Chapter 3

Anastasia's POV 

My head spins as I drag myself into my room, clutching my chest against the stabbing pain. I still can't believe that my parents married me off to Liam to repay their debts. Really? 

No wonder there was no wedding. Not even a family came with Liam to ask for my hand in marriage. Thinking about it now, I can't help but believe that Mr. And Mrs. Campbell aren't really my parents. 

No real parents would trade their only daughter like currency. 

I crouch into the bed, my mind a turmoil of emotions as I wipe away more tears from my face. 

“I have to get out of this goddamn marriage!” I murmur, my voice breaking. 

Even though Liam says that I need to repay my parents' debt, I can no longer stay. For my mental health, I need to divorce him even if it means that I keep working for him without getting paid. 

My mind keeps reeling with different thoughts on how to go about the divorce before sleep takes over.

The next morning, I drag myself to the company. I need to hand over the contracts I was working on before Marian's appointment to her. 

“Hey, Anna.” Felicity greets me as soon as she spots me in the lobby. “How are you doing today?” 

My lips curl into a forced smile. “I'm doing well. How about you?” I ask, embracing her. 

“Good morning, Anastasia.” Lydia, a colleague walks towards us, interrupting our conversation. “The Chief Technology Officer demands to see you in her office.” She informs me. 

My eyebrows narrow, and I exchange a knowing look with Felicity, whose face has contorted with rage. 

Why does Marian want to see me? She could have just sent a message if she wanted to ask for the handover of the contracts, right? 

“Okay, thank you, Lydia.” 

“Be careful around her,” Felicity says with concern. I nod my head as different thoughts swirl in my mind. 

As soon as I get into my office, I drop my bag and head for her office. She's my boss now and I need to regard her with the respect she deserves even though she doesn't seem to deserve any bit of respect from me. 

“You asked to see me.” I bite my lower lips, trying to contain the storm brewing inside of me. 

She lifts her head slowly from the folder in her hands. Her lips curl into a smug smile when our gazes meet and my stomach twists with rage. She leans back in her chair comfortably, acting as though I am invisible or she didn't hear my words. 

“Hello?” I say again, my lips pressing into a thin line. 

Did she just call me into her office to show off her position? 

“You are going to meet with Mr. Blake this evening.” She says coldly, not sparing me as little as a glance. 

I freeze, my blood running cold. A lump forms in my throat, my chest heaving with barely contained rage. 

“Why? Shouldn't that be your work now, as the CTO?” I swallow the lump in my throat and demand coldly. 

Usually, I am the one who meets with most of our clients to seal contract deals. Liam believes I have a way of convincing clients to work with us— one of the reasons why he thinks I deserve the CTO position. Now that he has made his mistress the CTO, shouldn't she be doing the work? 

Marian raises an eyebrow, confusion clouding her features. Did she not expect me to counter her order—if I would even call it that? 

“Yes, it's my work.” She says, her tone devoid of any warmth. “But I'm pregnant and would be at the hospital at the time Mr Blake had asked to meet.” She rubs her hand dramatically over her stomach and smirks.

For a moment, my eyes widen in shock as I try to process her words. She is pregnant? Is it for Liam? My heart drops and my eyes trails down her body to the curve of her stomach. Every part of me freezes as the realization hits me. 

I blink, bringing myself back to reality. “So you want me to go instead of you?” I swallow hard.

A smug smile crosses her lips as she rises to her feet, her heels clicking against the floor. 

“Yes. Liam suggested that you go.” She closes the distance between us, her expression unreadable. 

My stomach drops and I just stare at her,  clenching my fists tightly by my sides. So, Liam knows about this? 

A part of me wants to yell at her and stand up for myself because this is wrong. It's not professional. But I can't. Liam's words about my parent's debt keep echoing in my head, and I know I do not have so many choices. 

“Okay.” My voice cracks. 

Despite the sense of unease that grips me, I know there's nothing I can do about this. Marian's lips curl into a wide smile and my stomach shivers with fear. Something feels off about me meeting with Mr. Blake but I can't tell what it is. 

“I will communicate the time to you soon.” She whispers, grinning widely. 

***

My stomach plummets with fear as I walk into the hotel lounge. The last thing I want is to meet with a client in a hotel but I have no choice as it is.

 Liam had made his words clear when I refused to meet with Mr Blake in a hotel. “Get Mr. Blake to work with us and I will sign the divorce papers.” 

This is the only chance I have to be free from him and I can’t miss it. 

I adjust my blazer, my eyes scanning the lounge before spotting him— Blake Pierce. He is sitting in a quiet, private corner of the lounge, his fingers are wrapped around a glass of something dark. He tilts his head up, his gaze meeting mine, his expression unreadable. 

“Ms. Campbell,” He greets smoothly as I approach, rising just enough to offer a handshake. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” he says, his grip firm. 

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Pierce.” I smile, ignoring the creeping dread blooming in my chest. 

I slid into the seat opposite him, placing my laptop gently on the table. 

“Drinks first?” He asks, signalling to a waiter without waiting for my answer. 

I smile politely, declining. “Let’s keep this professional.” 

A flicker of something unreadable dances in his eyes. “Of course.” He whispers as I open my laptop, launching into my presentation. 

Slide by slide, I outline projections, data points and the exponential great potential of the company’s AI security software. I do not miss how his gaze lingers on me for too long, which makes me feel uneasy, but I try to focus, reminding myself that this is business and I have no choice but to just sit and pitch Liam’s company like everything is normal. 

“That was an exceptional presentation.” He leans back into his seat, cocking his head slightly to the side. “I heard you single-handedly built this AI, Ms. Campbell.” 

My heart skips a beat. 

That was a secret between me and Liam. No one knew I was the one who built the AI that made the company stand out amidst its competitors. 

“Thank you, Mr. Pierce.” I force a smile, shaking my head, not giving him an answer. He shrugs his shoulders, clearly not going to push further. 

Soon, the waiter brings the drinks and he pours two glasses of champagne. He slides one across to me with a smile on his face. 

“Thank you,” I whisper, taking a sip as soon as he leaves. 

“The contract is sealed, Ms. Campbell. Your presentation exceeded my expectations and I’d love to work with Thompson Technology just because of you.” 

A smile crosses over my features. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, so I am not surprised at all. 

“Thank you so much, Mr. Pierce. Our company won’t let you down, I assure you.” I say, bringing out some documents for him to sign. 

To my utmost surprise, Mr. Blake rises to his feet as soon as he signs the documents. “I have a meeting to attend. I will communicate with you later over the phone, Ms. Campbell. And it’s so nice to meet you.” He says as he leaves. 

A sigh of relief escapes my lips immediately. I’d be overthinking things all along. I begin packing up my stuff but something feels off. 

The lounge suddenly feels hot and dizziness slowly creeps in. I blink hard, trying to focus but my vision only blurs further. A light sweat forms at the back of my neck. I push myself to stand, my legs shaky. 

“What’s happening to me?” My voice is shaky, and my breath grows heavier, like my body is moving through water. 

Panic surges through me as I gasp for air. Suddenly, a cold hand grips my arm, and I try to yank it off, but I have no strength. My heart pounds heavily in my chest as a body moves closer to me— too close. I can feel the person’s breath fanning against my skin, but my vision is too blurry to see who it is. 

“You are going nowhere, baby.” The rough voice says, and my heartbeat increases. 

I can’t move or scream, my head is spinning and I feel like my consciousness is slipping away. The world around me fades and darkness takes over.