All Chapters of Sweet Temptation: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

(Anna’s POV)The camera clicked loudly as bright lights flashed in our faces.“Mrs. Anderson, over here!” someone called as more photos were taken.I posed and smiled while Richard held me gracefully.It was the opening of the Meridian Pearl Grand Hotel, a new branch of Anderson Holdings. All the important people in the city were there.The man everyone was watching was my husband, Richard Anderson, the CEO of Anderson Holdings. His face had been on the cover of three business magazines as the youngest, hottest and most successful CEO and as you guessed the richest man in the country.I kept smiling for the cameras and tried not to think about how badly my feet were hurting in this ridiculously high stilletos.As soon as we walked into the main hall Richard changed completely.The man who sat quietly beside me in the Bentley for twenty minutes totally ignoring my existence was now replaced with a sweet charming man.He laughed easily and spoke kindly to everyone, calling them by the

(Anna’s POV)It was five years ago, I had desperately signed those here in this same office.My lawyer was there, trying to calm me down.My mother was to be scheduled for her surgery and without the initial deposit to start she would die.My family was bankrupt and at the verge of collapse and the only one who could save me was the devil sitted right in front of me now.Richard.He was kind that day and very gentle.“It’s just a formality, sweetheart,” he had said. “All couples sign it. It protects both of us.”I signed it without reading everything, I was desperate and the only thing I cared about was that he would settle all our financial worries as soon as I signed it.Richard opened to a page with a yellow tab and pointed to a paragraph.“Read it,” he said.I already knew what it said. “I know,” I whispered.“Well let me remind you as it seems you've forgotten,” he said.“You signed a ten-year marriage contract. Ten years. We are going to be married for ten years before any of u

(Alex’s POV)I couldn't help a small smile seeing Anna's face turn red in embarrassment.I was about to try ease her anxiety when Richard's cold voice cut in sharply.“You are grounded,” he said plainly. “For now, you are not allowed to leave this house without my permission. You will not go anywhere or see anyone. Do you understand?”Anna looked at him, her face pale. “Richard—” she tried to speak.“Do. You. Understand?”The silence that followed felt heavy and tense.“Yes,” Anna said softly. Her voice barely audible.Richard nodded shortly and walked toward the door, as he passed me, he stopped, slightly bowing his head. “Thank you for bringing her home, Dad,” he said stiffly. “I'm sorry for the trouble, and I promise this type of incident will never repeat itself.”"It's alright Richard, I'm sure there's a reason she had to go to the club last night. Let's just be glad she's safe." He looked like he had something to say but quickly held back and simply nodded, then he left.The

(Anna's POV)We both turned.Alex stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, but there was nothing casual in his eyes as he regarded his son."I'm taking Anna to the country club," Alex continued, his voice calm but leaving no room for argument. "We're going to play tennis. Just the two of us. Father-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding time. I trust that won't be a problem?"The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.I looked at Richard’s face. I could see the confusion in his eyes.If he refused, it would look bad. If he agreed, he would lose control.“But Dad, she is grounded,” Richard said after a moment. “Well, I just ungrounded her,” Alex said simply. Then he looked at me."Are you ready?" I nodded slowly, feeling scared. I didn’t know what Richard would do.Richard’s jaw tightened. "Dad, this is between me and my wife."“Is it?” Alex asked and then straightened from the doorframe, and suddenly the casual demeanor was gone.Something dangerous flashed in his

(Richard’s POV)I stood there and watched my father’s Mercedes drive out of the country club parking lot at high speed.With my wife inside.The sound of the engine slowly faded until there was nothing left but silence.For a moment, I didn’t move.My hands were still in my pockets, my posture straight, my face calm. Anyone looking at me would think nothing was wrong.But something felt… off.A small, unfamiliar feeling settled in my chest.Did I make a mistake?I quickly shook my head, ignoring the thought.This was how things had always been. Anna knew our agreement. My work always came first. It had to.That was how I managed to expand Anderson Holdings, spreading across continents.Success requires sacrifice.Anna knew this. She had always known.So why was my father making it such a big deal?“Richard?”Jessica’s voice brought me back. She stood a few steps away, holding her tennis racket, looking unsure.“The meeting,” she said softly. “It’s by three. We should head back soon s