LOGINANASTASIA “Let go of me,” I seethed, trying to yank my hand from Drew’s grip, but his hold was too strong. I kicked at him, shoved against his chest with my free hand, but he barely moved. He glared at me. “I’m trying to save you. Ramon will do much worse if he finds you.” He yanked my body closer to his. Tears rimmed my eyes. I could still feel the sting of his slaps.How the hell did I end up here, in the middle of a massive garden, about to be assaulted by a man I’d only met once? ______ Earlier, after Dominic left, I had moved toward the dessert table. I reached for a cake when a familiar voice stopped me. “Ana.” I looked up. Drew Sinclair leaned against the wall, a glass of wine in his hand. He wore a black tailored suit, hair styled back. The same man I’d met in Miami. There was a glint in his eyes that made my stomach twist. My hands tightened around the tray. After how Dominic had reacted the last time I talked to him, nothing good would come from this. “I didn’t thi
DOMINIC I looked at Ramon Blackwood, my father in name. He sat behind the desk in his office, his mistress occupying one of the two guest seats, her dress hiked up in her sitting position, revealing her thighs. "Take a seat, son," he started. I moved toward the chair. As I neared, his mistress stood and walked toward me. She leaned against my chest, her manicured fingers grazing it as she pressed closer. Her strong cologne reeked. I glanced at Ramon. He looked relaxed, simply observing with a blank expression. "What is this?" I questioned. He chuckled. "She was dying to entertain you. An old Blackwood like myself couldn't satisfy her, so she opted for the younger version." He shrugged. I grabbed her wrist, my grip tightening. "Leave," I said without looking at her. "You see..." "Did I stutter?" I asked, my eyes cold. Her cheeks turned pink. She broke away from me and stumbled out of the room, the doors slamming shut behind her. Ramon leaned back in his chair. "Yo
ANASTASIA I watched the man descend the staircase as guests broke away from their conversations to greet him. He acknowledged each of them with clipped replies, his expression never changing, a woman hooked around his arm. She looked young, probably somewhere in her twenties, and I was hella sure she hadn't given birth to a thirty-three year old man like Dominic. probably his father's mistress. I raised the glass to my lips, my eyes flickering across the room. I spotted Eunice again, surrounded by her friends. Eunice clung to her rich clueless friends, just to look like she belonged among influential people, when she'd climbed the social ladder by opening her legs. Her smile stretched so wide on her face it could leave stretch marks. Desperate fucker. I glanced around the room. I could hear the tiny whispers in the crowd, the small glances they thought went unnoticed. I lifted my wine to my lips, taking another slow sip. Dominic's arm still rested around my waist. I looked
ANASTASIA I hardly recognized my reflection. My hair was swept into a neat bun, with a few loose strands framing my face. My lips were tinted a deep red, and the false lashes made my eyes feel heavier than usual. A delicate silver necklace rested against my collarbone.I grinned at my reflection. I looked... beautiful."Mrs. Blackwood, you look absolutely stunning," the makeup artist said, a permanent smile etched across her face.I forced a small smile in return. I wasn't exactly looking forward to tonight. I'd be meeting the Blackwood's.My fingers curled at my sides.I prayed I didn't run into the Thompson star couple at the party. Leonard was always desperate for attention. He'd cling to the biggest names in the room the second he got the chance.I cringed.How the hell had I spent half my life pining over him?I pushed the thought away and looked at my reflection one last time.Tonight, I was Mrs. Blackwood.As much as I hated it, it was a role I had to play.My grip tightened
ANASTASIA Dominic swiped his card soon after he said he’d get the dress. The dress was packed and taken to the car. We sat beside each other in silence.The drive back passed in silence. The only sounds were the whoosh of passing cars and the occasional blare of horns.Dominic sat beside me, one arm resting against the door, his attention fixed ahead as though the boutique had never happened. I watched the city pass by through the window.I smirked to myself as I remembered how annoyed Amelia looked when I wiped the coffee off Dominic’s shirt.The poor woman had looked like she’d wanted to jam her perfectly manicured nails straight into my eyeballs. A smile tugged at my lips.“Your admirers are dedicated. If I teased her a little further, I’m sure I wouldn’t be going back with both my eyeballs.” Dominic didn’t look at me. I snorted.She nearly tackled him with that napkin. Like flies swarming over food. She’d spent the entire afternoon pretending I didn’t exist, only to discover I wa
DOMINICAmelia stood beside my chair, gesturing toward the rack of clothes being wheeled into the room."I had these brought in from Milan last week." Pride was evident in her voice. "The craftsmanship is exceptional. Every piece is hand-finished."I gave a brief nod. "They're well made."She smiled. "I knew you'd appreciate them." I took another sip of my coffee. She leaned closer bringing the choking smell of strong perfumes with her.My eyes strayed to Anastasia. She moved slowly along the racks, fingers trailing over fabrics she pretended to look at. Every few seconds, her eyes slipped through the narrow spaces between the dresses, watching us. I smirked against the rim of my cup."So..." Amelia continued, lifting another gown from a display. "Which one catches your eye the most?"My gaze drifted over rows of red, ivory, champagne, and black gowns.It settled on an emerald-green dress tucked between two red evening gowns."That one." Amelia's face lit up."I knew it. It's one of m
ANASTASIA“He just has to show up late, dosen't he” I whisper, glancing toward the entrance—no sign of Dominic.The hall is huge, flooded with people. I feel painfully out of place, maybe because I’ve avoided them for so long. Everyone has something to say about me.Hushed whispers about me, yet lo
ANASTASIAI stare up at the mansion in front of me, it’s huge, the building standing tall, representing power and everything the owner stands for. The air carries the faint smell of rain, old money, and fresh roses from the garden surrounding the mansion. The building reminds me of him: tall, big,
ANASTASIA “Ana, Ana. Come on, it’s almost nine.” I yanked the sheets over my head to muffle Maria’s persistent voice. “Jesus Christ, Maria, let me sleep,” I yelped when the blanket was torn from my body, the cold morning air of the city taking its place.“Give me back my blanket. It’s so cold,”
ANASTASIA“Marry me, Miss Brooks,” Dominic says, like he’s offering me an invitation to a soap opera.I stare at the contract in front of me, as if staring hard enough would make it somehow disappear, turn into something that isn’t a marriage contract to the most condescending person on earth – Dom







