Feeling frustrated, I dragged my bag downstairs to the hotel room. The heaviness in my steps hinted to everyone that something was off.How I wished I had given Ivy a piece of my mind instead of pretending everything was cool. Collapsing onto the bed, I breathed heavily, staring up at the ceiling.I couldn't believe that of all the people to run into in the vast expanse of New York, it had to be Ivy. But I wasn't going to let her ruin the moment.I was here for my mom and no one else. Despite telling my mom I wouldn't make it to her wedding, I lied; I wouldn't miss her big day for anything.After my masters in Oxford, I hadn't planned on returning to New York. I spent an extra year in the UK, juggling academics with my modeling side gig. It brought in some money, but it wasn't enough.Though it might seem like I was thriving, I didn't want anyone, especially Ivy and my ex, Jasper, to laugh at me. I had to try my best to move on and forget everything.I had also hoped to find love in t
In the next week, Beatrice does not leave my side, she hovers around me like a mother hen and I cannotparticularly say that I dislike it, I quite like the attention even when she gets too much sometimes.Jersey has also been a great help, she has stopped by the house over a dozen times in the last week and Iam more than grateful for having the both of them with me.Jersey has been overseeing the business so I have nothing to worry about. Ryan has been no where to befound which I am also more than grateful for his absence, it gives me more time to think without hisperson invading my personal space.Bianca and Jaxon haven't been back here since the day I woke up and I would say good riddance to that. Iwould be lying if I say I wasn't beyond heart broken. There was this part of my heart that hoped whenMaxwell hears about what has happened to me, he'll be pissed and his love for me will return and he willcome take me away from all of this and we can finally be together. It was a st
“Good morning ma'am, you must be Anastasia Morgan.” The senior officer asks and I tense at not theamount of attention and focus that was now being placed on my person.“Yes.” I nod, going for acting nonchalant and stoic.“Do you mind having a small talk with us and telling us what happened? It's very important we heardirectly from you ma'am.” The officer says with deep intensity. Something tells me his seriousdetermination on this matter has nothing to do with me and more to do with my supposed husband. Therewasn't anything Ryan did not have some sort of affliction with.“Okay.” I breathe out, sitting straighter to look confident.The officer humors me by coming to join me at the dinner table, hell I won't even be able to finish thedelicious breakfast Beatrice made for me anymore.The officer sits in front of me as I gesture for Beatrice to clear the table. Ryan joins the small meeting atthe table and in no time the officers begin to hit with their questions.Ryan who I haven't
Ryan stares at me like he was trying to decipher any fowl play from ms and I do not give him any reasonto fully doubt me.“Nothing.” Ryan says looking as confused as ever. He abandons me at the dinner table, going up thestairs.“Are you okay Ana.” Beatrice sudden voice startles me. When I jump and turn to face her, she holds backa laugh.“Oh wow, thank you Beatrice, I'm alright.” I tell her, my own smile reflecting upon my face.“I'm going back upstairs.” I tell Beatrice.“Be careful.” The woman warns and I nod in reply knowing she was already watching me as I climbed upthe stairs.I spend the other next week healing, I am fully okay at the rate and I am done sitting around at homedoing nothing, it was a great itch on my skin.I decide I will be resuming work tomorrow but before I do that, I would start the first part of my mission.I wake up that morning as as ever, I pick up my phone to do my regular morning exercise only to findalmost ten missed calls from Bianca and I begin
After Bianca is gone, I try to forget all about her focus on having a beautiful last day at home but it seemsa lot of people are against it.Ryan stumbles inside the house in a rush and he takes long strides towards me when he sets his eyes uponme.“Go upstairs and go get dressed.” Ryan burst out.“Why?” I blankly ask him. I was in the middle of cleaning up the kitchen, I forced Beatrice to let me cooktoday.Ryan menacingly walks up to me. “This fucking ends today Ana, you promised your mother you weregoing to get Scarlett out of the cell and withdraw your case, it's been hours and you haven't left the houseyet.” Ryan yells and I turn my head to really look at him.“Exactly why I'm in a hurry to finish up what I was doing before you interrupted. I will leave as soon asI'm done what this.” I simply tell Ryan and man I didn't think his face could get any red. I've been tryingto avoid any sort of altercation with him this last weeks.“What's your deal with Scarlett anyway, she's n
I sat at the dinner table, surrounded by the savory aroma of various dishes meticulously arranged by my mom. Mr. Jaxon Harrington, my stepfather, always insisted on these morning feasts, and my mom always prepared them.We sat together, everyone looking joyful and happy. At least, that's what we all thought.Maxwell, my stepbrother, occupied the seat opposite mine. His presence was all that kept me sitting on the dining table, and I couldn't help but notice him.Our legs danced beneath the table; his toes were kind of ticklish even as he used them to caress my legs. Avoiding eye contact became increasingly difficult, even as we giggled silently and smiled at each other.“The food is really nice," Mr. Jaxon said, even as he looked at my mom with a big smile on his face."Thanks, baby," my mom said, even as she blew him a kiss.“Love birds," I said under my breath, thinking no one heard me.“I heard that,” my mom said, even as Mr. Jaxon laughed.Suddenly, Mr. Jaxon asked. "So, Elara,
I strode into the kitchen, determined to catch up with Maxwell. "Maxwell!" I called out, but he ignored me, continuing to walk away.Increasing my pace, I shouted even louder, "Maxwell!!" He halted instantly, just in front of the kitchen.As he stopped, so did I. "Are you avoiding me?" I asked.Maxwell turned to face me, responding, "Is that why you've been shouting my name?"Frustrated, I threw my hands in the air, exclaiming, "Oh... So you heard me."His response came with a sarcastic smile, "Did you expect me to clap for you and your new boyfriend?"I shot back instantly because I could sense what game he was trying to play, "Is that why you're inviting Evelyn?"He looked at me, challenging, and retorted, "You didn't answer my question!"I realized he was raising his voice and we weren't far from the dining. "Bring your voice down Maxwell, you're shouting, mum and dad aren't far from us, they could hear us," I said."That didn't seem to bother you while you were yelling my name rig
I lay on my bed, tears streaming down my face as I was filled with resentment towards my mother. Her devilish nature and manipulative ways made me despise her more with each passing day.The memory of Matteo, our former gardener, still lingered in my mind. I recalled the day vividly, the events that transpired, and the consequences that followed.Tomorrow was my graduation day, a milestone I had been eagerly anticipating for freedom. However, Bianca had other plans, and I vehemently rejected them.My heart belonged to my stepbrother, Maxwell, and I yearned for escape from my mother's manipulations.Lost in thought, the alarm pierced the night's silence, and I silenced it, checking the time – 1 am. That was the exact time I always sneaked to Maxwell's room.Tonight, after my distressing conversation with Bianca, I needed it more than ever.I stood up, wearing my red nightgown, as usual, with nothing underneath – that was exactly how Maxwell loved it.Wiping away my tears, I approached