Max's POV When I peel my eyes open, the blinding brightness of the room forces my eyelids back shut. Pain, every part of me is in pain. The beeping monitor in the room forces the doctors into the room as the crowd me and suffocate me. It makes me panic even more. ‘what’s happening?’ I think to myself trying hard to remember what happened. I try to trace my memory back in the midst of all the silence, last I remember I was rushing to work after a late night with Ana but then that's all I remember. “He's going into shock.” I distinctly hear one of the doctors yell and after a long while I hear one of the doctors sigh. “He's stable now, get his parents, he'll be awake any moment from now.” The doctor says and I try to force myself to tell him I'm already awake but to no avail. The doctors go in and out and I do not know how long I lay there for being unable to move, peel my eyes open or even speak. The doctors return to the room and I hear them get busy around. One of the d
Max's POVWhen I peel my eyes open, the blinding brightness of the room forces my eyelids back shut. Pain, everypart of me is in pain.The beeping monitor in the room forces the doctors into the room as the crowd me and suffocate me. Itmakes me panic even more.‘what’s happening?’ I think to myself trying hard to remember what happened. I try to trace my memoryback in the midst of all the silence, last I remember I was rushing to work after a late night with Ana butthen that's all I remember.“He's going into shock.” I distinctly hear one of the doctors yell and after a long while I hear one of thedoctors sigh.“He's stable now, get his parents, he'll be awake any moment from now.” The doctor says and I try toforce myself to tell him I'm already awake but to no avail.The doctors go in and out and I do not know how long I lay there for being unable to move, peel my eyesopen or even speak.The doctors return to the room and I hear them get busy around. One of the doctors suddenl
I shake my head in denial. Ana would never do something like that. She loves me, she must have wantedto see me so bad.“Maxwell hun, calm down please.” Scarlett says in panic beside me. “Ana, Ana she has changed so much,she told the media that you and her have nothing together.” Scarlett tells me pulling out her phone to showme something.There the love of my life is on Tv standing beside Ryan as they both smile lovingly at each other.“I'm so sorry son.” My father tells me, his hand on my shoulders.I refuse to believe them at any cost, I must speak to Ana myself. I force myself to say again.“Call Ana.” I croak again weakly pretty sure that the veins in my face and neck were protruding with howmuch effort it took me to speak.“Ana's no picking up, actually the her husband's family has this celebratory dinner to congratulate themfor coming back together so Ana might not be able to return my calls until after.” Bianca tells me sadlyand I wish I could throw something at the wall
The morning I am too be discharged. I'm extra pissed off about having to be put on put on a wheel chairso I go around barking at all the nurses who come to help me in it, claiming I can do it myself.“Come on son, it's not that much of a bad idea.” My father tells me as he stares at me in annoyancealready tired of my regular outbursts.“Well I'm sure you will love to say that again next time when you get hit by a truck and have to sit in awheel chair.” I throw at him also in annoyance.Bianca gasps at my choice of words. “You don't have to be so mean to everybody we are only trying tohelp you here.” Bianca says, annoyance written all over her face and I look at her with a small smile.“Aha, this are the parents I know, I'm so happy to have you back.” I tell the two of them.Scarlett gasps loudly at my choice of words. “Maxwel.” She calls in a scolding manner and Bianca beginsto cry.“What did we ever do to deserve such ungrateful kids Jaxon. We do our very best to support and pro
Ana’s POV“You are going to speak to Maxwell.” Bianca harshly tells me on the line.“Why would I need to do that?” I ask her, my heart beating harshly.“Because I asked you to Anastasia, screw this up one more time and you know exactly what will happen.”Bianca threatens.Before I was very scared of Bianca's threats then I had gotten over it, putting it off because she was mymother, she only needed to control me to quench her insatiable desire of things always going the exactway she navigated it to go but now, knowing exactly what I think I know. I don't even clearly rememberwhat I heard or maybe in reality I really just want to remain in denial but Bianca is a lot of all thingsnegative so I cannot take her threats for granted anymore knowing that the woman who raised me, thewoman who I thought to be and considered a mother was not really, and she has been using me the entiretime.“Alright.” I simply say and the call goes off.“What is it?” Ryan who is sitting in front of me on
Ryan liking my words smiles at me. Maxwell's eyes remains focused on mine.“That's why you didn't bother to check up on me at the hospital, not even once?” Maxwell asks me, hiseyes shining with anger.“I didn't think it was necessary to, we would have both gained nothing from it.” I tell him my revisedwords.“You didn't think it was necessary? Do you know how desperately I waited for you to come?” Maxwellthrows at me, I blink before answering.“I knew you were well taken care of and you have Scarlett, don't you?” I definitely did not rehearse thispart.“Are they forcing you into this? If they are you can always tell me.” Maxwell and I refrain from burstinginto a sob and running to hug him like I have desperately wanted to since I saw him today.Ryan's hands tighten on my waist and I shake my head at his question, “No, this is my own personaldecision, I choose to be with the man who can care for me and protect me.” I tell Maxwell and he closeshis eyes at my painful and hurtful w
After an exhausting day at work, I return home hoping to have a good night sleep but I know that isalmost impossible while living in the same house as Ryan.I head into the house surprised to see Beatrice still awake.“Welcome home dear.” Beatrice greets me as soon as she sees me and I can immediately tell something isup and I look at her suspiciously.“Beatrice? Is everything okay?” I ask directly watching her every move and her move to the stairs beforegiving me an answer.“N-no dear, I was just waiting for you to have dinner before heading to bed, you have been skipping mymeals lately.” Beatrice tells me.I nod at words in affirmation “Not totally, I haven't really been skipping meals, I told you I do eat at worksometimes before coming home and that's why.” I explain to Beatrice.“Ohh, yes you did.” Beatrice agrees distractedly as she searches for what next to say.“Beatrice as much as I would really like to eat what you made, I'm extremely tired and in need of sleep,just put
By the time we get to Bianca and Jaxon's mansion I'm already sighing in distress. Ryan comes to my sideto hold me tightly.We step into the house and I have never felt more uncomfortable in a very long time. Bianca welcomes usinto the house with over excitement.“Oh dear, I'm so glad you could make it.” Bianca tells us and Ryan smiles at her.“We wouldn't miss this for the world, right baby?” Ryan asks me, his arm around me wound up verytightly like he feared I would disappear.I see that Scarlett's parents are here and I dread having to see Maxwell here, especially witnessing him getmarried to someone else.“Let's go say hello to my parents.” Ryan tells me while dragging me across the room. I look at him inconfusion, I wonder why I didn't think his parents would also be here, I haven't seen quite much of themsince the disaster happened at their Galla party.Ryan greets his parents first, who are standing in the middle of their fellow friends.“Dear, dear, I always knew you were
“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