Chapter 271

Anna’s POV

Steam rose in lazy curls around me as I sank deeper into the marble bathtub, letting the hot water ease the tension from my muscles. The lavender-scented bubbles clung to my skin, a momentary shield against the chaos of recent weeks. I closed my eyes, allowing the quiet luxury of Brown Manor to envelop me like a cocoon.

Three sharp knocks shattered my moment of peace.

"Ms. Shaw?" Rachel's voice carried an unusual edge that instantly set my nerves on alert. "There's a message for you."

I sat up, water sloshing around me. "Can it wait?"

"I... don't think so." The hesitation in her typically confident tone made my stomach tighten.

Wrapping a plush towel around myself, I cracked open the door. Rachel's face was drawn, her usual professional mask slipping to reveal genuine concern as she handed me my phone.

A single text from an unknown number glowed on the screen: "I'm in Room 3303"

My blood turned to ice despite the steam billowing around me. I knew exactly what hotel that room number belonged to, and exactly who would be waiting there.

"Marcus is next door with the children," Rachel whispered. "He hasn't seen the message."

I nodded, grateful for her discretion. My relationship with Marcus had begun after my previous one ended—there had been no overlap, no betrayal. Still, out of respect for Marcus, I'd severed all ties with my past. Or so I'd thought.

My fingers moved swiftly across the screen: "We're done. No need to meet again."

The reply came almost instantly: "Stealing from me and trying to escape?"

The accusation hit me like a punch to the gut. My lungs seemed to forget how to function.

"Ms. Shaw, what does that mean?" Rachel asked, her eyes widening as she glimpsed the screen.

"It means he knows about the children," I whispered, my throat suddenly parched. A new fear blossomed in my chest—not for myself, but for my babies. What if he tried to take them from me?

"Should I call Clayton to handle this?" Rachel suggested.

I shook my head emphatically. "Absolutely not. Clayton is Marcus's man. If he knows, Marcus knows. And I don't want Marcus involved in this."

Rachel's eyebrows shot up. "Clayton works for Marcus?"

"Not just Clayton. Betty too," I replied calmly, though my mind was racing through potential scenarios, none of them good.

"How did you—"

"I didn't at first," I cut her off. "But looking back, it's obvious. Everyone Catherine introduced to me works for Marcus."

My fingers hovered over the keyboard before typing: "Let's meet another time."

"Why not now?" came the immediate reply.

I hardened my resolve. "Either we meet at another time, or not at all."

His response sent chills down my spine: "Now, or face the consequences."

Then, before I could reply: "I'm sure you wouldn't want me to pay you a visit first thing tomorrow morning."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and unmistakable. He knew where I lived, where my children were. My jaw clenched so tight my teeth ached.

"What should we do?" Rachel's voice was barely audible.

I exhaled slowly. "Tell Sean there's an emergency at the Nestling Crest Bay site. I need to handle it personally."

Fifteen minutes later, with my hair still damp and my heart pounding, I found Marcus in the nursery, cradling Sophia in his arms while Benedict slept peacefully in his crib.

"I need to go out for a bit," I said, keeping my voice casual despite the storm raging inside me. "I'll be back soon."

Marcus frowned, instinctively checking his watch. "At this hour?"

His gaze traveled to my damp hair, concern creasing his brow. "Your hair isn't even dry yet."

I crossed the room and placed a gentle kiss on each child's forehead before cupping Marcus's face in my hands and pressing my lips to his. "It's nothing serious, just some situation at the construction site. I'll be right back."

---

The hallway of Sapphire Sky Hotel felt impossibly long as I approached room 3303. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out the soft carpet beneath my heels. I hesitated at the partially open door, acutely aware of Rachel and Sean hovering anxiously behind me.

Drawing a deep breath, I pushed the door wider and stepped inside.

Before Rachel or Sean could follow, the door slammed shut behind me with a finality that made me flinch. I spun around instinctively, only to feel strong arms encircle me from behind.

Pure instinct took over. I drove my stiletto heel down hard, feeling it connect with flesh. The grip loosened immediately as the man hissed in pain.

I lunged for the light switch, flooding the room with harsh fluorescent brightness.

What I saw made me freeze in place, my lungs forgetting how to draw breath.

"You?" I gasped, staring in disbelief at the face I never expected to see again.