After dinner, they all moved to the living room.
Mildred, Tom, and Mrs. Yang gathered around the table, playing Monopoly.
"Anna, why don't you join us?" Mildred invited. "Do you know how to play?"
"I've played once… but that was a long time ago. I don't really remember the rules," Anna admitted.
"Come on, join us. Maybe you'll remember," Mildred encouraged.
Anna hesitated. "No, I… ugh," she shook her head lightly. "I'll just observe for now."
"Alright then," Mildred smiled and returned to the game.
Janeth entered from the dining room, followed by a maid carrying a tray with a ceramic kettle and a cup.
"Have a drink," Janeth offered warmly.
"No, thanks," Anna said politely.
"Are you sure? It's good for your body," the maid added as she gently placed the cup in front of her.
Anna forced a small smile and took a sip.
The bitter taste hit her immediately.
Her stomach twisted. She wanted to spit it out—but she couldn't. Not here. Not in front of them.
She swallowed it, forcing a smile at Janeth, even though her throat protested.
She turned her attention back to the game, trying to distract herself.
Anna found herself watching Tom.
He looked calm… gentle… attentive. The way he treated Mildred was soft and caring. He even offered her a cup of tea.
Mildred only shook her head and smiled.
Anna felt something she couldn't quite explain.
Then suddenly—
Tom looked up.
Their eyes met.
Anna froze.
Quickly, she looked away and, out of panic, grabbed her cup and took another sip—
Only to realize too late—
It was still hot.
Her eyes widened.
The heat burned her tongue instantly.
She wanted to spit it out, to scream—but she couldn't. Not in front of everyone.
So she swallowed it.
Her face turned red. Her eyes watered. Even her ears flushed from the heat.
She bit her lip, holding everything in.
Janeth noticed immediately.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
Anna nodded quickly, forcing a smile despite the pain.
"I'm fine," she said, her voice slightly strained. "I didn't realize the tea was still hot."
Janeth almost laughed but stopped herself.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry," she said.
She turned to the maid. "Beng, please get her a glass of water."
"Yes, ma'am."
A few minutes later, Beng returned with a glass of water.
"Thank you," Anna said softly.
She drank it quickly, relief washing over her as the coolness eased the burning sensation.
But her heart… was still racing.
And she didn't know if it was because of the tea—or because of Tom.
CHAIRMAN YANG'S POV
"She came… I thought she wouldn't," Marvin said, his voice filled with surprise.
"That's what I thought too," Chairman Yang replied, his eyes distant.
"So… she made her choice?" Marvin asked carefully.
Chairman Yang shook his head. "No. Not yet. I know her. She's not someone who decides easily." He paused. "She's stubborn… stronger than she looks. She only came because she had no choice."
Marvin's expression darkened. "Pa… is there another way to fix that contract?"
Chairman Yang's face turned serious.
"Did you see his reaction?" Marvin continued. "He doesn't like her. If we push this contract… either your grandson or the company will suffer."
His voice softened, almost pleading.
"He came today, Pa. Don't lose that chance… that might be the only light left for both of you. For God's sake… it's time to reconcile with him. Don't let this pass."
Chairman Yang closed his eyes for a moment and sighed deeply.
"So… are you going to tell him about the contract?" Marvin asked.
"No," Chairman Yang answered firmly. "Not yet."
"Then when?"
"There will be a time," he said quietly. "Sooner or later, I'll tell him… when the time is right."
He looked straight ahead, his expression unreadable.
"I will stick to my plan. No matter what happens."
Marvin's jaw tightened. "You might lose him forever."
Chairman Yang didn't respond immediately.
"But this is the only way to save the company," he finally said. "First… he has to marry Anna."
"That's not going to happen," Marvin said bluntly.
Silence filled the room.
A few minutes later, they returned to the living room.
"Anna," Chairman Yang called gently. "It's getting late. Do you have classes tomorrow?"
"No, Mr—" Anna stopped.
Chairman Yang cleared his throat.
"No… Lolo. But I still have something to do," she corrected herself.
"Alright," he said. "I'll ask David to send you home."
"Anna, why don't you come with us?" Mildred offered. "Tom and I are leaving too."
"Yes, dear," Mrs. Yang added. "Why don't you send her, Tom?"
Tom hesitated. "Alright… no problem," he said awkwardly. "If it's okay with Chairman Yang."
"Of course it is," Marvin answered.
Tom glanced at his father, but Chairman Yang remained silent.
"Alright… let's go," Tom said.
Anna said her goodbyes. Mildred hugged and kissed everyone—except Chairman Yang, who had already walked away.
The drive was quiet.
When they arrived—
"Oh… you live here?" Mildred said in surprise as the car stopped in front of Anna's house.
Anna nodded. "Yes."
"Wow," Mildred said, looking around. "This area is expensive. Only rich people can afford houses here… it's very convenient—near everything."
Anna remained silent.
"Have a good night, Anna," Mildred said with a smile.
"Goodbye… and thank you," Anna replied softly.
Tom gave a small wave before driving away.
Anna stood there for a moment.
Alone.
Between two worlds—
One she had always known…
And one that was slowly pulling her in.
The guard greeted her and opened the gate.
Anna walked quietly into the house. The lights were off, and everything was still—everyone had already gone to bed. She gently checked each room, making sure her siblings were asleep, before heading to her own.
She turned on the light, went straight to the bathroom, washed up, and changed into her pajamas.
As she sat on her bed, she picked up her phone.
Missed calls.
Messages.
From her sister.
Anna let out a small sigh. She turned on her mobile data, then—almost without thinking—searched for Tom again.
Moments later, she found his profile.
Thousands of followers.
Perfect photos.
A perfect life.
And almost every post… was about Mildred.
Anna scrolled slowly, her eyes scanning every detail. Every smile. Every caption. Every moment they shared.
Something about it felt… strange.
"It's impossible for him to like me," she whispered to herself. "This marriage… it can't happen. No matter what."
She let out a soft, bitter laugh.
"Poor Anna… choose someone else. Anyone—but not him."
She kept scrolling, more carefully now, making sure not to accidentally react to anything.
But then—
Her thumb slipped.
Double tap.
She froze.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the screen—a half-naked photo of Tom… liked.
"Oh my goodness!"
She immediately sat up in panic, her heart racing.
"Undo it—undo it!"
She tapped again, then—without thinking—blocked him.
Silence filled the room.
Anna stared at her phone for a few seconds before throwing it onto the bed.
She covered her face with both hands.
"What am I doing?" she murmured, her voice filled with embarrassment.
After a moment, she slowly peeked at her phone again.
"…Hopefully he didn't notice that.
TOM'S POV
After sending Anna home, Tom parked his car and headed toward the elevator.
The night felt unusually quiet.
As he stepped inside, his phone suddenly beeped.
A notification.
Instagram.
Someone had liked his photo.
Tom frowned slightly and opened the app—but when he checked, the notification was gone.
No name. No trace.
"Strange…" he muttered.
For a second, Anna's face flashed in his mind.
He shook it off.
"Impossible."
He turned off his phone and slipped it into his pocket as the elevator doors opened.
When he entered his room, the lights were dim.
And then—
Mildred.
She was already there.
Undressing.
"Oh—sorry," Tom said, slightly caught off guard.
Mildred only smiled, confident and teasing.
"Wanna join me?" she asked, walking slowly toward the bathtub.
Tom chuckled under his breath.
Instead of answering, he walked to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a bottle of water, then returned to the bathroom.
The room was filled with soft steam.
He placed the wine beside the tub, poured a glass, and handed it to her.
Then he leaned closer and kissed her forehead gently.
"Damn, lady… you're beautiful," he said.
Mildred smirked. "You're pretty hot yourself."
Tom laughed softly, brushing his lips against her nose and cheeks.
For a moment, everything felt easy.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
But then—
"I didn't hear about her," Mildred said suddenly.
Tom paused.
His hand stilled.
"Who?" he asked, though something in him already knew.
Mildred lifted her gaze, watching his reaction carefully.
"Anna."
Silence.
The air between them shifted.
Something subtle—
but dangerous.