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Juliet paced back and forth in the hospital corridor, biting her nails,.
Eyes fixed on the emergency room door.
Her chest was tight with guilt and panic.
She replayed every word of their argument , every sharp line she should've never said, every wound she’d reopened.
A nurse finally came out, her expression calm.
“Is she going to be okay?” Juliet asked quickly, rushing over.
The nurse nodded.
“She’s stable now. It was abdominal cramping caused by stress. But the baby is fine. The doctor just wants to keep her overnight for observation.”
Juliet let out a shaky breath of relief and closed her eyes.
“Can I see her?”
“Yes, but only for a few minutes. Please be gentle ... she needs rest, and no more emotional stress, alright?”
Juliet nodded,.
Swallowing hard.
She stepped quietly into the room.
Joyce was lying back against the pillow, pale but awake.
Her hand rested protectively on her stomach.
She looked at Juliet tired, wary, but not hateful.
Juliet stood at the edge of the bed,.
Guilt written across her face.
“I’m glad you’re okay…” she said softly.
Joyce didn’t respond right away.
She just looked down at her belly,.
Then back at her sister.
“I could’ve lost my baby tonight.” Her voice was low.
“Because of all this pain. This stress.”
Juliet nodded, her eyes tearing up.
“I know. I’m so sorry, Joy. I never wanted to hurt you again. But I see now I keep doing it… even when I’m trying not to.”
Joyce looked at her for a long moment.
“I don’t know if I can fully forgive you, Julie… not yet. But I don’t want to carry this pain forever. Especially not when I have a life inside me to protect now.”
Juliet stepped forward, slowly.
“Can I sit?”
Joyce nodded slightly, and Juliet sat by her side.
There was a heavy silence.
Then Juliet whispered,
“Can I… be here for you this time? For the baby? For you?”
Joyce’s eyes welled, but she didn’t answer.
Instead,
She turned her face away,.
Not ready to say yes .
But not ready to say no either.
The door creaked open gently, and Joyce turned her head slightly as footsteps entered the room.
It was Alison.
His face was tight with worry, his jacket half-buttoned, as if he’d rushed out without thinking.
His eyes went straight to Joyce lying in the hospital bed, pale and tired, and his heart nearly stopped.
“Joy...”he breathed out,.
Rushing to her side.
Without a word, he cupped her face and kissed her forehead softly.
His hand moved instinctively to her stomach.
“I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
Joyce gave him a tired smile.
“We're okay. Just a scare. Stress, the doctor said.”
Alison exhaled, closing his eyes briefly in relief.
Before turning to glance at Juliet, .
Noticing her presence.
“You,...” he said, a little too sharply.
“It’s okay,”Joyce cut in gently, placing her hand over his.
“She helped me get here in time.”
Alison hesitated, his jaw clenching, but he nodded slowly.
He sat down beside Joyce and kissed her hand.
“No more stress, love. I mean it. You and our baby come first now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Joyce’s eyes softened,.
She felt the weight lift just a little.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more,”
Alison said, kissing her again, longer this time, slow and full of emotion.
Juliet looked away, feeling like she’d intruded on something sacred.
She quietly stood up.
“I’ll give you two some time,”she murmured before slipping out of the room, .
"God. I hope she’s going to be okay,"Juliet said softly to herself.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Kelvin’s name flashed on the screen.
She smiled faintly and answered, “Hello.”
“Hey, babe. Where are you? I’ve been worried about you,” Kelvin’s voice came through, full of concern.
“I’m fine. I’ll be home soon,” she replied gently.
“Where exactly are you? Should I come pick you up?"he asked.
“Did you manage to talk to her?”
“Yes, I did,” Julie answered with a sigh.
“So… where are you now?” Kelvin asked again, more firmly.
“I’m at the hospital.”
“Hospital?”he repeated, his voice rising in alarm.
“What are you doing at the hospital?”
“It’s not me, love. Joyce wasn’t feeling well. She had to be rushed here,” Julie explained quickly.
She heard Kelvin breathe out,.
Clearly relieved it wasn’t her.
“How is she? Are you okay?”he asked again.
“I’m fine, Kelvin. Honestly. You don’t have to worry about me,”she reassured him.
She glanced around as Ana walked to where she was .
“I love you, okay? I’ll call you later. I’ll head home once we know when Joyce will be discharged.”
“Julie? Hey.”
“Hi,” Julie greeted back.
“I heard about Joyce. Is she alright?” Ana asked, concern in her voice.
“Yeah, she’s okay. She’s in one of the private rooms. Her boyfriend’s with her, so I gave them some space,” Julie said with a small smile.
“I’m going to check on her” Ana said.
She walked quickly down the hallway to the room Joyce was in.
Ana paused at the door, peeked inside, then gently pushed it open.
Joyce looked up the moment she saw her, a smile forming on her tired face.
“Oh my God, Joy!” Anna rushed to her, nearly running, and wrapped her in a warm hug.
“You scared me. I was so worried. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? What exactly happened?” she blurted out in a rush.
Joyce chuckled lightly,.
Still leaning into the hug.
“Relax, girl. I’m okay,” she said, pulling back slightly.
“How am I supposed to answer all your questions if you don’t let me breathe first?”
Anna let out a relieved breath, her eyes slightly glassy.
“I was just so worried about you,”she whispered.
“I should have come with you. I shouldn’t have stayed at the office after I heard you weren’t well.”
She sat beside her,.
Her gaze softening as she looked at Joyce’s face.
Then her eyes shifted to Alison, .
Who was standing nearby.
Watching them with a gentle smile.
“Hi, Ali,” Ana greeted him.
“Hey, Anna. I’m good. I will give you two a moment,” Alison replied warmly.
He walked over and gently kissed Joyce’s forehead.
“I’ll be outside if you need me. I just need to make some call,”he said quietly before stepping out.
Once the door closed behind him,.
Ana turned back to Jyce.
“You really scared me, Joy,”she said, voice shaking slightly.
“Why would you stress yourself so much? You’re pregnant, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this.”*
Joyce looked down at her belly, .
Then back at Anna.
“I know... I know, Ana. It’s just... everything got so heavy, and I thought I could handle it,”she whispered,.
Ana shook her head, reaching for her hand.
“You’re not alone, Jos You have all of us,me, Ali, even Julie. Let people in, okay? You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Joyce blinked back a tear and nodded slowly, her voice soft.
“Okay.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”*Ana asked again, concern deep in her voice.
Joyce nodded slowly.
“I’m fine, Anna. I should be asking you that..are you okay?".
“What do you mean?”
Joyce tilted her head, watching her carefully.
“Your voice cracked. I heard it. And I can see it on your face,you’re not okay. Did you even sleep last night?”
Anna looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.
“Yes, I did… Why are you saying that?”
Joyce gently reached out and touched her hand.
“Because I know you. Your makeup’s a little heavier today like you’re hiding something. And your eyes, Ana… they’re red. Like you’ve been crying.”
Ana hesitated, her smile faltering.
“I’m worried about you,”Joyce added, her voice soft but firm.
Ana let out a shaky breath.
“Please don’t worry about me, Joy. I’m okay. I promise. I’ve just been… overwhelmed lately. That’s all. Nothing serious.”
Joyce didn’t let go of her hand.
"You know I'm always here for you"
"Thank you, Joy… but I'm fine. Really,"*Ana replied, forcing a small smile.
Joyce only nodded slowly, not fully convinced.
"Is it because of Charlie?" she asked gently.
Ana tensed,.
Her expression stiffening.
She looked away.
"Can we not talk about him?"
Joyce sighed.
"Ana… I know this is hard to hear, but holding it in isn’t helping you. You’re drowning in this. You’re getting caught up in his mess too."
Ana shook her head.
"What do you want me to say, Joyce? That I still think about him? That I still don’t understand why he did what he did?" Her voice cracked slightly.
Joyce leaned closer, her tone soft but steady.
"Yes. Talk to me. Say all of it. Even the parts that hurt. That’s the only way you’ll ever be able to move on, Ana. You don’t have to carry the silence."
Ana looked at her for a long moment, .
Then whispered, .
"It still hurts, Joy… more than I let on. And I hate that it does."
Joyce squeezed her hand.
"Why don't you go and talk to him?"Joyce asked gently.
"Maybe he has a reason for marrying Fatima. You love him, right? And he loves you. Maybe he's just under pressure. Maybe...."
"And say what, Joyce? Huh?"Ana cut her off, her voice rising with frustration.
"What exactly would I say to him? Why must I always be the one chasing, questioning, fighting for us?"
She stood, pacing a bit,
Her fingers shaking.
"If he’s under pressure, why doesn’t he just say it? I asked him, face to face. He just stared at me… like I was speaking another language. Like I was crazy."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"He doesn’t want me to know why he’s marrying Fatima. He made that clear."
Joyce watched her quietly.
"It hurts, Joyce. God, it hurts so bad. But is it worth it anymore?"she took a deep breath
"I don’t think it is."
Joyce stood slowly, her tone soft.
"Okay… If you don’t want to talk to him, I get it. But I still believe there’s something more to this. Charlie… I don’t think he’ll go through with it. Something’s not right."
"Can we not talk about this?" Ana said quickly, cutting her off.
"You’re pregnant, Joy. You’re already stressed. Please, let’s not do this now."
Right then, Ana’s phone began to ring.
She looked down, and then at Joyce.
"Who is it?" Joyce asked.
Anna hesitated. "It’s Charlie."
"Answer it,"Joyce said.
Ana nodded slowly,.
her fingers trembling as she answered.
"Hello?" she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Can you bring the papers you left with you… to my house?" Mr. Kings's voice was low and steady.
Ana swallowed hard.
"I’ll bring them,"she replied, and the line went dead.
Joyce looked at her.
"What did he say?"
"He wants me to bring the papers … to his house, I don’t know why I didn’t just leave them at work."
"But it's late," Joyce said, concerned.
"He knows it's late and still asked me to come. I have to go, Joy. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll come by the hospital before you’re discharged."
She leaned down and kissed Joyce’s cheek.
"I love you, okay?"
Joyce smiled softly, though worry clouded her eyes.
She watched Ana leave.
Outside the room, Anna spotted Juliet sitting in the hallway.
"Hi, Julie. You can go in and talk to Joyce. I have to head back home,I’ve got things to do. I’ll see you both tomorrow."
Juliet nodded, watching Anna walk away, .
*********
*****
Anna stepped into Mr. King's house.
"Hi, Antonio. Is he here? Mr. Kings?" she asked softly.
"He’s in his study," Antonio replied with a kind smile.
"Would you like me to take your coat?"
"Yes, please."Anna smiled and shrugged off her coat, .
Handing it to him gently.
"I’ll go see him now."
"Alright," Antonio nodded and stepped aside to hang the coat before quietly walking away.
Ana took a moment to glance around the grand living room.
It was quiet..no music, no TV, not even the faint sound of footsteps.
She walked slowly toward the study room.
For a moment, her steps faltered as she stood outside the door.
Her breath caught in her throat.
God… it was the same room,..
The same room he had taken her in the other night, in the middle of the rain.
Right there, against the shelves,.
He had devoured her like a man starved.
His hands had claimed her.
His mouth had left her trembling, weak, undone.
Ana squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed hard.
She couldn’t think about that now.
Not here.
Not with the confusion already swirling in her heart.
Her hand tightened into a fist before slowly reaching for the door handle.
"Get a grip, Anna. You're here for the papers. Nothing more."
She turned the knob and stepped inside.
He was there, seated at his desk,.
Sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, and that same unreadable look in his eyes.
He didn’t look up at first.
Just ran a hand through his hair like he was lost in thought.
Then their eyes met.
She swallowed.
“I came to drop the paper you asked for,” Ana said, her tone clipped as she walked in, not waiting for him to respond.
She held out the document.
Her fingers brushing his briefly too briefly.
Yet enough to send a pulse of electricity through the air.
Mr. Kings looked at her, not saying anything at first.
His eyes drifted..slowly..down the length of her.
She was wearing a crisp white formal blouse, slightly unbuttoned at the top, revealing a delicate sliver of cleavage.
The fabric hugged her frame in all the right places.
Her presence filled the room without even trying.
He swallowed hard.
“Thank you, Ana,” he said, his voice lower than usual.
Then he opened a drawer, took out another document, and placed it in front of her.
“Can you sign this for me?”
Ana’s brows furrowed.
“What is it?”
“I just need your signature right there,” he replied, tapping the line.
She stared at him for a moment, .
Suspicion flickering in her eyes.
“Should I read it?”
“You don’t need to. It’s just a routine document. You trust me, don’t you?”
Ana hesitated.
Then slowly, she picked up the pen and signed.
“There,” she said, sliding it back to him.
“Is that all?”
He looked at her, saying nothing for a beat too long.
“Is there anything else?” she asked again.
“Because if not, I have to go. It’s late.”
She turned, reaching for the doorknob.
But before she could walk away, .
His voice stopped her.
“Ana…”
She stopped her breath catching in her.
He walked slowly toward her.
"I miss you," his voice was low.
Ana scoffed.
What was wrong with him?
Mr. Kings moved closer and was about to touch her, but she stepped back.
He reached for her hand gently, but she pulled it away.
"Don’t," she said softly.
"You don’t get to play with my heart whenever it suits you."
"Then tell me you’ve stopped loving me."
Ana's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
The silence between them spoke louder than anything else.
He stepped even closer.
Their faces were just inches apart now.
"Tell me, Ana... and I’ll walk away."
Her eyes met his,glassy and filled with conflict.
She opened her mouth, but her voice broke.
"I…"
Mr. Kings leaned in closer, about to kiss her, when the door to the study suddenly swung open.
Fatima walked in, frowning like she’d just walked into a crime scene.
She cleared her throat loudly, and Anna quickly stepped back from Mr. Kings, .
Turning around..lonly for Fatima to slap her hard across the face.
Anna gasped, stunned.
“Fatima, what the hell?” Mr. Kings hissed, stepping forward.
“What are you doing?!”
“What is she doing here?” Fatima snapped, her eyes blazing.
“You have her here in your house at this hour, standing that close to you? Are you serious?!”
“You’re misunderstanding the situation,” Mr. Kings said firmly.
“You do not get to walk in here and slap Ana just because of what you think you saw. You have no right to put your hands on her.”
He stepped closer to Ana, .
Reaching for her hand to comfort her,
But she moved back.
“I’m just going to leave,” Ana said calmly,.
Trying to keep her composure.
But Fatima blocked her path.
“Oh no, I’m actually glad I saw you here,” she said, her voice suddenly sweet and mocking.
“I didn’t mean to slap you. I just got a little emotional seeing you so close to my man. It provoked me.”
Ana blinked at her, then forced a polite smile.
“It’s okay,” she replied quietly.
Fatima reached into her handbag and pulled out a white and gold invitation.
She handed it to Ana.
“Well, I’d like to officially invite you to my engagement party. Tomorrow night.”
Ana looked down at the invitation,.
Then up at Fatima’s smug expression.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she said.
“Why?” Fatima taunted.
“Are you too jealous to come? Or are you just unhappy that your boss is getting married?”
Anna glanced at Mr. Kings.
His jaw was clenched, but he said nothing.
She looked back at Fatima, took the invitation from her hand, and said, “I’ll come to your engagement.”
Then she turned to Mr. Kings.
Her voice didn’t come out, but in her heart, she whispered:"I wish you could tell me what’s really going on. I wish you didn’t treat me like this, I hope when you come back to your senses it won't be too late''
Mr. Kings stared at her as she walked out.
His heart twisted painfully."I wish you could see how much I still care for you, Anna. I’m sorry for people hurting you like this"
Fatima moved closer to him and placed her hand gently on his chest.
“I thought you wanted to marry me,” she said softly.
Mr. Kings looked down at her, clearly annoyed.
“And am I not marrying you, Fatima?” he asked dryly.
“Then why was she here?” she pressed.
“Why were you standing so close to her? It’s suspicious, Charlie.”
“That's none of your fucking business."He said
" And you don’t need to act no one is watching. Stop pretending. Take your hands off me.”
Fatima pouted and tried to play innocent.
“Come on, Charlie. We’re getting married. You should be happy. I came to show you the rings, you can pick the one you want ”
Mr. Kings gave her a hard look.
Before walking out leaving her alone with her box rings in hand.
T.....B
.....C
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Juliet paced back and forth in the hospital corridor, biting her nails,.
Eyes fixed on the emergency room door.
Her chest was tight with guilt and panic.
She replayed every word of their argument , every sharp line she should've never said, every wound she’d reopened.
A nurse finally came out, her expression calm.
“Is she going to be okay?” Juliet asked quickly, rushing over.
The nurse nodded.
“She’s stable now. It was abdominal cramping caused by stress. But the baby is fine. The doctor just wants to keep her overnight for observation.”
Juliet let out a shaky breath of relief and closed her eyes.
“Can I see her?”
“Yes, but only for a few minutes. Please be gentle ... she needs rest, and no more emotional stress, alright?”
Juliet nodded,.
Swallowing hard.
She stepped quietly into the room.
Joyce was lying back against the pillow, pale but awake.
Her hand rested protectively on her stomach.
She looked at Juliet tired, wary, but not hateful.
Juliet stood at the edge of the bed,.
Guilt written across her face.
“I’m glad you’re okay…” she said softly.
Joyce didn’t respond right away.
She just looked down at her belly,.
Then back at her sister.
“I could’ve lost my baby tonight.” Her voice was low.
“Because of all this pain. This stress.”
Juliet nodded, her eyes tearing up.
“I know. I’m so sorry, Joy. I never wanted to hurt you again. But I see now I keep doing it… even when I’m trying not to.”
Joyce looked at her for a long moment.
“I don’t know if I can fully forgive you, Julie… not yet. But I don’t want to carry this pain forever. Especially not when I have a life inside me to protect now.”
Juliet stepped forward, slowly.
“Can I sit?”
Joyce nodded slightly, and Juliet sat by her side.
There was a heavy silence.
Then Juliet whispered,
“Can I… be here for you this time? For the baby? For you?”
Joyce’s eyes welled, but she didn’t answer.
Instead,
She turned her face away,.
Not ready to say yes .
But not ready to say no either.
The door creaked open gently, and Joyce turned her head slightly as footsteps entered the room.
It was Alison.
His face was tight with worry, his jacket half-buttoned, as if he’d rushed out without thinking.
His eyes went straight to Joyce lying in the hospital bed, pale and tired, and his heart nearly stopped.
“Joy...”he breathed out,.
Rushing to her side.
Without a word, he cupped her face and kissed her forehead softly.
His hand moved instinctively to her stomach.
“I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
Joyce gave him a tired smile.
“We're okay. Just a scare. Stress, the doctor said.”
Alison exhaled, closing his eyes briefly in relief.
Before turning to glance at Juliet, .
Noticing her presence.
“You,...” he said, a little too sharply.
“It’s okay,”Joyce cut in gently, placing her hand over his.
“She helped me get here in time.”
Alison hesitated, his jaw clenching, but he nodded slowly.
He sat down beside Joyce and kissed her hand.
“No more stress, love. I mean it. You and our baby come first now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Joyce’s eyes softened,.
She felt the weight lift just a little.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more,”
Alison said, kissing her again, longer this time, slow and full of emotion.
Juliet looked away, feeling like she’d intruded on something sacred.
She quietly stood up.
“I’ll give you two some time,”she murmured before slipping out of the room, .
"God. I hope she’s going to be okay,"Juliet said softly to herself.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Kelvin’s name flashed on the screen.
She smiled faintly and answered, “Hello.”
“Hey, babe. Where are you? I’ve been worried about you,” Kelvin’s voice came through, full of concern.
“I’m fine. I’ll be home soon,” she replied gently.
“Where exactly are you? Should I come pick you up?"he asked.
“Did you manage to talk to her?”
“Yes, I did,” Julie answered with a sigh.
“So… where are you now?” Kelvin asked again, more firmly.
“I’m at the hospital.”
“Hospital?”he repeated, his voice rising in alarm.
“What are you doing at the hospital?”
“It’s not me, love. Joyce wasn’t feeling well. She had to be rushed here,” Julie explained quickly.
She heard Kelvin breathe out,.
Clearly relieved it wasn’t her.
“How is she? Are you okay?”he asked again.
“I’m fine, Kelvin. Honestly. You don’t have to worry about me,”she reassured him.
She glanced around as Ana walked to where she was .
“I love you, okay? I’ll call you later. I’ll head home once we know when Joyce will be discharged.”
“Julie? Hey.”
“Hi,” Julie greeted back.
“I heard about Joyce. Is she alright?” Ana asked, concern in her voice.
“Yeah, she’s okay. She’s in one of the private rooms. Her boyfriend’s with her, so I gave them some space,” Julie said with a small smile.
“I’m going to check on her” Ana said.
She walked quickly down the hallway to the room Joyce was in.
Ana paused at the door, peeked inside, then gently pushed it open.
Joyce looked up the moment she saw her, a smile forming on her tired face.
“Oh my God, Joy!” Anna rushed to her, nearly running, and wrapped her in a warm hug.
“You scared me. I was so worried. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? What exactly happened?” she blurted out in a rush.
Joyce chuckled lightly,.
Still leaning into the hug.
“Relax, girl. I’m okay,” she said, pulling back slightly.
“How am I supposed to answer all your questions if you don’t let me breathe first?”
Anna let out a relieved breath, her eyes slightly glassy.
“I was just so worried about you,”she whispered.
“I should have come with you. I shouldn’t have stayed at the office after I heard you weren’t well.”
She sat beside her,.
Her gaze softening as she looked at Joyce’s face.
Then her eyes shifted to Alison, .
Who was standing nearby.
Watching them with a gentle smile.
“Hi, Ali,” Ana greeted him.
“Hey, Anna. I’m good. I will give you two a moment,” Alison replied warmly.
He walked over and gently kissed Joyce’s forehead.
“I’ll be outside if you need me. I just need to make some call,”he said quietly before stepping out.
Once the door closed behind him,.
Ana turned back to Jyce.
“You really scared me, Joy,”she said, voice shaking slightly.
“Why would you stress yourself so much? You’re pregnant, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this.”*
Joyce looked down at her belly, .
Then back at Anna.
“I know... I know, Ana. It’s just... everything got so heavy, and I thought I could handle it,”she whispered,.
Ana shook her head, reaching for her hand.
“You’re not alone, Jos You have all of us,me, Ali, even Julie. Let people in, okay? You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Joyce blinked back a tear and nodded slowly, her voice soft.
“Okay.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”*Ana asked again, concern deep in her voice.
Joyce nodded slowly.
“I’m fine, Anna. I should be asking you that..are you okay?".
“What do you mean?”
Joyce tilted her head, watching her carefully.
“Your voice cracked. I heard it. And I can see it on your face,you’re not okay. Did you even sleep last night?”
Anna looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.
“Yes, I did… Why are you saying that?”
Joyce gently reached out and touched her hand.
“Because I know you. Your makeup’s a little heavier today like you’re hiding something. And your eyes, Ana… they’re red. Like you’ve been crying.”
Ana hesitated, her smile faltering.
“I’m worried about you,”Joyce added, her voice soft but firm.
Ana let out a shaky breath.
“Please don’t worry about me, Joy. I’m okay. I promise. I’ve just been… overwhelmed lately. That’s all. Nothing serious.”
Joyce didn’t let go of her hand.
"You know I'm always here for you"
"Thank you, Joy… but I'm fine. Really,"*Ana replied, forcing a small smile.
Joyce only nodded slowly, not fully convinced.
"Is it because of Charlie?" she asked gently.
Ana tensed,.
Her expression stiffening.
She looked away.
"Can we not talk about him?"
Joyce sighed.
"Ana… I know this is hard to hear, but holding it in isn’t helping you. You’re drowning in this. You’re getting caught up in his mess too."
Ana shook her head.
"What do you want me to say, Joyce? That I still think about him? That I still don’t understand why he did what he did?" Her voice cracked slightly.
Joyce leaned closer, her tone soft but steady.
"Yes. Talk to me. Say all of it. Even the parts that hurt. That’s the only way you’ll ever be able to move on, Ana. You don’t have to carry the silence."
Ana looked at her for a long moment, .
Then whispered, .
"It still hurts, Joy… more than I let on. And I hate that it does."
Joyce squeezed her hand.
"Why don't you go and talk to him?"Joyce asked gently.
"Maybe he has a reason for marrying Fatima. You love him, right? And he loves you. Maybe he's just under pressure. Maybe...."
"And say what, Joyce? Huh?"Ana cut her off, her voice rising with frustration.
"What exactly would I say to him? Why must I always be the one chasing, questioning, fighting for us?"
She stood, pacing a bit,
Her fingers shaking.
"If he’s under pressure, why doesn’t he just say it? I asked him, face to face. He just stared at me… like I was speaking another language. Like I was crazy."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"He doesn’t want me to know why he’s marrying Fatima. He made that clear."
Joyce watched her quietly.
"It hurts, Joyce. God, it hurts so bad. But is it worth it anymore?"she took a deep breath
"I don’t think it is."
Joyce stood slowly, her tone soft.
"Okay… If you don’t want to talk to him, I get it. But I still believe there’s something more to this. Charlie… I don’t think he’ll go through with it. Something’s not right."
"Can we not talk about this?" Ana said quickly, cutting her off.
"You’re pregnant, Joy. You’re already stressed. Please, let’s not do this now."
Right then, Ana’s phone began to ring.
She looked down, and then at Joyce.
"Who is it?" Joyce asked.
Anna hesitated. "It’s Charlie."
"Answer it,"Joyce said.
Ana nodded slowly,.
her fingers trembling as she answered.
"Hello?" she said, her voice barely a whisper.
"Can you bring the papers you left with you… to my house?" Mr. Kings's voice was low and steady.
Ana swallowed hard.
"I’ll bring them,"she replied, and the line went dead.
Joyce looked at her.
"What did he say?"
"He wants me to bring the papers … to his house, I don’t know why I didn’t just leave them at work."
"But it's late," Joyce said, concerned.
"He knows it's late and still asked me to come. I have to go, Joy. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll come by the hospital before you’re discharged."
She leaned down and kissed Joyce’s cheek.
"I love you, okay?"
Joyce smiled softly, though worry clouded her eyes.
She watched Ana leave.
Outside the room, Anna spotted Juliet sitting in the hallway.
"Hi, Julie. You can go in and talk to Joyce. I have to head back home,I’ve got things to do. I’ll see you both tomorrow."
Juliet nodded, watching Anna walk away, .
*********
*****
Anna stepped into Mr. King's house.
"Hi, Antonio. Is he here? Mr. Kings?" she asked softly.
"He’s in his study," Antonio replied with a kind smile.
"Would you like me to take your coat?"
"Yes, please."Anna smiled and shrugged off her coat, .
Handing it to him gently.
"I’ll go see him now."
"Alright," Antonio nodded and stepped aside to hang the coat before quietly walking away.
Ana took a moment to glance around the grand living room.
It was quiet..no music, no TV, not even the faint sound of footsteps.
She walked slowly toward the study room.
For a moment, her steps faltered as she stood outside the door.
Her breath caught in her throat.
God… it was the same room,..
The same room he had taken her in the other night, in the middle of the rain.
Right there, against the shelves,.
He had devoured her like a man starved.
His hands had claimed her.
His mouth had left her trembling, weak, undone.
Ana squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed hard.
She couldn’t think about that now.
Not here.
Not with the confusion already swirling in her heart.
Her hand tightened into a fist before slowly reaching for the door handle.
"Get a grip, Anna. You're here for the papers. Nothing more."
She turned the knob and stepped inside.
He was there, seated at his desk,.
Sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled, and that same unreadable look in his eyes.
He didn’t look up at first.
Just ran a hand through his hair like he was lost in thought.
Then their eyes met.
She swallowed.
“I came to drop the paper you asked for,” Ana said, her tone clipped as she walked in, not waiting for him to respond.
She held out the document.
Her fingers brushing his briefly too briefly.
Yet enough to send a pulse of electricity through the air.
Mr. Kings looked at her, not saying anything at first.
His eyes drifted..slowly..down the length of her.
She was wearing a crisp white formal blouse, slightly unbuttoned at the top, revealing a delicate sliver of cleavage.
The fabric hugged her frame in all the right places.
Her presence filled the room without even trying.
He swallowed hard.
“Thank you, Ana,” he said, his voice lower than usual.
Then he opened a drawer, took out another document, and placed it in front of her.
“Can you sign this for me?”
Ana’s brows furrowed.
“What is it?”
“I just need your signature right there,” he replied, tapping the line.
She stared at him for a moment, .
Suspicion flickering in her eyes.
“Should I read it?”
“You don’t need to. It’s just a routine document. You trust me, don’t you?”
Ana hesitated.
Then slowly, she picked up the pen and signed.
“There,” she said, sliding it back to him.
“Is that all?”
He looked at her, saying nothing for a beat too long.
“Is there anything else?” she asked again.
“Because if not, I have to go. It’s late.”
She turned, reaching for the doorknob.
But before she could walk away, .
His voice stopped her.
“Ana…”
She stopped her breath catching in her.
He walked slowly toward her.
"I miss you," his voice was low.
Ana scoffed.
What was wrong with him?
Mr. Kings moved closer and was about to touch her, but she stepped back.
He reached for her hand gently, but she pulled it away.
"Don’t," she said softly.
"You don’t get to play with my heart whenever it suits you."
"Then tell me you’ve stopped loving me."
Ana's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
The silence between them spoke louder than anything else.
He stepped even closer.
Their faces were just inches apart now.
"Tell me, Ana... and I’ll walk away."
Her eyes met his,glassy and filled with conflict.
She opened her mouth, but her voice broke.
"I…"
Mr. Kings leaned in closer, about to kiss her, when the door to the study suddenly swung open.
Fatima walked in, frowning like she’d just walked into a crime scene.
She cleared her throat loudly, and Anna quickly stepped back from Mr. Kings, .
Turning around..lonly for Fatima to slap her hard across the face.
Anna gasped, stunned.
“Fatima, what the hell?” Mr. Kings hissed, stepping forward.
“What are you doing?!”
“What is she doing here?” Fatima snapped, her eyes blazing.
“You have her here in your house at this hour, standing that close to you? Are you serious?!”
“You’re misunderstanding the situation,” Mr. Kings said firmly.
“You do not get to walk in here and slap Ana just because of what you think you saw. You have no right to put your hands on her.”
He stepped closer to Ana, .
Reaching for her hand to comfort her,
But she moved back.
“I’m just going to leave,” Ana said calmly,.
Trying to keep her composure.
But Fatima blocked her path.
“Oh no, I’m actually glad I saw you here,” she said, her voice suddenly sweet and mocking.
“I didn’t mean to slap you. I just got a little emotional seeing you so close to my man. It provoked me.”
Ana blinked at her, then forced a polite smile.
“It’s okay,” she replied quietly.
Fatima reached into her handbag and pulled out a white and gold invitation.
She handed it to Ana.
“Well, I’d like to officially invite you to my engagement party. Tomorrow night.”
Ana looked down at the invitation,.
Then up at Fatima’s smug expression.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she said.
“Why?” Fatima taunted.
“Are you too jealous to come? Or are you just unhappy that your boss is getting married?”
Anna glanced at Mr. Kings.
His jaw was clenched, but he said nothing.
She looked back at Fatima, took the invitation from her hand, and said, “I’ll come to your engagement.”
Then she turned to Mr. Kings.
Her voice didn’t come out, but in her heart, she whispered:"I wish you could tell me what’s really going on. I wish you didn’t treat me like this, I hope when you come back to your senses it won't be too late''
Mr. Kings stared at her as she walked out.
His heart twisted painfully."I wish you could see how much I still care for you, Anna. I’m sorry for people hurting you like this"
Fatima moved closer to him and placed her hand gently on his chest.
“I thought you wanted to marry me,” she said softly.
Mr. Kings looked down at her, clearly annoyed.
“And am I not marrying you, Fatima?” he asked dryly.
“Then why was she here?” she pressed.
“Why were you standing so close to her? It’s suspicious, Charlie.”
“That's none of your fucking business."He said
" And you don’t need to act no one is watching. Stop pretending. Take your hands off me.”
Fatima pouted and tried to play innocent.
“Come on, Charlie. We’re getting married. You should be happy. I came to show you the rings, you can pick the one you want ”
Mr. Kings gave her a hard look.
Before walking out leaving her alone with her box rings in hand.
T.....B
.....C
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