Anna Evans was slipping away, her body growing colder by the minute.
“Anna, it seems your time is almost up, isn’t it? Haha … so it’s come to this. I must say, it’s rather satisfying. All that arrogance, all that posturing—for what? I’d love for your grandpa and brothers to see you like this, clinging to life. Oh wait, that old man’s probably already pushing up daisies. You might join them soon enough, hahaha…”
A cruel, manic laugh echoed from the phone.
“Out of the goodness of my heart, considering you’re on death’s door, I’ll let you in on a little secret. The one who betrayed you was your dear best friend, Jessica Young. She’s the one who stole your designs. Shocking, isn’t it? You’ve been played for a fool. If Henry wasn’t out to destroy your family and take everything you own, and if Richard hadn’t been there to protect you, you would have been dead five years ago!”
Anna’s vision blurred. Her misplaced love and trust had destroyed her family. Rage and regret surged through her, but it was too late. She was dying.
As she closed her eyes in despair, she thought she heard the distinct tap of a cane.
With a surge of effort, she opened her eyes and saw a tall, proud figure stumbling towards her. He gathered her gently in his arms. A tear splashed onto her lips, then was softly kissed away.
It was Richard…
With one hand pressing firmly on her wound and the other holding her close, Richard whispered, “Honey, don’t be afraid, I’m here. I’m taking you home, okay? Don’t be afraid.”
“Richard… Richard… To die … in your arms … is … enough… Live well… Find someone … forget about… forget about me…”
“Anna, Anna!” His anguished cries faded into the distance as she closed her eyes.
“How can I forget you? I could never…” Richard gently caressed her face. “Honey, can I stay with you? Wait for me, okay?”
Richard…
Pain. Excruciating pain, as though a truck had slammed into her. Anna opened her eyes to a stark white ceiling.
“Anna, you’re awake! How are you feeling?” A voice filled with concern washed over her. Anna stared blankly at John.
Wait a minute. Wasn’t he…? What was he doing here? And where was Richard?
“John, where’s Richard?”
John frowned, confused. Wasn’t Richard the one person Anna couldn’t stand? Every time his name came up, she flew into a rage.
“Richard’s right next door. You two were in a car accident. What happened? Did he hurt you?”
Car accident?
“John, what’s today’s date?” she asked urgently.
“May 16th, 2015. Anna, are you okay?” Had she hit her head too hard? He might need to call the doctor.
May 2015? She had traveled back five years, to the day of the car accident with Richard. If only she could have gone back further, before his accident. Before his leg…
“Richard didn’t hurt me. It was my fault, the accident.” A dull ache throbbed in her chest. She had let herself be manipulated by Lisa Jones into demanding a divorce. Even after Richard’s explanation, she had thrown a tantrum and grabbed the steering wheel…
But she was alive again. Her father, her brothers, her grandfather, they were all still here. The Evans family was still whole. The tragedies of her past life wouldn’t happen again. And those who had hurt her would pay.
“Anna, if you truly don’t love Richard, we can just call off the wedding,” John said, gently stroking her hair. “I’ll admit, I didn’t think much of him at first, all those rumors. But after meeting him, he seemed like a decent guy. You could be happy with him.”
Their union was a step up for the Evans family. Plenty of families would have jumped at the chance to marry into the Walkers. It was only after Mrs. Walker’s visit to the Cathedral that the marriage had fallen into their laps. Now, with this accident, the engagement might be off. The fact that Richard’s leg was permanently injured only emphasized his status as the Walkers’ golden boy. No one knew what would happen.
“John, I won’t cancel the wedding. I won’t break off the engagement with Richard,” Anna said resolutely.
“Anna, you’re awake!” The door swung open and a handsome young man with a bright smile walked in. David followed, along with their grandfather and stepmother, Linda Evans.
“David,” Anna choked back a sob at the sight of her brother. In her past life, at the height of his career, he’d been falsely accused of assault. The online harassment had driven him to take his own life.
“My poor Anna, you’ve been through so much,” Grandfather pushed past his grandsons and sat beside her, taking her hand in his. “Tell me where it hurts, my dear girl.”
“Grandpa, I’m fine, really. Please don’t worry,” Anna said, smiling at the man who loved her most. In her past life, she had let Linda blind her, pushing her family away while embracing those who sought to destroy her.
“That’s right, the wedding must go on. The Walkers are one of the most influential families in Chicago, in the whole country. You’ll want for nothing once you’re married into their family,” Linda chimed in, a little too eagerly. A psycho and a fool. Perfect match!
Oh, a life of luxury? Why not marry off her own daughter then? She knew about Richard’s reputation, ruthless and uncaring. She feared for her precious Hannah. Besides, Hannah was a rising star now, marriage would ruin her.
Anna couldn’t stand the sight of her stepmother’s fake concern.
“Get out!” she snapped.
Linda’s face twisted with anger, but she forced a loving smile. It wouldn’t work on anyone but her father.
“Is that any way to talk to your own mother? Did you hit your head too hard?”
“My mother died ten years ago. Who are you?”
Linda clutched her purse and stormed out, fuming.
“Grandpa, John, I want to see Richard. The accident was my fault. I need to apologize.” Anna pushed back the blanket and tried to get up.
“I’ll go with you.” David rushed to help her.
“David, I need to do this alone.”
“Alright, but be careful.” He hated to admit defeat, but when Anna set her mind on something…
As soon as they stepped out the door, Anna saw four bodyguards stationed outside Richard’s room. Typical Walker style; not even a fly could get through.
“Miss Evans, Mr. Walker is resting, ‘said Mark Hill, Richard’s assistant, blocking her way.
“I just want to see him, I won’t wake him…” She was cut off as the door swung open.
“Evans, you have some nerve showing your face here!” Kevin glared at her, blaming her for his friend’s condition.
“How is he? I need to see him. I need to apologize.”
“He’s fine, and he’ll be even better if you just stay away from him.” He didn’t know what her game was, but if it weren’t for her, Richard’s leg…
His words stung, but she knew she deserved his hostility. She had been insufferable.
“When he wakes up, tell him I came to see him.” Anna turned and left.
“Do you think she’s … different somehow?” Kevin wondered, turning to Mark.
“Changed for better or worse, as long as she leaves Mr. Walker alone, that’s all that matters.”
“You’re right. I’ll keep an eye on things here. You head back to the office and make sure those vultures aren’t using this to stir up trouble.”
…
Richard sat quietly in his wheelchair by the window. He turned his head as Kevin entered, his handsome face, usually vibrant, now pale and drawn. It was a face that could make women lose their minds, but few ever had the chance to see it.
“What? You heard all that, didn’t you? I didn’t take advantage of the situation. You’re not avoiding her because you think she’ll ask for a divorce again, are you? What kind of hold does that woman have over you?”
Richard remained silent, maneuvering his wheelchair back towards the window. He watched as Anna, escorted by her family, got into a car and left.
She belonged to him.
Divorce was not an option.
