Alex’s POVMy eyes lingered on Anna for a second longer before I sighed and turned to Dominic.“Umm..,” I said, voice even but cold, “let him come up.”Dominic nodded and disappeared into the elevator.I turned back to Anna. “Wait here,” I told her, nodding toward the assistant’s desk.Her lips parted like she wanted to argue, but one look at my face must have made her stay quiet. She just nodded, and I turned away before I could change my mind.Inside my office, I shut the door behind me and walked straight to the window. I needed the few seconds it took for him to arrive. The skyline stretched far ahead, but my reflection in the glass was all I saw.. tense jaw, tight shoulders. I forced a deep breath.A knock came, sharp and impatient.“Come in.”The door flew open and in walked Mr. Kingston, cane striking the floor with every step. His face was already red, fury spilling out of him like smoke from a fire.“Mr. Quinn,” he barked, “I believe we need to talk.”I didn’t move from behi
Anna’s POV“Care to explain,” Alex’s voice was low, dangerous, the kind that made the air around me feel heavy, “why is my fiancée in my arms instead of safely in my office where I told her to wait?”My stomach dropped.Fiancée?He’d said it out loud. So casually. In front of his staff. The word lingered in the air, sharp and undeniable, while my heart pounded so fast I could hear it in my ears. My eyes darted around the hallway, already imagining what people might say once gossip spread.I hadn’t even gotten a position here yet, and Alex was introducing me like that? What if everyone assumed I was only here because of him? What if they whispered behind my back, saying my relationship had bought me a desk in Quinn’s Enterprise?The assistant’s eyes went wide, mouth hanging open. “Fiancée? Sir… I think you have it all wrong. Is this skank here your fiancée?”Alex opened his mouth, but panic surged through me.Before he could speak, I jumped in, my hands flailing nervously. “No, no. I’m
Annalyn’s POV“Fuck me!” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.Kristoff’s smirk widened. “Gladly.”I recoiled instantly. “Eww. Gross.” My face twisted in disgust, and my fingers clenched around my purse. “What the hell do you want, Kristoff? And what are you even doing here?”Before he could answer, a familiar voice called out.“Anna!”Rissa came rushing toward me, her heels clicking fast on the marble floor. I forced a smile, but my eyes darted back to Kristoff, who was still watching me with that maddening, amused glint.Rissa pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth genuine. I hugged her back because I didn’t want her to sense the storm brewing inside me.Breaking the hug, she held my shoulders. “I see you came in with Alex.”I nodded, steadying my breath. “Yes. Something came up for him, so he asked me to wait in his office.”Then my eyes flicked back to Kristoff. The question left my lips before I could help myself. “What’s he doing here?”Rissa followed my ga
Annalyn’s POV“Morning, baby… What’s for breakfast?” Alex greeted.But no response came from me. I didn’t even look his way as he settled into his seat. As I dropped a tray of French toast he tried to grip my hand with a smile. I wiggled my hand away and rolled my eyes at him causing him to chuckle, my lips pressed into a thin line as I moved around the table. I may not be so annoyed but I couldn’t let him get away with last night.Then came the sweetest voice in the world.“Good Morning, Mummy…”I turned immediately, my heart softening as Nolan rubbed his sleepy eyes, hair sticking in every direction. My face lit up with a smile just for him.Behind me, Alex scoffs and mutters under his breath, “Ohh.. Glad to see him but not me”I shot him a sharp glance as I helped Nolan into his chair, buckling him in with exaggerated care. Alex smirked at me over the rim of his coffee cup, clearly enjoying himself.Breakfast went on with its usual chatter between me and Nolan.. Nanny Flora sat w
Annalyn’s POVThe ride home started in silence. The city lights passed by in streaks, and the low hum of the engine filled the space between us. I leaned my head against the window, pretending to be calm, but my thoughts were loud and restless.Alex’s voice finally broke through. “What’s bothering you?”I turned, surprised. “What makes you think something’s bothering me?”He kept his eyes on the road, but a knowing smile tugged at his lips. “Even a blind man could perceive it from your silence.”I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “I see someone knows me so well now.”“Don’t try to change the topic, Anna,” he said firmly, his tone serious. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles tightening as if he was bracing himself for an answer.I exhaled slowly and decided to stop dodging. “I was thinking…” I paused, watching his profile illuminated by the streetlights. “I know what I want to major in.”That caught his attention. He threw me a quick glance before focusing back on the road. “
Annalyn’s POVLana’s hand closed in my hair like a vise.“How dare you steal my man?” she screamed, dragging hard. Pain shot through my scalp. I gasped and found the world narrowing to Lana’s face… wild, red, full of hate.Alex moved like a spring. He shoved between us and ripped Lana away. His hand flashed and then his palm connected with her cheek. The crack was loud in the dining room. Lana staggered back, hand to her face, eyes wide like she’d been hit by the truth itself.Rissa and I both gasped. For a second the room froze. Mrs. Quinn’s face went white as marble, then she barked, “Alex!” and rushed to Lana’s side to steady her. Her voice was sharp and shocked. Hands flew to check the wound, to fuss… everything a proper mother would do for her daughter.Lana pressed her palm to her cheek and stared at Alex with hatred that set her teeth on edge. “You dare raise your hand at me over that low-life bitch?” she shrieked, every syllable a knife.“I’ll hit you again the next time you a