otected, powered up without hes

r email, and sent the file. Everything went far more smoothly

rs accidentally brushed a folder on the desktop. The screen filled with documents she had neve

t Julian's office, struggli

smile when Anna reappeared. "I told you Ma

gh she had stumbled onto a side of Julian she was never

his office?" she asked

de," the housek

spine. Julian would know

d to calm her down a

re only there for a few minutes.

yment. The amount astonished her; two hours of work for such a sum! For a brief moment, the mo

rested a hand on her belly and whispered, "Little one... I don't want to let you

a finally drif

lway. The door burst open-Mrs. Miller

use Master Jul

heart j

k? Has he

whispered, her voice trembling. "But he says you opened so

pale, her eyes fi

to shut the computer down, and my hand

her but still shook

ose my job beca

the housekeeper take the blame. S

Julian's wheelchair appeared, pushed by his bodyguard. Hi

o step forward, her w

, so I used yours. Mrs. Miller had nothing

ponsibility f

in front of her, his e

it all, d

e armrests so tightly his knuckles turned white. If he still

her head de

didn't pay any atte

h a fierce scowl. "Go to your room. You are

told. Behind the closed door, his brut

room, Julian tried

her," he or

nt sympathy for Anna, but no one dared defy J

from the hospital, her health much improve

say? When will you be able to walk again

ulian replied, his tone neutra

little from Hil

your marriage. She's a good girl, and I've always like

shortly. He then mot

na's room. For the past two days, Anna had eaten almost nothing,

ll, arms hugging her knees. Her hair was unkempt, falling over a face drained

lifted her head, her eyes clouded and bewild

r chest tighten. Anna's skin was unnaturally pale, her lips cracked and dry, and he

d with a glass of warm mil

o need to be afraid... Now that M

round, her an

manded. "Has Julian forbidden her fro

she stormed into the living r

u," she snapped. "How do you expect me to

er fury with

enly. "Without you, do you truly believe I

two days had been nothing m

ever justify treating her this way?"

shutting her out. After a moment, Hilary's tone softened

you can't go on like this. Even if you feel nothing for Anna, yo

neven. Before Julian could reply, her body swayed.

ng, was rushed back in an emergency. Watching the chaos unfold, Julian realiz

warm milk, strength slowly returning to her. S

on't force you out," Mrs. Miller murmured,

ad, her gaze stea

id quietly. "Whether he ag

to endure a single

thout wavering. Anna calmly set her bowl aside, reached for the sui

ulian. Go and marry som

a dangerous edge flashing

" he asked. "Don't you think

puter. But I've already paid for that mistake. We're even n

etween them. Then Julian

r punishment

from Anna's body, as if she h

en you will remain Mrs. Ashford," he continued col

ft Anna standing there, tremb

l, convinced the baby could not have s

d gone?" she asked,

think that?" the

ays... and my health ha

fered a reass

usual. Some pregnant women can'

ly dared

. my

ratulations. You're not carrying ju

beat as shock and disb