hapter 3
65
Anna’s POV
The following evening, the hostess led me through the elegant dining room of La Belle, one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants. I scanned the tables, my eyes. immediately landing on the familiar faces of Caden and Jessica.
With their heads hunched over each other, they were laughing and talking animatedly while sitting at a tiny cozy table at the
corner.
Jessica’s hand was resting lightly on top of Caden’s, their fingers locked in a way that was too personal.
I felt my annoyance rising as I watched Jessica throw her head back, her laughter ringing out.
What could possibly be so goddamn funny?
As if sensing my presence, they suddenly
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apter 3
Doked up, their smiles vanishing the moment their eyes landed on me. Caden’s brow creased as he noticed the small jandage on the side of my head from the the accident yesterday.
ingr
na,” he called out with surprise. nosted…was that concern? “What happened? thethw did you get hurt?”
n the oth
h my God, are you alright?” Jessica asked a tone that was faker than her hair
hedocpensions. “I hope you didn’t… you know, d talk to kill yourself or something because of
com.co news.
coffed, feeling the anger stirring up inglistide me. “Try to kill myself?” I repeated. Locket lose. You know I love my life far too
ich to give it up, even for a backstabbing
iste sine
and and a cheating bastard of a dheadband.”
den’s eyes widened, and he raised a bbiy bed, as if to calm me. “Anna, please, let’s
I make a scene here. I know this is a
presentate situation but please, just hear me
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out. As you know, as the CEO of Weston chBeauty I have certain obligations that theclude ensuring the company has a heasuitable heir.”
turned my gaze to Jessica, my eyes sursarrowing. “I suppose she just happened
To be the most convenient, right?.”
Caden sighed, raking a hand through his alighark hair in frustration. “I’ve been trying er thanith you for years, but you just couldn’t… didnu know.” He gestured vaguely, and my sometood boiled.
So it’s my fault, isn’t it?” I snapped. angersecause I couldn’t give you the child you myself desperately wanted, you had to turn to ove my best friend?”
en for
bastari
‘s not like that,” he said, his voice uddenly lower than before. “I care about. oa, Anna, but the company needs an heir. i, and so, it’s not just about the child. I-”
are me the bullshit,” I interrupted rshly. “We both know this is about a lot
- e. “Anna
- e. I kn
- pleast
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more than just the company. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
He went silent and leaned forward. “I know this is a lot to take in, but please, try to We understand. I never wanted to hurt you, stbut-”
“Understand?” I scoffed, cutting him off. “How the hell am I supposed to understand be any of this? You’ve been cheating on me st with my best friend, and you’ve gotten her
pregnant. That’s not something I can just ‘understand“.”
Jessica placed a hand protectively over her belly and lifted her chin squarely. “I didn’t adforce Caden to do anything. We fell in love, and that’s not something either of us can control.”
12 I felt the anger bubbling up inside me,
threatening to boil over. “How do you feel Bdbeing a home wrecker and blaming it on
stupid love?”
Caden was quick enough to defend her.
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“Anna, that’s enough. I won’t have you speak to Jessica that way, especially not in public.”
I chuckled without amusement, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I offend your beloved mistress?”
Caden exhaled and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Just stop. Listen, given the…circumstances, I’m going to need you to step down as Vice President of the company.”
I was shocked that I was temporarily unable to speak. “You want me to do what?” I finally managed to spit out.
“I need you to resign your position, Anna,” Caden repeated in a calm voice that irritated me. “Jessica and I will need to focus on the baby, and I can’t have you undermining our authority or causing disruptions within the company.”
I fixed him with a gaze, my head spinning like crazy. “You’re joking, right? You’ve got
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Chapter 3
“Anna, that’s enough. I won’t have you speak to Jessica that way, especially not in public.”
I chuckled without amusement, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I offend your beloved mistress?”
Caden exhaled and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Just stop. Listen, given the…circumstances, I’m going to need you to step down as Vice President of the
company.”
I was shocked that I was temporarily unable to speak. “You want me to do what?” I finally managed to spit out.
“I need you to resign your position, Anna,” Caden repeated in a calm voice that
irritated me. “Jessica and I will need to focus on the baby, and I can’t have you undermining our authority or causing disruptions within the company.”
I fixed him with a gaze, my head spinning like crazy. “You’re joking, right? You’ve got
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to be fucking kidding me.”
He shook his head. “I’m deadly serious. This isn’t just about you and me anymore. It’s about the future of the company.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. It was his non chalant attitude that got on my nerves the most. “So now you’re asking me to give up everything I’ve worked for, just to accommodate your little family?”
He had a grave look on his face. “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. You will resign your position, effective immediately. And you will make peace with Jessica. I won’t have you putting our child at risk with your…actions.”
“And if I refuse?” I challenged, raising a perfectly arched brow.
He gave an indifferent shrug. “Then you can kiss your shares in the company goodbye. I’ll make sure you’re completely cut out, Anna. You won’t see a single penny.”
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I felt my face growing hot with rage, and my hands shaking with anger.
Grabbing my glass of wine, I hurled it at Caden’s face in one quick motion. The red wine splattered everywhere, staining his expensive shirt and dripping down hist shocked face.
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