The CEO'S Revenge Bride

Chapter Four

Anna“s Pov

The air in the house felt stifling the moment I stepped inside. It was the place I once called home, the same walls that had witnessed the happiest moments of my life.

It was cold. And it wasn't just Charles' fault. Mia sat beside him on the couch, her perfectly manicured fingers resting lightly on his arm. As if she had a right to be near my home, my daughter. Her smug look made me want to vomit, but I swallowed it. I am not here for her. I was here for Jennifer.

I took a deep breath and forced my voice to stay steady. Charles leaned back on the couch, a smirk playing on his lips. Sleeping, he said lazily, as if my daughter wasn't the only thing keeping him sane.

Mia let out a soft laugh and tilted her head to observe me as if I were something pathetic. You didn't mind last night, did you? There was a thick tinge of mockery in her voice. "Where were you, Anna?"

Her words hit a nerve, but I tried not to let her know. I lifted my chin. This is between me and Charles, I said coldly. Mia gasped and put her hand on her chest. Oh, now you're worried about Jennifer.

She turned to Charles with a mocking smile. "Funny, considering she left her daughter here all night doing God knows what. She turned back to me, her eyes glowing with fake sympathy. I don't think I could be mother of the year“, she said. My hands balled into fists. “You don't know anything about me."

Charles finally stood up and looked at me sharply. “Actually, Anna, she's right. His voice was calm, too calm, more frightening than his usual anger. “You left her and ran away. You can't just waltz back in like nothing happened.”

I felt my heart beat faster. “I didn't leave her,“ Charles chuckled. “You keep telling yourself that,“ I stared at him, my hands trembling. “I left because you made it impossible for me to stay. I left because this house, this so-called house, was toxic.“ My voice cracked with emotion, but I did not back down. “But I wasn't going to back down. Not of me, not of Jen. Not about me, not about Jennifer."

Mia sighed exaggeratedly. “You're exaggerating,“ she said. She turned to Charles. You should have custody at this point,” she said. My blood turned to ice. My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear it. What? He didn't look away. “Jennifer there. No.“ The words sounded like a whisper, but the power behind them felt like a scream.

Charles towered over me. “If you try to take her away, I will contest custody. The ground beneath my feet seemed to disappear. Full custody. No, I couldn't do that. Mama, that little voice cut through the storm and made my whole body tense. I turned so fast my vision blurred. Jennifer was standing at the top of the stairs. Her small body was wrapped in pink pajamas, messy brown curls draped over her face.

Her big brown eyes, my eyes, were filled with confusion. Fear. “Jennifer,“ I breathed. She gripped the railing with both hands, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you screaming? Her lower lip quivered. Are you mad at me? My stomach twisted painfully. I shook my head quickly. “No, I’m not. Jennifer’s gaze flickered between me and Charles, her expression clouded with anxiety. “Are you leaving again? I was devastated by those words.

Before I could answer, Charles chuckled behind me. See, even my own daughter knows you are unreliable,” he said, anger burning through my veins.

I turned sharply and raised my voice low. “Shut up, Charles. I turned back to Jennifer and held out my hands. Come here, baby. She hesitated a moment, her eyes on her father. For a moment, I thought she wasn't coming. But then she started running. I took her in my arms and held her so tightly I could feel her little heart beating in my chest. I buried my face in her curls and inhaled the familiar scent of strawberry shampoo.

My voice cracked as I whispered the words, “I missed you, baby.” Jennifer backed away a little and gripped my shirt in her tiny hands. I missed you, too, Mom. Tears welled behind my eyes. Mia sighed loudly behind me. Ugh, I’m so pathetic,” she said. I ignored her. I pulled back to look into Jennifer’s eyes. Do you want to come home with me?” My voice was soft and measured. Jennifer blinked. “But... Daddy says I have to stay here... I choked. Charles smiled. She's comfortable here, Anna. You have to accept that.” Anger and panic swirled inside me.

This wasn't supposed to happen. This can't be happening. I forced myself to calm down as I ran my hand through Jennifer’s curly hair. “Don't you want to go home? Jennifer hesitated. I don't know,” she said. “Oh my God," Mia laughed softly. My whole body shivered. No, no, no, I can't let you take her from me. I stood up with Jennifer in my arms and turned to Charles. My voice was dead quiet. Charles leaned back on the couch, completely unfazed.

I turned on my heel and headed for the door. Jennifer clung to me, her little arms wrapped tightly around my neck. I will not lose her. I would fight with everything I had.