************************
ANNIE'S POV
************************

My legs were almost failing like the rest of my body.
No. I had to keep it together till I was out of the building. I had to control my emotions for my body now sheltered another life.
I had read about a mother's emotions affecting an unborn, just like in Pattie's case. Luke had also cautioned me against stress.

But gawd!
It was so difficult to hide the ache in my heart behind a beaming smile just to appear organized in front of my subordinates.

Luke's car was awaiting me at the front parking lot. The passenger door was open, and his bodyguard standing behind it, holding it for me.
He bowed as I slid inside before shutting it.
The closed-door immediately isolated me from the outside world, leaving a ringing in my ears.

"Why have you-"

"You can cry," Luke said softly from the backseat.

"Why do you think I want to cry?"

A sigh came from behind me, followed by a little ruffling of fabric as he presumably sat up. "Have you forgotten that we are monitoring your emotions? I didn't want to make a scene in there."

My hands balled up on my lap. How did Luke always manage to figure out what was happening to me?
"I'm fine," I whispered lowering my head.

"Suit yourself!" He dismissed me and the ruffle sound filled the car once more. "You can go back once you're calm."
That was all he said, before offering me some quiet time to myself.
After knowing him for a while, I could easily tell that he was concerned about me but didn't want to pity me.
I despised pity.

One minute.
Two minutes.
Five minutes.

I shed silent tears for four minutes but managed to settle my emotions by the fifth minute.
When I glanced up at the rearview mirror, I caught the sight of Luke who seemed fast asleep. But judging his breathing and his eyes, my sixth sense could tell he wasn't asleep at all. He just didn't want me to bother talking if I didn't want to.

I smiled.

Yes, I had lost Daisy and Paul had changed, but I had gained a genuine friend like Luke. As far as I could tell, he didn't have a reason to ever betray me. Besides, he had sworn full loyalty to me. That was why he didn't seem to like Jack that much.
And now that I had experienced such a disgusting and cold incident, I could see why Luke was putting up a wall against him.

"He has changed, a lot."

Luke opened his left eye and gazed up to meet my reflection.
"You should stay away from him till we understand what is wrong with both him and his brother. And these women they've showed up with, have you investigated them?"

I nodded and casually threw my eyes outside.
The sun was bright as ever, pouring its heat down on a world that didn't deserve any warmth.
"Why do good people end up being hurt so much?"

Luke sighed aloud.
"Because the world has never been fair. That is why people like you exist to balance the negativity. I know you're a good person. But I also know that you're not one to be beaten down by any man. You're the strongest woman I've met and know.

"Heart made of flesh, but a spirit made of steel. This world is yours to take Annie. This is the legacy you're creating for your future generation. Your name will go down in the underworld's history."

His praise was too much for me.
I could feel he meant every word coming out of his mouth. Could feel the faith and hope he had in me.

For some reason, that was enough to mend my broken spirit and glue my shuttered heart.
I turned to face the man lying lazily on the backseats, but he had once more, closed both his eyes. With a smile on my face, I reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Thank you," I muttered.

****************************
****************************

My breathing was smooth, blending effortlessly with the silence and the darkness surrounding me.
The luminous clock on the east wall indicated that it was already six minutes past midnight.

And yet, Jack wasn't back.

From what I had gathered, he had left the office in the company of Lilith but they parted ways at some random restaurant.
His whereabouts from that point remained private for I didn't want to follow him like he was a target. I just had to know where he had taken Lilith and how much time they had spent together.
I was jealous.
Angry.
Full of spite.
I wanted to beat the shit out of him.
But...I was to avoid violence for the sake of my health.

A click rang through the air as the door was unlocked.
Light footsteps followed as his silhouetted frame made its way inside the dark room. The rectangle of light falling on the floor from the hallway illuminated his path straight to the bed, but he instead chose to close the door, leaving him in the same darkness comforting me.
He walked closer to the balcony door which was allowing some moonlight in the room and placed a hand on the glass.

My jaw clenched from the fury boiling inside me. How could he act so relaxed after what he had done to me?
Bloody bastard!

Oblivious of my presence lurking in the dark corner, Jack stepped out of his shoes, and within a minute, he was undressed, leaving only his boxers. But they followed the pile of clothes at his feet.

My whole body tensed, electric zaps shot under my skin at the glorious view of Jack's naked body bathing in the weak moonlight.
He looked so...perfect, sexy, beautiful, charming.
My mind was momentarily fogged by his body, but my fierce side slapped me back to reality.
No matter how delicious he looked, he had treated me so badly during the day. He had to apologize and explain himself.

"Does it look good?" He asked, still staring outside.

I quickly held my breath, my eyes whipping around for whoever he was talking to.
But he answered my unasked question when he turned his body to face my direction.
Gawd!
That cock.
It was lifeless, yet still sent warmth inside my vagina in just one glance.
"How long have you been sitting there?"

'Shit! He's talking to me.' I panicked for a moment.