THE WIFE WHO WAITED

CHAPTER 001

Shattered Promises

Ana’s Point of View

It was a more weighty morning than usual. The air of the waiting hall was as stuffy as the prison walls she had left behind her. Ana was sitting on the wooden chair, her knees bouncing, her fingers clenched together to the point of her knuckles being white.

The day was to be today. Three years of silence. Three years of shame. Three years of holding on to hope, which seemed too thin to grasp. She had re-enacted this scene in her mind so many times that it was almost a prayer.

Chase would be waiting on her. He would be holding roses. His features would be softened, and his eyes would make her think of the man she used to believe in. She said to herself that she had been through it all this moment.

Her lips were moving as she whispered to herself. “Today is the day. ”She startled at the sound of the voice of the warden.

“Mrs. Ana!” Ana sat up so quickly that her chair squeaked on the floor. Her heart was like a wing struggling to get out of a cage. She touched her hair and smoothed it. She had bathed herself that morning, brushed her hair, and smeared on a little makeup, which one of the kinder guards had smuggled to her.

It was ridiculous, yet she had to look good. Chase would notice. He would see she had waited. He would find she had not betrayed, had not lost the faith, and had not spoken. She had borne the burden all by herself, even when it was nearly choking her.

The warden approached her with a brown envelope. She did not meet Ana’s eyes. There was something in the manner of her downward gaze that gave Ana a little shiver of discomfort.

Ana picked up the envelope, and her heartbeat increased. It had to be from Chase. Maybe a note. Maybe a photo. Maybe something to hold on to. Her hands tore the paper open. Paper fell off and rolled on the ground.

She bent down to pick them up, her eyes falling down the lines. Divorce papers. Her breath caught. The letters were indistinct as she wept. But that was not all that was in it. Under the forms was a card of ivory, polished and costly.

She received it with shaking hands. It was a wedding invitation. Chase Grayson and Lia Cruz. Her mind stuttered. "No, no, this is not the thing," she said to herself, Lia. Her younger sister. Her blood. Her knees almost gave way as her eyes followed the names up and down. It had to be some mistake. It had to be some cruel trick. Chase was marrying Lia? No, this could not be real.

The voice of a guard woke her. “ Ana, you’re free to go.” The words fell flat. Free? She felt anything but free. Her heart ached; her heartbeat rose as she clenched the papers. They handed her a small bag with the things she had packed away when she was sentenced.

She clung to it unconsciously and drove. Her legs took her to the gates. Towards daylight. Her eyes sought in vain. He would be there. Chase had to be there. He had promised. He had written letters. He had sent gifts. He had sworn he would change. He had sworn.

But the lot was empty. No, Chase. No flowers. It was just a smooth black SUV, with windows so black she could not see inside. A man stepped out. His suit was keen, and his shoes shined. He wore black sunglasses to cover his face. He was an intentional stroller, like one who is used to obedience. He paused before her and reached out a gloved hand.

“Mrs. Blackwood.” Ana blinked in confusion. “What? No… You’re mistaken. I’m Ana. I’m Mrs. Grayson.” She made a little laugh and waited till he should rectify himself. The man’s hand did not move. His tone was steady. “No, ma’am. Mr. Max has sent me. His second-in-command is Ryan Dren.

My orders are to take you home. ”Her throat tightened. “No. No, you don’t understand. I don’t know who this Max is. I have a husband. His name is Chase. You have come to the wrong man. Ryan’s jaw flexed. “No mistake. You are Mrs. Blackwood now. I am ordered to bring thee to thy husband.

Her chest swelled and sank in short jerks. “That’s insane! I’ve never even heard of him! ” His voice did not waver. “Ma’am, please come with me. ”Ana shook her head wildly. “No! Chase is coming. Any minute now. You will see. He will explain everything. I am not going away with you.

Her arm was caught in the hand of Ryan. His hold was strong and not cruel. Nevertheless, it was sufficient to cause her panic to flare. She pulled hard, twisting. Let me go! She screamed, and her voice broke. “Chase is coming! I know he is!”

Ryan spoke in a low, steady, sharp voice. “Mrs. Blackwood, calm down,” I say, “calm down. The name cut through her as a blade. Mrs. Blackwood. Like her name was stolen. Her chest heaved. Her pulse thundered. But Ryan led her on, opened the door of the SUV, and put her in. The lock clicked. The colored windows isolated her.

The car moved on, and she found herself caught. Ana leant her forehead against the glass, and her hands shook in her lap. His voice was cold, nearly impersonal. “Why is this happening? Who is Max? Why does he think I’m his wife? ”Ryan stared straight ahead. She scrambled up, sore in her legs. “You will understand soon.”His calmness set fire to her panic. She snapped. “I do not want soon! I want answers now!”

But he said nothing more. Her gaze darted to the door. The handle shone in the dim light. She lunged. The SUV lost control when she threw herself on the road. Her knees were on coarse rock. Her chest was raw and her breaths were ragged gasps when she reached the Grayson mansion. She never turned, and voices shouted behind her. She ran. Her lungs screamed. Her legs burned. Still she ran. Only one place remained that could answer her.

Ana bent forward, with blurred eyes. Her eyes lifted. Satin ribbons were hung on the gates. The front entrance was framed with white lilies. Wedding decorations. Visitors in fine clothes came in, rattling glasses and swelling voices. She heard the distant music. The laughter was floating through the open windows.

She spoke with shaking lips. And who was this Max that sold her off? “No. Not like this.” Her gaze was on the flower-draped archway. Beneath it, joy unfolded. Not hers. Her chest tightened. Her body trembled. Her voice cracked. “Why her? Why my sister?

”The words hung in the air like broken glass. Her mind raced. Why did Chase send divorce papers rather than confront her? Why had Lia taken him? And who was this Max who sold her off?

Her nails tore into the papers she was still holding. The eyes of Ana were fixed on the bright lights of the mansion. Music swelled louder. Laughter swept the night. And her heart beat with the worst thought of all. Was it to be released out of one prison and into another?

And should it be so... what cage would be more difficult to get out of?