The warm golden lamp cast a soft glow over the peaceful room. Ana lay fast asleep, her breath calm and steady, her delicate features undisturbed by the chaos she'd narrowly escaped.
Harry sat by her bedside, clutching her hand as if afraid she might vanish again. Relief and guilt tangled in his chest. His eyes lifted slowly, meeting Adonis's blazing ones across the room.
Adonis stood near the door, arms crossed, his stance rigid and charged with fury. "You should be ashamed," he snapped in a cold voice. "You were supposed to protect her. And yet you left her exposed to a trap, one that could have destroyed her."
Harry clenched his jaw, his grip on Ana's hand tightening. "I didn't know. I didn't think…"
"You didn't watch," Adonis cut in bitterly. "I was the one watching from the shadows. I saw it unfold. I heard that vile plan. If I hadn't acted, do you know what would have happened to her?"
Harry's face darkened. "I should've been there," he admitted hoarsely.
"Yes. You should have." Adonis took a step forward, his voice trembling with rage. "And now I'm warning you. If you ever fail her again. I will take her away from you, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
There was a long, heavy silence. The two men locked eyes, one filled with regret, the other with burning determination.
After a beat, Adonis turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Harry exhaled shakily, the weight of Adonis's words crashing over him like a storm tide. He turned his gaze back to Ana, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Ana," he whispered, kissing her forehead gently. "From now on, I swear… I'll protect you with everything I have. No more pain. No more danger. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."
He slid into the bed beside her, cradling her against his chest. Ana instinctively nestled into him, and Harry closed his eyes, holding her as if his life depended on it.
The Next Morning
Warm sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden rays on the rumpled sheets. Ana stirred, blinking groggily as she became aware of her surroundings.
Her eyes widened when she realized she was lying against Harry, his strong arms securely around her.
"Harry?" she murmured in confusion. "Did I… fall asleep during the party?"
Harry smiled gently and kissed her temple. "Yeah. You were exhausted, love. I didn't want to wake you."
She sat up slightly, brushing her hair back. "I missed everything?"
"You didn't miss much," he said, forcing a casual tone as he stroked her back soothingly. "Honestly, the night wasn't as exciting as you expected."
"You're lying," she said with a teasing smile, then yawned. "You never let me sleep through big things…"
Harry simply pulled her back into his arms. "You needed the rest. That's all that matters."
She relaxed against him again, accepting his answer, unaware of the storm she had unknowingly slept through.
Later That Day – At the Main Estate
The air at the estate was thick with tension. Old Madame sat like a storm cloud at the head of the drawing room, her face pale with fury and embarrassment. Kimberly sat quietly nearby in her wheelchair, while Trisha knelt on the floor before the matriarch, sobbing.
"Please, Grandmother," Trisha begged, her voice raw. "It wasn't my fault...I don't know how it happened! I swear I was only trying to..."
"To what?" Old Madame snapped, slamming her cane against the floor. "Seduce your cousin? Disgrace this family? Humiliate me in front of everyone?"
"I… it was supposed to be Ana," Trisha blurted without thinking, her face white.
The words made everyone in the room go still.
Old Madame's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"
Trisha stammered, realizing her mistake. "N-nothing. I mean...I just..."
"You've brought shame to our name," Madame said, her voice deadly calm. "You will return to your family's house immediately. I don't care how long you wail or plead. I've made my decision. I don't want to see you."
"Please...please don't send me away!" Trisha cried, crawling forward to grasp her grandmother's skirts. "I can explain....I was misled...I was tricked..."
But Old Madame rose from her seat. "Enough. You are no longer welcome here."
Two maids came forward, gently yet firmly pulling Trisha to her feet. She wept and begged all the way out of the room.
Sasha stood by, her face stiff, her jaw clenched. She had just lost a powerful pawn and it enraged her.
"She was foolish," Sasha said after a pause, her voice dripping with cold disdain. "She ruined everything with her recklessness."
Kimberly turned on her sharply. "Don't act innocent, Sasha. You had a hand in this too."
Sasha lifted her chin. "I only tried to help."
Old Madame didn't even look at her. "Do not speak unless spoken to."
Sasha shut her mouth, but her eyes burned with cold calculation.
The bitch escaped again, she thought with venom. But not for long.
Back at the lake house, Ana stood by the balcony, enjoying the morning sun as Harry walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Are you really not going to tell me what happened?" she asked softly.
Harry kissed the side of her neck. "All that matters is you're safe. That's enough for me."
Ana turned in his arms, gazing up into his eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
Harry didn't respond. Instead, he simply hugged her tightly, resting his chin atop her head as the weight of his promise hung silently in the air.
Later that day, Harry was seated in his office, going through a report when Leo entered and closed the door behind him.
"Is it true?" Leo asked, arms folded. "Trisha's been thrown out?"
Harry didn't look up. "Yes."
Leo nodded slowly, then added, "Old Madame wants the matter to die quietly. She says there's been enough drama in the household and a scandal would be damaging."
Harry finally looked up. His gaze was cold, unreadable. "So she's protecting the family name."
"Exactly. Which means she expects you to let it go."
There was a long pause before Harry leaned back in his chair and spoke, voice dangerously low.
"Anyone who plots against Ana… doesn't get to walk away unscathed. Family name or not."
Leo swallowed. He knew that look in Harry's eyes, it meant someone was already paying the price.
Meanwhile, in a dim, pulsing nightclub on the city's east end, Russell slouched at the bar, drink in hand, eyes bloodshot and unfocused.
"She was mine… just a stupid little girl from nowhere," he slurred, laughing bitterly. "And now look at me. Humiliated. Kicked out. Like some… damn criminal."
The bartender shot him a disapproving look, but said nothing. Russell waved for another drink and downed it in one gulp.
Across the room, a group of burly men watched him closely.
"Hey, you okay, man?" one of them called, mocking.
Russell glared, staggering off the bar stool. "Why don't you mind your own damn business?"
"You looking to get knocked out, pretty boy?" another asked, smirking.
Russell, already fueled by liquor and bitterness, lunged at him. The fight was chaotic, with bottles shattering and chairs tipping over.
Bouncers broke it up, throwing the men out into the parking lot.
Russell, bleeding from a cut lip and disoriented, tried to make his way to his car. He didn't get far.
The same group of men stood waiting in the shadows.
One of them stepped forward. "You think you can touch what doesn't belong to you and walk away, Russell?"
Russell's eyes widened. "What the hell are you talking ab..."
The first blow hit his ribs. Then his jaw. He screamed, but the night swallowed the sound.
They beat him mercilessly. Kicks. Punches. Something cracked. His leg. Then another blow to the head. He finally collapsed, unconscious, blood pooling beneath him.
At the hospital, the doctors did what they could.
Russell awoke days later, his entire body wrapped in bandages, one leg suspended in a cast.
Harry stood silently in the corner of the room, arms crossed.
Russell groaned, his voice hoarse. "Wh...What happened?"
"You were attacked," Harry said dryly.
"Who… who did this?" he rasped.
Harry stepped closer, leaning over him. "Let's just say, next time you think of laying a finger on my woman… remember this."
Russell stared at him, horrified.
Harry smirked coldly. "And be grateful you're still alive."
He turned to leave, his voice echoing back as he opened the door. "You're crippled now, cousin. Consider that your interest payment."
Russell lay there, silent tears running down his cheeks. His future, his reputation, his status, his freedom was all gone.
And Harry… had made sure of it.