Chapter 46

Two days later,

Ana finally opened her eyes two nights later. The first thing she saw was Harry asleep beside her, his head resting on the edge of the bed.

She reached up and brushed his hair from his forehead. He stirred, then jolted awake.

"Ana!"

"You're here…" she whispered weakly.

"I never left," he choked out, pressing kisses on her hand. "I was so scared…"

Ana tried to sit up, but pain gripped her ribs. She winced.

"Shhh, don't move. You're still healing."

"Kimberly… is she okay?"

"She's fine. She's been worried sick about you."

Ana smiled faintly. "She's such a good sister."

Harry's eyes welled with emotion. "Ana… I thought I'd lost you."

"You can't get rid of me that easily," she teased softly.

He pulled out the teardrop necklace from the drawer beside him. It had been cleaned of the dirt from the accident.

"I kept it close," he murmured, placing it back around her neck.

"Thank you, Harry," she whispered.

They stayed like that, holding each other in silence, the storm behind them only beginning to stir again

Though Ana was recovering, not all was well. Rumors about the incident began to spread outside the estate.

Meanwhile, in Bruce's Study

Bruce stood near the fireplace, glass of scotch in hand. Trisha stormed in, looking panicked.

"Did you hear?" she asked. "That girl. Harry's mistress. She fell off a horse. Hit her head."

Bruce raised a brow, sipping his drink. "Unfortunate."

"She might die."

Bruce smirked. "Sometimes fate does what we can't."

But across the room, Chase stood in the shadows, overhearing everything.

His fists clenched.

The next morning dawned with a golden hue spilling across the hospital window. Ana blinked her eyes open as the gentle rays warmed her face. She was going home.

Harry arrived not long after, his sharp suit paired with an expression softened only when his gaze landed on her.

"Ready to leave?" he asked gently.

Ana smiled faintly. "Only if you're the one taking me home."

He didn't respond with words. Instead, he bent forward, wrapped his arms around her with the utmost care, and lifted her off the hospital bed like she was the most fragile treasure in the world.

"Harry... I can walk with help..."

"No," he interrupted calmly. "You're not walking anywhere for now."

With Ana in his arms, he carried her all the way to the car and then again through the vast hallway of the Lake House. But instead of taking her to her usual room, Harry headed straight to his own.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Harry, wait... this is your room. I can't stay here."

"You will stay here," he said, gently laying her down on his bed. "It's more convenient for me to look after you if you're here."

"But what will people say? It's not proper, and Nina is there to take care of me. She's more than enough." She tried to reason, nervously fiddling with the blanket.

"And?" Harry raised a brow.

"And... I don't want to inconvenience you."

Before she could say another word, he leaned in and placed a finger on her lips. "Shh," he whispered.

Her big, crystal-clear eyes blinked up at him, lips pouted from being silenced. She looked so innocent so adorably flustered. Harry's heart clenched with warmth.

"Between Nina and me," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, "who do you prefer to take care of you?"

Ana stared into his intoxicating eyes, losing herself in their depth. Her voice came out soft and breathy.

"...You."

Harry broke into a delighted laugh, clearly pleased. "Ah, so I've won." His tone was teasing.

Realizing what she just admitted, Ana's cheeks turned crimson. "Y-You tricked me! That was a beauty trap!"

"And you walked straight into it," he grinned. "You're so cute when you're flustered."

"You're so bad." She pouted.

"And you're my adorable queen." He reached out and gently squeezed her cheeks, making her giggle.

He couldn't hold back anymore. He leaned down and kissed her, soft at first, then deeper his lips parting hers, his tongue slipping in to savor the taste he'd missed.

All the worry, the anger, and the fear he'd buried since the accident melted away with the feel of her in his arms again.

Just as their breaths began to hitch and the room grew heavier with emotion.

Knock knock.

Harry groaned and pulled away, adjusting his shirt as Ana quickly pulled the blanket to her chest, heart racing.

"Come in," Harry said, his voice returning to its usual low timbre.

The door opened to reveal Kimberly and Nina.

Nina rushed forward the moment her eyes landed on Ana. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and dark circles rimmed her eyes clear signs she hadn't slept well.

"Miss!" Nina's voice cracked. She clutched the hem of her dress tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "When I heard what happened… I...I couldn't sleep. I prayed all night for you to wake up. Thank God you're okay!"

Touched, Ana's eyes welled up. "Nina, don't cry. I'm okay now. Look, I'm in one piece." She raised her arm, showing the bandage and light cast with a weak smile.

Nina sniffled and gently touched her arm. "You scared me so much… please don't ever get hurt again."

Kimberly moved forward, her usual calm expression replaced with one of deep concern. "Ana, you really gave me a scare. When you fell, I thought my heart stopped. I kept thinking what if something had happened to you?"

"I'm sorry, Kimberly … Nina… I didn't mean to worry you. But I'll be alright. I promise I'll get better soon."

The three girls embraced lightly, careful not to touch her injuries too much and then spent the next hour chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. For the first time since the accident, Ana truly smiled.

Outside the room, Harry stood silently by the door, listening. His lips curled upward.

She was home.

She was safe.

And whoever tried to harm her…

Would pay.

Sasha paced wildly like a caged animal inside Malia's apartment, her face twisted with frustration.

"He's going to investigate this. What if he finds out I had a hand in it?" she hissed. "Why wouldn't that slut just DIE?"

Malia, ever the composed one, held up her hands.

"Calm down, Sasha. You're spiraling."

"Spiraling?" Sasha snapped. "I'm being hunted! If Harry suspects me..."

Malia cut in gently, guiding her to the couch.

"Nothing ties you to that worker. He wont say anything and I've made sure that he leave."

Sasha sank into the couch, breathing heavily. Malia crouched beside her.

"You don't look well. Are you taking your meds?"

"I'm not sick, Malia!" Sasha growled, eyes glassy. "Stop trying to make me sound like a lunatic!"

Worried, Malia reached into Sasha's purse and sighed in relief when she found the medication bottle. She handed Sasha a pill and a glass of water.

"Please, take it. Just for me, okay?"

After a long silence, Sasha popped the pill and drank.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she smiled eerily and clutched Malia's hand.

"You'll help me think of another way to kill that bitch, right?" she whispered, voice trembling with mania.

Malia's throat tightened, but she nodded slowly, brushing Sasha's hair from her face.

"Of course, Sasha. I'm with you… to the end."

But inside, Malia's heart thudded in fear. Sasha was slipping fast and dragging everyone with her.