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CHAPTER 51
ANNA’S POV
Four weeks later…
The morning started rougher than usual. I was woken with an awful feeling crawling up my throat, and before I even had time to breathe properly, I rushed to the toilet and bent over, throwing up until my stomach was empty. My knees shook, my palms pressed to the cold tiles and I just sat there for a moment, panting. My whole body was hot, feverish since yesterday, and nothing felt right. “What is happening to me?” I muttered to myself, wiping my mouth with trembling hands before dragging myself back to my room.
I collapsed onto my bed, hoping to just lay down a bit while deciding whether I should go to the hospital, but then my phone buzzed. I reached for it lazily, only for my eyes to widen
when I saw the sender.
Mom.
Her text was long, but I read it word for word:
Mom: Anna, your dad and I are coming over today. This evening by 6pm, we’ll pick you up for the dinner with Alpha King George and his daughter Sophie for Ryan. Please be ready and dress well. We want you to be present.
My whole body froze. “Dinner? With Sophie?” I whispered in disbelief, my chest tightening. What the hell was going on? Why was I just hearing about this now?
I sat up straight, frowning at my phone. Immediately, I typed a quick message to Ryan.
Me: Did you know about this dinner with Sophie and her Dad??! Did Mom and Dad tell you anything?
I called him right after sending it, but it went straight to voicemail. My heart skipped. I tried again, but this time, he declined and sent me a text instead.
Ryan: In a meeting right now. I’ll call you when I’m done. Love you
I stared at his reply, biting my lip nervously. He was in a meeting, sure, but this was urgent. Still, I didn’t want to come across as pushy. I sighed and just sent him a row of heart emojis, hoping he’d see that I wasn’t angry, just worried. A small smile tugged at my lips as I looked at the little hearts on the screen.
If bliss was a person, it had been me these past few weeks. Ryan and I had been perfect together. He came to my dorm so often the coordinators practically waved him in like he was part of the place. He picked me up from school, I stayed over some weekends at his house, and every time he couldn’t make it, he always told me so I wouldn’t worry. He didn’t leave me
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hanging, didn’t leave me questioning his feelings, and I’d been smiling every single day like a girl completely swept away.
But now, seeing this message from Mom, hearing Sophie’s name again, I felt that old anxiety creeping back in. My smile slowly faded, replaced by a frown as I clutched my phone tighter. Something was happening, something I wasn’t sure I was prepared for… and I hated that I was finding out from my parents instead of from Ryan himself.
By exactly 6pm, my phone buzzed and when I picked up, it was Mom’s voice.
“Honey, we’re outside your dorm. Hurry up, we’re waiting,” she said, with that usual commanding tone that didn’t give room for hesitation.
I looked in the mirror one last time, adjusted my shawl tightly around my neck, making sure the mark Ryan left on me was fully covered, because if Mom or Dad ever saw it, that would be the end of everything.
I grabbed my bag and stepped out. My heart skipped when I saw the car, it was Ryan’s. Dad and Mom were smiling as they stood outside. Before I could even say anything, the driver’s side door opened, and Ryan stepped out in a black suit. The way his eyes locked on mine made me freeze. He stared at me like he hadn’t seen me in years, his jaw tight, and then he gave me the smallest wink. My stomach twisted instantly my knees quite weak, because damn he looked so fucking handsome just standing there like that.
“Anna, my dear,” Mom said, her face brightening as she walked toward me. “You look so beautiful. That gown, it suits
you perfectly.”
Dad nodded proudly. “Our daughter always looks her best.”
I forced a smile at them but my eyes were fixed on Ryan, who was still leaning casually on the car, staring at me so intensely it made my cheeks burn. Mom ushered me toward the car, Ryan smoothly opened the door for her and then went back around. I slipped into the back with Mom while Dad sat in front with Ryan. He started the engine, face unreadable, hands steady on the wheel.
The ride started calmly enough, with Mom leaning closer to me, “So, how’s school? are you coping well?”
“It’s fine, Mom, everything’s going smoothly,” answered softly.
Dad turned a bit in his seat. “Good, that’s what we want to hear. Keep it up.”
Mom’s eyes trailed down to my shawl, her brows knitting. “But why are you covering up like this? It doesn’t match that beautiful gown at all, honey. Remove it, let people see how gorgeous you are tonight.”
I shook my head quickly, tightening my hand on it. “No, Mom, I can’t. I’m feeling a little
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feverish, so I’d rather keep it on.”
Mom frowned. “Feverish? Since when? Why didn’t you say something?”
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“Leave her,” Dad interrupted gently, “if she says she needs it then let her.”
Mom sighed but still muttered, “Tomorrow we’re going to the hospital then, you hear me?”
“Yes, Mom,” I replied softly.
Ryan stayed quiet through it all, but I felt his eyes flick up to the rearview mirror, meeting mine whenever Mom and Dad weren’t paying attention. Sometimes he winked and my cheeks flushed instantly. He didn’t say a word but I understood, he was being careful, not wanting them to suspect anything.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Mom led me inside with Dad following while Ryan handed his keys to the valet, his face all serious as if nothing had happened.
Inside the private room, Sophie and her father hadn’t arrived yet. Mom and Dad ordered some things while we waited. Ryan sat right next to me, his expression calm, but under the table, his hand brushed against mine and then slipped higher into the slit of my gown. My body went rigid. Mom’s eyes were on us, but Ryan’s fingers crept higher until they were on my thigh, pressing firmly. My lips parted in shock, but I couldn’t react, I couldn’t even breathe properly.
“Ryan, stop,” I whispered quickly under my breath, my face stiff with a fake smile as Mom looked directly at us.
He didn’t stop, his hand pushing higher until his fingers brushed me where he knew he shouldn’t, his face still calm as though nothing was happening. I nearly gasped, biting the inside of my cheek hard to stay composed. His audacity was making my pulse slam in my ears.
Then the waiter walked in with the food. The smell hit me immediately, strong and overwhelming, and my stomach churned violently. My hand flew to my mouth. I shoved my chair back so hard it scraped loudly against the floor.
“Excuse me,” I choked out, stumbling to
“I my feet
“Anna, what’s wrong with you?!” Mom’s shocked voice echoed behind me, but I didn’t turn back
I rushed out of the private room, hand clamped over my mouth, my body trembling while I bolted toward the bathroom, nausea rising again so fast I could barely make it in time…
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