Anna's POVI wake up disoriented, my mind sluggishly trying to piece together where I am and why my bed feels so foreign. My sheets smell different, my pillow feels stiffer, and for a moment, panic flutters in my chest. But then it all comes rushing back—the capital. I’m not at home anymore.Sighing, I glance at the clock. It’s earlier than I need to be awake, but there’s no way I’m falling back asleep now. Resigned, I push the covers off and shuffle to the bathroom.The moment I step inside, I’m reminded once again just how absurdly luxurious this place is. The bathroom alone could rival a spa. Sleek, modern fittings gleam under the soft lighting, and the bathtub—oh, the bathtub—calls to me like a siren. I make a mental note to treat myself to a soak in it later. For now, though, I stick to the basics, my awe lingering as I finish up and head back out.Still groggy, I make my way to the kitchen for a glass of water. The coolness of it soothes my throat, and I lean against the counter
The moment we settle into the car, I glance at Alaric, only to find his expression cool, his teasing smirk replaced by something far more serious. I enter the car before I realise Tristan is in the driver’s seat and Alaric would be seated beside me. Our legs touch—just slightly—but even that brief contact sends an unexpected tingle up my spine. I quickly shove the feeling aside. There’s too much work to do; I don’t have time to sit here getting distracted by... tingles.After exchanging quick pleasantries with Tristan, he pulls the car out of the parking lot, and the moment we're in motion, Alaric launches straight into business. His voice is sharp, clipped, all traces of playfulness gone.“We’ve uncovered significant accounting discrepancies,” he starts, his gaze fixed ahead but his mind clearly elsewhere. “Tax fraud, money laundering—someone’s been covering their tracks, but not well enough. And then there’s the issue of the shares.”I listen carefully as he outlines the details, ex
Even hours later, the encounter with Derrek lingers in my mind like a shadow I can’t shake. It’s not his words that haunt me—I’ve dealt with arrogant, entitled men before. No, it’s the way he had so easily cornered me, the way I had frozen in place, realising just how helpless I would have been if Alaric hadn’t arrived when he did.The helplessness—that’s what truly unsettles me.As soon as we step into the apartment, I mumble a barely audible “goodnight” to Alaric and rush straight to my room, shutting the door behind me. I don’t want to think about it anymore. I just want to shower, crawl into bed, and forget that today ever happened.But just as I’m about to undress, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. A video call request from my brother.I hesitate for a second before answering, and immediately, I’m met with the familiar warmth of my family’s faces. My heart swells at the sight.“Anna!” my mom beams.“There she is,” my dad grins.“How’s the big city treating you, sis?” My brother
Knock knock.A groggy moan escapes my lips as I stir from sleep. The knocking comes again, sharper this time, dragging me into reluctant consciousness. My mind is sluggish, my limbs heavy as I fumble for my phone. Is it morning already?My pulse spikes as I check the time. Did I oversleep?4:30 AM.I exhale in relief and sink back into the pillows. Still early—wait. If it’s not my alarm, then—"Anna, wake up."Alaric’s deep voice filters through the door, sending an uneasy jolt through me.Why is he here? At this hour?The thought alone is enough to yank me into full wakefulness. My stomach twists. What if something happened? What if there’s an emergency?Panic fuels my movements as I throw off the covers, barely untangling myself from my sheets before stumbling toward the door.I yank it open, breath slightly uneven.Alaric stands there, cool and composed as ever, dressed in fitted black gym clothes. The moisture-wicking material clings to his broad shoulders, chest, and the ridiculo
Somehow—somehow—I managed to get ready in time and make it to the front door where Alaric was already waiting. He was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, looking like he hadn’t just put me through hell a few hours ago.When he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He hadn’t expected me to be on time. Neither did I, honestly.But instead of teasing me, he simply nodded in approval and—wait, was that a smile? A real, genuine smile?I blinked.Since we started training, he had been all sharp orders and cold discipline, locked into his soldier persona. But now, standing here, he seemed softer. More relaxed. Like the Alaric from before—before he decided to become my personal drill sergeant."How are you doing?" he asked.I was still annoyed with him, so I gave him a curt, "Fine," before turning to face the window.He didn’t press further.Good.-----------If I thought getting out of bed was bad, getting through the workday was pure agony.Every step felt like walkin
I sank further into the hot water of the tub, letting the soothing heat work its magic on my sore muscles. The tension from the gruelling training session began to melt away, though my muscles still throbbed faintly. I sighed in relief, feeling a little more like myself, even if the soreness lingered.I really have to buy some groceries, I thought, the thought of relying on Alaric for everything starting to gnaw at me. He’d done more than enough already, and I didn’t want to keep burdening him.After a while, I finally felt well enough to get out of the tub. As I opened the door, there he was—almost about to knock."Oh, hi," I greeted, surprised to find him standing there. "I wanted to see if you were hungry," he said, holding up a takeout bag. "The food’s here."I smiled at him, the first real smile I’d given him in a while. His eyes widened slightly at the unexpected warmth, as though he hadn’t expected to see me looking this... at ease."I should buy some groceries so we won’t have
The next day, I was determined to be ready. I had set my alarm for 4:15 am, giving myself plenty of time to wake up and get changed before Alaric showed up. It was a struggle to drag myself out of bed, but I was determined to prove I could do this.When he knocked, I swung the door open and announced, "I’m ready." He just gave me a quick nod, as if he expected nothing less, and walked straight toward the door. His commanding presence took over, and it hit me—he had expected me to be ready. Ugh, I had mentally prepared myself for his stoicness, but it still stung. I wanted to surprise him.The training that followed felt like a full-on assault. After half an hour of running—my legs screaming for mercy—we moved straight to the weights. I pumped iron like I was training for war, and I was the only hope this country had for survival. Every rep felt like my body was about to break, but I didn’t let out a single complaint. Not even when Alaric told me to take the stairs to our floor instead
For the past few days, Alaric has refused to go easy on me. Every morning, the training was brutal—early wake-ups, relentless running, endless weights. But, to my surprise, it was starting to feel… easier. My body no longer screamed in protest with every movement, and though my muscles still ached, I could feel them strengthening. My stamina was improving, my breathing wasn’t as ragged, and today—today was a victory.I didn’t collapse the moment I stepped into my room.Sure, I was exhausted, my legs wobbled slightly as I walked, and my arms felt like they’d been put through a shredder, but I was still standing. That was progress.Sinking onto the edge of my bed, I took a deep breath before forcing myself up to do the stretches Alaric had recommended. The first day, I had skipped them, thinking rest was more important, only to regret it when I woke up unable to move the next morning. Lesson learnt.By the time I stepped into the steaming shower, the worst of the stiffness had started t
The ballroom at the Carlton Grand was the kind of place that made you forget where you came from.It was bathed in golden light, with chandeliers dripping crystals that cast soft sparkles on everything they touched. Orchids in white, pale lilac, and blush overflowed from massive glass vases. The centerpiece of the hall was a marble staircase wrapped in silk garlands and fairy lights, descending into a sea of people dressed in their finest. Music from a live string quartet danced softly in the air, setting a dreamy tone to the night.But nothing, not the flowers, the champagne, or the camera flashes, could drown out the pounding of my heart. Is this really necessary? Is there a window I could jump out from?“Ready?” Alaric asked, offering me his arm.I turned to him.He looked like a painting, a classic black tuxedo tailored to perfection, the tiniest hint of cologne that made my pulse skip, and a sapphire pocket square that matched my dress exactly. I had no idea how he always managed
Biological Mother - MotherAdoptive Mother - Mum-----------------The charity ball was only a few days away, and naturally, Mum, Ellie, and Mother declared it a fashion emergency. “We’re going to Lux,” Ellie had said with the kind of gleam in her eye that made me feel like I was about to walk into a makeover montage. “And no, you don’t get a say.”So, here I was, barefoot on a velvet pedestal in the middle of Lux’s elite fitting suite, trying on what had to be my hundredth dress. I was fairly certain I’d tried on every shade of gold known to man and possibly one that hadn't been invented yet.“Nope,” Ellie said for the eighth time in a row, waving her hand like a disapproving judge on a reality show. “Too much sparkle. You look like a sentient disco ball.”I groaned and flopped onto the chaise lounge dramatically. “I’m pretty sure I’ve aged ten years in this fitting room.”Mum chuckled. “Oh hush, you look beautiful in everything.”“Which would be helpful if we were shopping for every
As dessert was served—rich chocolate cake with a generous swirl of whipped cream—I leaned back in my seat, letting the warmth of the evening settle into my chest. The conversation had flowed so easily all night, filled with laughter and sharing memories.It still felt surreal—sitting here with my biological parents, with Damian and Ellie, like it was the most natural thing in the world. A week ago, they were strangers. Now? They were mine. And I was theirs.I was mid-bite when my mum set down her wine glass and tilted her head at me, her eyes shining with something suspiciously close to mischief.“So,” she said casually, though I wasn’t fooled for a second. “What about Alaric?”I blinked. “What about him?”Her grin only widened. “Are you two serious?”I nearly choked on my cake. “Mum!”She raised her hands in mock innocence. “What? I’ve always wanted the son of my best friend to marry into the family. I gave up hope, of course, but now…” She gave me the most satisfied smile I’d ever s
The office was quiet, the usual morning hum of keyboards and clinking mugs a strangely comforting background to the storm of thoughts in her head. She stared at her screen, a spreadsheet open but untouched, and found her eyes drifting to the photo frame next to her monitor. It was a picture of her and Brian at her last birthday, smiling in the kitchen with a cake that had sunk in the middle.They’d laughed so hard that night. That used to be her whole world—her job, Brian, the quiet comfort of routine.Brian had missed the whole thing as he was away on a business trip in Singapore, but the moment he found out, he called her. She’d barely gotten two words in before he started gushing, saying he always knew she was special, that it all somehow made sense now. His voice cracked when he told her how proud he was, how happy he was that she’d found where she belonged. “You’ve always had a big family, Anna,” he said gently. “We were just waiting for the rest of them to find you.”And then th
Mr. and Mrs. Ashford, my biological parents, step forward. I see the uncertainty in their eyes, like they’re holding their breath. I swallow and look at them, still overwhelmed, still unsure."I know this is a lot," Mrs. Ashford begins gently. "And we’re not trying to take anything from you. We’re just… so grateful to have found you again. We lost you once. We don’t want to lose you again."Mr. Ashford clears his throat, his voice gruff but steady. "We never stopped looking. When the adoption records were sealed and the orphanage shut down… we thought—"He doesn’t finish, but I see it in his eyes. They thought I was gone. And somehow, through a mess of fate and timing, I still ended up in their lives."You don’t have to decide anything now," Mrs. Ashford says, stepping closer. "But if you’re okay with it, we’d like to be part of your life again. And… we’d like you to call us Mum and Dad. If you’re ready. When you’re ready."The words settle over me like a warm, heavy blanket. Familiar
After I’ve washed my face and curled up again beside Alaric on his stupidly comfortable couch, I shoot my mum a text with shaking fingers.Me: Hey, I’m staying at Alaric’s tonight. I just need a bit of time. I’ll come back tomorrow.The reply comes almost immediately.Mum: Okay, sweetheart. Take all the time you need. The Ashfords are staying over too—if that’s okay with you?I stare at the message for a second before typing.Me: That’s okay. Tell them goodnight for me.Mum: We love you. Sleep well.I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and tuck my phone away. Alaric shifts beside me, his arm still around my shoulders like he’s trying to hold the pieces of me together.“Will you stay with me?” I ask quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper.He looks down at me like it’s the easiest question in the world. “Always.”I don’t say anything after that, just press my face into his chest and let his heartbeat lull me into something that feels like peace. Right before I drift of
“I just… need to clear my head,” I tell Mum as I reach for my coat. My voice is too even, too controlled, and that alone worries her.She places a gentle hand on my arm. “Anna, be careful, please.”I nod, not trusting myself to speak again. I head to the back door, quietly slipping my keys into my pocket. I can’t go through the living room. I can’t face Mr. and Mrs. Ashford—not right now. Are they really my parents? Were they always? My mind recoils at the thought, twisting it around until I don’t know how to feel, only that I feel too much.The air outside is cool against my skin. It should help. It doesn’t.I get in the car and drive.I don’t even remember choosing a direction. My hands move on instinct while my thoughts spiral deeper, tangling in memories I thought I had filed away and sealed shut. My foot presses the gas harder than necessary. At some point, familiar streets start showing up through my windshield, and when I finally pull to a stop, I realize where I am.Alaric’s h
The next evening, I step into the house, expecting the usual scent of dinner and the sound of Mum humming along to the radio. But instead, the air feels heavy and quietquietVoices drift from the living room, low and solemn. As I round the corner, I stop short.Mr. and Mrs. Ashford are sitting on the couch, deep in conversation with my parents. My mum looks like she’s been crying, her eyes a little red and puffy, and Dad’s hands are clasped tightly in his lap. Mr. Ashford’s face is drawn and serious, while Mrs. Ashford’s lips are trembling as if she’s holding back something she’s dying to say.When they see me, Mrs. Ashford immediately rises to her feet.“Anna,” she says, voice soft and wobbly, and the next second she’s across the room, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. Her perfume is familiar, floral, comforting, and yet the hug is filled with something I can’t name. A desperation that makes my stomach twist.I freeze. “Is… is everything okay?”My voice comes out unsure
As soon as I step through the front door of the house, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the pitch and the whirlwind of reactions, I barely pause to take off my shoes before heading straight for the kitchen.“Mum?” I call out, already hearing the familiar clatter of pots and the hum of the radio playing softly in the background.She looks up from where she’s chopping vegetables, eyes lighting up the moment she sees me. “Anna! You’re home early.” Then, noting the expression on my face, she sets the knife down and wipes her hands on a towel. “Wait… did something happen? Is everything alright?”I grin and nod, unable to keep it in another second. “More than alright. It went amazing. The board loved the proposal. One of them literally said it’s ‘looking very positive.’”My mum lets out a delighted gasp. “Oh, sweetheart!” She throws her arms around me in a tight hug, practically squeezing the air out of me. “I knew you’d blow them away. You’ve been working so hard—this is incredible.”I