Masuk"No police," I replied immediately, my mind calculating the fastest rescue strategy. Involving law enforcement would only generate publicity and potentially give George time to move Anna. I wouldn't risk her or my children becoming fodder for gossip columns. "We'll split up. I'll find them. You get Mary here somehow," I ordered. "And get someone from Olympus Club to help." Rachel spoke up. "I have Mia's number. We've worked together before." "Call her," I nodded curtly. A single thought consumed me: I would get Anna and my children back, no matter the cost. If George Simpson had harmed even a hair on their heads, death would seem merciful compared to what awaited him. Anna's POV I woke with a jolt, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling above me. My hand instinctively moved to my rounded belly, seeking reassurance that my twins were safe. The events of the morning crashed back into my consciousness-the hospital, the men in suits, my mother's burned hand. _G
Marcus's POV I sat in the VIP room of restaurant, barely registering the exquisite spread before me. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Anna and those twins growing inside her. When Joseph Walker strode in, his incredulous expression only irritated me further. "I thought you weren't coming back to America for a while," he said, dropping into the seat across from me. "What changed? There's nobody here worth risking your neck for." An inexplicable anxiety gnawed at my insides. It had been growing stronger all morning, like some primal warning system blaring in my skull. "Who says there isn't?" I replied testily. Joseph raised an eyebrow. "William? Since when did you become such a dutiful son?" I fixed him with an icy stare. "Anna Shaw." His eyes widened comically, and my irritation deepened. "She's already pregnant, and you're still pining for her?" Disbelief colored his voice. "It's mine." The words left my mouth with quiet certainty, accompanied by a
Anna's POV When I saw my mother's delicate hand completely red and inflamed, my heart clenched painfully. Elizabeth had never even washed a dish in her life-this burn must be severe. "What happened?" I asked with concern, ignoring George Simpson completely to focus on my mother's injury. I carefully placed her hand in the bowl of ice water the housekeeper had brought. "How did you burn yourself?" Elizabeth's eyes were rimmed with tears, but there was a defiance in her expression I rarely saw. "I accidentally burned myself, it's nothing. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to hit his face with it." Her voice dropped to a furious whisper. "I've never met someone so disgusting." I remained silent, focusing on keeping my mother's hand submerged in the ice water, not letting her pull away despite her natural instinct to withdraw from the cold. Normally, Elizabeth was incredibly sensitive, complaining for hours about the smallest bump or bruise, but now she seemed oblivious to the pa
Anna's POV I stared at the two men in identical dark suits standing before me in the hospital waiting area. The fluorescent lights glinted off their perfectly polished shoes, making them look even more ominous. "Excuse me?" I rested my hand on my swollen belly protectively. "I'm waiting for my mother and assistant to return." The taller one stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "We already have your mother, Ms. Shaw. Now you need to come with us quietly." My blood turned to ice. "We're in a public place filled with pregnant women and medical staff. You can't possibly think-" "We can and we will," the second man interrupted, moving behind my chair. "And if you cause a scene, we can't guarantee the safety of those babies you're carrying." The casual threat made my skin crawl. I scanned the waiting room desperately. Rachel and Mom should have returned by now. Where were they? "My phone," I demanded, holding out my hand. "Let me call my mother first." The sh
Anna's POV I allowed Elizabeth to guide me into her private tea room, her fingers gripping my wrist with surprising strength. The door clicked shut behind us, and she immediately whirled to face me, her eyes wide with concern. 'Tell me the truth, Annie. Why is Marcus Murphy here? What's going on between you two?" Her voice was hushed but intense, as if she feared the walls might be listening. I took a deep breath, suddenly finding it difficult to meet her gaze. "It's exactly what you think, Mom." Elizabeth's hand flew to her mouth, her already wide eyes growing impossibly wider. "Oh my God. Does this mean I'll become in-laws with William Murphy?" A startled laugh escaped me. "Mom, is that seriously your main concern right now? Nothing else bothers you?" She straightened her shoulders, her expression growing serious. "I've had my suspicions from the very beginning. The way he looked at you that first night he drove you home, calling you 'Annie' in front of us all-l knew the
Marcus looked at me deeply, saying nothing, but his silence was confirmation enough. I was stunned. "Then why didn't you tell me sooner?" I pressed. "It's not too late now," he answered softly, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead before ruffling my hair. "It's okay if you don't remember, and don't overthink it. Just know that I want you and the children. Go to sleep now. TIl still be here tomorrow." Marcus's POV I closed Anna's bedroom door behind me, the warmth of her presence still I closed Anna's bedroom door behind me, the warmth of her presence still lingering on my skin. Grabbing a bottle of ice water from the mini-fridge, I took a long sip and tried to quiet my racing thoughts. Clayton appeared in the hallway just as I was lost in thought. "What's the story with George Simpson?" I asked directly, my voice carrying the weight of authority I rarely displayed in Skyview City. Clayton stood with military precision. "I made some inquiries, sir. George Simpson did ap
Anna's POV "You didn't notice yesterday?" I countered, amused by his theatrics. He shrugged dramatically. "Why would I be staring at your stomach? Are you really pregnant or just putting on weight?" His hand reached out toward my belly. I slapped it away immediately. "Don't touch." Despite
Sierra's POV Too late, I realized I'd handed her ammunition. Jack's brow had furrowed. I, his expression darkening. "Jack, Anna must have her reasons," Lucy continued, her voice dripping with manufactured compassion. "We shouldn't judge her." The hypocrisy was too much. "Stop pretending, Lu
Marcus's POV I crouched down and yanked the rag from Doyle's mouth, maintaining a calculated distance. His response was predictable a glob of saliva launched in my direction. I sidestepped it with practiced ease, my expression unchanged while disgust and cold fury bubbled beneath the surface. P
Anna's POV The woman standing beside Catherine in our living room looked like she'd stepped out of a medical journal— crisp linen shirt tucked into tailored pants, not a single blonde hair out of place in her tight bun. Her posture screamed professional discipline. "Elizabeth, I heard you were







