Annabel’s POV When I got to the office, it felt totally different from what I was expecting. Unlike most days, when they would whisper among themselves with that disgusting look they always left on their faces. This time, they were all acting lovely. Each staff member I passed would bow politely, their gesture accompanied with a smile that I doubted was genuine, which made everything more suspicious. My office desk was not left out. Piles of cards with sweet messages on them, along with roses and other gifts. I was still staring at the gifts in awe when a sound came from my door. “Come in,” I said in a low voice. The door opened wide and Clara strode in with a red rose in her hand and a bag packaged with gifts, smiling like we had been long-time friends. “Hi Annie,” she called my name softer than usual. I turned to her, narrowing my eyes, lost in what was going on. “Clara….good morning.” “Good morning too. Hope you had a good night’s rest?” I was shocked at the question.
Daniel’s POV Just like every other time, my mother went overboard with throwing parties. She called it just a charity gala, but nothing about this place felt ‘just’ to me. Golden chandeliers glittered overhead, oversized rose arrangements screamed for attention, towers of wine glasses stood stacked high, and wisps of decorative smoke curled through the air as part of the decoration. My gaze swept the room until it landed on my mom, standing with a couple of guests, her arm entwined with Mr. Green’s. The joy on her face melted my heart. It had been years since I saw her truly happy. She always tried hard to hide how lonely she was after my dad left, but I saw through it all and I played it cool. And now, she has decided to get married again. I remembered how scared I was the first time she broke the news about starting a new family. But seeing her glowing beside a man meant the world to me, no matter what I thought of him. I could hate Mr. Green all I wanted, but I would neve
Annabel’s POV It’s been weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. Thanks to Fiona, who’s taken such good care of me, my recovery has been smooth and fast. Just a few scratches remain already fading, but I still feel a stab of pain whenever I sit for too long and try to stand up. Dad has been relentless in making sure I don’t stress myself. He checks on me a hundred times a day to be sure I’m perfectly alright. I’ll admit it, agreeing to their request to live with them these past few weeks was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve healed from the accident. But one thing is still shattered inside me. My heart. Since the day Daniel dropped me off from the hospital, he’s been avoiding me. He only sneaks in when I’m asleep, and before I wake, he’s gone. And that makes me wonder if I’ll ever earn his forgiveness. But through it all, one thing hasn’t changed. I’m not ready to stop loving him. Not in this world, not in another. After much pleading, Dad and Fiona fin
Annabel’s POV It’s been weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. Thanks to Fiona, who’s taken such good care of me, my recovery has been smooth and fast. Just a few scratches remain already fading, but I still feel a stab of pain whenever I sit for too long and try to stand up. Dad has been relentless in making sure I don’t stress myself. He checks on me a hundred times a day to be sure I’m perfectly alright. I’ll admit it, agreeing to their request to live with them these past few weeks was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve healed from the accident. But one thing is still shattered inside me. My heart. Since the day Daniel dropped me off from the hospital, he’s been avoiding me. He only sneaks in when I’m asleep, and before I wake, he’s gone. And that makes me wonder if I’ll ever earn his forgiveness. But through it all, one thing hasn’t changed. I’m not ready to stop loving him. Not in this world, not in another. After much pleading, Dad and Fiona fin
Annabel’s POV “Fine,” I shifted two steps from him. “You want me to leave? Then I will leave your life for good.” I turned back to the spot where I had first stood when I entered his office. “Since you don’t want to have anything to do with me, I’ll find another job. I can’t stay this close to you, pretending like we never shared any chemistry.” Then I turned and went through the door. “Wait!” His voice stopped me halfway. A maddening grin tugged at my lips before I turned, replacing it with a nonchalant expression. He strode toward me, his eyes scanning me. “You can’t be that fast.” My brows raised. “What do you mean?” “What I mean is, you can’t quit your job unless I say so.” I gripped my waist, lifting my chin to meet his face. “And why do you think so?” “Because….” He leaned closer, his breath filling the air between us, “you still owe me.” “What the hell are you talking about?” “Oh no, Annabel… don’t forget so quickly. You’ll have to pay me back for your father’s loa
Daniel’s POV My phone rang for the third time. I lifted my hand to take the call but collapsed back onto the couch instead. The alcohol had drained my strength, knocking me out for hours. The ringing came again, persistent and sharp. I dragged a hand down my face, trying to shove away the sleep. “Who the hell could be calling me at this hour?” I muttered under my breath. I forced my heavy body up and reached for my phone. The moment I saw the name on the screen, my eyes widened. My first love. It was my mom. I swiped to answer. “Mom…” “Son, Daniel…..” Her voice trembled with panic, desperate and uneven. I shot upright, all traces of drowsiness gone. “Mom, what’s wrong? Talk to me!” “Anna… Annabel.” Her breathing was ragged. “She’s been rushed to the hospital by a Good Samaritan. They called her father, she’s in critical condition now.” The silence that followed crushed me. My heart plummeted. “Mom, what happened to her? Tell me!” “Son, you have to come to t