Sheila’s gasp was a sharp intake of breath. “Are you crazy, Anastasia?! He betrayed you, and lied to you! How can you even think about protecting something so rotten?”“Maybe I am,”“Tasia, you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You deserve so much more than this. More than a love that makes you feel like this, more than a man who doesn’t cherish you.” She took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a low growl. “You should leave that bastard right now! Pack your bags, walk out that door, and never look back!”“I can’t leave him, Sheila. Not now. I still love him.”“Did you know he was cheating on you?” Sheila asked, her voice laced with a quiet fury.I met her gaze with a heavy heart. “Yes. I knew there might have been someone else, but I never imagined it would be Zarina.” “I can’t believe he did this to you,” Sheila gritted in anger. “That bastard. I swear, I will kill him if I ever see him!”When I remained silent, she sighed, the sound heavy with disappointment. “So, I guess
With a forced smile that felt brittle on my lips, I walked to my designated seat at the far end of the table. The vast expanse of mahogany between us felt like an insurmountable distance. We ate in a tense silence, the only sounds were the clinking of silverware against China and the labored breaths I couldn't quite control.My appetite was nonexistent. But I forced myself to pick at my food. Halfway through the meal, I could feel Regan's gaze burning into me. In the past, I would make any remark designed to draw him into conversation. But tonight, the words wouldn't come. The image of his hand intertwined with Zarina's, the warmth in his eyes that had been absent for far too long, choked the words back down. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Anastasia,"I ignored him, staring intently at the floral pattern on my plate. The urge to scream, to throw my wine glass across the table, warred with the strange paralysis that gripped me.Regan cleared his throat again, louder this time. "A
Days passed in a blur of empty routines and forced smiles. But as the sun rose on another day, I pushed aside the memories of what I saw in the mall. Of what I and Regan talked about. I promised myself I would try everything I have on this marriage.And that involves staying and giving everything I have. Including chances.As I stirred from my fitful slumber, the weight of exhaustion pulling at my limbs, I found myself greeted by the sight of Regan still sleeping beside me. It was a rare occurrence.His features softened. With each rise and fall of his chest, I couldn't help but admire the sculpted contours of his physique, the gentle curve of his jawline and the way his tousled hair fell in disarray across his forehead. Regan slept with a sense of ease, his chest rising and falling in a steady. The absence of a shirt allowed me to appreciate the taut muscles of his torso. As I watched him, a sense of admiration washed over me. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, to the man who is st
As lunchtime approached, I happily packed the food I had lovingly prepared into a lunchbox. Today is a special day.Susan stands beside me, “I think you should just ask Marlon to send it, Miss Anastasia”I shook my head, "It's been a long time since I've done it myself. And I am sure Marlon must be too tired and sick of delivering lunch for Regan. It is his day off today."But Susan still looked concerned for some reason. “Why? Is there something wrong?”“No, nothing, Miss”I nodded and carried the lunch bag. “I should get going.”“Take care on your way, Miss”I walked out of our house, my house clicking on the garage. I don’t ask for drivers. For me, it was nicer to drive on your own. I entered my Red Mercedes-Benz and sped off the Dynastar Enterprises. It is a billion-multinational company owned by Regan.As I parked my car, I looked at the towering building in front of me. Then I walked inside. The guards greeted me with a polite nod, but I couldn't help but notice the unease that
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
As the elevator doors slid shut behind me, I leaned heavily against the cool metal wall. Tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked. I lifted a trembling hand to wipe them away, but they seemed to flow endlessly.As I reached my car, I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The engine roared to life as I peeled out of the parking space, the tires screeching against the pavement. My vision blurred with tears as I drove aimlessly through the streets. I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to escape.To get as far with Regan as I can.It was then that I saw it – a bridge in the distance. Without a second thought, I veered off the main road and drove underneath it. The car came to a stop, the engine ticking as it cooled.With trembling legs, I stepped out of the car and leaned against its cool metal frame, the tears flowing freely down my cheeks. Each sob tore through me like a knife. I doubled over, my body wracked with heaving sobs.The memori
Tonight, I wore my best dress—a sleek, black satin maxi dress that hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my graceful silhouette. The dress had a plunging neckline and a slit up the side that added a touch of elegance and allure. My dark, wavy hair cascaded down my shoulders, framing my face softly. I meticulously painted my lips a bold shade of red, a striking contrast against my fair skin.I sat in the corner of the restaurant, the glow of candlelight forming shadows across the tablecloth. The ambiance was romantic, but my heart was still heavy with dull ache. After my breakdown, I went back to the mansion like nothing happened.I’ll stay with Regan, with my husband no matter what. That’s what I decided three years ago.I wore my best dress and painted my lips a bold shade of red like always.This restaurant held a special significance for me—it was where Regan had first brought me after he saved me ten years ago. I was 17 when I got lost in the pouring rain, terrified by the thund
As I rose from my seat, a wave of dizziness washed over me, causing the room to spin. The waitress quickly hold my arms."Are you okay, Ma’am?""Yeah, I'm fine," I slurred, attempting to steady myself on the table."Are you sure you should be driving?""I'll manage, thanks though. Just need some fresh air."She nodded reluctantly as I made my unsteady way to the door. The truth was, I was more than fine—I was tipsy, bordering on drunk. I hadn't realized I'd consumed so much wine, but my high tolerance for alcohol often masked the effects until it was too late.Struggling to maintain my balance, I made my way out of the restaurant and to the parking space. My head pounding with every step.“Ugh shit” I groaned, holding my throbbing head.As I approached my car, relief washed over me momentarily. But as I stepped forward, something fell on my face—tiny droplets that quickly morphed into a downpour. I stood frozen, feeling the cold droplets soak through my clothes, mixing with the tears
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sprawling garden. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the scent of fresh blooms and damp earth. Birds chirped softly in the distance. I sat at the elegant wrought-iron table in the heart of the garden, my hands resting lightly in my lap. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappling the white tablecloth with shifting patches of light and shadow. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of jasmine, one of the many flowers my mother had once loved.I hadn’t stepped out into the garden for a long time, not like this. Not dressed in anything but red, that reflected the armor I had carried for so long. But today… today was different.I wore pink. Baby pink.It felt strange, almost foreign against my skin—soft, light, alive. I wasn’t sure why I had chosen it. Maybe because Susan had left it out for me, or maybe because I wanted to see if I could still feel something.Across from
I lowered my teacup slowly, setting it back on the saucer. My eyes dropped to my lap, where the soft pink fabric of my dress pooled gently, but all I could feel was the rising pressure in my chest.I need to say it.I need to say it.I had practiced the words. Over and over in my mind. But now, with him sitting across from me, waiting, I found myself choking on them.Still, I had to say it.I raised my gaze, meeting his eyes.“Mr. Morgan…” I began, and my voice cracked almost instantly. I cleared my throat, forcing steadiness I didn’t feel. “I need your advice.”He leaned in slightly, the air shifting around us, his expression attentive and calm. “Of course, Miss Anastasia.”“I need to know the legal consequences...” I paused, drawing in a shaky breath, “...of filing for divorce.”The words landed between us like a stone dropped into still water. Morgan blinked, his composure briefly slipping. His brows
“We don’t have to go that far unless we need to,” Morgan said, his voice measured, his tone sharpening with conviction. “But if ever Regan decides to make a move—if he dares to use the fact that you kept the child from him as a weapon to demand custody—then we fight. With everything we have. The point is—you’re not defenseless, Miss Anastasia. You don’t have to run and hide in shame.”I looked down at my lap, my fingers twisting into the fabric of my dress. The breeze picked up softly, fluttering the edges of the tablecloth, and I found my voice just above a whisper.“I’m not running to hide,” I said, voice trembling. “I’m running to protect what he wanted to throw away.”“Then we build your wall before he even reaches the gate,” he said, more firmly now. “All we need is evidence. Records. Messages. Witnesses, if necessary.” He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Did anyone hear him say it? About wanting you to abort the child?”I looked away, my
I exhaled softly, gathering my thoughts. I had spent the past week thinking about this—turning it over in my mind, debating, hesitating. I had run through the possibilities, the consequences, and the emotions tied to it.Was I strong enough? Brave enough? Was I really ready to let go of the past that had defined so much of me?I didn’t have all the answers.But what I did have now was a reason.A life growing inside me. A heartbeat that depended on mine. And that alone was enough.I had to move forward. I had to choose strength. I had to choose survival.For my baby.Morgan must have sensed my hesitation, because he set his cup down, his keen gaze watching me closely, but before he could ask me, I finally broke the silence."I know you must be thinking that I didn’t call you just for tea or to chat."A knowing smile crossed his lips. "That I am."I took a deep breath, straightening in my seat. My
“I—” I let out a soft, breathy chuckle that didn’t feel anything like laughter. “Surprise?”Morgan blinked, slowly recovering. “You’re pregnant,” he repeated, more to himself than to me.I nodded.“For how long?”“Two weeks.”“I see” He sat back, absorbing that. Then, his voice low and even, “Then let me ask you, what do you want to do, Miss Anastasia?”I didn’t answer right away.Instead, I turned my gaze out toward the garden. The flowers were swaying gently in the breeze. The sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. It should have been a beautiful view. Peaceful. Soft. But all I could feel was the ache sitting beneath my ribs.“I want to file a divorce and keep my child hidden from Regan,” I said finally, the words slipping out like glass.Morgan didn’t respond, but I could feel the tension in the air sharpen.I let out another hollow laugh—bitter this time, raw and sharp. “He told me to abor
The large garden loomed ahead, its vibrant flowers and sprawling yard basking under the afternoon sun—so bright, so full of life. The contrast made my emptiness feel all the more suffocating.Then, suddenly—SLAP!The force of it sent me crashing to the ground. A sharp sting spread across my cheek, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth where my teeth cut into my lip. I gasped, my mind spinning, the world tilting as I stared at the dirt beneath me, too stunned to move.“Marianne, what the hell?!” Sheila shrieked.And then, in the chaos of it all, her voice sliced through the air like a blade."She’s pregnant!" Sheila’s voice cracked as if the weight of it had finally been too much to bear.The world went still. The air shifted, suffocating and thick with an emotion too heavy to name. Marianne stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. Her anger twisted into something else—shock, disbelief, devastation. Her lips parted, but no words came out.I could barely move. My body was
Sheila froze. I finally looked at her, and there was nothing in my gaze. No fight. No anger. No will left to argue. Just sheer, crushing exhaustion.“I’m tired,” I murmured. “I feel sick. I don’t want to do this right now.”Sheila opened her mouth to protest, but then she really looked at me. I knew what she saw. I was pale. My lips were dry, almost cracked. The dark circles beneath my eyes were so deep they looked bruised. My hands, resting limply on my lap, trembled slightly.I wasn’t just exhausted.I was broken.Sheila swallowed hard, her frustration shifting into something else—something much more painful.For the first time, she didn’t argue. I just turned my head, looking back out at the horizon, my eyes unfocused, lost in the vast emptiness stretching before me.Sheila was quiet for a moment. I thought she had given up, that she would just walk away like everyone else eventually did.But then, suddenly, she broke.A soft sob escaped her lips, barely audible at first, before it
A Week LaterThe house was quiet. Too quiet.I sat motionless on the balcony of my bedroom, staring out at the vast expanse of green surrounding the mansion. It was a beautiful home—secluded, peaceful, far from the suffocating noise of the city. The kind of place people would call an escape. But for me, it was just another prison.Beside me, the plate of untouched food sat, the scent alone making my stomach twist. Nausea curled in my throat, threatening to rise. It had been this way for days. Every time I tried to eat, I ended up hunched over a toilet, dry heaving until there was nothing left. The exhaustion had settled deep into my bones, dragging me down, and making my body feel unbearably heavy.Susan and the other maids were here. I hadn’t asked them to resign; after Susan had called to tell me they resigned, I told them to stay. I didn’t know why. Maybe I didn’t want to be alone. Maybe I just didn’t care.They moved around the house, doing what they could, but none of it reached
My head shook automatically, small, frantic motions, my chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. "I—I don’t—what are you—?"Caroline pressed forward, her voice calm but firm. "Regan and Zarina—this is what’s best, Anastasia. You need to understand. The child, their child, deserves—"The words sliced through me like a jagged blade, making me flinch as if she had physically struck me. My ears started ringing, drowning out whatever else she was saying.Zarina’s child.Regan’s child.The bile rose so fast in my throat that I thought I would throw up again. My vision blurred, my hands shaking uncontrollably as I forced myself to focus on Caroline’s face. She was still talking—explaining, justifying, yapping—but the words jumbled together into meaningless noise. I barely recognized my own voice when I finally spoke. It was hoarse, breathless."Is this…" I swallowed hard, forcing the words out, "…because Zarina is pregnant?"Caroline visibly tensed. For the first time, she falter