LOGIN(Anna's POV)I woke up surrounded by shopping bags scattered everywhere on the bed I had fallen asleep amidst the mess, after crying and consoling myself last night.My stomach growled in protest, a cruel reminder that I didn't eat dinner before I slept off.Slowly, I sat up.My head felt heavy and my eyes were swollen from crying.I looked around.The room was a mess.Shopping bags scattered everywhere. Dozens of them.Some were on the floor, some on the couch and the rest on the bed.An entire day's worth of impulsive purchases scattered across the room like evidence of a crime.I dragged myself around the room collecting the bags one after another and carried them into the massive wardrobe.I shoved it inside and closed it, without bothering to arrange or fold anything properly. I didn't have the energy. The bags could stay crumpled for all I cared. None of it mattered right now. Out of sight, out of mind.Then I walked into the bathroom.The sight that greeted me in the mirror
(Alex's POV)Her lips were soft, and I could still taste the cocktail she drank earlier.It wasn't a long kiss.And it completely caught me off guard.My entire body locked in place and to my dismay I felt...Nothing.There was no spark. No fire. None of the desperate, consuming desire that had overtaken me in every single kiss I had shared with Anna.It just seemed normal, like a kiss shared by cool friends.Claire seemed to realize it immediately because she quickly pulled away.Her eyes widened. "Oh my God."She looked horrified. "I'm so sorry."I blinked.The cheerful mood from earlier disappeared instantly replaced by an awkward silence.Claire looked like she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole."I shouldn't have done that," she said quickly. "I don't know what came over me."She laughed nervously. Then covered her face with both hands."This is so embarrassing."I couldn't help chuckling.That only made her groan louder."Please don't laugh.""I'm trying not to
(Alex's POV)I stared at my phone long after the call ended.The screen had already gone dark, but my mind was still replaying Anna's voice.I knew she must have felt terrible when I shunned her and asked her to mind her business when she inquired about Claire.Had I been too hard on her?Two days ago, I had been worried sick when she didn't show up for her lessons.I had called her but she wasn't taking my calls, and wasn't returning them either.I had been convinced something was wrong.Had she learned something about Jessica? Had Richard done something?Or did she simply need some space after everything that had happened between us?I had actually gotten into my car and was ready to drive to the estate to check on her myself when Richard called."Dad," he said in that excited voice that indicated he had good news. "I wanted to tell you something. Anna and I are going to the Maldives."I had blinked in surprise."Maldives?""Yes." He laughed. "I promised her a romantic trip when I
(Anna's POV)The moment Richard and Isabella left, I practically flew upstairs still clutching the gold card in my hand like it was some kind of magical item.A premium gold card which meant unlimited spending limit.I laughed to myself.If someone had told me few years back that this would one day be my life, I would have called them crazy.Back then, my biggest concern had been whether there would be enough money to buy groceries and how we would survive before my next paycheck.Now I was standing in one of the most beautiful places in the world holding a card that could buy anything.Life's really unpredictable.I quickly changed into a light floral dress, took my sunglasses and tied my hair into a loose ponytail.By the time I came downstairs, Tariq was already waiting."Mrs. Anderson," he said with a smile when he saw me coming. "You look very excited.""I am." I said excitedly.He glanced at the card in my hand. Then his eyes widened."Is that??"I laughed. "Yes it is."His hands
(Anna's POV)For a second, I was completely confused."Isabella?"She immediately smiled politely.Before I could say anything else, Richard crossed the room and wrapped an arm around my waist."Good morning sweetheart."Then he kissed my forehead.I looked between the two of them."What is going on?"Richard sighed.The smile on his face faded slightly.And immediately, I knew I wasn't going to like whatever he was about to say."Anna..."My stomach dropped."What?""I need to leave for a short business meeting."I stared at him.The words took a few seconds to register.Then the disappointment crashed in hard."What?"His expression became apologetic. "I know.""Richard, no.""Anna—""No."I pulled away slightly."You promised me that there would be no work or business.""I know.""This trip was supposed to be just us. Our honeymoon vacation remember?""I know baby.""Then why are you leaving?"Richard sighed heavily.He looked genuinely frustrated."I honestly wasn't expecting this
(Anna's POV)"Ready now Mrs Anderson?" Tariq asked as he saw me coming.I immediately nodded."Absolutely."Richard laughed."See? I told you she'd enjoy it."Tariq smiled knowingly."Everyone falls in love with Maldives."He wasn't wrong.The rest of the day felt magical.Tariq first took us to a speedboat waiting by the shore."We will start on the water," he said with a smile as he helped me into the boat. "The best way to understand the Maldives is to see it from the sea."The boat moved quickly across the clear lagoon.I held the railing tightly while the wind blew against my face and the sparkling blue water rushed past us.After some time, Tariq turned off the engine.The boat slowly stopped above a coral reef."Look down," he said.I leaned over the side of the boat and looked into the water.The reef below looked so colorful that it seemed like a painting. There were pink, orange, and purple corals stretching in different directions. They moved gently with the water as if t
(Alex's POV)I sat quietly in the back seat of the car as Dubai's bright city lights flashed past the window.I leaned my head back against the leather seat and looked out the window.Normally, I appreciated views like this.But not today.My mind was preoccupied with the confrontation I had with R
(Anna's POV)"Mom!"I rushed toward her immediately.She threw her arms around me and cried even harder.The sound shattered my heart.I had not seen my mother cry like this in years. Not since my father's death.Those terrible days when debt collectors seemed to know our names better than our neig
(Richard's POV)For one terrifying second, I forgot how to breathe as my heart slammed violently against my ribs.What was my father doing here of all places?How did he even find me?A thousand possibilities raced through my mind at once.I forced my expression to remain calm.Years of business ne
(Alex's POV)I stayed in my car, watching, until Anna stepped into the house, the door closing behind her.Only then did I finally let out a breathe I didn't know I was holding.She was safe now.I started the engine and drove off.The moment I pulled away from the curb, I was already reaching for







