MasukAnya’s POVLater that afternoon, Jamie arrived at the mansion with the documents. I met him near the front door, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly through the wide hallway. He handed the files to me, thick and neatly arranged, the edges sharp against my palms. They felt heavier than paper should feel, like they carried the weight of the company—and Orion—with them.“How is he?” Jamie asked quietly, lowering his voice like the walls might be listening.“He’s still sick,” I said. “Fever’s down, but he should be resting.”Jamie frowned. “That man never rests.”I gave a small, tired smile. “I’ve noticed.”He nodded, trusting me with a look that made my chest tighten just a little.I climbed the stairs slowly, careful not to make noise.My footsteps slowed the closer I got to Orion’s room. I didn’t know why my heart was beating so fast. Maybe it was worry. Maybe guilt. Maybe something else I didn’t want to name.I knocked softly and opened the door.I stopped short.Orion was awake
Anya’s POVThe words hit me like a small shock. “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I’m just his assistant.”The doctor raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised, but he didn’t question it. “Well,” he said gently, “assistant or not, you care. That matters.”I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet.He finished up and washed his hands, then turned to me again, serious now. He gave me clear instructions—how often to check Orion’s temperature, when to give the medication, what signs meant I should call him immediately. I listened carefully, repeating everything in my head, afraid I might forget something important.“I’ll send a nurse tomorrow to check on him,” Dr. Trent said as he packed his bag. “He needs rest. No work. No stress.”I almost smiled at that. Orion and no stress didn’t belong in the same sentence.After he left, I walked him out with the housekeeper. When we returned to the hallway, I turned to her.“Please,” I said softly, “could you make some chicken soup? For when
Anya’s POVThe fever… he must not be thinking straight. He must think I’m someone else—me from before, the girl he once loved or rather pretended to love.I swallowed hard and forced myself to breathe.“I’m right here,” I whispered, even though my voice wobbled. “Just hang on, okay? Don’t move.”He blinked slowly, his eyes slipping shut again.I stood up so fast the bed shook. “I’ll be right back, I promise.”I rushed out of the room, almost tripping down the stairs. The housekeeper was in the kitchen wiping down the counter.“He’s burning up,” I blurted out. “He’s really sick. You need to call the doctor. Now.”Her eyes widened and she immediately grabbed the house phone, dialing so fast her fingers shook.I didn’t wait for her to finish. I grabbed a metal bowl from under the counter, filled it with cold water straight from the tap, and hurried back upstairs with water splashing all over my hands and clothes.When I reached his room again, he hadn’t moved. He was breathing a bit hard
Anya’s POVThe next morning crept in quietly, the kind of morning where everything felt a little heavier than it should. My kitchen was still dim, the curtains barely letting in any sunlight. I moved around slowly, like my body was awake but my mind was still somewhere else.I switched on the kettle and grabbed my phone to distract myself. Maybe scrolling would help my thoughts calm down. Maybe it would help me forget the image of Orion wincing when the hot coffee hit his back.But the moment my news app loaded, I almost dropped the phone.Phillipe La Ron Arrested for Multiple ChargesMy eyes stretched wide. I leaned closer, reading every line like I needed proof it was real.Several counts of sexual assault.Bribery.Money laundering.Embezzlement.Threatening witnesses.What shocked me the most was how fast everything had come out. Almost overnight. Like every buried secret had been dug up and thrown into the streets.My breath caught in my throat.There was no way this happened on
Anya’s POVSomething dark flashed in Orion's eyes, like a storm cloud rolling in fast. I didn't expect it at all when he lunged forward, his big hand grabbing Phillipe's collar tight, bunching up the fabric. With one strong push, he slammed Phillipe back against the desk.The wood creaked under the impact, papers scattering everywhere, fluttering to the floor like scared birds. Phillipe gasped, his body hitting hard, but he didn't back down. His eyes swung to me, full of pure venom, glaring like he wanted to burn me alive.Before I could even move or think, his hand shot out. He snatched the steaming mug of coffee I'd brought in earlier for Orion—it was still hot, the steam rising in lazy curls, the rich smell filling the air. He hurled it right at me, the dark liquid splashing out in an arc.Time slowed. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came. Hot fear gripped my stomach.But the coffee never reached me. Orion was there, stepping right in front, his broad back blocking everyt
Anya’s POVThe boutique smelled like new clothes and strong perfume, the kind that clings to your nose. I walked quickly between the racks, my hands brushing over different fabrics while my heart beat a little too fast. I kept thinking about Orion waiting in the car. I didn’t want him sitting there for too long. I didn’t want to look like I was taking advantage of his kindness.He had really surprised me when he handed me his card.Just like that.So calm, so casual.But to me, it meant… I don’t even know what. No one had ever done something like that for me.I finally found a simple dress—soft material, not too fancy, the kind of thing that made me feel comfortable. I held it up against myself for a second, just to imagine how it would look. Then I went straight to the counter and paid for it. My hands shook a bit when I placed the card down, scared I might smudge it or drop it or do something embarrassing.After that, I hurried to the changing room. The light inside was bright and u







