Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Tanya stood quietly outside Room 20, one hand holding the small duffel bag she'd packed earlier that morning, the other hovering near the door as she waited.

The night before, she’d barely slept. After leaving the hotel with Colby, her mind had been a whirlwind of worry. Worry for Anna. Worry about what she might wake up to. Worry about how much worse things could’ve been if Henry hadn’t been there.

Earlier, when Henry’s bodyguard informed him that he had picked up a dress just as requested, Henry had simply told him to forget it, he would handle things himself.

Tanya couldn’t shake the thought of Anna waking up confused and depressed. So, the moment dawn broke, she jumped out of bed. She didn't even wait for coffee.

She drove to the nearest boutique, picked out a soft white dress, simple makeup essentials, and everything else she thought Anna might need to look fresh and feel dignified. If anyone saw her leaving the hotel, they’d never guess what had happened the night before.

She called Colby and told him she was fine, that she’d handle it. He offered to come, but she insisted she’d be back shortly.

By the time she got to the hotel, the hallway was quiet. The reporters who’d swarmed the night before had clearly given up.

When the door finally opened, Henry stood on the other side, bare-chested, his expression unreadable.

Tanya stepped inside without a word. Her eyes darted toward the bed, Anna was sitting there, wrapped in sheets. She looked up the moment Tanya entered.

“Tanya, I....” Anna began, her voice soft and uncertain.

Tanya crossed the room quickly and pulled her into a warm hug. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I understand.”

When she pulled back, she saw the bed. The bloodstained sheet. The way Henry looked everywhere but at her. Her jaw tightened slightly.

She didn’t say a word. Just turned to Anna, handed her the bag, and said gently, “Why don’t you freshen up? You’ll feel better once you’ve cleaned up. I brought everything you’ll need to look like a goddess again.”

Anna gave her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,” she whispered, then slipped into the bathroom.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Tanya folded her arms and leaned against the wall, her eyes narrowing at Henry.

He groaned. “Oh, come on. You can’t look at me like that. She’s beautiful and she literally threw herself at me.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Tanya replied coolly.

There was silence for a beat. Then she added, “And in any case… thank you. You helped her last night. I overheard everything—her fiance and cousin set her up. They hired someone to assault her. If you hadn’t been there, it could’ve been so much worse.”

Henry went still.

Tanya’s words didn’t yell or accuse, but they hit harder than if she had.

He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes drifting toward the closed bathroom door. Had what he done been that different?

He pushed the thought away.

“Whatever,” he muttered. “I’m heading out.”

He grabbed his shirt and jacket, pulled them on in silence, and left without another word.

Tanya exhaled, watching the door quietly after it closed.

Thirty minutes later, the bathroom door opened.

Anna stepped out—her makeup light but flawless, her white dress hugging her gently. She looked beautiful, composed… and calm.

Tanya blinked.

She had expected tears. Heartbreak. A breakdown.

But instead, Anna looked… ready.

“You look amazing,” Tanya said with a soft smile.

Anna nodded. “Where’s the man from earlier?”

“Gone,” Tanya said. “That’s Henry. Don’t mind him....he’s complicated.”

Anna gave a little smile and sat at the edge of the bed.

“As for last night,” Tanya began, unsure how to tread.

But Anna cut her off.

“It’s okay,” she said, voice calm. “Really.”

She looked down at her hands. “I was keeping myself for Sam all this time. But… he wasn’t worth it. I guess it’s better it happened with the man who actually saved me.” Her eyes lifted. “He’s my knight in shining armor.”

Tanya’s lips curved upward. “You’re handling this a lot better than I thought.”

Anna stood and took Tanya’s hands gently.

“Thank you,” she said. “I haven’t known you long, but you’ve been more like a sister than anyone else ever has.”

Tanya blinked at the emotion in her voice. Then she grinned. “Oh, come on. What are friends for?”

She took Anna’s arm and led her toward the door.

“Let’s get out of here.”

As soon as they got into Tanya’s car, Tanya reached into her purse, pulled out her phone, and glanced over at Anna with a serious expression.

“There’s something you need to see,” she said.

Anna turned to her, confused.

Tanya opened a video file and hit play.