The steering wheel jolted violently in Anna’s hands, the tires shrieking as the car veered off the asphalt. Her heart slammed against her ribs, the sound of gravel spraying beneath her wheels echoing like gunfire.“God, no—no!” she gasped, yanking the wheel to the left with all the strength her trembling arms could muster.For a sickening moment, the nose of the car pointed straight toward the jagged drop-off. Beyond it, the Pacific shimmered far below—blue, vast, and merciless.She slammed her foot on the brake. The tires skidded, squealing in protest before the car finally lurched to a stop on the shoulder—one wheel still kissing the edge of loose gravel.Her hands stayed locked on the wheel, knuckles bone-white. Her pulse thundered so loud she couldn’t hear anything else. Air rushed in and out of her lungs in quick, shallow bursts.A passing SUV blared its horn, jolting her like a slap. She flinched, chest tightening.For several seconds, she couldn’t move. The image of the cliff r
“So what exactly are you saying?” Penelope asked sharply, uncrossing her legs as tension coiled in her chest.The attorney, Mark Anthony, shifted in his seat, clasping his briefcase. “The children of the late Mr. Williams King have decided to contest the will.”Penelope blinked, trying to keep her composure. “What?” Her voice wavered slightly. “On what grounds?”She had been counting down the days, expecting to claim the remainder of Williams’ estate. And to her twisted satisfaction, he had indeed left her eighty percent of everything—though she had used manipulation and subtle coercion to make that happen.Mark adjusted his glasses. “They claim the will was made under undue influence. Additionally, they say there’s a more recent, valid version that was intentionally overlooked.”“Nonsense,” Penelope snapped, her composure cracking like thin ice.“Williams loved me,” she insisted, her voice rising. “He gave me everything because I earned it. Those spoiled brats just want to frustrate
Gerald’s hand lingered at the small of her back, his palm warm against the thin fabric of her dress. Anna could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, the solid wall of muscle beneath her fingertips.“Anna…” he murmured, voice roughened, almost warning. But his grip didn’t loosen.She should have stepped away. She should have remembered every reason this was wrong. Instead, she swayed closer, letting her body brush his.The contact sent a ripple through her — heat blooming low in her belly.He tilted his head slightly, eyes searching hers. “Do you know what you’re doing?”Her lips curved faintly. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”And then she kissed him again — no hesitation this time.It was deeper, hotter. His hand slid up her spine, fingertips grazing along her neck until they cradled the back of her head. The other hand rested firmly at her hip, pulling her flush against him.Her body molded into his as though it had been meant to fit there.She gasped softly when his thumb br
The moment Anna stepped into the motel with her luggage in one hand and Aiden’s small fingers curled into her other, her knees nearly buckled. She crossed the thin, worn carpet to the bed and dropped like a stone, the mattress catching her as if it knew she was seconds away from breaking apart. Her body trembled with silent sobs. Vivian had called her over and over — her phone vibrating like it was possessed — but Anna hadn’t picked up. She couldn’t. Not yet. Not after what had happened. What had started as a bright, golden California morning had ended in a storm she never saw coming. Of all the people in the world, she never thought her best friend would speak to her that way… look at her like she was nothing. Vivian — the friend who had once sworn they’d be like sisters forever. She had lost her marriage. Now she had lost a friend. The emptiness pressed in from all sides, as though the walls of the motel room were closing in. “Mummy… why are you crying?” Aiden’s small v
Dear Husband, I Can Live Without YouChapter 59Vivian stood there in the middle of the decorated suite, frozen in a tableau of roses and fairy lights. Guests clapped politely, their voices a strange, distant echo in her ears. Somewhere, someone said, “Say yes!” but her lips wouldn’t move.Erick’s warm smile was fixed on her, bouquet extended like a peace offering she didn’t deserve.She forced her lips to curve into something that looked like a smile. “Yes… of course,” she breathed, barely loud enough to be heard.The room erupted in cheers.Erick leaned in, kissed her cheek, and pulled her into an embrace. From the outside, she knew it must have looked perfect — the picture of a woman swept away by romance. But inside, she was crumbling.Every nerve in her body was still vibrating from the hotel lobby — from the slap, the hair-pulling, the venom she had spat without hesitation. And now… she knew the truth.Anna had been helping Erick all along.Guests surrounded them, offering congr
“The blog pictures didn’t do justice to your beauty,” Xander said with a grin that carried more weight than his casual tone suggested. Anna’s smile was polite, but she turned to Gerald with a quick sideways glance, mouthing silently, What blog is he talking about? “Now I know why Gerald can’t stop—” “Grandpa…” Gerald’s voice cut through sharply, low but edged with warning. The look he sent Xander could have frozen the Pacific. Xander stopped mid-sentence but didn’t lose his smirk. Anna’s gaze bounced between the two men, curiosity knitting her brow. She didn’t know what was going on, but the air between them felt charged with something unsaid. “Anna, can you join us for dinner tonight?” Xander asked smoothly, as if the awkward interruption had never happened. Anna offered a warm but apologetic smile. “I’d love to, but I’ve got somewhere important to be tonight. Maybe next time.” “Alright,” Xander nodded, leaning back. “I have to be on my way now.” She reached for Aide