CHAPTER 2 Get out, Anthony!!

Suzan POV

The second I stepped out of the ballroom, the cool night air hit my skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists, my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear the music and chatter from the event behind me.

"Calm down, Suzan", I murmured to myself trying to regain my control.

But then, the thought gnawed at me, "How had Anthony figured it out so quickly?

A day. Not even twenty-four hours since I arrived in Los Angeles, and he already knew about Julian. Had he been watching me all this time? Or perhaps looking for me these past few years? Or was it just a cruel twist of fate?

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts were a tangled mess of panic and anger. I couldn't let him get to me. I had built a new life—one where Anthony Carter didn't exist. He had no place in it now.

"Suzan!"

The sound of my real name made me snap out of my daze. Colin stood a few feet away, his dark brows furrowed in concern.

"What happened?" He reached for me, his warm hands settling on my arms. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

In a way, I had.

Then he continued, "Why are you outside? I've been looking for you."

"I just want to go home," I said quickly, avoiding his gaze.

His frown deepened. "But the event… why so soon?"

"I don't care about the event," I cut him off, my voice sharper than intended. "Please, Colin. Just take me home."

A flicker of something—understanding, maybe even disappointment—crossed his face, but he nodded. "Alright."

He guided me to the car, opening the door for me before sliding into the driver's seat. The ride home was silent except for the occasional glances Colin threw my way. He knew something had happened. He just wasn't pressing me for answers. At least not now.

I appreciated that about him.

When we pulled into the driveway, I barely waited for the car to stop before stepping out. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I made my way inside, heading straight for Julian's room.

The sight of my son, fast asleep, his small chest rising and falling steadily, eased the tension in my chest. I knelt beside his bed, brushing a few curls from his forehead.

"I won't let anyone take you away from me," I whispered, a fierce determination burning inside me.

After a long moment, I stood and made my way to my room, rubbing my temples as exhaustion crept in. I had barely sat on the bed when I heard a knock.

Colin.

He stepped inside, his eyes studying me carefully before he sat beside me. The weight of his presence was comforting, even as I struggled with the emotions clawing at my chest.

"Did you see him?" His voice was low, controlled. But I knew Colin well enough to hear the anger simmering beneath the surface.

I swallowed hard and nodded.

His jaw tensed. "Did he say something he shouldn't have?"

I hesitated, debating whether to tell him the truth. Colin had always been fiercely protective of me, but I didn't want to drag him into this mess.

"It doesn't matter," I said finally, forcing a small smile. "I'm not the same weak girl I was back then."

Colin's gaze softened, but there was something unreadable in his expression. He reached for my hands, holding them tightly. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Suzan. You know that, right? Just remember that I'll always be here for you."

Before I could respond, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. Then another against my temple. His lips trailed down to my neck, and I stiffened.

I couldn't do this.

"Colin," I whispered, placing a gentle hand on his chest, stopping him. "I'm tired."

Disappointment flickered in his eyes, but he nodded, pulling away. "Of course. Get some rest."

He kissed my forehead again before standing. As he walked out, I felt a familiar wave of guilt settle over me. Colin had been nothing but patient with me, yet I couldn't bring myself to love him the way he deserved.

I hated myself for it.

The Next Morning,

I busied myself getting Julian ready for school, grateful for the distraction.

"Mommy, will I make new friends in my new school?" he asked, swinging his backpack over his shoulders.

I smiled, kneeling to fix his collar. "Of course, baby. You're the friendliest little boy I know."

Julian continued with his questions, "Will my new classroom teacher take me to the Zoo too?"

Before I could respond, Colin stepped into the kitchen, dressed in his usual tailored suit. "I'll drop him off," he offered, ruffling Julian's curls.

"Yay!" Julian cheered, throwing his arms around Colin.

I watched them with a small smile. They looked like the perfect family. If only my heart felt the same.

Colin has always loved and cherished Julian as his son while Julian on other hand loves Colin so much. They are like best buddies and it wasn't going to end or stop anytime soon. I wasn't going to let Julian know his true parentage or anything about his real father.

Colin leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "See you later?"

I nodded, watching as they left. For a moment, I allowed myself to picture what life could be like if I let go of the past. If I gave Colin the love he wanted.

But the past wasn't done with me.

When I arrived at Laurent Designs, I felt an uneasy sensation creeping up my spine. Something was off.

The moment I stepped into my office, I froze.

Anthony was sitting on the edge of my desk, his arms crossed, a smug smirk playing on his lips.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped.

His dark eyes gleamed with something unsettling. "I'm your new business partner."

Ice shot through my veins. "You're lying."

His smirk widened. "Am I?"

I clenched my fists. "I want you out of my office. Now."

Anthony stood, closing the distance between us in a few slow, deliberate steps. His presence was overwhelming, intoxicating in a way that infuriated me.

"You're really committed to this act, aren't you?" His voice was low, taunting.

I glared at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He chuckled darkly. "Celeste Laurent. Strong, independent, untouchable." His fingers brushed against my chin, and I jerked away. "But no matter how much you pretend, you'll always be the same weak, naive girl I saved from her pathetic family."

His words struck like a blade, reopening wounds I had spent years trying to heal.

Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him.

The sharp sound echoed in the room, but Anthony didn't even flinch. Instead, he smiled.

That infuriating, arrogant smile that irritated me so much.

"Still got some fight in you," he mused.

I took a shaky breath, refusing to let him see how much his words had affected me. "Get out," I hissed.

He didn't argue. Instead, he turned on his heel, strolling toward the door. But before leaving, he glanced back, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"This isn't over, Suzan."

As soon as the door shut behind him, I let out a shaky breath, gripping the edge of my desk to steady myself.

I had spent years convincing myself that I had escaped him. That Anthony Carter was nothing but a ghost from my past.

But ghosts had a way of coming back to haunt you.

And as memories flooded my mind—the drunken taunts of my father, James, the sharp sting of his words, the suffocating fear—I realized something terrifying.

The past wasn't just haunting me.

It was coming for me.