocent sweet girl, she's barely ever angry but these days, she's like a ticking time bombeveryone needs protection from.“Ana I do know her family but they have no connection to ours and neither was I aware they had a realconnection with Ryan's.” Ana scoffs not satisfied.“I mean, we boys have been friends from college but it was just us kids okay, both of our families weremessed so I’d go to Williams for dinners once in a while and time happened, we naturally grew apart,especially Ryan, we keep in touch but we are not so close anymore so I didn't know this was going tohappen at all.” I explain in a rush before she calculates it wrongly and misunderstands, the last thing Iwant is another fight between us.“So all three of you were fr
Atlanta's a long ride away, but a day after speaking to William, I head for Atlanta.Scarlett has been avoiding me, I was really hoping she had nothing to do with this but after Ana told meabout the dinner incident, I realized it was no longer a coincidence.Scarlett was doing this on purpose and I intend on finding out what her agenda is. I considered her afriend and confided in her and she turns back and throws it in my face like she did every time during thetime of our relationship.I still tried her number multiple times but it was not going through, I try not to get angry multiple timeson the ride her but pulling up at the front gate of Williams family vacation house and hearing thebooming sound of music is setting me off.She turns Ana's emotions into a jumbled mess and then have fun here like she wasn't messing withpeople back home.“I’m to see Scarlett.” I tell the security guard at the gate.“The young Miss Harrington gave me a specific number to let in and the co
Anastasia’s POVI wake up in Maxwell's well before heading to Ryan's. I'm a bit late for work but I have to eat something, Ipromised Maxwell I would and I have been getting stomach aches for days now, I will book anappointment to go check how my baby is doing.“Ma’am should I make you breakfast?” Beatrice asks the moment she sees me walking into the house,not even looking the tiniest bit curious as to where I'm coming from.“Yes Beatrice but something really light. I stop to say to her before rushing up the stairs. In thirtyminutes, I'm all dressed up for work. I head down the stairs to find Ryan already sitting, but he barelyspeaks to me and contributes in the tiny conversations I make. So I simply let him be not knowing whathis problem is.I rush through breakfast and head straight to work.“Good morning ma’am.” Jersey greets when I walk into the store.“Sorry I'm late.” I simply tell and she looks uncomfortable that I'm apologizing when I own the place.“You don't have to apo
“I'm so sorry Anastasia.” I hear Maxwell whisper, still not looking at me but I can see the glistening oftears in his eyes. “You might never forgive me but I'm so sorry Ana, I should have known you wouldn'thave done something like that, I should have trusted you.” Maxwell says and I wanted nothing more thanto be in his arms in these times.“No, I lied, you were in pain and you were being manipulated.” I say, I was hurt and I wasn't about to healanytime soon but Maxwell was as much as a victim in this, I have no idea how he must have felt all thetime he spent thinking the woman he loved killed his child.1“Thank you so much Ana, he's the greatest gift and redemption.” Maxwell says sniffling so hard.I hold my hand out towards him. “Come here.” I whisper, my own eyes glistening with tears.Maxwell slowly walks towards me like he was carrying the whole world on his shoulders. He kneels infront of me.I hold his broad shoulders closer to me and Maxwell looks like a child whose guil
“Oh God,” I mutter to myself when I suddenly feel a hard push on my abdomen.“You have got to be kidding me.” I whisper to myself when I feel water underneath my thighs.What was happening? Panic suddenly filled my every pore. I felt more fear than I did the overwhelmingpain in my very gut.I needed help and fast, the baby was coming. I groan out loud and try to push myself up when another bultof pain decided to rack through my body.“Ana? Ana!!” I hear screams of my name coming from outside of the house, my already pulsing heartnearly stopped the moment I recognized who the voice belonged to.“Maxwell.” I whisper to myself, too weak to speak any louder.“Ana.” Loud footsteps march past the open wide doors and a disheveled looking Maxwell stands directlyin front of me.Confusion takes over his features first and then shock as his eyes access the situation and mess in theroom and then fear as he watches me bleeding out on the floor.“Ana?” He calls running towards me. “What happen
“What did you just say to me?” Ryan asks, clicking the gun at me.“What, you can dish out food but you can't eat it?” I ask him. “I said you are a daddy pleasing bastard youknow that or don't you?” I say and Ryan angrily takes long strides towards me, pointing the gun directlytowards the side of my head and I glare at him instead of shrinking away in fear.“Do you know what will happen to entire family if Dominic Garcia finds out something happened to mein your home, you could have it all covered up with the law but he will find you at the end of the day andhe won't stop until you are rotting six feeth underneath.” I stubbornly state, I wasn't so sure about all that Ijust said but one thing I knew was Dominic Garcia was immensely protective for a reason quite unknownto me.Ryan needed me so I knew he wouldn't pull the trigger unless his bipolar self and easily angeredtemperament was too much for him to handle.“Ryan please stop.” Beatrice begs coming to put a hold on Ryan's sho
“That's good.” I mutter tiredly, seeing them all go down the drain was all I wanted but now it's actuallyhappening, I'm not that too interested.“I think a warrant should be going out for both your mother and step father any moment from now. This isbig Ana. Are you okay?” Jersey asks me in concern.“Yeah I guess.” Jersey says.“I'm going to bed.” Jersey says and I know she's only saying that because she feels the need to give mespace.“Thank you Jersey.” I tell her as she walks away and she gives me a smile.“Anytime Ana.” Jersey says.The next morning, I make up my mind but first, I'm making sure to get an official divorce from Ryan, Idon't want to forever feel like I'm in a bondage no matter how far I run. I want to be certain nothing holdsus together anymore.“Jersey I'm going out.” I tell her, getting my keys.“Where are you going?” Jersey asks knowing the store was closed for a long while.“To Ryan's, I'm going to get a divorce.” I tell Jersey determined as I step out of the
“What did you just say to me?” Ryan asks, clicking the gun at me.“What, you can dish out food but you can't eat it?” I ask him. “I said you are a daddy pleasing bastard youknow that or don't you?” I say and Ryan angrily takes long strides towards me, pointing the gun directlytowards the side of my head and I glare at him instead of shrinking away in fear.“Do you know what will happen to entire family if Dominic Garcia finds out something happened to mein your home, you could have it all covered up with the law but he will find you at the end of the day andhe won't stop until you are rotting six feeth underneath.” I stubbornly state, I wasn't so sure about all that Ijust said but one thing I knew was Dominic Garcia was immensely protective for a reason quite unknownto me.Ryan needed me so I knew he wouldn't pull the trigger unless his bipolar self and easily angeredtemperament was too much for him to handle.“Ryan please stop.” Beatrice begs coming to put a hold on Ryan's sho
“You fucking bitch, you really are out of your mind.” Ryan shouts at the top of his voice.“Do you have any idea what you have done, my entire life and family is in jeopardy, you will fix thischaos as soon as possible.” Ryan yells. “Your parents have been arrested, what kind of daughter are you?”Ryan asks staring at me in disbelieve and I scoff out loud.“You must have some sort of fucked up audacity to that to me Ryan.” I hiss at him. “You all used me tothe very last drop and then you framed me up to leave me to rot away and you thought I was going to sitby and watch it all happen, you fucking bastard.” I calmly tell Ryan.“Did you fuck him? Is that how cheap and desperate you were.” Ryan accuses.“I owe you no sort of explanation Ryan, you think whatever you want to, that's your problem. Sign theGoddamn papers.” I instruct pushing the papers towards him.Ryan picks the paper up, tearing it up into pieces while glaring harshly at me.“You are still my wife Ana, and you belong to
"That's good," I mutter tiredly. Seeing everything fall apart was all I wanted for so long, but now that it's actually happening, I find myself less interested than I expected.Jersey, standing across from me, studies my face carefully. "I think a warrant should be going out for both your mother and stepfather any moment now," she says quietly, her voice carrying a seriousness that matches the situation. "This is big, Ana. Are you okay?"I shrug, unsure how to answer. The truth is, I don't know what I’m feeling anymore. "Yeah, I guess," I say after a moment, trying to convince myself as much as her.Jersey doesn't seem to buy it. She watches me with concern, her brow furrowed. “You sure? It’s okay if you’re not, you know. This is... it’s a lot.”"Yeah," I repeat, softer this time. “I’m fine.”There’s a pause, thick and uncomfortable. Jersey looks like she wants to say something more, but instead, she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly. "I'm going to bed," she announces, and I know sh
“I would love to come along with you Ana, I don't think I've told you this before but I love to explore, I'vealways wanted to leave the country, relocate somewhere else, besides it's not like I have anything backhere or a family I'll miss. My job is the only thing I have and my job lies with you.” Jersey says chucklingand I let out a sad chuckles of my own.“But what about the business?” Jersey asks and I shrug in answer.“I have no idea but each step at a time, if I do decide to leave, we'll figure it out, together.” I say holdingJersey's hand closely to mine. I cannot possibly explain the relieve and joy that came at her answer, I feltwarm all over. I just needed Beatrice to also agree to come with me, I was not sure I was comfortable withleaving her behind with Ryan. She had motherly affection for Ryan so I would respect whatever decisionshe would make.Another thought immediately crosses my mind and I turn to Jersey with a mischievous smile on my face.“You know, I was also
Another thought immediately crosses my mind, and I can’t help the mischievous smile that spreads across my face. Jersey notices, raising an eyebrow slightly as I turn toward her. "You know," I begin, "I've been thinking." My voice has a playful lilt to it, though what I’m about to say is anything but a joke. "You’re really good at what you do in the jewelry business. Like, really good. You’ve been doing this longer than I have, and you know more about the inner workings than I ever could."Jersey's expression remains calm, though I can tell she’s wondering where this conversation is heading. She nods, a quiet acknowledgment of the compliment, but it’s clear she’s holding back a response, waiting for me to get to the point."You've taken care of the store long before I ever set foot in it," I continue, "and on top of that, you’ve always been the one looking out for everyone. You care so much about this place and the people in it." I pause, letting the words settle for a moment. “With