Chapter 22%
I stared down at the sleeping baby in my arms. Angelo
My son. Our son. His tiny fingers curled around mine, his little chest nsing and falling with each peaceful breath. But all I could think
about was Anastacia
She should be here. Holding him. Watching over him. But she wasn’t. Because she chose to run.
My grp tightened around the baby’s blanket I still didn’t understand why. What made her leave me at the altar? What had been so temble that she disappeared without a word, leaving me to drown in the aftermath?
None of it mattered now. She wanted to run? Fine. But I wasn’t going to let her stay gone. And if the only way to bring her back was through our son, then so be it E
She would come. I knew she would. And once she was here–I’d never let her go again.
The door creaked open behind me. I didn’t bother turning around. I knew who it was before he
spoke. My father:
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet like a blade.!!
I kept my eyes on Angelo. “Taking care of my son.
My father scoffed. “That woman already ruined your reputation once, and now you’ve kidnapped her child? While you’re set to marry someone else? You’re out of your damn mind, Johan.”
Techaled slowly, trying to keep my temper in check. “I’m not marrying her”
His footsteps drew closer. “Oh, yes, you are. That deal is final. You’re the CEO now–you have to act like one. Our family can’t take another scandal because of your reckless choices
I turned then, eyes dark with fury. “I don’t give a damn about the company.”
His expression hardened. “Well, I do. And you should too.”
I shook my head, my voice dangerously calm. “You did something, didn’t you?“>
He raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
I took a step forward, keeping my voice steady “You made some kind of deal with Anastacia. That’s why she left, isn’t it?
Something flickered in his eyes. A moment of hesitation. I knew then, I was right
“You threatened het” I said, voice shaking with anger “Didn’t you?”
My father’s jaw clenched. “I did what was best for you”
Rage surged through me. “You ruined my life:
He exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose “Johan-”
“No.” I snapped. “You listen to me.” My hands fisted at my sides. “I don’t care about your business deals. I don’t care about the company. And I sure as hell don’t care about your precious reputation”
My father’s face twisted in anger. “You’re acting like a fool-
“I love her” My voice broke. “And I won’t let you destroy that.”
He stared at me, his jaw tight. Then, after a long silence, he let out a bitter laugh
“If you don’t listen to me,” he said quietly, “Til make sure you lose everything “X
I met his gaze, unshaken. “Then do it“!
He didn’t expect that. His eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, he looked uncertain. Then he turned sharply and stormed out of the room
I let out a breath I would lose everything except Anastacia.!!
I never thought about my father being the reason for this. He was my family. I trust him so I needed answers. And I knew exactly where to get them.
Jayson. I found him at his private gym, throwing punches at a sandbag like he was trying to beat the ghosts out of his mind. He looked up the moment I entered.
“What do you want?” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. “If you c come here to punch me again, I told you that she is just my stepsister. Nothing more.
I walked up to him, fists clenched. “The truth.”
He stilled
I didn’t wait for him to respond. “You knew why she left, didn’t yo
Jayson sighed, rubbing his face. “Johan-”
“Tell me “2
Silence stretched between us. Then, finally-
He nodded
you?
My heart pounded. “So it was my fath
207 AM CE
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Jayson hesitated, then nodded again.
“He threatened her, I muttered. “Didn’t he?”
Jayson’s expression darkened. “He gave her an ultimatum. If she didn’t leave you, he’d ruin you. Banish you from the family. Strip you of everything.
A cold numbness spread through me.
“She thought she was protecting you, Jayson continued. “She thought you’d be better off without her.”
I exhaled shakily. “I was never better off without her.”
Jayson’s eyes softened. “I know.”
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay steady. “Is she still in the hospital? Why did you leave her alone…?”
Jayson cursed. “Why did you leave her? Didn’t you say you’d take care of her? Was it because you really think that she lied to you? She never loved you.“!!
“I saw your photos together.”
“Yeah, I was there as her brother. I was taking care of her but I am not fucking her. She loves you yet you stole her child.”
My chest tightened. “Don’t lie to me.”
Why not come back to her? She begged me not to,” he said
“I swear,” he said. “I don’t. She loves you so instead of wasting your time. Why quietly. “She didn’t want you to suffer so he was the one suffering now.“%
My jaw tightened. She didn’t want me to suffer?
Then why was I dying without her?!!
I turned away, grabbing my phone. “I need to go back to her,”
I didn’t waste time. I got on a flight that night to go back to her. Jayson said he hadn’t left the house since and didn’t know whether to go back to me and our baby.
But I was going to bring her home now. It was my fault. My father had really kept all the records and paid my men just to tell me that there was no progress.”
By the time I reached the house, my pulse was erratic. I knocked once. No answer. I knocked again–louder.
Still nothing. Dread crept into my chest. Something wasn’t right.
I tried the door. Unlocked. Slowly, I pushed it open.
The house was a mess–papers scattered, furniture overturned, like there had been a struggle
And Anastacia–she was gone.
My stomach dropped.
Someone took her.
