Anna’s POV
As we stepped into the grand hall of the Murphy Estate, the buzz of conversation dulled beneath William Murphy’s booming voice.
"Co, co! You must et Marcus!"
The crowd parted like a curtain, revealing a man standing tall, his gaze cutting through the air like a blade. His eyes landed on for a single, electric mont then flicked away just as quickly, as if I were insignificant.
Sothing about him made the room feel smaller. Marcus Murphy was striking, yes but it was more than looks. He carried himself like a man who owned every room he walked into.
He couldn’t have been older than thirty-two, but the aura he exuded was heavy with experience. His tailored suit fit with the effortless precision of soone who’d worn power like a second skin for most of his life. He wasn’t like Jack. Jack had polish, but Marcus had presence.
"Anna, my dear!" William’s warm tone pulled back. He took both my hands in his, his eyes crinkling with affection.
"Marcus, this is Anna Shaw. She’s the one who saved my life, rember? A brilliant woman she’s done incredible work with Shaw Corp."
I caught the deliberate glances around the room, especially from the Simpsons. William was sending a ssage loud and clear: I still mattered.
"You must call him Uncle Marcus," he added, chuckling. "Just like Catherine does. You’re still family."
Marcus’s lips curved slightly not quite a smile, more a studied reaction.
"Indeed. Very impressive," he said, voice deep and controlled. The complint was asured, but not false.
"Your reputation precedes you as well," I replied smoothly. "Catherine speaks highly of your achievents in Europe."
We exchanged pleasantries, but I couldn’t shake the weight of his gaze, the way he seed to watch and analyze everyone nespecially while giving away absolutely nothing.
Later, when the social niceties had been fulfilled, I made my polite exit. William pulled into a fond embrace, whispering, "Don’t be a stranger, my dear."
As I left the hall, I nearly bumped into Jack. Our eyes t for a brief mont his unreadable, mine tired and for once, he let go without a word.
Maybe he’s finally letting go, I thought, though the thought left a strange ache I didn’t want to examine.
I slid into the car. "Rosa Villa," I instructed my driver.
Sean had been waiting patiently. Discreet, charming, uncomplicated everything my life wasn’t. I owed him a bit more of my attention.
But even as we drove, my thoughts drifted back to Marcus Murphy’s eyes. Eyes that had looked right through ... and yet, left feeling seen.
Marcus’s POV
The mont she stepped into the hall, I watched her carefully, studying every inch of her face for a flicker of recognition.
There was none.
Her gaze didn’t linger, didn’t hesitate. She saw but not .
Anna Shaw had no idea that the man she once begged for more at Olympus Club was standing right in front of her.
But I rembered everything. Her scent Jasmine laced with vanilla hit like a mory made flesh. That night had never left .
She’d been with Catherine, clearly unraveling from the weight of her divorce. I’d been there on business, speaking to the club’s owner. When her friend suggested hiring company for the night, I saw my chance.
It was reckless. Stupid, even. But for a man like , who plans everything... Anna Shaw was the one thing I hadn’t planned.
She didn’t know it was . Not then. Not now. And yet, I’d touched her in ways no man ever had.
I thought today maybe, just maybe she’d recognize sothing. A look. A sound. The air between us.
But she was more concerned with social gas and avoiding her ex-husband’s new plaything than rembering the night I made her forget her na.
"Mr. Murphy," Peter Reed, my assistant, interrupted. "Ms. Shaw’s car was spotted heading to Rosa Villa."
My jaw tensed. Rosa Villa where she kept him. The boy who took credit for a night that belonged to .
"She’s still seeing him?" I kept my voice even, but inside, sothing primal twisted.
"Yes, sir."
"Keep eyes on her."
She’d run from once. Unknowingly. But I’d returned for a reason. And if Anna Shaw needed reminding of who truly made her tremble I would deliver that reminder personally.
Next ti, she wouldn’t forget.
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