Mag-log inSean and I moved aside as Anna emerged, supported by Rachel with Clayton following close behind. Even in her loose coat, her pregnant belly was unmistakable. Her face was pale from exhaustion, but her expression remained resolute. Glasses Guy's jaw dropped. "That's impossible. I was told she left hours ago..." "Who told you our CEO had left?" Sean's voice was ice-cold. "Ms. Shaw has been here since we first received news of the accident. She hasn't even had dinner except for sharing food with the worker's family. Anyone here can verify that." I noticed Glasses Guy trying to slip away through the crowd. I caught Sean's eye and nodded slightly toward the retreating figure. Sean and Rachel immediately moved to follow him. Anna's POV Daniel handed me the microphone with a subtle nod of encouragement. Camera lenses zoomed in on my face, their predatory focus making my skin crawl. I straightened my posture, one hand instinctively shielding my belly as I faced the media vultures
Daniel's POV The moment Sean and I stepped through the hospital doors, we were ambushed by a blinding wall of camera flashes and shouted questions. Despite the late hour—nearly eleven at night—the entrance to hospital was surrounded by reporters and social media personalities, their cameras and phones trained directly on us like weapons. This wasn't random media attention— someone had orchestrated this circus. "Are you in charge of Paradise Valley Estates?" A man with fashionable glasses shoved a microphone in my face, his tone dripping with accusation. "Reports say there's been a serious accident due to Shaw Corp's negligence. Care to comment?" Behind him, livestreamers were already spinning their narratives, painting us as heartless capitalists who cared nothing for worker safety. The comments scrolling across their screens called for boycotts before we'd even spoken a word. I stepped forward, taking the microphone from Glasses Guy. "I'm Daniel Davis, project manager f
Anna'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
Mary's POV My cheeks burned as Father's words cut through me like a serrated knife. How dare he scold me in front of everyone especially that insufferable Catherine? I straightened my silk blouse, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. "I'm only trying to uphold the standards of this f
Anna's POV I took her trembling hand in mine. "We can't leave yet. If we walk out now, everyone will believe you're destroying their marriage." The party guests had already formed a circle of whispers and stares around us. "It's all lies!" Mom's voice shook with indignation. "Mary Simpson is
Anna's POV Sunlight streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm glow across Lucius's pale face. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the beeping monitors confirming what the doctors had told us—he'd survived the critical forty-eight hours. Relief washed over me like a gentle tide.
Anna's POV I stared at Marcus, unable to process the words that had just left his mouth. My mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd offered. This powerful man had just volunteered to be the father of my children-children who weren't biologically his. The room seemed to spin around me.







