Chapter 11: Ask Me Anastasia!

But just as I took a step, a woman's voice pierced the air from inside Regan's office. I froze, my heart skipping a beat, then seemed to stop altogether, as if time itself had paused in that agonizing moment of realization. Every instinct within me screamed to flee, to escape the inevitable pain that awaited me. Yet, despite the overwhelming urge to run, something compelled me to turn around, my eyes narrowing as I faced the trembling secretary.

"Who is inside?" My voice was cold.

"No one, Ma’am. Please, just ignore it and leave."

Her pitiful expression only fueled my resolve. "Move."

"Ma’am, please, just go back later. I swear no one—"

"I said step aside."

Reluctantly, she bowed, her trembling hands opening a path for me to pass.

Without hesitation, I pushed past the secretary, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. With a deep breath, I pushed it open.

As I entered the room, my worst fears were realized in an instant. Zarina stood before me, her cheeks flushed, and her