LOGINJack's POV I bolted out the front door of Simpson mansion, my lungs burning as the frigid November air hit my throat. Anna was just reaching the iron gates, her figure silhouetted against the twilight sky. "Anna, wait!" I called, my voice sounding pathetically desperate even to my own ears. "Let me help you find him." She turned, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment. In that split second, I saw nothing but ice -all warmth that had once been reserved for me now extinguished completely. "Not necessary," she replied, her voice flat and empty. No hesitation, no consideration. She slid into the waiting car without a backward glance. I stood frozen as her car pulled away, my chest constricting with a pain that felt almost physical. Was this really all that remained of our relationship? The couple who had once shared everything, now couldn't share even a moment of basic humanity. Without thinking, I hurried back to my car and followed her at a distance. Skyview City
George's POV I was buried in financial reports when Pax knocked on my study door. "Mr. Simpson, Ms. Shaw is here to see you." His voice carried an unusual tension. My fountain pen froze mid-signature. Anna Shaw? Here? The woman had given birth days ago and should be confined to a hospital bed. Something was terribly wrong. By the time I descended to our grand living room, Mary was already glaring daggers at Anna. Jack stood awkwardly by the fireplace, his expression a mixture of concern and shame. Lucy hovered near Mary, playing the considerate daughter-in-law by offering Anna hot water. Anna had removed her heavy winter coat despite the November chill outside. Her face was ghostly pale, but those eyes... they burned with a cold fire that made my skin prickle. Rachel and Sean Smith flanked her like bodyguards. "Mr. Simpson," Anna began without preamble, "I’Il be direct. I'm here to make a business proposition." I arranged my features into a mask of mild curiosity. "Bus
Jack's POV I stood before my father in his study, my heart clenched like it was caught in a vise. The expensive leather-bound books lining the walls and the desk between us seemed to mock the ugliness of our conversation. "I just want to know one thing," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Does Anna's baby's kidnapping have anything to do with you?" Father slammed his pen holder against the desk. The sharp crack echoed through the room as his eyes flashed with that imperious authority I'd grown to resent. "For Anna Shaw, you fight with your mother and now with me? Is there nothing in that head of yours except Anna Shaw?" His voice was dangerously low. Each word hammered against my chest. I didn't care how terrible I looked at that moment-I needed to know. "I just want to know if Anna's baby's kidnapping has anything to do with you," I repeated, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. Father exploded. "What if it does? What if it doesn't? When will you grow
Mary's POV I stretched my legs across the sofa, wincing as the movement tugged at my bruised arm. That Elizabeth Shaw had more strength than I'd ever given her credit for. The scratches on my face stung, a constant reminder of my humiliation at the hospital. My attention snapped to the foyer as the front door opened. George strode in with Pax Powell trailing behind him like some obedient lapdog. Neither spared me a glance as they headed straight for the staircase. "George," I called out, my voice sharper than intended. "The police came by today." He paused, one foot on the first step, and turned just enough to look at me over his shoulder. His expression could have frozen hell itself. "Perhaps I should be asking you that question." His gaze swept over my injured face, his lip curling in disgust. "Since you've managed to get yourselt mauled like some alley cat." The casual cruelty of his words struck like physical blows. After these years of marriage, this was what I'd be
Anna's POV I stood outside the operating room, feeling numb to my core. First Benedict’s kidnapping, I now Loga Fighting for his life after being stabbed while trying to save my son. Why did everyone who cared for me end up in danger? The question circled endlessly in my mind. Doris Porter and Oscar had rushed to the hospital. Doris held Elizabeth in her arms, both women fighting back tears, afraid to add to my burden. I stared blankly at the closed operating room doors, my thoughts scattered like broken glass. Oscar approached quietly, gently guiding my head to rest on his shoulder. I didn't resist or cry— I just accepted the small comfort in this moment of overwhelming despair. "Everything will be okay, Anna. Everything will be okay," he whispered, his words like a distant flicker of light in darkness, though we both knew things were far from simple. Oscar squeezed my hand. "I'm going to monitor the police search. I'll let you know immediately if there's any news." His d
Anna's POV The head nurse stepped forward, tear tracks staining her face. "Ms. Shaw, I'm so sorry. We took the babies for their bath, everything was normal. Both babies were quiet throughout." "It's chilly in the corridor between the bath area and nursery," she continued, voice trembling. "We always wrap them tightly before bringing them back. When we unwrapped Benedict, his eyes were closed. We thought he was sleeping." "It wasn't until Rachel came to check that we realized Benedict had been... switched." She gestured to another nurse holding an unfamiliar infant. "We don't know exactly when the substitution occurred." I stepped closer to the strange baby, studying his features. Definitely not my son. Benedict's chin was more pointed, his eye shape longer, his nose bridge higher. 'Take Sophia to my private room," I instructed Betty, no longer trusting the hospital security. My daughter's tiny cries cut through the chaos, as if she sensed her twin's absence. When I touched
Anna's POVThe presentation of gifts continued as I stood beside my grandmother, maintaining the composed smile that had become second nature over the years. But when Daniel announced Marcus Murphy’s gift, the practiced curve of my lips nearly faltered.“From Mr. Marcus Murphy,” Daniel’s voice rang
Rachel’s POVBy the time we arrived at Rosa Villa, Marcus's breathing had grown more labored, and Anna's composed facade was beginning to crack around the edges. I parked as close to the entrance as possible, then rushed to open the back door."I'll prepare a guest room," I said, hurrying ahead to
Anna's POV"Are you sure you don't want Daniel to handle this?" Rachel asked, her concern clear in her voice as she sat beside me.I shook my head. "This needs to be done in person. I want to make it absolutely clear."The drive to the Simpson mansion was mercifully short. As we pulled up to the gr
Marcus's POVThe door clicked shut behind Anna, her reluctant footsteps fading down the hallway. I shifted my position, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at the fresh stitches in my abdomen.Peter had maintained his professional silence during Anna's presence, but the moment she was out of ea







