Anna's POV My car tires crunched over the gravel driveway as we approached Samuel Griffin's newly acquired mansion in Skyview City. Several men in black suits patrolled the area, their watchful eyes professionally monitoring our arrival. As we neared the entrance, a security guard stepped forward to block our path. "Ms. Shaw and party?" he asked, his tone clipped and formal. When I nodded, he spoke into his wrist microphone and then gestured for us to follow him along the side of the house. Samuel Griffin was lounging by the pool on a chaise lounge, his lean body stretched out like a cat in the sun. Despite our arrival, he didn't even bother opening his eyes, this deliberate display of indifference making my jaw clench. "Mr. Griffin," I said, my voice carrying across the patio. Samuel finally opened one eye, a lazy smile spreading across his face. "Ms. Shaw. You're punctual. I like that quality in a woman." He gestured to the empty chair beside him. "Please, make yourself
Anna's POV Sunlight filtered through the crack in the curtains, hitting my face with annoying precision. I fully woke up, propping myself to scan the empty hotel room. The digital clock on the nightstand read 12:07. The space beside me held only the ghost of his presence a slight depression in the mattress. Nothing more. Gone. Of course. I shouldn't have felt disappointed. This was exactly what our arrangement entailed-no strings, no morning afters, no awkward goodbyes. I wrapped the sheet around myself and padded across the plush carpet to the window, yanking the curtains open with more force than necessary. Outside, the sun shone brilliantly—a rare perfect day. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Rachel. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes with clean clothes," she said when I answered. Rachel was nothing if not efficient. By the time she arrived, I'd managed to shower and wrap myself in one of the hotel's luxurious robes. "Your wounds need attention," Rachel said,
Marcus's POV I stood in the shadows of room 3303, watching as she entered. The soft click of the door closing behind her seemed to seal us into our own private world, separate from the reality waiting outside. She walked toward me, her silhouette illuminated by the dim glow of the bedside lamp. I stepped forward, my hand naturally reaching to cup her face, drawing her closer until our foreheads touched. This was an intimate gesture that felt natural to me but clearly crossed some invisible boundary she'd established. She immediately pulled back, her eyes hardening. "Skip the romance," she said coldly. "That's not what this is about." Something inside me ignited—a sharp, burning anger that threatened to consume my carefully maintained control. I flew across the damn Atlantic for her, and this is how she receives me? As if I were nothing more than a convenient body, a transaction, a goddamn service provider. I swallowed the rage building in my throat, knowing I couldn't speak.
Anna's POV Flowers. Goddamn too many flowers. My office had transformed into some botanical nightmare overnight. Roses, lilies, orchids expensive arrangements with cards attached from men whose names I barely recognized from Skyview City's social circuit. The scent was overwhelming, cloying sweetness that made my stomach turn. "Ms. Shaw, another delivery just arrived," Rachel announced, her usual composure visibly tinged with disgust. "This makes seventeen today." I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose as I stared at the latest monstrosity—an ostentatious arrangement of white roses and gold-painted leaves. The accompanying card offered to gift me a sports car, asking only for one night with me in return. I felt nauseated. The online rumors about Samuel and me had unleashed a feeding frenzy. Apparently, Skyview City's bachelors saw me as some prize to be claimed—a business asset with a conveniently attractive package. "Get rid of them," I said, my voice sharp as
Anna's POV William's face lit up instantly. "Perfect timing! Bring it here, please." The butler handed him the tablet and discreetly withdrew. William adjusted his position on the bench, patting the seat beside him. "Come sit, Annie. Let's see what my wayward son is up to." I hesitated, suddenly feeling like an intruder. "Maybe I should give you some privacy? I can wait inside_" "Nonsense," William interrupted, already tapping the screen to accept the call. "Marcus would want to see you too." Before I could protest further, the screen fickered to life, revealing Marcus sitting in what appeared to be a luxurious hotel room. His hair was damp, and he wore only a black silk robe loosely tied at the waist. He'd clearly just stepped out of the shower. "Marcus!" William's voice boomed with delight. "Finally remembering your poor old father, are you?" Marcus's expression remained impassive, though I detected a subtle softening around his eyes. "Father. You look well." "And you loo
Jack's POV I stood in the living room of Rosa Villa, the door still vibrating from the force with which it had closed behind Anna. The message couldn't have been clearer if she'd painted it on the wall— she didn't care enough to even offer an explanation. The utter dismissal left me feeling hollow, like I'd become nothing more than a nuisance to be brushed aside. "Jack... I turned to see Lucy standing behind me, her eyes filled with unmistakable sympathy. I hadn't even noticed her following me here. "Anna's already gone, Jack," she said softly. "She doesn't care about you anymore." Her words pierced through me like shards of glass. My ears rang with denial, my mind refusing to process what she was saying. This can't be happening. Not Anna. Not like this. How could the woman who once pledged herself to me at the altar change so completely? The Anna I knew would have at least offered an explanation, would have cared enough to clear up a misunderstanding. We had built a life togeth