Chapter Eleven: A Ring and a Storm
447 Words
The ring sparkled on Anna’s finger like it had always belonged there. As the news of their engagement remained private—just between them and the boys for now—the outside world grew more chaotic.
Vanessa wasn’t giving up.
She had filed a petition in court, accusing Anna of hiding Liam’s children, emotional manipulation, and claiming the twins deserved to be raised in a stable, affluent environment—without a mother who had lied about their father.
Liam’s legal team worked tirelessly, but the media painted conflicting headlines—some sympathetic, others venomous.
Through it all, Liam stood firm, his arm around Anna, unwavering in his resolve.
But Anna… her fears kept creeping in. Not for herself, but for her boys.
She watched as Ethan began to shy away from going to the park. How Evan clung to her leg when strangers passed by. The noise. The stares. The flashes of cameras.
She sat one evening by the twins’ bedroom, listening to their quiet breathing, while Liam paced in the living room, speaking on the phone with his lawyer.
Anna’s heart sank.
Was love enough? Was this what their life would be now—battles in courtrooms and front-page accusations?
Later, Liam joined her. “The hearing is set for next week.”
She nodded quietly. “Do you think we’ll win?”
Liam crouched before her, eyes fierce with certainty. “She’s using publicity. We have truth. You raised those boys with nothing but love. That’s more powerful than any lie she can throw.”
Anna leaned into him, needing the strength in his arms. “I just want to protect them.”
“And you will. We will.”
Then, Liam pulled something from his pocket.
A folded envelope.
“What’s that?” she asked.
He handed it to her. “My mother’s letter.”
Anna blinked. “Your mother?”
Liam nodded. “She passed when I was a teenager. She left letters for every milestone. This one… was for when I fell in love.”
Tears pricked Anna’s eyes as she opened it and read:
> “When you find her, don’t let the world get in the way. Love is rare. Real love even more so. Fight for it, even when it scares you. Especially when it scares you.”
Anna looked up, trembling. “She would’ve loved them… wouldn’t she?”
“She would’ve adored them,” Liam whispered. “And you.”
They sat like that for a long time, hearts entwined, fears shared, and hope slowly blooming.
But outside their warm cocoon, a storm was still gathering.
Vanessa wasn’t finished—and her next move would shake everything.
- Writer
