Annie was too shocked to say anything. She gaped at Shawn who knelt down still holding the ring.
Christian had promised her a bright future with a lot of kids. She had looked forward to having a beautiful family with him but he crushed those dreams.
"You're the most unique, wonderful, patient and most beautiful lady I've come across. I want a lifetime with you Annie, I want us to have a family together. Please... Please be mine." He requested.
Annie sighed and looked at him.
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes. Yes Shawn, I'll marry you." She smiled.
He stood up with boyish excitement in his eyes. He slid the ring on her finger and drew her into a kiss.
She didn't respond back, she let him dominate the kiss. She didn't really 'like' this guy but she had to marry him because it would definitely please Robert.
He gently pulled away. He smiled warmly at her revealing tiny dimples on his cheeks.
"Thank you so much Annie. I promise to never hurt you." He kissed her hair.
She just faked a smile so just not to give him a wrong impression.
"You've made me the happiest man alive today. Thank you so much." He whispered.
You're welcome." She replied half hearted.
He held her hand and led her out of the garden. Annie's heart was racing. Did she just make a mistake? What if she regretted this? She sighed and walked hand in hand with Shawn out of the garden.
He led her to his car. He opened the door for her to get in, she smiled and got in, thanking him.
He got in the driver's seat and ignited the engine.
"Let me take you home." He smiled at her.
She only nodded.
He began to drive. He glanced at her, she was looking outside the window.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"I hope this didn't come as shock."
Oh well it did. She never wanted anyone else after what Christian did to her but Christine was now dead. What was left of her?
She sniffed and wiped her eyes. Shawn didn't notice this.
"So when do we discuss the wedding?" He asked excited.
"Wedding?" She was absent minded.
He looked at her for a while, she wasn't looking at him. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
"Babe?"
She didn't respond but kept wiping her eyes and looking downwards.
"Babe? Annie?" He called and held her hand.
She snapped her head up.
"Huh?"
"Are you okay Annie. You don't seem to look fine. What's wrong?" He asked concerned.
"I miss my daughter." She said choked and sniffed, her eyes teary.
Shawn twisted his lips and rolled his eyes. Her daughter? She was missing her daughter at a very wrong time.
"Uh... I understand Annie but you must move on. You can't be like this forever." He tried talking her out of it.
She sniffed and looked away, "She was... She was my life, my everything. I still haven't gotten over her death."
"Christian... He was the cause, he is the cause of my daughter... my daughter's..." She put her hands over face and sobbed quietly.
Shawn was irritated. She was ruining such a perfect night just because she was missing someone who wasn't alive anymore.
He twisted his lips, he didn't know what to say.
Annie raised her head and wiped her face with a hanky.
"I'm sorry Shawn. I didn't mean to spoil this night." She whispered in a teary voice.
"It's... It's okay." He tried hiding his irritation.
He arrived at her house and parked in front of it.
Annie alighted, "Thank you so much Shawn . I'm grateful." She smiled sadly.
"Yeah. Sure. Just take care of yourself." He smiled.
She pursed her lips and smiled. She turned around and walked towards her house.
He watched her as she walked to her house and a smile played on his lips. He felt pleased with himself.
"Take that Christian!" He laughed, "She's mine now."
He ignited the engine and drove off.
******
Claudeen sat on the couch lost in her thoughts. How could Charles even think of transferring Christian's property in that bastard's name?
She had warned Christian, she warned him to stay away from that village girl but he didn't listen to her. Now he had gotten himself into a mess and a bastard was the result.
She turned teary remembering his death, "It's all that girl's fault." She sniffed and held her head trying so hard not to cry.
"None of my son's sweat will go to a bastard's name! I won't allow it, I will never allow it!"
She cleaned her face and thought for a while. How was she gonna stop Charles? She knew he was the 'Samaritan' of everyone and he'd definitely do as he has said.
She pursed her lips confused, "What am I gonna do? I shouldn't let this happen. I have to stop him some how." She looked worried.
She suddenly remembered Charles' lawyer.
"Yes he will help me." She grinned and stood up, heading to her room.
******
There was a knock on the door. Annie stood up to get the door.
Mr. Charles Powers was outside.
"May I come in?"
Annie blinked severally, what was he doing here?
"Mr. Powers? What are you doing here?" She asked surprised.
"Shouldn't I come in first?" He asked calmly.
"Oh yeah. Please come in sir." She led him into the parlor.
He looked around and sat down.
"It's good to see the mother of Christian's child." He smiled.
Annie looked away, "I mean no disrespect sir but what do you want from me?"
"Okay. There's no need beating around the bush, let me go straight to the point." He looked at her in the eye.
"You and I both know Christian's dead "
Annie closed her eyes, why did everyone and everything keep reminding her of his death?
"I knew he had a child .. with you but it's unfortunate I never got to see my grand daughter. To be honest I never knew till a few weeks back."
'Would he just get to the point?' Her head screamed.
"Well since Christian is related to your daughter and he's... dead now and there's no way I can take over his properties.. I'm way too old."
Annie looked at him and studied his features, the man in front of her didn't look like someone in his old age. She sighed and pursed her lips.
"All of Christian's property goes to your daughter Annie."
Annie eyes widened, "What? Why?"
"Because Christine is his flesh and blood." He added firmly.
Annie shook her head and pinched herself. How was this possible?
"But... Christine's... She's dead." She looked away, she didn't want him to notice the tears in her eyes.
Charles heaved deeply.
"You're still alive. You ain't dead yet." He raised his left brow.
Annie frowned, "I don't want anything that belongs to Christian!" She sounded grim.
Charles looked at her, he wasn't surprised.
"I understand how you..."
"No you don't understand anything. Christian made me go through hell!"
"It's not what you think Annie."
"I'm sorry sir but I don't want it. You could give it to Christopher not me." She looked away.
Charles frowned. Christopher?