ANNA POV
I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as I listened to Ace's words. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. After everything we had just shared, after the vulnerability and intimacy we had experienced together, he was still insisting on pushing me away. Denied me like I was nothing.
"It was a nice gift tonight, so that's why I helped you clean up. Don't think otherwise, okay?" His casual tone, his dismissive language, it all felt like a slap in the face. I couldn't help but wonder if I had been wrong again. Had I misread the situation entirely? Had I foolishly believed that Ace was starting to feel something for me, when in reality he was just using me for his own gratification?.
The pain and confusion swirled inside me, making me feel like I was drowning in a sea of emotions. I didn't know how to process what I was feeling, or how to react to Ace's hurtful words. As I lay in bed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness and despair. I felt like I was nothing more than a plaything to Ace, a mere object for him to use and discard at his whim.
The tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Ace the satisfaction of seeing me cry, of knowing that he had hurt me so deeply. Instead, I turned my back to him and pretended to sleep, all the while seething with anger and hurt.
How could he be so cruel? How could he so callously dismiss the connection we had shared? As the night wore on, my mind raced with thoughts and emotions. I couldn't understand why Ace was so determined to push me away, why he couldn't see the good in our relationship.i know it was a force relationship but still I had hoped just a little.
I thought back to all the times he had hurt me, all the times he had made me feel small and insignificant. And yet, despite all of that, I had still held onto hope. Hope that he would change, hope that he would see me for who I truly was. But now, as I lay in bed and listened to his steady breathing, I realized that I had been wrong.
I had been wrong to think that he would ever change, wrong to believe that he would ever truly care for me. The thought was a hard pill to swallow, but I knew that I had to face the truth. I couldn't keep holding onto false hope, couldn't keep deluding myself into thinking that Ace would ever be mine. He was right about what her said and I have to just face it right.
As the night wore on, my tears finally fell, silent and slow. I cried for the loss of my dreams, for the death of my hope. But something inside me knew that I still wanted his love but I know that I would never get it but his still my husband .
As I drifted off to sleep, I was haunted by thoughts of what could have been. What if Ace had loved me the way I loved him? What if he had been kind and gentle, instead of cruel and heartless? What if he had seen me as a partner, instead of a possession?
But as the sun rose the next morning, I pushed those thoughts aside. I got out of bed and began to get ready for the day. Ace was already up and out for a run, leaving me alone in the house.
As I made myself a cup of coffee, my phone buzzed with a text from Emily, an old friend from college who was in town for a visit. "Hey girl, I'm in town for a few days and I'd love to catch up! Are you free to meet up today?"
My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. I hadn't seen Emily in years, and I had missed her so much. But I knew I had to ask Ace first. I couldn't just go out and meet up with a friend without his permission.
I sent him a text, asking if it was okay if I met up with Emily. Because I did not want to ask him in person cause I was still mad at him for what he said last night.
At first, he didn't respond. I knew he was probably still out on his run, but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of anxiety.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he responded. "Fine, but don't be out too late."
I let out a sigh of relief. At least he had agreed. I quickly texted Emily back, telling her that I was free to meet up. We made plans to meet at a coffee shop in the city and somewhere that was close to my house but not too close , and I spent the rest of the morning getting ready.
As I dressed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. It had been so long since I had done something just for myself, something that didn't involve Ace. I was even a little bit surprised he had agreed I felt like I was finally taking back a little control, finally doing something that made me happy.
I put on a bright yellow sundress, one that I knew made me look good. I did my hair and my skincare routine, and grabbed my purse. I was ready to go.
As I walked out the door, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in months. No bodyguards this time cause I told Ace I didn't see a need for one since it was close by to the house and he just said yes, like it was non of his business. I was finally doing something for myself, something that didn't involve Ace.
The coffee shop was bustling with activity when I arrived. I spotted Emily sitting at a table by the window, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw her smile.
We hugged each other tightly, both of us tears of joy. It had been so long since we had seen each other, and it felt like no time had passed at all.
We spent the next few hours catching up, talking about everything and nothing. We laughed and joked, and I felt like I was finally myself again.
For the first time in months, I felt like I was living. I felt like I was finally free.
As we finished up our coffee, Emily asked me about Ace. "How's he doing?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Emily was at the wedding, and she also knew it was an arranged marriage between me and Ace .
I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. I didn't want to lie to her, but I didn't want to tell her the truth either. "He's fine," I said finally. "He's just been really busy with work."
Emily nodded, but I could tell she didn't believe me. She knew me too well, knew that I wasn't telling her the truth.
As we parted ways, Emily hugged me tightly. "I'm here for you," she said. "No matter what."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. I knew that I could always count on her, no matter what.
I may be wrong about Ace but I was very sure that she meant everything she had said and a part of me was glad .
********A/N *********
Thank you all for reading my book, please I hope you do comment and vote, 💕💕💕❤thanks❤❤
Sorry this chapter is a little bit short.
byee ❤