๋ก๊ทธ์ธBoth men froze, turning to look at the woman they were fighting over like a piece of territory. Anna was gripping the roots of her hair, her eyes wide, her breath coming in shallow, frantic gasps. โI am not going with anyone!โ she cried out. โJust go, both of you! Get out of my sight!โ She glared at them, tears finally spilling hot and fast down her cheeks. โA man is in there fighting for his life because he was standing next to me, and you two are out here having a pissing contest over who owns me. I am not property. I don't want your protection, Aiden, and I don't want your redemption, Adrian! You both bring me nothing but pain!โ The brothers stood completely frozen, stunned into silence by Anna's outburst. For the first time, piercing through the thick haze of their blinding possessiveness and toxic alpha rivalry, a terrifying realization dawned on them both. In their desperate attempts to claim her, to be the ultimate man who protected her, they were entirely suffocating her.
The air smelled of antiseptic as Anna paced the empty corridor, her heels clicking a frantic, erratic rhythm against the polished floor.Her work clothes were ruined, stained with the dark, drying crimson of Patrickโs blood, her hands trembling uncontrollably at her sides.Every time she dared to blink, the horrific scenes played again behind her eyelids: the screech of tires, the black van, the cold barrel, and Patrick collapsing to the concrete, coughing up blood meant for her.The guilt was a heavy, suffocating weight pressing down on her chest, making every breath a battle.Patrick had taken those bullets. He was currently lying on an operating table, his chest probably cut open, fighting for his life. And why? Because of the man sitting rigidly on the uncomfortable plastic chair to her left.Aiden.The man she had almost yielded to the night before. The man who had whispered promises of patience. That same man had armed guards, hidden enemies, and secrets darker than she could ha
Annastasia's stomach grumbled, and she looked up at Simona, who was seated beside her explaining a cosmetic line to attach to their upcoming fashion week, feeling embarrassed. โLet's end today's meeting here," Simona announced, and all eyes around the long table moved to Anna. After all, Anna was their CEO, and they only listened to her words. Not her lousy secretary, who somehow believes she magically becomes the boss since she is the CEO's secretary. A few of the females rolled their eyes discreetly when they fixed on Simona's face briefly. Anna nodded, smiling. Everyone got up and left. After everyone was out, Simona said, โUmm. Let go, madam. I will treat you to lunch.โ โNo, you don't have to do that. Let go; I will treat you.โ Anna rejected Simona's offer politely. โI insist. Please consider it as a thank you for the hefty bonus you gave me a few days ago,โ Simona insisted, her lips pulled into a pout. She didn't intend to let off the topic if Anna doesn't accept. โOkay
Patrick smiled, his eyes shining with mockery. โ5 billion?โ he repeated with disbelief. โIs that what my boss is worth in your eyes? You can do better than that.โ โOkay, fine, I will double it, 10 billion. Thatโs my final offer,โ Helena stated. Patrick smirked, reaching for his briefcase. He stood up and said to Helena, โCall me once youโre willing to offer more.โ โWhat?โ Helena exclaimed in disbelief, standing up. โAre you telling me 10 billion dollars isn't enough? That's a life-changing offer. Don't be avaricious,โ Helena muttered, her voice degrading. Patrick finally took off his mask and laughed at her words. โIf someone among us is greedy, then that's you. I thought you were sensible enough to understand why I rejected your offer. I didn't expect you to go ahead and chastise me. I believe you need that more than I do.โ Patrick stated politely and turned, walking away, but paused at the door and added in a threatening tone. โI recorded our conversation today. If something
Inside Aiden's dining room, Aiden looked at the face of the woman seated opposite him for the umpteenth time and sighed deeply, putting his spoon down and focusing all his attention on her.Anna, who had her head lowered as she ate, sensing Aiden's intense and piercing gaze on her, quickly reached for the glass of chilled orange juice she had requested from one of the maids to take a sip to calm down her souring nerves when Aiden spoke.โAnna, are you alright?โ Startled by Aiden's voice, Anna's grip around the glass loosened, causing the juice to pour on her, and the glass dropped to the floor, breaking.โAnna!โ Aiden exclaimed, getting up and rushing to Anna's side. She also abruptly stood up, embarrassed by her clumsiness, and took a step backwards, but she was scratched by a shard of glass and groaned painfully.โAnna, what is wrong with you! Can't you watch where you're going?!โ Aiden snapped coldly, lifting her off the ground.Tears flooded Anna's eyes as she muttered dejectedly,
โWhat, no!โ Anna blurted quickly, โAm I that gullible in your eyes?โ she asked, disbelief etched on her face.โNo. But you love the man, and I witnessed how you two kissed the other day; had I not been thereโฆโ Diana explained, trying to redeem herself, but Anna interjected firmly.โHad you not been there, I would have been able to stop it like I did last night, Diana.โโWow, something almost happened between you two last night?โ Diana asked, her curiosity piqued.โAlmost did, and I stopped it in time, but I can't take the guilt even now as I speak of it,โ Anna confessed with a remorseful expression.โWhy allow it to happen in the first place?โ Diana questioned.โBecause I was horny!โ Anna cried, โI was too sensitive after an encounter with Adrian in the washroom earlier. I wasn't thinking straight. I bet Aiden now sees me as some loose woman,โ Anna said, her voice trembling as hot tears began to stream down her cheeks.โAnna, dear, are you crying?โ Diana asked gently, concern etched a
It was a few minutes past 8 p.m. when Patrick made his way out of his office, but he frowned when he saw the light coming from Anna's office. He approached, and there she was, still working. He knocked on the door, and she asked him to enter. โWhy are you still here?โ Anna asked him, and he respon
Adrian was in his car waiting for the traffic light when his gaze moved to the car beside his.His heart skipped a frantic beat when he saw Anna in the car. Her eyes were closed as she rested. โAnnaโฆโ he muttered softly as he watched her through the tinted window of his car.He only snapped out of
โIsn't that your jerk ex-husband?โ Diana asked, looking at the man she believed to be Adrian. โAdrianโฆโ Anna drawled, her forehead creasing with confusion. โHow did Adrian find me?โBut she shook her head, seeing the tattoos visible on the man's exposed chest, giving him a dangerous aura.โNo, tha
Diana woke up to Harold's manly scent in her nostrils, and his firm arms wrapped around her as he held her to his chest.A profound smile appeared on her lips, but then she recalled the reason why she and Harold made love the previous night.She found out her parents had arranged her marriage when







