Author’s POVThe room fell into a tense, suffocating silence. Mrs. Torres stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief, the weight of Andrew’s words crashing down on her like a tidal wave.“What did you just say?” she asked again, her voice trembling, laced with stunned disbelief. Annabel swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she stepped closer to Juliet, seeking silent comfort beside her.“What the fuck are you saying to me?” Mrs. Torres’ voice rose, her tone now edged with fury, barely restrained.Andrew’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t back down. “You heard me, Mum. Albert and I… we’re both responsible for her pregnancy.”It was like the floor beneath her feet gave way. Mrs. Torres staggered back a step, pressing a hand to her chest as if trying to hold her heart in place. Her sons moved instinctively toward her, but she threw a hand up, stopping them cold.“Don’t come close to me,” she warned sharply, regaining her posture with visible effort. Her gaze darted between the three of them
Author’s POV“Annabel, you need to calm down,” Juliet said gently, concern tightening her voice. “Panicking won’t solve anything.”Annabel clawed her fingers through her hair over and over again, her movements frantic and uneven. A broken laugh escaped her lips—sharp and hollow—as tears spilled from her eyes. She suddenly turned to Juliet and laughed again, louder this time, as if something inside her had snapped.“I’m pregnant, Juliet,” she whispered, her voice thick with anguish. “I’m pregnant… do you hear me?” Her tone escalated into a scream. “It’s over for me. My life is over.”She dropped to her knees, collapsing like her bones had lost the will to hold her. Juliet rushed forward, trying to lift her, but Annabel resisted, remaining curled on the floor like a shattered version of herself.“Annabel, please,” Juliet pleaded, tears now running freely down her cheeks.At last, Annabel let Juliet help her up. Her face was pale, her lips trembling.“Look at me,” Juliet said, gently tak
Author’s POVAnnabel squinted, her eyelids heavy as she tried to open them. A wave of dizziness hit her, and the more she forced her eyes open, the blurrier her vision became. Eventually, her sight cleared, and her gaze drifted around the unfamiliar room. Her breath caught in her throat.She knew this room.With a sudden jolt, she sat up—only to wince in pain. Her eyes dropped to her hand, where a syringe was still lodged into the vein.“Why… why am I here? And why is this stuck in my hand?” she muttered under her breath, her voice weak and confused. The room was silent, empty. Her heart pounded. “I need to leave.”Just then, the door creaked open.Mrs. Jones walked in, a tray of porridge balanced in her hands, her face glowing with an unsettling smile. Without a word, she placed the tray on the table and then sat down on the edge of the bed, still smiling—watching Annabel.Annabel stiffened under her gaze, her confusion growing stronger by the second.“What’s the matter? Why are you
It had been weeks since the incident with Annabel and the brothers. Since that night, Annabel had done everything in her power to avoid them. She followed Juliet’s advice to the letter: don’t get involved, just focus on the job. For now, she had nowhere else to go, and she needed the shelter the mansion provided—even if it meant enduring their presence. Andrew made several attempts to speak with her, but Annabel never gave him the chance. She kept her distance, her voice cold whenever he came close. He started to wonder if her silence had something to do with him being with Esme. Desperate for answers, he confronted Esme about that night. She’d given him a casual shrug and said, “We got drunk. We slept. That’s all.” But Andrew didn’t believe her. Not fully. Still, he didn’t press further. “Esme still hasn’t told you anything?” Albert asked, stepping into Andrew’s office. He leaned on the edge of the desk, watching his brother intently. Andrew just shook his head, eyes fixed
The next morning, Annabel stirred, her head pounding. A groan escaped her lips as she squinted against the light, her vision blurry. Everything around her spun for a moment before the room finally came into focus. “Where… am I?” she whispered, her voice hoarse and dry. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings—and then felt a hand rest gently on her arm. She flinched. Her head snapped to the side. Andrew. Her breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her ribs as panic rose inside her. She shoved her hair back with trembling hands. Her gaze dropped to herself—bare skin, no clothes. Her stomach sank. She was completely naked. Air caught in her throat. Her lungs refused to work. Her chest tightened. No, no, no… Before she could even piece together the nightmare she had woken into, another hand touched her. Albert. Her scream nearly broke free—but she swallowed it down, eyes flying to her other side. Albert lay beside her. Naked. Just like Andrew. H
“I don’t think I’m interested in playing any of these games,” Annabel said softly, barely audible over the pulsing music. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress. “Sir, I think we should leave,” she added, her gaze locked on Albert’s hand.Andrew, standing nearby with a drink loosely gripped in one hand, narrowed his eyes. Jealousy flickered in them like a storm ready to erupt.“Why can’t you play?” he asked sharply, his voice cutting through the music. “You running from something… or someone?”Annabel didn’t answer. Neither did Albert. Instead, Albert reached out, lacing his fingers through hers as if shielding her from the moment, and turned to leave.“You can’t just walk out!” Andrew snapped, voice rising above the club beats. “What the hell are you doing, Albert? You have a fucking fiancée, so why are you holding her hand like that?”Albert stopped in his tracks. His eyes met Andrew’s, dark with irritation.“That’s none of your damn business,” he bit back coldly.“Okay, oka
Annabel’s eyes widened in shock at what Andrew had just done. “What is the matter with you?” she demanded, rising quickly and hurrying over to where Albert lay sprawled on the floor to help him up.Andrew’s face flushed with anger and disbelief as he barked, “What is wrong with me? You were both about to fucking kiss—and he’s got a fucking fiancée!”Annabel’s tone was icy as she scoffed, “He was trying to get something out of my eye, you weirdo!” She steadied Albert, whose eyes darted around in embarrassment over the scene he’d just witnessed.Albert cleared his throat and, with a calm steadiness that contrasted sharply with the chaos, asked, “Why would you do that, Andrew?”“I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry,” Andrew mumbled, his voice softening as he turned and stalked away toward Esme. “Let’s get out of here now,” he said, gripping Esme’s wrist firmly as they left the café behind. Annabel and Albert exchanged glances while watching them disappear through the door.Albert let out a sigh.
Annabel couldn’t shake the nagging uncertainty about where Albert was taking her. Dressed in a simple outfit—a basic top paired with worn jeans—she hoped she wasn’t underdressed for whatever surprise lay ahead. As the car cruised along the quiet road, Albert’s eyes flicked over to her, catching the subtle tension in her posture.“Are you okay, Annabel?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.Startled, she turned to him, forcing a small smile. “There’s no problem, sir. I’m good,” she replied softly, though the tremor in her tone betrayed her. “I’m just a little cold—that’s all,” she added, a gentle lie meant to smooth over the awkward silence between them.Albert’s concern didn’t waver. “That’s no problem at all,” he said, immediately reaching over to switch off the car’s AC. “Better now,” he added with a warm smile. Annabel returned his smile, and the drive passed quietly, punctuated only by the hum of the engine and the soft whisper of the road.When they finally arrived, A
Andrew took a step back, putting distance between himself and Esme. A smirk curled on her lips, her eyes glinting with amusement."I’m glad I make you uneasy. That just means you feel something for me," she said confidently, tilting her head slightly.Andrew’s left eyebrow arched at her words."Feel something for you?" he scoffed. "I don’t give a damn about you, okay? And don’t get too close to me again. I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again—I’m in love with someone else. So whatever you’re hoping for? It’s never going to happen." His tone was sharp, laced with clear irritation.Before Esme could respond, movement caught Andrew’s attention.Annabel.His eyes widened slightly as she approached, a sudden rush of worry washing over him. Had she seen what just happened?"Excuse me, sir. I'd like to get through," Annabel said, her voice calm, controlled.Esme turned to her, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Oh my, are you a housekeeper here?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over Annabe