Chapter 17
I clenched my fists, my body trembling “Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a distraction,” James said coldly. “Johan has a future ahead of him, and it doesn’t involve a woman who will only hold him back”
I felt my breath hitch “Hold him back?” My voice shook with anger. Tve supported Johan in everything. I’ve stood by him, and why are you only saying this now? I thought you liked me for him.”
James didn’t flinch. lied.”
My stomach twisted.
“Why would I tell Johan that I didn’t like you?” he continued. “At first, you were acceptable. But then you had your scandal with your stepbrother, and it tainted our family name. Johan didn’t tell you, right? That he kept you safe from the backlash?”
I blinked, confused. “What are you talking about?“);
James exhaled sharply, looking at me as if I were an ignorant child. “Because of your past with Jayson, our company faced a stock crash. Investors pulled out. Clients lost confidence. Johan has spent the past weeks trying to clean up the mess, making sure it doesn’t fall apart completely.”
My heart pounded Johan never told me any of this.
“He didn’t tell you,” James repeated, reading the shock on my face. “Because he didn’t want you to worry. But you should. Because even if he manages to fix the company, he will always be shadowed by you–by the woman who had an affair with her stepbrother.“”
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “It wasn’t an affair”
you
James tilted his head, mockingly “Really? Then tell me, what do you think the public believes?”
I swallowed hard, unable to answer
“That’s exactly why it was Jack who was chosen as CEO first. It wasn’t just because of his seniority. It was because we didn’t want connected to our family. But then Jack ruined himself, and now we have no choice but to make Johan the heir.
His cold eyes darkened further. “But even now, the investors don’t trust us, You have to realize that Johan’s name is being dragged down because of you
I gritted my teeth “That’s not fair“.
“Fair?” James let out a humorless laugh. “Was it fair that my son had to bury your past with Jayson just to keep you from being tom apart by the media? Was it fair that Johan–who worked his entire life to prove himself–now has to beg for the respect of people who once believed in him?
My nails dug into my palms. “I love him.”
James shook his head. “Love is not enough”
“It is to us.
His jaw tightened. “You’re just like Yanna. A gold digger.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “How dare you-“!!
“You started as a pretend couple,” he cut me off. “So why should I believe this isn’t just another scheme? I know because I had it investigated ever since the affair with your stepbrother That the baby is even his?”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “This baby is Johan’s.
James didn’t react. He didn’t care.
“All I care about is my son,” he said. “And if you love Johan as much as you claim, you’ll walk away before you ruin him completely.” Silence stretched between us, suffocating
Then he stood up. “This is your final warning, Anastacia. Stay away from Johan, or I will make sure you regret staying.“)
I watched as he walked out, the weight of his words crushing down on me
I
For the next few days, I tried to act normal. I told Johan I was just tired, brushing off his concerns. But inside, my mind was spiraling & James‘ words replayed over and over in my head.
I wanted to believe Johan didn’t hide anything from me, but doubts started creeping in.
Then, late one night, I heard him talking in his study. I wasn’t planning on eavesdropping, but something about the urgency in his voice made me pause!
“She can’t know about this,” Johan was saying. 1 Anastacia finds out, she’ll blame herself.”
My breath caught
“Another article?” Johan sounded furious. “Bury it. Pay the media off again. I don’t care how much it costs. No one can see it.”H
I pressed a hand to my mouth
“They’re still talking about Jayson? After everything?” he hissed. “Make it stop. I don’t care what it takes.
I felt the world tilt beneath my feet. Johan had been the one protecting me. He had been the one making sure I didn’t have to face the backlash. He had been paying off the media, shielding me from the consequences of my past⠀
And it didn’t stop there
“Also, Johan continued. “Make sure Anastacia never finds out I’m the one keeping her family’s company afloat“:
My heart stopped.
“No one wants to trust them after what happened. But I can’t let them fail. Not when she’s still tied to them.“)
I staggered back, hands trembling
All this time, I thought things were finally settling. That Johan and I were building something real
But the truth was, I was a burden. His father was night
And so, with my hands shaking. I picked up my phone and dialed James Smith’s number.!!
The moment he answered, I whispered the words I never thought I’d say.
Til take your offer“)
