his touch

2

Anna stared at the dress in her hands.

The only times she was ever given the privilege of wearing something new were when Henry had an important event for them to attend. He had never given her a gift without a reason.

Her fingers brushed over the delicate floral patterns on the blue evening gown. Blue had always been her favorite color. He remembered, she thought, and a small smile touched her lips.

After applying a light touch of makeup, she slipped into the gown.

When she descended the stairs, Henry looked up at her and frowned slightly.

“You took forever to get dressed,” he said, extending his hand to her.

Still, there was admiration in his eyes. No matter what she wore, to him she was still his Anna.

“Where are we going at this hour?” Anna asked, looking at him curiously.

He held her gaze for a moment before answering. “We have an important event. As my secretary—and my girlfriend—it’s important that you attend.”

He opened the door of the Maybach for her, and she got in without another word.

They arrived at Helena Heaven, a place famous for its extravagant hall, expensive bar, and wealthy clientele. It was a place reserved for men who enjoyed spending money simply because they could.

Anna sat beside Henry, explaining the details of the contract to the client with a polite smile. But her courtesy was clearly not what interested him.

“We already know enough about the contract,” Mr. Mark said, pouring a glass of wine and sliding it toward her. “Why don’t you spend some time with us instead?”

Anna looked at Henry, hoping he would intervene, but he said nothing. Instead, he gave her a quiet look that told her to drink.

“You’re a very pretty secretary, Miss Anna,” Mr. Mark said, his eyes heavy with desire as he watched her lift the glass.

“I’m nothing special,” Anna replied softly, shifting uncomfortably when she felt his hand brush against her lap.

“Henry, I don’t feel well enough to drink,” she said, hoping he would finally speak up.

But instead of helping her, Henry rose to his feet.

“Anna, I’ll be back. I have something important to take care of.”

And just like that, he left her alone with Mr. Mark, despite seeing the danger in the room.

“Miss Anna,” Mark said, rubbing his hands together, “your boss has business to attend to. How about you keep me company before we sign the contract?”

A chill crawled down her spine.

There was something deeply wrong in the way he looked at her now—less like a businessman, more like a man claiming something he had already paid for.

“Come closer,” he said, standing.

Then he lifted another glass toward her. “Drink. We’re business partners, aren’t we?”

“We are,” she said faintly, though the words felt hollow.

She drank too quickly, and the alcohol hit her harder than before. The room tilted almost at once, her limbs growing heavier, her movements sluggish.

“You know, Miss Anna,” Mark said, stepping closer, “you really are beautiful.”

Before she could react, his hand moved to the wrap draped around her shoulders. He pulled it away in one sharp motion.

Anna’s eyes widened in shock.

Mark held the fabric in his hand, admiring her exposed back with undisguised satisfaction.

“Sorry for being rough,” he said with a smile that made her skin crawl. “I simply wanted to see how my dress looked on you.”

His dress?

Her thoughts stumbled over the words.

This dress had come from Henry… hadn’t it?

“You bought this?” she asked, struggling to steady herself.

“Of course I did,” Mark said, smiling. “I gave it to Henry for you.”

Then he pulled her into a forceful embrace, his hands roaming where they should not.

“Let go of me!” Anna cried, shoving against him as her hands searched blindly across the table for anything she could use to defend herself.

“Henry promised me you’d spend time with me tonight,” Mark said. “He said we could—”

The rest of his sentence was cut short when Anna seized a wine bottle and smashed it against his head.

He staggered back with a cry, clutching his forehead.

Anna turned and tried to run, but the alcohol had weakened her too much. She could only stumble toward the door before Mark grabbed her again.

“Help!” she screamed, fighting against his grip.

His face twisted with rage.

“How dare you hit me?” he shouted.

Before she could move, he struck her with another bottle, sending a burst of pain through her head. Then he slapped her hard across the face.

Anna cried out and tried to kick him, but he caught the movement and reached for the zipper of her gown, dragging it down.

Panic consumed her.

She struggled wildly, but her body was failing her. Just as he began tugging at the fabric of her dress, the door flew open.

Alexander stepped into the room, fury burning in his eyes.

His bodyguards moved immediately, seizing Mark and pinning him down before he could react.

Without a word, Alexander shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around Anna, shielding the parts of her body that had been exposed. Then he lifted her into his arms.

“Bring him,” Alexander said coldly. “I have business with him too.”

He carried her out of the room.

How dare he lay a hand on what was mine? Alexander’s jaw tightened as he strode toward another room.

Inside, he laid Anna gently on the bed just as one of his guards brought over a first-aid kit.

“Good thing you came in time,” Anna whispered, bowing her head as tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Hey,” Alexander said softly, crouching before her. “Don’t cry. None of this was your fault.”

He wiped her tears away with his handkerchief.

“Where is Henry?” he asked.

Anna didn’t know.

Henry had left her there. He had seen the danger and walked away anyway.

Was he truly occupied with business, or had he simply chosen not to care? Had he ever loved her at all?

“He’s… in another meeting,” she said quietly.

Alexander gave a slow nod, though the look in his eyes darkened.

“A business meeting,” he repeated.

Then he rose and turned to the guard beside him.

“Stay with Miss Anna.”

He looked back at her, his voice calm once more.

“Miss Anna, I’ll be back. I have an unfinished business matter to settle.”

And with that, he walked out of the room.