The Billionaire’s Hidden Rose

Chapter 1: Shattered Innocence

Six months pregnant, Anna Blake stood frozen, her hand pressed firmly against her stomach. The pain coursing through her body was undeniable, but it was nothing compared to the sense of betrayal that burned in her chest. Blood, warm and thick, trickled down her legs, staining the floor beneath her. She knew she had to get to the hospital, but something kept her rooted to the spot.

In front of her, Geena Blake stood with a sinister smile plastered across her face, an expression of pure satisfaction, as if she had won some twisted game. Anna could feel her own heart shattering, piece by piece. Geena’s smile was the final blow to a long-standing, painful realization that had been growing in Anna’s heart for months.

“I told you,” Geena sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “Austin belongs to me. Who is going to save you now, you lowlife?”

Anna’s heart pounded in her ears, the pain in her abdomen intensifying with every word. Another wave of anguish hit her like a ton of bricks, and she cried out, clutching her stomach. “Geena… please help me.”

Geena’s lips curled into a mocking smile as she tilted her head, pretending to look thoughtful. “Help you? Why would I help someone I’ve always wanted dead? Mom and Dad belong to me. You have nothing. Even Austin …... your childhood sweetheart …... is mine now.”

Anna felt her knees tremble as the truth began to sink. Geena wasn’t just a rival; she was a predator, and Anna had been her prey for far too long. The only thing that had kept Anna going through all the torment was the belief that she had Austin by her side. But now… now, she was beginning to realize that it was all a lie. All those years of love, trust, and shared memories, nothing more than a cruel joke played on her by the one person she had never expected to betray her.

“You think that bastard you’re carrying belongs to Austin?” Geena’s voice was low, malicious, as she stepped forward, towering over Anna with her high heels. She was cruel in her confidence, as if everything she had done was part of a grand plan.

Anna instinctively curled her body around her belly, as though trying to protect the fragile life growing inside her. The pain was almost unbearable, but the fear in her chest was worse. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Don’t believe me?” Geena taunted. “You grew up with Austin, shared everything with him, and yet you don’t even know what his body is like?”

The words hit Anna like a slap. Geena’s malicious insinuations rattled her to the core. The man she had known her entire life, the one she thought she would marry, was now a stranger to her. The memory of that night when her world had spun out of control came crashing back. She had been so drunk, so lost at the moment, and Austin had always been so kind to her. How could she not have known that he was different from the man she had been with that night? How had she missed it?

“Anna,” Geena laughed bitterly, “you think that the man you slept with that night was Austin? "You’ve been so blind, haven’t you?”

Anna’s stomach lurched. The night she had thought was a mistake, the night that had changed her life forever, was now being twisted into something unrecognizable. Her mind raced, trying to recall every detail. But the more she thought, the more it hurt. The man who had been with her that night had felt different. Taller, broader, more commanding… Nothing like Austin. Yet, she had convinced herself that it was him.

Geena’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “I put something in your wine that night,” she said with a smirk. “I wanted you to experience everything, to fully satisfy your desires.” I even brought in two brawny men to make sure you didn’t feel lonely. But who knew that you’d end up in some wild man’s bed?”

Anna’s world spun. Geena’s words felt like daggers piercing through her heart. She had been used, manipulated, and now her life was ruined because of it.

“I thought you were smarter than this, Anna,” Geena mocked. But then again, you were always the naïve one. Austin was too kind-hearted to tell you the truth. He said it was him that night to spare you the pain. But the truth is, he was never the one who slept with you.”

Anna stumbled back, the ground beneath her feet feeling as though it was giving way. Her head was spinning, and she could barely catch her breath. Geena’s words echoed in her mind, drowning out everything else. Austin had lied to her. He had protected Geena. And in doing so, he had destroyed her.

She couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. “You… you’re lying. Please, you’re lying.”

Geena’s eyes glinted with malice. “Am I? Don’t worry, Anna. It’s over now. You can’t compete with me. I’ve already won.”

Anna’s legs buckled beneath her, and she crumpled to the floor. Her body shook with pain, and the tears flowed freely, but it wasn’t just the physical pain that tore at her soul. It was the devastation of realizing that everything she had believed in, her love for Austin, her future, was a lie.

A part of Anna wanted to scream, to fight back, but the exhaustion, the weight of betrayal, made her feel like a hollow shell. How did her life come to this? How had she let it all slip through her fingers? Her dreams, her innocence, everything she had believed in, it was all shattered in an instant, leaving nothing but raw, unrelenting agony. She had sacrificed so much to please Austin, to prove that she was worthy of him. She had worked tirelessly to get into a good university, abandoning her own dreams to please him and his high-society family. She had given up everything for a life she thought she wanted, but in the end, she had been nothing more than a pawn in Geena’s game.

Anna wiped her tears away and stood shakily, feeling the weight of her broken world. She was alone now, abandoned by the one person she had trusted most.

“You…” Anna’s voice trembled, a mix of disbelief and fury seeping into her words. She couldn’t stop herself any longer. Grabbing Geena’s wrist, she yanked her close, her hand trembling with emotion. “Why would you do this to me? Why?! Haven’t you already harmed me enough?”

For a moment, Geena’s face twisted in anger, her eyes flashing with pure malice. But then, as if a switch had been flipped, her gaze shifted behind Anna. She saw Austin coming toward them, his expression unreadable. Geena immediately softened, her voice turning sugary sweet as she sidled closer to Anna.

“Older sister, I know I was wrong,” she said, her tone shifting to one of fake vulnerability. If you want to yell at someone, then yell at me. Don’t blame Austin. Please, don’t.”

Anna’s heart raced, her chest tight with anxiety. She turned around, her thoughts swirling with confusion, just in time to see Geena suddenly stagger and fall to the ground. The way she crumpled onto the pavement, like a well-rehearsed act, made Anna’s stomach churn.

Before Anna could process what was happening, she heard a scolding voice behind her.

“Anna!” Austin’s voice rang with disbelief. She turned, finding him standing just a few feet away. His expression was cold, his eyes distant, like he was seeing her for the first time.

Anna’s breath hitched in her chest, and her stomach twisted painfully. Austin pushed past her without a second glance, going straight to Geena, who was now lying on the ground, her hand clutching her chest in dramatic distress.

“Geena, are you okay?” Austin asked, his voice full of concern, but his gaze never once met Anna’s.

Geena, her eyes wide with faux innocence, clung to Austin’s arm. “Austin, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I know I’ve been wrong… I’m so sorry for everything. Please forgive me… Please.”

Austin gently patted her shoulder, his eyes finally flicking toward Anna briefly, but coldly. “That’s enough, Geena,” he said, his voice firm but distant. “I’ll take care of everything. I’ll explain everything to Anna.”

Anna felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces, each word Austin spoke like another knife twisting into her chest. His words were like a confession that he was already lost to her, and everything she had believed in was slipping away.

Anna struggled to steady her breath, her thoughts scattered and chaotic. She could barely comprehend what Austin was saying, but his words cut through the fog of pain she was feeling. It was as if the world had slowed to a crawl, each moment dragging out the agony in her chest.

Then, Austin opened his mouth to speak. He told her everything.

He spoke of the time they had spent together as childhood sweethearts. The memories, the innocent moments, and the laughter they shared. He talked about his internal struggles when he fell for Geena, his confusion, his anger when he found out Geena had betrayed her. He described the guilt he carried when he discovered Anna was pregnant, how he had wanted to be there for her, but couldn’t.

“I tried to make it right,” Austin confessed, his voice filled with regret. But when I realized it was Geena I loved, I couldn’t deny it anymore. I’m sorry, Anna. I really am.”

Anna’s heart dropped as he continued. He spoke of his acceptance of Geena’s apology and how, despite everything, he couldn’t bring himself to be with Anna. “It’s not because of the night, or the pregnancy,” Austin continued, his voice softer now, almost as if he were trying to explain away the hurt he had caused. “It’s because of Geena. I can’t let her down. I’ve been with her these last few months. We’ve been together overseas, and it’s… it’s been hard to separate from her.”

Anna felt the world spin out of control. He was telling her all of this now, but he had already made his choice. He had chosen Geena over her, over everything they had once been. Austin’s guilt was palpable, but it wasn’t enough to erase the betrayal.

“Anna,” Austin continued, “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But after you told me you were pregnant, I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I had to explain everything to Geena’s parents. I had to make things right with her.”

Anna’s breath hitched in her throat. “So, you knew all along?” Her voice shook with emotion. You knew Geena was the one who set me up that night and ruined my life… and yet, you protected her. You told me it was you, that night… to protect her. She’s finally destroyed everything, Austin, everything!”