***** "Aunt Selena, what are you doing here?" Emilia muttered in confusion. "I share your curiosity regarding your unexpected appearance," Selena replied, furrowing her brow and casting a concerned glance at Mason as a dark fear crept into her heart. Emilia noticed the terror in Selena's eyes, which were fixed on Mason, as if a sudden realization had struck her, bringing dread to her expression. "Do you know Mason, Aunt Selena?" Emilia asked, hoping to dispel the tension. Selena's voice quivered slightly as she responded, "No, I do not. Why do you ask?" Emilia glanced between them, sensing the unease. "It's just that you seemed startled when you saw him. Is everything alright?" "How can you say you don't know him, Mother?" Richard's voice rang out from the top floor, drawing everyone's eyes as he descended the stairs with a cold, menacing smile. Selena instantly sensed the danger and hurriedly said, "I'm not feeling well, Richard!" "The doctor will be here soon, Mother," Richa
******Emilia turned on her heels and ran away before they could pay attention to her. She decided she wouldn't stay in New York for another second.On the other hand, Richard punched Mason in the face, each word coming out between gnashing teeth, "You think going through plastic surgery would make you attractive to Ana, to my Ana? Never!""She is mine! You left her like trash, while I protected her. You do not deserve her!" Mason shouted, launching a kick to Richard's stomach. Richard fell to the floor but immediately got back on his feet and punched Mason in the nose, causing him to stumble."Don't you dare talk about deserving her," Richard growled. Mason wiped the blood from his nose, his eyes blazing with anger. "And you think abandoning her was the right thing to do? You were a coward!"Richard lunged at Mason, grabbing his collar. "I never abandoned her! I stepped back because I thought it was best for her."Selena, in tears, screamed, "Stop it, both of you! This isn't helping
**** "I will tear your mouth off if you ever speak to me like that again," Ana hissed, her eyes blazing with fury. "I didn't realize you could be so foolish, especially knowing that your nephew is aware of everything. Do you really think you can get away with this?" Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration. Despite knowing that talking to him might not yield any useful information, it was the only way to understand what was really going on in his mind. "Oh, my worthless nephew," Jerry sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "He's too preoccupied with other women, indulging in how they feel in his hands. I doubt he'll bother rescuing you. And even if he does try, by then, I will have taken you far away from New York." A menacing glow illuminated his face in the darkness, amplifying the sinister edge of his smirk. Ana felt a sharp pang in her heart, tears threatening to spill, but she held them back. "You can't do this," she said, her voice trembling with restrained
*****As Richard stepped in, he suspiciously found the place was empty. His senses heightened, every shadow seemed to move, every creak a warning. Suddenly, he heard Ana's voice, crying for help.Richard hurriedly followed the sound, arriving at a shadowy hallway where a single, heavy door stood. His eyes sharply looked around as he called out, "Ana, are you here?!""Richard, is it you?!" Ana's voice rang out, a mix of joy and relief."Yes, it's me," Richard replied, his voice steady. The sound brought a wave of relief over Ana, who wiped her tears with a trembling smile. She had scarcely hoped to hear his voice so soon and now couldn't hold back her desire to embrace him."I thought you wouldn't come," Ana confessed, her voice trembling with a mix of jealousy and hurt. "I've seen you with other girls, holding hands with them." Her eyes, usually so strong, now brimmed with tears she couldn't hold back. Despite her efforts to appear indifferent, the sight of Richard with other women h
***** Richard did not heed Ana's words, continuing to fight against the four men with relentless determination. Meanwhile, George and two others found themselves trapped in a room, locked away by Jerry's men. It was from here that they had heard Ana's earlier cries for help. "Shit! I am sure the boss and Miss Ana are in trouble. We have to do something," George muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "What can we do? There's no window, just this door," one of the men who had come with George and Richard said, his voice edged with panic. George took a deep breath, a plan forming in his mind. "Alright, listen up," he said firmly, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "Here's what we're going to do. I'll shoot at the door continuously to weaken it. You two stand against the wall. As soon as the door opens, spread this powder." He pulled out a small pouch from his pocket. "Cover your mouths when you do it. Be careful—I don't want any of us to fall unconscious." The men nodded in und
*****"Anyone, please, help!" Ana shouted, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. She knew how crucial it was to get Richard to the hospital.Jerry staggered to his feet, gingerly touching his broken jaw and bleeding nose. Richard's powerful punches had left his face mangled. He looked terrifying, and so did his thoughts. As he turned his head, he saw the gun lying on the floor. Dragging his feet, he picked it up, his hand trembling slightly. He aimed it at Ana, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "Stop crying, Ana," Jerry said hoarsely. "No one's coming to save you."Ana's eyes widened in fear, but she held her ground. "Jerry, please, he needs help. You don't have to do this."Jerry laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and grating. "Do you think I care? He deserved it. And now, it's your turn to suffer."Jerry was about to pull the trigger and kill Ana, consumed by the thought, "If she can't be his, then she should not be alive."Ana, on the other hand, closed her eyes, wrapping
"I had very carefully put Ana to bed last night," Sonia said with confidence. "I'm sure whatever happened must have occurred this morning. At the same time, I messaged Jackson and asked him to send you home," she explained, her voice steady. She had left Ana safely in another room before heading over to Mason's room. However, when she returned to Ana's room in the morning, she didn't find her there, which made her think Ana might have left for home. Phoebe looked puzzled. "So, you're saying Ana was fine when you left her?" "Yes," Sonia confirmed. "I made sure she was safe and asleep. I wouldn't have left her otherwise." Phoebe's voice quivered as she spoke, "I'm sorry if I sound judgmental, but I can't shake this feeling that I should have been more careful last night." Tears welled up in her eyes as she fretted over what could have happened to Ana while she was safe at home. Sonia responded with empathy, "I understand. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray for the best." She r
*****"Ana," Phoebe called softly, tugging lightly at Ana's hand as she stepped out in her surgical gown."Are you really sure about this?" Phoebe's voice trembled with concern. "What if Richard doesn't even remember you? Do you want to go through with it so hastily?" Her eyes were filled with worry, her brow furrowed as she stared at Ana's face for reassurance."His life means everything to me," Ana said, taking a deep breath. "Right now, it doesn't matter to me whether he recognizes me when he wakes up or not. I'll accept whatever fate has in store for us."Phoebe looked at her friend, noticing the cold, almost clinical expression on Ana's face. It was a look she'd seen before—one Ana wore whenever she prepared for a major work. Ana believed that feelings and emotions had no place in critical moments, and today was no exception."But Ana," Phoebe pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation, "how can you be so detached about this? This isn't just any operation. This is Richard. Your R