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ANNIE'S POV
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The last snow of winter fell.
The sun started shining with a new ambition, to brighten the day and bring warmth to all who had almost frozen through the harsh season.
As the ice melted away, so did the old America.

March marked the beginning of a new phase in the world. A lot happened within two months.
The war between WSG and Dark Shadows(the ultimate organization made of Black Blood and Shadows) lasted for an entire month and a half.

That was enough time to conquer all of the United States and tear it from under the wings of the WSG government.

That was enough time, for all my memories to come back. Enough time for a loved one to disappear completely from the face of the earth without a trace.
I had regained something important, but I ended up losing someone far more important than any amount of fame or power.

This, this is what I wanted.
This is the dream my dad had.

But, I had achieved all of it with the help of the one person who was missing from the picture. There was no pride or joy in the achievement even though all the prominent figures in the US now knew and would bow to the name...Annie Raynatt.

The president himself had personally requested a treaty while also surrendering under me for the sake of the country's peace.
I was no monster.
The only condition was for them to cut all ties with WSG and for all known, and unknown, spies to be deported from the country or it'd be death.
This included ministers, CIA agents, local officers, and even, the president's advisor herself.

"...Canada requested for some time to think about the request."

"Bloody bastards! Haven't they always been high and mighty, looking down on us? Why are they hesitating right now? We've craved true freedom for decades."

My advisors continued debating on the revolutionary plan of clearing the whole of America from the rule of WSG.
I did not care about what the light government did after gaining their freedom as long as they didn't interfere with my grand vengeance.
Because of WSG, I had lost my dad, and now Jack was gone.

They owed me a lot. Not forgetting what Zack did to me that cursed night.
Just like Jack, Zack had also vanished. Not even the advanced facial recognition could trace him.
It had been weeks of excruciating emotional torture.

How could they disappear so easily?

After the war, the enmity between me and WSG had been established in a clear line. We stood on different sides of life.
They wanted to stay in control over all light governments and fill their pockets as well as rule the people. But I wanted freedom and a light government ran by justice.
Shouldering the burden of both my men and the common people around us, I had bravely held my ground against the enemy.

What they feared was no longer being exposed. My weapons terrified them.
And now that I had control over the former Shadows, my power was growing tremendously.

"Set up a meeting. I'll meet their president in person," I spoke up suddenly, grabbing the attention of all the men and women on the oval table.
Their eyes bounced from one another and finally on me. Their stares were full of shock, as if my words had been slaps to their noisy mouths.

"But Boss, the-"

"Do as I say. This matter needs to be dealt with. We cannot afford to have WSG controlling the countries bouldering us," I reminded as I got off the chair.
Matt rushed from behind the chair to stand beside me protectively.

Without any more protests, my cabinet rose and bid me goodbye.
The heavy blanket of fatigue hadn't faded even after two full days of total rest.
I was supposed to visit the hospital, but the emergency cabinet meeting had interrupted my schedule.

"Your appointment is in an hour. Do you wish to head there directly or-"

"Where's Paul?" I asked as we walked out of the room.

"He went to visit Patricia according to your instructions."

"Argh! I had forgotten about that. Is there any problem with her baby?"

"No Boss. But the mother's condition is only getting worse."

My chest clenched to the news. As much as I hated Pattie with every fiber of my body, the innocent premature baby still needed the warmth of a mother.
Since Jack had valued the child, I couldn't abandon them, especially since all the mental stress Pattie had gone through after Jack went missing had led to the premature birth of Abel.

But there was only so much I could do for her with all the burdening duties now on my shoulders.
I knew the only way to survive the storm of my sorry life was to find the one man who had the brains to be my partner. Jackson Raynatt was the only candidate suitable for being my King.

He had fulfilled his promise of making me Queen. But without him, the throne felt too desolate to claim or sit on.
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