Chapter 20
I felt dizzy as I sensed something cold against my forehead. Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw a woman’s face in front of me, causing my brow to furrow. She was gently wiping my forehead with a cold, wet towel, adding to my surprise. Where was I? What had happened?
“You’re finally awake,” she said, offering me a smile.
I gradually sat up and glanced around. This wasn’t my room. The entire space was neat and tranquil. The decor was sleek, mostly black with hints of gray. The appliances and furniture looked luxurious, even the bed I was on. The ambiance, too, hinted at wealth. Clearly, this was a residence of affluent people.
“How are you feeling? Your body temperature is still low. You need plenty of rest,” she continued.
I turned my attention back to her as she spoke. She smiled for a moment before her expression turned serious. Wait, where was I? Who was this woman?
“Um… What happened? Who are you?” I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed because I couldn’t remember
much.
The last thing I recalled was conversing with Ares in his office, and then it all went blank. Lately, I’d noticed my memory was failing. Even minor details were becoming hard to recall. Was it because of that
accident?
I looked around the room again. Before the woman could respond, the door slammed, and we both turned in that direction. It swung open, revealing a familiar man. My eyes widened as I realized who it
was.
What was he doing here?!
“How is she?” He asked the woman, not paying attention to me at all. His expression and voice were stern, deep, and seemingly filled with anger.
“She needs to see a doctor, Apollo. It’s obvious from the bruise on her face. What the hell happened? You just sent me here to change her clothes without saying anything. Did you beat her up?”
“What? Of course not!” He immediately denied the woman’s accusations and looked at me again.
His brow furrowed when he saw my cheek, and I winced in pain, feeling a throbbing headache. What had happened, Ana? Why was he here again? And is Apollo his name?
“I’ll explain later. Go home,” he said coldly to the woman. She seemed like she wanted to protest, but she didn’t resist when the man gently led her out.
CANN W
My heart raced as they left. I glanced at my body under the blanket. I was wearing something different: previously, I was in shorts and an oversized white t shirt. I touched my forehead and realized I had a Agh fever. On the side table, I noticed a tray with only a glass of water and some medicines.
Shortly after, the door slammed again, startling me. I walked the man, glaring at me. He looked at me rudely and frowned.
I bit my lower lip and pinched myself, frustrated by my inability to speak when he was in front of me.
“Now, explain what happened. Who did that to you?” His voice was deep and threatening.
My eyes rolled, and I swallowed, choosing to ignore his question. I wasn’t supposed to be here. Why did I
have to answer him?
I sighed forcefully and pushed myself to stand up. I almost stumbled due to the dizziness, but he caught me immediately, causing me to look at him quickly.
“Where do you think you’re going? Do you know what time it is?” He asked me coldly. I felt his grip tighten on my waist, making it even harder to speak.
1 averted my eyes from him and let out another sigh. “Where are my things?”
“I found you in the middle of nowhere, soaking wet and bleeding. You weren’t carrying anything.” he replied, gently touching both my shoulders and guiding me back to the bed.
I winced as I remembered what had happened earlier. My temperature felt even higher, and tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. The pain in my face and head intensified.
Of course. I was trying to retrieve Ares‘ money from my mom and Matthew, and then… he punched me. I didn’t know what to feel. I couldn’t think straight. It seemed like destiny was playing tricks on me. He had done this to me several times, but I had never been able to protest. Why was that, Ana?
I bit my lip hard, struggling to hold back my sobs. “I am going home…“
“Your brother did that to you,” he said. I was shocked when I heard that. I wasn’t sure, but I knew that wasn’t the question.
“I called your best friend. She’s on her way here,” he added softly, and that’s when I started to cry.
I rubbed my face and silently wept. The pain weighed heavily on my heart, making me feel like I was slowly drowning in extreme agony. It was like I was melting away from the pain, much like a cigarette burning down, and I didn’t know what to do.
They had done this to me several times, but I couldn’t complain. I wanted everything to be fine. I had promised Papa that everything would be fine even without him. It was okay if I worked so hard, as long as we were completely happy.
Chapter 20
But a few years ago… I didn’t even feel like I was a part of the family I went home to every day. There
were many good things in my life that I should be happy about. I had a good job, Ares and I were getting married next week… but why was it so hard to be happy?
“You should rest. Don’t worry about your family. I’ll take care of-”
“A–and who are you to interfere with my personal life? I don’t even know who you are, yet you’re always meddling in my life,” I interrupted, looking at him.
His forehead furrowed momentarily. He looked at me intently, so I let out a bitter laugh.
And this situation only made me more miserable because of this man.
“I don’t need your help,” I told him firmly.
“Just rest. Let’s talk when you’re strong enough to handle yourself without getting beaten up,” he said
coldly, then left the room.
I stood there, stunned, as he disappeared from my sight. I couldn’t comprehend if he was joking or what. I couldn’t even fully grasp what he had said. Even if I wanted to leave and go to Ares to inform him about my condition, I couldn’t because I was weak. Everyone seemed so fed up with me, and I felt utterly
helpless.
I stayed in that room for a few more hours until the door slammed again, and I quickly sat down. I thought it was that man again, but it was Elena who rushed into the room and hugged me.
“Oh my god, Ana! I thought something happened to you!” She exclaimed, looking at me.
“What the fuck!” She winced as she saw my cheek. I hadn’t seen my reflection yet, but from her reaction,
I knew it was really bad.
“What happened? Why? Damn it, Ana! Why did you get beaten up again?” She said hysterically, not knowing what to do.
I grabbed her arm and forced a smile. “Ares… can I borrow your cell phone-”
“Ares is also unreachable. I would’ve brought him here, but he left the office right when you suddenly disappeared. I can’t even contact him. What happened?” She immediately interrupted what I was going to say, leaving me stunned.
Where could he be?
“And who is that man?” She bombarded me with more questions, and I looked at her again. We stared at each other for a long time before her eyes suddenly widened.
“Shit! Don’t tell me he’s your husband?” I rolled my eyes when I heard what she said.
TAGS
You’ve not going anywhere not unil you’re fine. Look at yourself in the mirror
Elena and both turned to look at the man leaning against the door jamb, his gaze fixed intently on me. His eyes were deep, and his forehead was still furrowed. Both hands were in his pockets. It was then that I noticed he was still wearing a polo shirt, giving off the impression he had just returned from work. But *was six dock why wasn’t he changing?
And who are you to command me? I’ll go home whether you like it or not,” I stubbornly retorted and shood my ground, hurrying out of the room
Aty mouth droppest open as I took in the vastness of the house that was now exposed to me. It looked like an expensive condo. I could feel Elena following me and tapping me on the shoulder.
Who changed your clothes? Is that his t–shirt?” She whispered to me, making my eyes widen.
Before I could reph, I saw the man marching toward the dining table. Ready meals were laid out. Ife drank water and looked at me again.
“I thought your family wanted you gone? Didn’t they drive you away?” He asked me directly, and t
remained silent.
I wanted to glance at Elena, but I knew she was watching me closely, so I looked at the man again.
“And how did you find out?” I asked him.
He just grinned and shook his head, further irritating me.
“I should know, you’re my wife after all,” he said seriously and took a seat.
I could feel the heat rushing to my face. Before I could say anything, he called Elena to come and eat. She just pulled me and made me sit next to him, then she started eating. I could see her teasing me, so I immediately kicked her under the table.
“You can stay at my condo, Ana. I don’t have anyone there,” Elena said, and my eyes lit up.
“Thank you, Elena. I’ll just let Ares know when we get home,” I replied with a shrug.
I heard the man’s heavy breathing next to me. I could even sense his gaze on me, and it made me feel disgusted.
“Or you can stay here since we’re married. I have a big bed for the two of us.”
I almost choked at that comment. Elena seemed surprised too, quickly looking at me and smiling,
YON NI
Chapter 20
“Yes, Ana. You’re married. You’re already on your honeymoon–aw!” She shouted when I kicked her again under the table.
My face grew even hotter. It felt like I wanted to bury myself in the ground out of embarrassment, especially when I heard the man grinning next to me. Before he could say anything else, I finished my meal and invited Elena to leave. I didn’t want to stay here any longer. This man was getting on my nerves!
“Take care. I’ll see you tomorrow. I have something important to tell you,” he said seriously to me as I finally got into Elena’s car.
1 frowned at him. “Say it now.”
He shook his head and looked at me rudely. “Tomorrow. Take care,” he said authoritatively and then
suddenly approached me.
Before I could react, I felt the touch of his soft, warm lips on my cheek where my bruise was, and then he
quickly turned away.
I held my chest, startled by the loud throb of my heart. What the hell was that?
“You’re not going to work?” Elena asked me the next day when she found me in the living room.
I just looked at her and lazily shook my head. Then I glanced back at the cellphone I was holding. Ares was still not calling and remained unreachable. I wasn’t sure what happened to him or where he was. A whole day had passed, and he still hadn’t called.
I felt Elena sit down next to me, so I looked at her.
“Ana, I have something to tell you…” I heard her say. Her voice was serious, and my forehead furrowed.
“Huh? What is it?”
But before she could speak, her cellphone rang. When I glanced at it, I almost jumped when I saw Ares
calling, so I answered immediately.
“Love…”
“Ana…” He greeted me, his voice deep and conveying that something was wrong. I heard noise in the background. Sometime later, my whole world seemed to stop when I heard what he said next. It was as if a bomb exploded in my chest and shattered my entire being.
I didn’t understand anything anymore…
