MasukAnna's POV "Daniel Davis has been at the site since the moment he was notified," I continued, my voice softening slightly. "He secured the scene, contacted emergency services, made arrangements for the family, and kept me informed every step of the way." I turned my gaze back to Inigo. "That's the standard I expect. Not excuses about dinner meetings." My phone vibrated in my hand—Mom calling again. I declined with a swipe. knowing she was worried but unable to step away right now. "Ms. Shaw," Rachel approached cautiously, "perhaps you should sit down. You've been standing for almost an hour." I appreciated her concern but shook my head. "I'm fine." The twins shifted inside me, a flutter of movement that strengthened my resolve. Even they understood we weren't going anywhere. “Anna," Catherine appeared at my elbow, her voice uncharacteristically gentle, "at least drink some water and eat something. For them." She nodded toward my belly. I accepted the bottle she offered,
Anna's POV "They've issued two critical condition notices," Sean said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But they're still trying." He hesitated, eyes dropping to my protruding belly. "Perhaps you shouldn't go in. I can handle this. What if you accidentally get hurt..." I understood his concern, but as the person responsible for this project— and this man's safety—I needed to see firsthand. Despite my advanced pregnancy, I moved determinedly toward the emergency room, my hand protectively curved around my twins. The hospital corridor reeked of antiseptic and desperation. A burly man with red-rimmed eyes spotted Sean and immediately charged toward us. "You said you were getting the blood! Where the hell have you been?" His voice cracked with barely contained panic. "If my brother dies, I swear to God-" "Lucian," Sean said calmly, "this is Anna Shaw." Lucian Cox's eyes narrowed as they swept over me, lingering on my rounded belly before returning to my face. "Who the hell are
Anna's POV I was drifting into sleep when my phone's shrill ring cut through the darkness. An unknown number flashed across the screen. Frowning, I declined the call and set the phone down. Moments later, it rang again— same number. With an irritated sigh, I answered. "Hello, are you Mrs. Simpson? Your husband is very intoxicated, and we need someone to pick him up," a polite male voice spoke. "Jack Simpson?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbow, a wave of annoyance washing over me. Before the man could respond, Jack's voice boomed through the speaker: "ANNA SHAW, YOU HEARTLESS WOMAN!" I jerked the phone away from my ear, his drunken bellowing so loud I could picture him swaying on his feet. In the background, Calvin or Luke-l couldn't tell which—was trying to calm him down. "Don't bother asking me to pick him up," I told the server coolly. "I'll text you the Simpson family address. Call some drivers to take all three drunk men there." After hanging up, I shook my h
Sierra's POV Too late, I realized I'd handed her ammunition. Jack's brow had furrowed, 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, Lucy," I snapped. "Anna got you sent back to your parents' house. I don't believe for a second that you don't hate her. Why act so virtuous and understanding?" Lucy's friend instantly leapt to her defense. "Our Lucy is beautiful inside and out. She doesn't hold grudges like that." "Beautiful inside?" I laughed incredulously. "Are we all supposed to have amnesia? When Jack married Anna, who was it crying and manipulating Jack out of their wedding night? Beautiful inside? Please!" The words hung in the air like smoke. Jack stood without a word and walked away, leaving his half-eaten meal and all three of us staring after him. With Jack gone, I felt oddly liberated. "Your precious Jack has
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 my stern tone, I felt a rush of affection for Oscar. At least he still treated me like a friend, not a fragile porcelain doll. He grinned, giving me a thumbs up. "You're incredible. No wonder my brother came home yesterday acting like he'd lost his mind." Once we were seated in the living room, I turned to Doris with genuine concern. "Mrs. Porter, please talk some sense into Logan. He says he doesn't mind being the father of my children." Shock flashed across Doris's face. Though she'd always been fond of me, I knew accepting me as the mother of her supposed grandchildren was completely different. "Don't worry, Anna. I'll beat some sense into that foolish son of mine when I get h
Anna's POV "Mine." The word left my lips with more confidence than I felt. I met Logan's gaze directly, desperately trying to appear unfazed while my heart pounded a thunderous rhythm against my ribcage. His expression shifted from shock to suspicion, eyes narrowing behind his frames. "Marcus Murphy? Or Samuel Griffin?" His voice carried an edge that sent an involuntary chill crawling up my spine. 'That's none of your business." I kept my tone even, but a flicker of unease sparked in my chest. Logan had always been unpredictable when it came to me. I caught Clayton's eye across the room, subtly signaling him to approach. Logan stepped closer, his cologne suddenly overwhelming. "I'm willing to be the children's father." "What?" The question escaped before I could compose myself. Had I heard him correctly? "Your children need a father. I'm willing to take that responsibility." His voice was steady, confident, as if he'd just offered to pick up coffee rather than commit to a
Anna's POV "They've issued two critical condition notices," Sean said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But they're still trying." He hesitated, eyes dropping to my protruding belly. "Perhaps you shouldn't go in. I can handle this. What if you accidentally get hurt..." I understood his concer
Anna's POV "Mine." The word left my lips with more confidence than I felt. I met Logan's gaze directly, desperately trying to appear unfazed while my heart pounded a thunderous rhythm against my ribcage. His expression shifted from shock to suspicion, eyes narrowing behind his frames. "Marcus M
Marcus's POV My fingers tightened around the tablet's edge until my knuckles blanched white. As if I needed the reminder._ "I'm well aware of the risks, Peter," I replied, my voice colder than I intended. "With all due respect, sir..." Peter hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You've
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







