~Anne's POV~
No matter how much I tried to look away, I just couldn't help it. Was this really happening? Was that really a video of me being abused in a corner by Thomas Brown? And was it really on the internet?
It couldn't be, something wasn't right, I tried to convince myself. Yet, no matter how much i tried to deny it, no matter how much I wanted to twist the truth in my head, the video before me slammed reality into my face. It was real, and I had absolutely no idea what to make of what was happening.
The video was clearly from that night, the stupid dinner party. Someone must have recorded everything, and why did I feel like that someone was Riccardo. He was the only one who had seen us that night, he had even come to my rescue. So why would he do this—
I hadn't finished my thoughts when my phone began to vibrate. Someone was calling, probably to tell me about what was going around the entire internet. Picking up the phone I desperately wanted to smash into a thousand pieces, I caught sight of the caller ID. It was Riccardo, and I had a pretty good idea on why he was calling.
It made sense now, why he had invited me, why he made sure that I encountered my ex husband, and why he would release this video the very second Thomas Brown began to threaten his company. He had warned me before, hadn't he? That all of this was for the company, that it was for him to take down his rival. So why was I so surprised? Why did I feel like i'd been betrayed by my own best friend? Men like Riccardo and Thomas never cared about women like me. If it meant saving their pockets, they didn't mind ruining the lives of others for that.
I let my phone ring until the buzzing stopped. But it started again.
I didn't answer. I couldn't even if I wanted to. What was i going to say? Was I supposed to cry and call him evil? He probably wouldn't care.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. But all I felt was empty, hollowed out completely. Too tired, too overwhelmed, too ashamed to even breathe properly.
How was I supposed to walk outside? How was I supposed to face the world with this video everywhere? With people whispering behind my back?
I could barely even get out of bed.
I dragged myself up slowly, trying to gather the shattered pieces of myself, when a sudden knock echoed from the front door.
I froze.
No, not now. I couldn't face anyone. Not like this.
The knocking came again. Louder. More persistent.
"Go away," I whispered, my voice barely audible. But the knocking didn't stop, if anything it got louder, so loud that I could no longer ignore it.
I stumbled toward the door with trembling legs, intending to shout, to tell whoever it was to leave me alone. I didn't need their pity, and I definitely didn't need them to tell me what they had seen while scrolling on their phones!
The moment I opened it and saw Riccardo standing there, my entire body ignited with fury. I tried closing the door immediately, slamming it right in his face—but his hand shot forward and pushed it back with alarming strength.
"No—Anne—wait—"
"Get out!" My voice cracked, sharp with panic and raw betrayal. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
He stepped inside anyway, not caring about my words.
"I said get out!" I continued, screaming and hoping one of the neighbors would come tomy aid. But my voice was probably too weak, and even if they came running for help, the sight of Riccardo would probably have them reconsidering their thoughts.
"I don't want to look at you! I don't want to hear anything from you!"
I hit him—pushing at his chest with both hands—but he didn't move. Not an inch.
And then suddenly I couldn't stand anymore.
My knees buckled, but Riccardo caught me before I hit the floor, pulling me against his. body tightly, protectively.
"Anne," he murmured, his voice thick with anguish. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. None of this was supposed to happen."
I shook my head violently, trying to shove him away again. "Leave me alone! You've done enough—just leave—"
"I didn't do any of this I promise, I'd never hurt you like that—"
There was a pause, one that came way too abruptly, as though he was rethinking his words. Had he not practiced his lies well enough? Why was he even here? Why did he keep doing this? Acting so nice to me? Hadn't he used me enough already?
"Please just let me go…" I whispered tiredly, unable to free myself from his embrace. "…I don't want to be a part of any of this anymore, just let me live a normal life!"
Riccardo didn't say anything, he just stood there holding me still until all the rebellious energy I had in me vanished. Then he cupped my face with his palm, his eyes boring into mine as though he was trying to read my thoughts…he probably was
Then he spoke. "I can't leave you anymore, I'm way too deep into whatever you've done to me, Anne."
I blinked, unsure if I had heard correctly. I wanted to deny everything I'd just heard, but his eyes spoke louder than his words.
His lips parted once more, and from them more unbelievable words poured out.
"I wish you could live a normal life, I really want that for you. I know how much you want to stay away from drama, but it's not possible anymore. I want you, Anne Allistair, and there is nothing normal about being with Riccardo Antonelli."