Annabel’s jaw hung open, caught off guard by the revelation. The room fell into an awkward silence as Annabel grappled with the sudden realization that Juliet had a husband, and he was the uninvited guest casually munching on chips. Trying to compose herself, Annabel mustered, “Your husband?” Her tone conveyed a mix of disbelief and confusion, still processing the unexpected twist. Juliet nodded, her eyes avoiding Annabel’s gaze. “I was planning to tell you, Annabel. I just didn’t know how,” Juliet admitted, a hint of guilt in her voice. The man, seemingly unbothered by the tension, chuckled and said, “Surprise, surprise. Sorry for the confusion, young lady.” His casual demeanor irked Annabel, who was struggling to make sense of the situation. Feeling a surge of conflicting emotions, Annabel sighed and managed to say, “I wish you had mentioned it earlier, Juliet.” She couldn’t help but wonder why her best friend hadn’t shared such a significant detail. Juliet, now looking
Andrew’s face registered concern as he saw Annabel in tears. “Annabel, what happened?” he asked, rushing over to her side. Annabel, startled by his sudden appearance, hastily wiped away her tears, attempting to compose herself. “Sir Andrew, you shouldn’t be here,” she stammered, avoiding eye contact. Ignoring her attempt to divert his attention, Andrew gently reached out and touched her shoulder. “Tell me what’s going on. Why are you crying?” he insisted, worry etched across his face. Annabel hesitated before finally breaking down. “It’s just… everything is falling apart. I’m struggling with personal issues, and today has been particularly difficult,” she confessed, her vulnerability showing. Andrew, understanding the weight of her words, pulled her into a comforting hug. “You don’t have to face everything alone. I’m here for you,” he reassured her, his genuine concern evident in his voice. Andrew, surprised by Annabel's sudden push, managed to maintain his balance. Her ab
“What did you just say?” Andrew asked, totally confused, trying to confirm if he had heard Annabel correctly or if he had imagined her saying something. “I said, what do you want me to do,” Annabel blurted out loudly, making Andrew’s ears throb as he hissed at her. “Just go and wait for me in the living room. I will be there in five,” Andrew coldly replied, turning away from her. Annabel bowed a little before leaving the room. As Andrew held his chest, feeling his heart beat rapidly, he groaned, questioning, “What’s happening to me?” He took a moment to breathe in and out, attempting to regain composure before making his way to the living room. In the living room, Annabel sat nervously, fidgeting with her hands as she waited for Andrew. Annabel, deep in thought, mused about Andrew's intentions. "It's silly of me to think that I would stay in this house without getting into trouble," she blurted out, her hand instinctively meeting her forehead in a display of frustration.
Andrew's mother raised an eyebrow, a stern expression on her face. "Andrew, we need to talk," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. Andrew's earlier amusement quickly turned into apprehension as they headed to a more private space for the impending conversation. In the secluded space, Andrew's mother fixed him with a piercing gaze. "I hope you have a reasonable explanation for what I just witnessed," she stated, her voice firm. Andrew shifted uncomfortably, attempting to choose his words carefully. "It's just a misunderstanding, Mom. Annabel and I were discussing her new schedule, and things got a bit... intense," he explained, avoiding direct eye contact. His mother's expression remained unyielding. "Intense? That didn't look like a professional discussion to me," she remarked, crossing her arms. "I hope you're not taking advantage of your position, Andrew." Andrew sighed, realizing the gravity of the situation. "No, Mom, it's not like that. I just wanted to
Meanwhile, outside Andrew’s room, Annabel leaned against the hallway wall, nursing her wounded hand. The sting of the cut was a tangible reminder of the unexpected turn of events. She replayed the scene in her mind, from Mrs. Torres’ stern warning to Andrew’s impulsive reaction. In the sprawling cotton field, Annabel caught sight of Andrew approaching, and a sudden surge of discomfort prompted her to seek refuge amidst the cotton plants, concealing herself from his view. Andrew, oblivious to her evasive maneuver, continued walking until he stood in the midst of the cotton, his eyes scanning the surroundings. “Annabel?” Andrew called out, his brow furrowing in confusion. He trailed his hand through his hair, a gesture of mild frustration. “Where could she be?” Hidden in the cotton, Annabel observed Andrew’s perplexed demeanor and wondered about his persistent attempts to be near her. A fleeting thought crossed her mind – could Andrew be in love with her? She quickly dismissed t
Albert’s keen gaze remained fixed on Andrew, waiting for an explanation. Andrew, struggling to find the right words, stammered, “Uh, I… I was just checking on Annabel. You know, making sure everything’s okay.” Albert raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident in his tone. “Checking on Annabel? Why all of a sudden? Is there something you’re not telling me?” Andrew hesitated, a mix of guilt and uncertainty crossing his features. “It’s just… things have been a bit complicated lately, and I thought I should see how she’s doing,” he finally admitted. Albert, though intrigued, couldn’t shake the feeling that Andrew wasn’t revealing the whole story. “Complicated? What’s going on, Andrew? Why the sudden concern for Annabel?” The air in the corridor grew tense as Andrew’s frown deepened, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Albert’s barrage of questions had struck a nerve, and Andrew decided it was time to turn the tables on his curious brother. “Albert,” Andrew began, his voice car
Mrs. Torres, perceiving Annabel's evident confusion, addressed her with a blend of concern and curiosity. "Annabel, why do you seem so lost?" Mrs. Torres inquired, her attentive eyes focused on Annabel's troubled expression, sensing there was more beneath the surface. Caught off guard, Annabel met Mrs. Torres's gaze and took a moment before offering a glimpse into her internal turmoil. "It's just... I was thinking about your request," Annabel admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of nervousness as she tried to articulate the complexity of her thoughts. Mrs. Torres, expecting a more elaborate response, raised an eyebrow, prompting Annabel to delve deeper into her contemplation. "What about my request has you so preoccupied?" Mrs. Torres pressed further, her tone firm yet encouraging, urging Annabel to open up. With a sigh, Annabel felt compelled to be honest. "Mrs. Torres, the thing is, I don't have a husband," she confessed, her words carrying the weight of potential c
It has been precisely seven days since Annabel received the unusual request from Mrs. Torres to extend an invitation to her husband, a directive instigated by Mrs. Torres's concern for her sons, Albert and Andrew. The underlying motive was to serve as a deterrent, preventing any potential romantic entanglements between the aforementioned sons and Annabel. In the seclusion of his study, Andrew, immersed in his thoughts, couldn't help but vocalize his desire for Annabel. "I want her to be mine," he uttered, grappling with his emotions while nervously biting his lip. Despite the intense yearning for Annabel and the allure of her touch, Andrew realized the necessity of maintaining self-control. He understood that any hint of impropriety could lead to suspicion and, subsequently, his mother dismissing Annabel from her position. Caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, Annabel found herself walking along the mansion's passageways when she unintentionally eavesdropped on Mrs. Tor