Anna’s POV
I was still in bed when Rachel’s voice sliced through the quiet. "Ms. Shaw, your mother requests your imdiate presence at ho." She paused, her voice carefully neutral. "Mr. Simpson is there."
Just like that, my good mood evaporated.
"Jack?" I sat up, irritation creeping into my voice. "Let guess—he’s there to dump his ss on my doorstep?"
"Should I arrange the car?"
"Yes. And Rachel?" I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Clear my afternoon schedule. I have a feeling this won’t be quick."
It infuriated . When Jack and I were married, he barely visited my mother. Now that we were divorced, he suddenly felt entitled to show up uninvited likely for the sake of his lover, not my family.
The drive to my family estate gave just enough ti to compose myself. No matter what Jack wanted, I was no longer his cleanup crew.
My mother was already waiting in the foyer when I arrived, her expression a familiar blend of worry and fragile hope.
My mother and grandmother both relieved to see were the backbone of this house, though neither would admit it. With no n left in our family since my grandfather passed shortly after I was born, and my father’s death in a car accident when I was eighteen, I had beco the one they leaned on. Jack had always known that. He saw my control, mistook my softness around them for weakness. That’s why he dared to co here. He thought I’d give in.
I slipped into the slippers the maid handed , shrugged off my jacket, and took a calming breath.
I didn’t even have a chance to speak before Jack stord toward , grabbing my arm. His gaze fell on my neck and stopped. His expression twisted.
"What’s that on your neck?" His voice dropped, dangerously low.
The faint hickey hadn’t faded. A small, purple mark. I had half a mind to flaunt it.
I laughed softly. "Really, Jack? That’s what you ca here to discuss?"
His grip tightened. "Who was it? Who dared to—"
I yanked my arm free, my smile icy. "Who dared? That’s rich coming from you. Do I need to remind you who spent our wedding night between soone else’s legs while I sat alone?"
"Anna!" My mother rushed in, ever the peacemaker. "Jack ca to visit your grandmother and . He’s a guest in our ho."
I counted to ten. "Fine. Then let’s get to it. The Phoenix Project, right?"
Jack opened his mouth, hesitated, then gestured vaguely at my neck again. "How could you do this to ?"
"To you?" I raised a brow. "Jack, what exactly do you think I owe you?"
"You better pray I don’t find that man. I’ll make him regret touching you."
He didn’t say another word about the project just stord out like a spoiled child denied his toy.
After lunch with my mother and grandmother where the housekeeper brought out my favorite soup I started to feel normal again.
"Anna," my mother said gently, setting down her spoon. "Do you... have a new boyfriend?"
I smirked into my wine glass. "Not exactly."
"You and Jack there’s really no chance?"
\n(o)v.e\l
"Elizabeth," my grandmother cut in, "enough. The world is full of n better than that one. Our Anna deserves happiness, not leftovers."
I leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you, Grandmother. You always know exactly what to say."
After lunch, I changed and headed to the office. I had a video conference about an investnt issue with one of Shaw Corp’s subsidiaries. The mont the call started, chaos erupted.
"Ms. Shaw," a manager stamred, "we tried our best to—"
"Clearly your best isn’t good enough," I interrupted coolly. "If you can’t handle responsibility at this level, resign. I’ll ensure you receive six months’ severance and the full contractual penalty."
Daniel buzzed in. "Ms. Shaw, the Phoenix Project lead is requesting ten minutes of your ti."
"No," I replied without missing a beat. "If it’s our fault, heads will roll. If it’s theirs, they can clean it up. And if Lucy’s incompetence costs us money, Jack can pay every penny."
Later, Rachel reported in. "Ms. Shaw, Sean Smith’s dical exam is complete. Shall we prepare Goldenleaf Manor?"
I raised a brow. "So soon?"
"We also heard that news of you ’adopting’ Sean has the entire Olympus Club buzzing. They’re envious you’re young, beautiful, rich, and newly divorced. If Sean falls in love with you, he’ll have luxury for life."
I laughed lightly. I didn’t take it seriously but a part of did enjoy how the world whispered when I moved.
"Put him in Rosa Villa," I said. "Goldenleaf is my space. I don’t bring outsiders there."
Three days later, fresh off a business trip, I stepped into the shower and my thoughts drifted to Sean. I found myself rembering his mouth, the way he moved, the softness of his voice after.
Impulsively, I drove to the villa.
I found him in the garden, crouched near the flower beds. His fra seed slim slimr than I rembered. I tilted my head, doubt creeping in. Was this really the man who had lifted , held down, made my body sing?
His wrists were barely thicker than mine.
Could this body really throw against a wall?
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