Anna’s POV
I was still in bed when Rachel’s voice sliced through the quiet. "Ms. Shaw, your mother requests your immediate presence at home." 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 me guess—he’s there to dump his mess 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 me. 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 me just enough time 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 me were the backbone of this house, though neither would admit it. With no men 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 become 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 come here. He thought I’d give in.
I slipped into the slippers the maid handed me, shrugged off my jacket, and took a calming breath.
I didn’t even have a chance to speak before Jack stormed toward me, 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 came 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 someone else’s legs while I sat alone?"
"Anna!" My mother rushed in, ever the peacemaker. "Jack came to visit your grandmother and me. He’s a guest in our home."
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 me?"
"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 stormed 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.com
"Elizabeth," my grandmother cut in, "enough. The world is full of men 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 investment issue with one of Shaw Corp’s subsidiaries. The moment the call started, chaos erupted.
"Ms. Shaw," a manager stammered, "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 time."
"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 medical 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 me 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 remembering 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 frame seemed slim slimmer than I remembered. I tilted my head, doubt creeping in. Was this really the man who had lifted me, held me down, made my body sing?
His wrists were barely thicker than mine.
Could this body really throw me against a wall?