Novel-novel oleh Zai

Anna's POV Ten days of back-to-back meetings had left me bone-weary, my body desperate for rest but my mind still racing with business strategies and unresolved issues. The familiar gates of Shaw Estate appeared through the car window, and I felt my shoulders relax slightly at the sight of home. "Ms. Shaw, your mother asked to be notified of your arrival," Rachel said, looking up from her tablet. "She mentioned having some matters to discuss with you." I nodded, massaging my temples to ease the tension headache that had been my constant companion for the past three days. "Tell her I'll see her after I've had a bath." The hallway was quiet as I walked in, heels clicking against marble floors that gleamed under soft lighting. I dropped my bags at the foot of the stairs, already unbuttoning my blazer as I headed toward my suite. An hour later, submerged in my oversized bathtub filled with steaming water and essential oils, I finally felt the knots in my muscles begin to loosen. The

Marcus's POV The jet lag hit me harder than expected. Fourteen hours of flying across the Atlantic, and all I could think about was her. I'd barely allowed myself enough time to drop my luggage at the private suite I kept in Skyview City before jumping into the shower. Water cascaded down my back, washing away the travel fatigue but doing nothing for the tension that had been building in me for days. The thought of seeing Anna again made my heart race in a way that felt foreign. Steam filled the bathroom as I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist. Droplets of water still clung to my skin as I reached for my phone, typing out a message with uncharacteristic hesitation. [Come over.] Simple, direct-my usual style. I set the phone down and dressed quickly, choosing comfort over formality. No need for the suits I typically wore as armor. Not tonight. The phone vibrated against the glass tabletop. I picked it up, expecting to see her agreement, perhaps with some sarcasti

Anna's POV I stood my ground despite the way his body had me pinned against the wall. The dim lighting of the hallway cast half his face in shadow, making him look like a stranger rather than the man I'd once promised to love forever. "Jack, you're drunk," I said flatly. "Step back." His brows furrowed into a deep V-shape as he studied my face. "What happened to you? You used to be this sensitive, vulnerable girl. Always carefully watching everything around you like a little mouse. You're so much like Lucy, actually. Why are you being so cruel to her?" I inwardly scoffed. *You're the mouse, your whole family are mice.* He was clearly parroting Lucy's performance. Right on cue, Jack launched into a description of her pitiful circumstances. "There's nothing there, Anna. The house is practically falling apart. The weeds in the yard are taller than a person. They had to buy new bedding when they arrived because there was nothing left. Do you know how—" The anger inside me ignited

Anna's POV Flowers. Goddamn too many flowers. My office had transformed into some botanical nightmare overnight. Roses, lilies, orchids expensive arrangements with cards attached from men whose names I barely recognized from Skyview City's social circuit. The scent was overwhelming, cloying sweetness that made my stomach turn. "Ms. Shaw, another delivery just arrived," Rachel announced, her usual composure visibly tinged with disgust. "This makes seventeen today." I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose as I stared at the latest monstrosity—an ostentatious arrangement of white roses and gold-painted leaves. The accompanying card offered to gift me a sports car, asking only for one night with me in return. I felt nauseated. The online rumors about Samuel and me had unleashed a feeding frenzy. Apparently, Skyview City's bachelors saw me as some prize to be claimed—a business asset with a conveniently attractive package. "Get rid of them," I said, my voice sharp as

Anna's POV William's face lit up instantly. "Perfect timing! Bring it here, please." The butler handed him the tablet and discreetly withdrew. William adjusted his position on the bench, patting the seat beside him. "Come sit, Annie. Let's see what my wayward son is up to." I hesitated, suddenly feeling like an intruder. "Maybe I should give you some privacy? I can wait inside" "Nonsense," William interrupted, already tapping the screen to accept the call. "Marcus would want to see you too." Before I could protest further, the screen fickered to life, revealing Marcus sitting in what appeared to be a luxurious hotel room. His hair was damp, and he wore only a black silk robe loosely tied at the waist. He'd clearly just stepped out of the shower. "Marcus!" William's voice boomed with delight. "Finally remembering your poor old father, are you? Marcus's expression remained impassive, though I detected a subtle softening around his eyes. "Father. You look well." "And you look l

I had specifically come to have lunch with William today, and after chatting with Catherine for a while, I got up to find William. Ever since sending Marcus back to Europe, I had been afraid to face William. After all, Marcus left because of my rejection. The rain outside had stopped, and William wasn't in the living room but in the garden outside. "Annie!" His face lit up with genuine warmth as he waved me over. "Perfect timing. Come, come. I have something fascinating to show you." Relief washed over me at his welcoming tone. I noticed an elegant birdcage on the stone table. Inside perched a sleek gray bird with a vibrant red tail, watching me with an intelligence that was almost unsettling. "William, what kind of bird is this?" I asked, leaning closer to examine the creature. Its dark eyes followed my movement with eerie focus. "It looks remarkably... aware." William's laughter filled the room, a deep, genuine sound that had always made me feel at home. "This is an African Gr