"What?" Amelia asked, her voice barely a whisper. "How is that possible?"
"I don't know, but one thing is for sure," said Robert, his eyes still on Anastasia. "You are going to have to transfer everything in my name," he declared.
Anastasia couldn't believe her ears. She felt a deep sadness over her grandparents' deaths. Their bond had been so strong that when her grandmother fell ill, her grandfather's health had also declined from the loneliness he felt while she was in the hospital. Now, both of them were gone.
Her grandparents were the only two people in the family who ever treated her kindly. Whenever they were around, even her parents, Michelle, and her brother Jack would treat her well. They all acted like a perfect family that loved her, never raising their voices at her as long as her grandparents were present.
But since they got sick, her marriage was suddenly arranged with Richard until they were in their current situation.
"I'm not transferring anything," Anastasia said, her tone soft and timid.
Amelia snapped her head towards Ana. "And what's that supposed to mean?" She questioned her.
"It means I'm not transferring anything. Grandma and Grandpa transferred everything they owned in my name because they wanted to and I won't disrespect them by transferring it to your name," she declared, her eyes on her father as he glared at her, gritting his teeth.
"You unfilial child!" He barked, striking her across the cheek just as Michelle had done a moment ago. "I am your father and you have no right to disobey me, do you hear me?" He spat all over her face, grabbing her chin with so much force that she thought he was going to punch her.
Without waiting for her answer, Robert struck her across the cheek the second time. She fell on the floor as her blood painted her lips, her cheeks bleeding.
Michelle smiled, hiding her conflicting emotions. She was overjoyed to see Anastasia being treated like a dog, but a flicker of annoyance lingered. It irked her how things seemed to be going so well for Anastasia that day.
First, she had bribed the staff into swapping their IDs, ensuring she married Xavier, the man she was supposed to be with. And now, their grandparents had died, leaving everything they owned to Anastasia. Michelle was angry at how unfairly things had turned out in her favor.
Robert pulled Anastasia's hair and forced her to stand up. "Are you going to sign the property papers?" He questioned her again and she shook her head.
"No," she mumbled.
This was the first time after a long time since Ana had disobeyed him. He couldn't fathom why she was suddenly disobeying at a time like this. His parents have always been richer than him.
It was their wealth that made their family part of the influential people in their city, Radiantia.
He had always anticipated the day his parents would pass away, imagining the moment the lawyer would call his name, announcing that he had received the majority of their wealth. But the reality was far more cruel. He didn't receive even a percent of their estate; everything was left to his unfilial daughter, Anastasia.
Without further warning, Robert dropped Ana to the ground. He pulled off his belt and whipped it across her body, eliciting a sharp yelp of pain from her.
As if that wasn't enough, he started kicking her all over, intending to inflict unbearable pain on her so that she could choose to sign the papers. But Ana was extremely stubborn at that moment.
Amelia, with her daughter, didn't want Robert to be the only one having the fun so they joined. They loved how they kicked Ana as if she was a soccer ball.
"You think you are stubborn, aren't you? Let's see how much pain you can endure," Robert said.
All of a sudden, they saw blood pool under Anastasia's dress. It was so shocking that they backed away a little.
"Why is she suddenly bleeding?" Michelle asked no one in particular. She looked at Anastasia who had already passed out.
"Call the guards, we need to take her to the hospital. She'd better not die yet when she hasn't signed the property papers."
Robert's bodyguards immediately rushed in when they heard their names being called.
"Take her to the booth of the car, I don't want her dirty blood staining my fancy car seat. We are taking her to the hospital," he ordered and they immediately did as they were instructed.
—
When they arrived at the hospital, Anastasia was immediately rushed in for treatment. Robert followed closely, his face a mask of cold determination.
He grabbed the doctor by the arm, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Listen carefully," he said, his voice low and threatening. "I only need her fingers to be moving. That's all that matters."
The doctor looked at him, conflicted but unable to defy the urgent demand. Reluctantly, he nodded, and Robert stepped back, watching as they wheeled Anastasia away, his mind already calculating his next move.
"When is she going to be awake?" Robert asked as soon as the doctor came out of the hospital room.
"She should be awake in about two hours," he replied. "But why does her body seem like she got beaten up? Did something happen to her?" He asked, wanting to know more about his patient.
"She was robbed and that was how we found her, doc," Robert lied. He couldn't tell the doctor exactly what had happened.
"I hope my sister will be alright," Michelle said, forcing a tear out of her eyes. Amelia hugged her as they sobbed together.
"I see. Well, I'm sorry for the loss of your grandchild because unfortunately, the patient had a miscarriage." The doctor dropped the bomb which had the trio glance at each other in bewilderment.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I heard that well," said Amelia. "Please can you repeat that?" she requested, waiting for the doctor.
"The patient was pregnant and she had lost her baby, she had a miscarriage," the doctor repeated.