Chapter 201
CHAPTER 93
ANNA’S POV
After my bath with Ryan, I made my way downstairs for breakfast. I was still thinking about how I’d face everyone while hoping Mother hadn’t told anyone that I’d slept in Ryan’s room.
But what I didn’t expect was the mischievous greeting that met me the moment I stepped into the dining room.
“Good morning,” Omega Agnes said, her face full of mischief. “How was your night p>
I froze. Four pairs of eyes, plus hers, turned toward me, waiting for my answer.
“Uhmm…” I didn’t know what to say. Ryan was still upstairs getting dressed for work, and the thought of what we did still made my skin shiver.
“So, ” Grandma pressed on, “how was it p>
“We heard you didn’t stay in your room,” Grandpa added.
My eyes widened. How did news spread that fast? “What do you mean?” I muttered, trying to act normal.
I sat down at the table, set with all sorts of delicacies, and just as I reached for a plate, someone leaned in, pecked my cheek, and took the seat beside me.
“Good morning, babe p>
It was Ryan.
He did it so casually, as if it was something he’d done a thousand times before. It wasn’t new to him, but it definitely was to me.
I froze for a second, staring at him. What exactly was the kind of relationship I’d had with him before? We might have been close, really close.
I made a mental note to find out. One way or another. Either by nook… or by crook.
I got a call from an unknown number.
For some reason, it felt like déjà vu, that strange sense of wanting to remember something I couldn’t fully recall. The moment I saw the number flashing on my screen, my head started to pound a little, as if it had happened before. Mom and Dad weren’t around, and neither was Ryan. They had all gone out earlier after breakfast. Ryan had been in a hurry, barely finishing his food before leaving.
The unknown number called again. My stomach twisted. I hesitated before answering, and as soon as I picked up, a feminine voice spoke.
“Hello p>
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“Please, who’s this?” I asked cautiously.
“It’s me, Sophie p>
“Sophie?” I repeated, my brows furrowing.
“Yes, Sophie. Or don’t you remember me?” she said with a little laugh that didn’t sound very friendly. “We’ve always been friends p>
Her words made me pause. That name… it rang a bell, but not in a good way. There was something about it that made my heart race, something I couldn’t place but didn’t feel right.
“I was your very good friend,” she continued. “A friend of you and Ryan. Aren’t you curious to know the real relationship between you two? I know everything; Anna. And I can help you p>
I froze, staring at nothing while my throat went dry. “What do you mean by that?” I asked slowly.
She chuckled lightly. “You’ll understand soon. Let’s meet up p>
I hesitated. “I don’t know p>
“Anna, come on. I’m just trying to help. You don’t have to be scared. I’ll explain everything to you, I promise p>
Something in her tone softened, and for a moment, it felt believable. I thought about it for a few seconds. What could really be so bad about meeting someone who said she was my friend? I wanted to remember the missing parts of my life. Maybe Sophie truly did know something.
“Anna? Are you still there?” she asked.
“Oh yes, I am p>
“So, what do you think? Should we meet p>
“Sure…” I finally said.
“Good,” she replied quickly, sounding almost excited. “I’ll send you an address. When you get there, just call me, alright p>
“Alright. Fine p>
After we ended the call, I sat for a bit, trying to shake off the weird feeling in my chest while thinking. Then I got up, dressed quickly, and headed downstairs. Grandpa and Grandma were in the sitting room when I came down.
“Anna,” Grandpa said immediately, “where are you going p>
I smiled a little. “Just out for a stroll. I’ve been indoors too long p>
“Alright, the guards will go with you,” Grandpa said, already calling one of them over.
I shook my head quickly. “No, Grandpa, it’s fine. I’ll be okay. I’m just going to take a short walk p>
He frowned. “You can’t go out alone. Not after everything that’s happened p>
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“Please,” I said softly. “I’ll be careful. I just need to stretch my legs for a bit p>
Grandma looked worried too. “Maybe you should wait until Ryan comes back, dear p>
I sighed, forcing a small laugh. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll just be gone a few minutes. If I’m not back in thirty, you can start calling me nonstop p>
Grandpa stared at me for a moment, then exhaled heavily. “Alright. But if you’re not back soon, we’ll begin searching for you p>
“Got it,” I said with a grin, even though I knew he didn’t find it funny. I loved them both, but sometimes their protectiveness was suffocating. I needed a little air, even if just for a few minutes.
I left the house and followed the location Sophie sent me. It wasn’t too far, about a twenty–minute walk. The streets were quiet, and every step I took made my chest feel tighter. I texted her that I was close, and she replied almost instantly: Just come inside. The door’s open.
The building was stunning, grand, elegant, and the kind of place that made you slow down just to take it in. It had tall white pillars, wide glass windows that shimmered in the sunlight, and a black gate that opened smoothly like it belonged to royalty. The driveway was lined with trimmed flowers, the air smelled faintly of vanilla, and for a moment, I smiled. Sophie had good taste. This didn’t feel like a meeting, it felt like visiting a rich friend’s mansion. Everything about it was calm, clean, and welcoming.
I stepped inside quietly, my eyes widening at how beautiful it was. The floor gleamed, the walls were bright, and there was soft music playing somewhere in the background. A crystal chandelier hung above me, scattering little reflections across the room. I almost forgot why I was there for a second, it was just that peaceful.
“Sophie?” I called out gently, my voice echoing a little.
No answer.
I took another step further in, glancing around at the perfectly arranged furniture and the huge vase of fresh roses sitting in the corner. It smelled expensive, like the kind of perfume that never fades.
“Sophie?” I called again, smiling a little this time.
And then…
Something heavy dropped over my head before I could even breathe. A thick cloth, tight, rough, suffocating. I gasped, tried to scream, but a strong arm grabbed me from behind, pulling hard. Panic exploded in my chest. The smell hit me fast, chemicals, sharp and dizzying. My lungs screamed for air as my fingers clawed uselessly
at the fabric.
“Let me go! ” I tried to shout, but my voice was muffled and weak. My chest was burning, my heartbeat thundering too fast. My body jerked and twisted, but whoever it was held on tighter. My legs kicked at the floor, but my strength was fading fast. The air around me felt heavy, my arms trembling, my throat closing up.
Everything started spinning. The sound of my own heartbeat drowned out everything else while my thoughts blurred. My hands slipped, my vision dimmed, and it felt like my whole body was melting into the darkness swallowing me.
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And then…. nothing.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.