POV: Author
Anna was still holding her glass when she heard that voice behind her.
"Anna."
William said her name slowly, like he was testing how it felt after all these years.
She turned, startled. The faint smile she had been forcing all evening disappeared instantly.
He looked… different.
Not the teenage boy she remembered, but a man. His brown hair was neatly combed back, his dark eyes sharper, colder. His jawline was defined, making him look older—more dangerous. The black suit he wore was expensive, the kind rich men wore to appear effortless.
"Hello," she said finally, her voice polite but stiff. "What are you doing here?"
William smiled faintly, like he had been waiting for that question.
"I have two reasons for being here tonight," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "One is professional… the other's personal."
Anna raised a brow. "And the personal one?"
He held her gaze. "You."
She blinked. "Me?"
"Yes," he said quietly. "I came because of you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The music from the hall felt distant, like they were standing somewhere outside of it—somewhere separate from everything else.
"William, whatever this is, I don't think—"
"I love you, Anna."
The words hit her before she could finish.
Her breath caught in her throat. "What?"
"I said I love you," he repeated, slower this time, his voice steady, his eyes softer.
Anna stared at him, trying to process what she had just heard. Then she let out a small, humorless laugh.
"You love me? You… how… William." She shook her head. "You mocked me every single day in high school. You humiliated me in front of everyone—for fun. And now, after all these years, you're saying you did that because you loved me?"
He flinched, his gaze dropping briefly.
"It wasn't like that."
"Then what was it?" she asked sharply. "Because from where I stood, it was hell."
"I was stupid," he admitted after a pause. "I didn't know how to deal with what I felt. You were different, Anna. Kind. Smarter than anyone I knew. You made me feel small… and I hated it. I didn't know how to show it, so I pushed you away. I hurt you because I hated myself for wanting you."
Anna exhaled slowly, her eyes burning.
"That's not love, William. That's cruelty. You destroyed my confidence. You made me feel worthless."
"I know," he said quietly. "And I regret it. Every single day since school ended, I've thought about you. You never left my mind. I tried to forget… but I couldn't."
She crossed her arms, shaking her head.
"You don't get to do this. You don't get to say sorry and act like everything's fine. I moved on. I have a life now."
"I can see that," he said softly, his eyes flicking to the ring on her finger. "But I still needed to tell you."
"Why now?" she asked. "Why come here?"
He hesitated… then said,
"Because I'm your husband's new investor."
The words hit her like ice.
"You're what?"
A sharp smirk appeared on his face.
"Fate has a funny way of bringing people back together."
Before she could respond, a familiar voice spoke behind her.
"Anna."
Her heart jumped.
She turned and saw Alex walking toward them, confident as ever in his dark tuxedo. He stepped beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I see you've met William," he said with a smile. "He's the new investor I told you about."
Anna swallowed, forcing a small smile. "Yes… we were just talking."
William immediately shifted, his expression turning professional. He extended his hand.
"It's good to finally meet you, Mr. Knight."
"Likewise," Alex replied easily, shaking his hand. "I've heard great things about your company. I think this partnership will work beautifully."
"I'm sure it will," William said, his eyes briefly flicking back to Anna before returning to Alex.
They spoke for a few minutes—business, numbers, future deals—while Anna stood silently, her stomach twisting.
After a while, Alex excused himself.
"Enjoy the party, both of you," he said, before walking away.
William gave her one last look, a faint half-smile, then disappeared into the crowd.
Anna exhaled shakily, her hands trembling slightly.
The room suddenly felt smaller. The air heavier.
I love you.
His words echoed in her mind.
She moved toward a quiet corner, away from the lights and noise. Her reflection in the tall glass window caught her attention.
She looked perfect.
The gown. The diamonds. The necklace Alex had given her.
A woman who had everything.
But inside, she felt like she was breaking apart.
She had buried that part of her life long ago—the part William had destroyed.
And now… it was back.
She had never told Alex about him. Not because she didn't trust him—but because it hurt too much. And because she didn't want him to see her differently. Weak. Fragile.
Her chest tightened as old memories surfaced.
The day the police stopped searching for her father.
She had been six, holding her mother's hand while the officer said, "We're sorry. There's nothing more we can do."
Years later, when she told Alex she believed her father was still alive, he hadn't believed her.
"Anna," he had said, calm but distant, "you need to accept it. He's gone."
They had argued for hours that night… until she gave up.
She blinked, forcing the memory away.
Somewhere across the room, she felt William watching her.
Her thoughts spiraled.
What if Alex finds out?
What if William says something?
Will Alex see me differently?
No.
She needed to tell him first.
Anna scanned the crowd, searching for Alex.
He wasn't near the bar. Not by the balcony.
The room suddenly felt too large, too crowded.
She turned to one of his business partners.
"Have you seen Alex?" she asked quickly.
The man thought for a moment. "I think he went that way," he said, pointing toward a quiet hallway. "Probably taking a call."
"Thank you."
She walked toward it.
The music faded behind her. The lights grew dimmer.
She passed a room filled with loud laughter. Another where a couple stood too close, whispering.
Her heels echoed softly against the marble floor.
At the end of the hallway, she was about to turn back—
When she froze.
A voice.
Alex's voice.
Her pulse spiked instantly.
She couldn't hear the words, but she knew it was him.
It came from a room ahead. The door was slightly open, warm golden light spilling through the gap.
Anna hesitated.
Maybe he was busy. Maybe she shouldn't—
But something pulled her forward.
She stepped closer, slowly.
The faint scent of his cologne drifted out.
And then she saw him.
Her husband, sitting on the couch.
She took a breath and moved closer—
Then stopped.
A familiar voice.
Her sister.
Anna's body went still.
She watched as her sister walked toward Alex, handing him a glass of red wine.
Then—slowly, playfully—her hand slid onto his thigh.
Anna's heart skipped.
Pain rose sharply in her chest as tears filled her eyes.
And then—
Her sister leaned in and kissed her husband.
Anna stepped back automatically.
Her world shattered.
--
To be continued...