Hayley was beset with such fear that tears had begun streaming down her face. The consequences of what she had done finally dawned on her as she realized the price she had to pay for her mistakes.
She should have just accepted that boutique and lived out her life in peace. She could have found a man to marry and start a family.
That would be a thousand times better than rotting away in prison!
Anastasia remained expressionless as she
stared at the tortured look on Hayley’s
face.
“Anastasia, can’t you understand me? When Elliot came to me back then, he was so rich and handsome. I had never met such a wealthy man before, so it was only natural that I took your place. You know that I’m scared of living in poverty. My parents heavily favor sons over
daughters, and I’ve never lived a good day in my life,” Hayley cried out as tears continued flowing down her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with anger and hatred.
Anastasia could tell that Hayley was no longer putting on an act. She was truly regretting what she had done, but it was too late now.
“It’s too late for regrets. Everyone needs to pay the price for their mistakes.” Anastasia stood up in distaste as she did not want to look at Hayley any longer.
“Anastasia, please! Ask Elliot to drop the charges against me, won’t you? Please don’t go after me!” Hayley wailed in despair as her hands clenched around the metal grill’s.
“He hates you even more than I do,” Anastasia turned around and added.
Hayley knew that already. Elliot probably hated her enough to kill her with his own hands. She had usurped Anastasia’s identity and enjoyed the luxuries he showered her, along with his care and concern.
Those were the happiest days of Hayley’s life. She was an ordinary woman who led such an ordinary life. Had it not been for this miraculous chance that fell into her
lap, she would never have crossed paths with a man like Elliot.
“Anastasia, if you were in my shoes and Elliot approached you and offered to compensate you with anything you wanted, would you have been able to reject him? I don’t believe that you wouldn’t be swayed by the possibility of having everything you want in life!” Hayley shrieked.
Anastasia paused in her footsteps. She gave this question some serious consideration before turning back to say, “I’m not you. None of our decisions would’ve been the same.”
“You’re lying! If our places were switched, you’d share the same fate as me! Anastasia Tillman, don’t think you’re so high and mighty! You won’t be happy either! Would you be able to hold onto a man as distinguished as Elliot? Some other woman will come along and steal him away from you!” Hayley screamed in fury.
“You won’t ever know how blissful my life will be, and you won’t have the chance to
find out either.”
Anastasia did not want to ever spend another second in Hayley’s presence.
Once she left, Hayley slumped down on the floor. All her energy drained out of her as her face was covered in tears of agony, rage, and regret.
The moment Anastasia stepped out of the detention center, the warm, spring sunlight hit her right in the face, and she took a deep breath. Meanwhile, there was a man waiting for her outside the first car in the parking lot.
He stood tall and proud with an air of refinement. Amid the hustle and bustle of a busy world, he seemed to only have eyes for her. There were such loving and adoring eyes too.
As Anastasia walked toward him, her heart was bursting with sweet and tender joy. She seemed to have a halo around her, and her steps were so light that she practically flew into his arms. He caught her like it was the most natural thing in the world to do.
She looked up at him as his large hand gently caressed her hair. He looked down and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Let’s go home!” Anastasia had avenged herself. This was only the start of Hayley’s downfall. She would be paying the price for her deplorable actions for the rest of her life.
There was no reason for Anastasia to continue wasting her energy on hating a woman like that. Instead, the rest of her life would be spent showering Elliot and Jared with love, along with her family members as well.
Elliot drove her back, and along the way.
they passed by a flower shop. He stopped
the car and went in.
Anastasia watched him from the window. A man like him would stand out among the crowd no matter where he went!
She saw the ladies in the flower shop. greeting him enthusiastically and covering their mouths in amazement behind his back. They probably never thought that they would see a man as breathtaking as him so early in the morning.
Meanwhile, from her seat in the car. Anastasia gloated gleefully.
