ANNA S POV
I gently dabbed the antiseptic on Nate’s bruised cheek in silence. The scene of the two men brawling like wild animals replayed in my mind,making me feel embarrassed even though we were back at Nate’s mansion now.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” I finally spoke. “It was so humiliating, watching, you two fight like that.”
Nate let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry you. had to see that, Anna. I was just trying to protect you from that bastard.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Protect me? Nate, you two were acting like a couple of jealous teenagers. I’m pretty sure the entire internet is talking about our ‘wedding of the century‘ right about now.”
Nate shrugged. “Let them talk. What matters is that you’re my wife now, and
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Caden was put in his place.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. “You really did give him a good black eye. I almost felt sorry for him.”
Nate’s nose was just slightly bruised but Caden suffered way worse than that.
“He deserved it,” Nate growled. “If we hadn’t been separated by security, I would have beaten him into a coma. The crazy audacity he had!”
I but my lower lip trying to stifle a smile at his fierceness. “Calm down, tiger. You don’t want to end up in jail, do you? I think
you’ve caused enough of a scene for one day.”
I finished tending to his wound and placed the medical supplies aside.
Nate’s strong arms suddenly encircled my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I let out a surprised gasp.
“What are you-”
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He didn’t give me a chance to finish, crushing his lips against mine in a soul- stirring kiss that left me weak in the knees. I could practically feel myself melting
away.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathless, my cheeks flushed.
Scen
ily
Wh-What was that for?” I stammered, wallowing hard.
Nate chuckled, his fingers tracing the curve of my waist. “I didn’t get the chance to
roperly kiss my bride earlier, thanks to
hat scumbag. I figured I’d make up for it
low.”
smiled, the warmth of his touch sending a hrill through me I was beginning to love. Well, I certainly can’t complain about. hat.”
Consider this a new beginning for us.”
nodded mutely. “A new beginning,”
And how about we get started on that new
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chapter by working together on your company? I am really excited to get things started.” he suggested.
I pulled back, giving him a proper look. “Really? You’d do that for me?”
Nate shot me a warm smile. “Of course. You’re my wife now, remember? You don’t have your dream job anymore and I want nothing more than to see you succeed. Whatever you need, just say the word.”
Nate Power’s wife. Wasn’t that crazy and great at the same time?
The next morning, as I stepped out of the house, I was greeted by an unwelcome
sight Caden, standing at the gate, a bouquet of flowers and a small package in his hands. His wounds from yesterday had been treated but there were still clear traces he was healing.
“Anna!” he called out in relief. “I just came to see you and this crazy security guards. refused me coming in. Please, just hear me
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out.”
I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze sharp. “Caden, what are you doing here? I told you, I’m done with this. I’m married to Nate now, and that’s not going to change.”
He took a step forward, holding the flowers. a little more closer to his chest. “I know, I know, but please, just take these. These are your favorite, white daisies. And this is for the baby – some supplements and vitamins. I want to be a part of our child’s life, Anna.”
I stared at him, exhaling. Part of me wanted to just take the gifts and send him on his way, but the other part of me felt angry and frustrated.
“Caden, I don’t have time for this,” I said, my voice firm. “I have other important things to focus on. The baby is my
responsibility, not yours. Just go home, and
leave us alone.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m still the father
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of that child, and I won’t back down until we figure out a way for me to be involved.”
“Please, don’t do this. This is my life now, and I don’t want you in it. Just leave us be, for everyone’s sake.”
But he refused to budge, his gaze fixed squarely on me. “Why, Anna? Why won’t you let me be a part of our child’s life? I deserve a chance, don’t I?”
I didn’t have a good answer, not one that would satisfy him. The truth was, I was scared, scared of the chaos and drama that would inevitably come with Caden’s involvement.
“Listen, we would discuss this later. But not here, not now. Now leave before Nate sees you.”
His face twisted into a scowl. “And so what if Nate comes here and sees me? Do I look
scared of him?”
“Go home.”
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“Do you still love me?”
I scoffed. At first of course I still loved him but now when I looked at him, I felt absolutely nothing and wanted nothing to do with him.
“Do you really want the answer to that?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
He sighed. “Okay fine, don’t answer that. I just had to come see you. Please, just take these.” He held out the gifts, but I refused to accept them.
“I don’t have time for this,” I said firmly. “You need to go home and never come back.”
His face hardened suddenly. “Not until we discuss the future of the baby,” he declared. “I’m still the father, and I want shared. custody.”
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