"Are you crazy? Why would you suggest something so outrageous?" Ana scolded, glaring at Sandra. "I'm not interested in anything that insane!"
"I'm just trying to help," Sandra replied, her voice softening. "Half a month has already passed. I heard that evil Mr. Smith is demanding full payment or... you'll be forced to marry him. I'm just trying to give you options."
Sandra reached into her purse and held out a business card. "Here. Take this. Just in case you change your mind."
Ana looked at the card with distaste, but reluctantly took it. Sandra sighed and turned to leave. The two had been inseparable since kindergarten, but life had dealt them different cards. Ana had to drop out of school to work and support her struggling family.
Ana's fingers curled around the card, tempted to toss it into the bin,biting her bottom lip. It felt like a dream
no, a dangerous temptation. Her life had always been difficult, but this… this wasn't something you just walked into without thinking.
Still, the image of Annie's tired little face flashed through her mind, and her heart twisted painfully but her phone rang, jolting her. She answered, and the words from the other end made her knees buckle.
"No... no, please—what happened?" she cried, already running out the door, her heart thudding with terror.
Central Hospital
Outside the emergency room, Ana stood anxiously beside Julia's homeroom teacher Regina, eyes wild and rimmed with tears.
"She collapsed during PE," the teacher explained gravely. "The other students were taunting her, calling her weak. I think she tried to prove herself by running laps... she overexerted herself."
Ana could barely listen, her heart lodged in her throat. Julia's health had always been fragile, and the thought of her little sister pushing herself to the brink broke her.
Moments later, Mrs. Lyle and Adonis came rushing in.
"What happened to my baby girl?!" Mrs. Lyle wailed.
"The doctors are still attending to her," Ana managed through her tears. "They said she needs surgery. Urgently."
Adonis wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. "It's okay. I'm here."
A while later, the doctor came out. "Your sister will need surgery as soon as possible. Her condition has deteriorated significantly."
Ana felt the weight of the world crashing down. Surgery meant money—money they didn't have. Misfortune had settled over the Lyle family like a storm cloud that refused to pass.
And then things got worse.
Three police officers strode into the waiting room. "Adonis Lyle?" one of them asked.
"Yes?" Adonis stepped forward.
"You're under arrest for robbery, assault, and sexual misconduct."
"What?!" Ana screamed. "No! You've got the wrong person!"
"My son is not a thief!" Mrs. Lyle cried, lunging at the officers, pounding their chests to stop them. "You can't take him!"
Q
"Officers, please! He didn't do anything wrong!" Ana cried, grabbing Adonis's arm as they tried to pull him away. "Adonis, tell them you're innocent!"
"I didn't do it," Adonis choked out, his eyes brimming with tears. "I only tried to help that girl... I swear!"
But the police were relentless. They wrestled him away as Ana and her mother screamed. Mrs. Lyle collapsed in the hallway, unconscious.
"Somebody help! Please!" Ana screamed, waving down the doctors.
Two Days Later
Ana was stretched thin. Shuttling between the hospital and police station, she hadn't slept properly. Julia needed surgery. Adonis needed a lawyer. The charges against him were growing worse by the hour. A rich young man whose advances Adonis had defended a girl from was now accusing him of stealing, assaulting him, and using his family's influence to press charges.
Late at night, Ana trudged home under a heavy summer rain, her old umbrella nearly useless. A sudden gust of wind tore it from her hands and sent it flying. The rain soaked through her clothes in seconds.
She stood at the side of the road, drenched, trembling, and alone.
"Am I that easy to bully?" she whispered. Her voice rose with desperation. "Why are you doing this to me?!" She fell on her knees crying her heart out in the rain.
A sleek black car pulled up beside her. The door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, rushing toward her. She staggered forward, too tired to care.
Without a word, the man removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
She looked up, startled by the warmth and froze.
It was him.
The man who had rescued her from the pervert. Her prince in shining armor.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked, concern etched into every feature.
His words cracked something inside her.
"No... I'm not," she sobbed. "It's all too much. I don't think I can go on—but I have to. They're all counting on me. What do I do?"
She broke down once more, her tears mixing with the rain.
Harry pulled her into a comforting embrace. "It's okay," he whispered, gently patting her back. "I'm here."
The Suite
Ana sat on the edge of a plush bed, wrapped in a white robe, cheeks flushed. Across the room, Harry stood like a polished statue in a tailored suit.
"I could've just gone home," she said shyly. "You... didn't have to bring me here."
Harry's lips curved into a smile. "You looked like you needed warmth and rest."
Seeing him smile made her heart flutter.
"Your smile is beautiful," she murmured.
Harry chuckled. "You think so?"
Ana nodded, her blush deepening.
"Then I'll smile more for you. Would you like that?"
She smiled in return, the atmosphere gently shifting between them.
A knock on the door startled them.
Room service.
A waiter rolled in a tray loaded with gourmet dishes. Ana's eyes widened at the sight. Her mouth watered as the aroma filled the room. Her stomach growled audibly, and she quickly covered it with a hand, embarrassed.
Harry chuckled softly. "Go on. Eat."
They sat at the table. Ana dug in eagerly but slowed when she noticed Harry's graceful manners. She blushed, then laughed at herself.
He watched her with an affectionate gaze. In just two encounters, he had become her beacon in the storm.
"You should stay here tonight," Harry said after the meal. "Rest. My assistant will bring you a change of clothes. I have to go now."
He stood, lingering at the door, reluctant to leave.
"Sir?" Ana called.
He turned. "Yes?"
"I don't know your name," she said softly.
He smiled. "Harry. Harry Fairchild."
She smiled back, her eyes bright. "My name is Ana Lyle. Nice to meet you."
She stretched out her hand. He took it, his touch warm and firm.
"Nice to meet you too, Ana."
Their hands lingered before parting, the warmth of their connection lingering in the air.