Chapter 55 His Suspicion
Anna’s POV
Pain. That was the first thing I felt when I woke up. Sharp. Pulsing. Alive.
It throbbed at the side of my head like something had split me open and stitched me back badly.
I groaned softly, my eyes fluttering open.
Darkness and dust.
Cold concrete beneath me.
It took a few seconds before my vision adjusted—and when it did, everything came rushing back.
The fall. The voice. The shovel.
My breath hitched. I tried to move— But I couldn’t.
My wrists were tied behind me. My ankles bound tightly together.
I sucked in a breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
Think. I lifted my head slightly, scanning the space around me.
Same industrial building. Same eerie silence. No one in sight.
My heart began to pound. Whoever hit me… Zack’s men. It had to be.
I didn’t see his face, but the voice—the tone—he wasn’t one of Xavier’s. Which meant one thing.
If they came back… I might not walk out alive.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the fear clawing at my throat. No. Panic wouldn’t save me.
Action would. I shifted slightly, ignoring the pain in my head, testing the ropes.
Tight. But not impossible.
I exhaled slowly. This was what I was trained for.
Slowly, carefully, I twisted my wrists, creating just enough friction, just enough movement. The rope scraped against my skin, burning, biting—but I didn’t stop.
Pain was nothing. Time was everything.
Seconds passed. Then minutes. And finally— My wrist slipped free.
I didn’t waste a second.
I untied my ankles quickly, pushing myself up, my body swaying slightly as dizziness hit me.
I steadied myself against the wall.
I stepped forward quietly, each movement controlled, deliberate.
I moved through the building like a shadow, sticking close to walls, listening before every turn.
Then— I slipped out. And froze.
Outside, a few trucks were parked carelessly.
Men stood around them. Laughing and talking
My eyes narrowed slightly. Zack’s men.
Definitely. I stepped back into the shadows instinctively, my heart beating slower now, more controlled.
I needed to get out. Without being seen. Without making noise.
I took another careful step, then— I heard a clap. The sound echoed behind me.
My entire body went still. My breath caught.
I turned. And my heart skipped violently. It was Xavier. Standing there. Clapping.
A smile playing on his lips like he was watching a performance.
Shock hit me hard. “What—”
I couldn’t even finish the sentence. He looked amused. Too amused. “I knew there was more to you than meets the eye,” he said calmly.
My mind raced instantly. “I can explain—”
“Quiet.” The word sliced through the air.
I shut my mouth immediately.
He stepped closer. “When the driver told me how you got out of the car,” he continued, “I almost didn’t believe him.”
My stomach dropped.
“I decided to test it myself,” he added, tilting his head slightly. “Tie you up. See what you’d do.”
His smile deepened. “And you didn’t disappoint.”
My heart started pounding harder now. This wasn’t good. Not good at all.
I swallowed. “Were you the one who hit me?” I asked carefully.
He shook his head. Almost casually. “Oh no,” he said. “That wasn’t me.”
A pause. “That was one of Zack’s men.”
My brows furrowed slightly.
“I was the one who rescued you before they could take you.”
Rescued. The word didn’t sit right. Not with the way he was looking at me.Not with the way my instincts were screaming.
I swallowed again. He didn’t give me time to process. “Move,” he said coldly.
The smile was gone now. Completely. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Fear settled deep in my chest. But I didn’t argue. Couldn’t.
I turned and started walking.
The car ride felt heavier than usual. Like the air itself was watching me.
Lucas was already inside. The moment I entered, his eyes locked onto mine. I could see disappointment on his face.
I looked away almost immediately. But one thing caught my attention. The driver, he was still alive.
Relief flickered briefly in my chest. Xavier hadn’t killed him. Yet.
Xavier didn’t get in. He stood outside for a second, then looked at Lucas.
“Take her home,” he ordered. “I have something to check.”
Lucas nodded. “Yes, boss.” The door shut. The car started moving.
I stared out the window, my mind spinning.
Xavier knew. Not everything. But enough.
Lucas broke the silence. “You’re too smart for your own good,” he said. His tone wasn’t soft. It wasn’t angry either. It was… worried.
“And it’s going to get you killed.”
I didn’t look at him. “At least I’m still alive,” I replied quietly.
He exhaled sharply. “Anna… just because Xavier said he’s going to marry you doesn’t mean you’re safe.”
I turned slightly. His eyes were serious. Focused.
“You and I both know he doesn’t love you,” he continued. “Not the way I do.”
I held his gaze for a second. Then looked away. “But he finds me useful,” I said.
Lucas shook his head immediately. “No,” he said firmly. “He doesn’t.”
That made me look at him again. “He finds you mysterious,” Lucas added. “And that’s worse.”
My heart skipped.
“He knows you’re hiding something,” he continued. “And everything you’ve been doing only proves it.”
My fingers curled slightly on my lap.
“If he finds out you are hiding something from him…” Lucas said quietly, “Anna… he’ll kill you without blinking.”
Silence filled the car again. But this time— It felt colder.
The car slowed. Then stopped.
I looked up and saw the mansion.
My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know why.
But suddenly… It didn’t feel like a place I could survive anymore.