Chapter 7: The hesitation

Words : 1639 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 7: The hesitation Anne stood there, her mind a tangled mess of conflicting thoughts. Augustine's words compelled her to consider. His offer wasn't just tempting—it was life-changing. If she married him, she'd become Denis's sister-in-law, no longer someone he could humiliate or discard. As Augustine's wife, she'd have power, protection, and freedom from the vulnerability that had plagued her for years. No one would dare look down on her again. Sensing her hesitation, Augustine added, "I know your father is in a coma. I can arrange the best medical team for your father's treatment. You won't have to worry about money ever again." Anne was still silent, reflecting on his words. The crushing weight of medical bills and sleepless nights worrying about his health had drained her strength. Yet, even with such an enticing promise, doubt gnawed at her. Could she really tie herself to someone she barely knew? Augustine smiled, looking down at his legs. "Are you unwilling because I am Denis's cousin? Or you still love him." Anne blinked, startled. "No!" she blurted, shaking her head. "I loved him, but not anymore." Her motive was to punish those who had hurt her. In her current position, she was powerless against Denis and Tania. But as Augustine's wife, she could change everything. She'd finally have the leverage to fight back. Still, one question burned in her mind, refusing to be silenced. "I just don't get it. Why me, Augustine? Let's be honest You're wealthy, powerful, and handsome. Women from prestigious families would jump at the chance to marry you. But you're proposing to me. Why?" Suspicion flickered in her gaze. "I'm just a secretary from an ordinary family. I'm not qualified to be your wife. So why choose me?" Augustine didn't answer immediately. Instead, he let a slow, knowing smirk tug at the corner of his lips. He reached out and took her hand. His touch was gentle and warm, making her heart race. "If I told you I like you, would you believe me?" Anne's breath caught in her throat. 'Like me?' The words sounded almost ridiculous, too surreal to take seriously. She instinctively yanked her hand back, laughter bubbling up in awkward disbelief. "Don't fool around," she muttered. "I'm not that naive." Augustine's smile faltered, turning bitter as he glanced down at his empty hand. Anne had pulled away so quickly, as though his touch had burned her. And why wouldn't she doubt him? He had never given her a reason to believe otherwise. He had watched her from afar for years, always pretending indifference, as if she were invisible. Drawing in a slow breath, he shoved his hands into his pockets and looked away. "Denis and I were never close," he explained. "We've been competing since we were kids. Always at odds. I lost my parents when I was young. Since then, my life has been tough. Unlike him, I had to fight for everything. Nothing came easy. But he had everything handed to him." His jaw tightened, fists clenching inside his pockets. "He rose to the position of the president just like that. No struggle, no sacrifice. Just privilege of being the elder son of the family." He paused, meeting Anne's eyes, his expression hardening with determination. "I want to get even with him. And you..." He stepped closer, "you're perfect for that." Anne stiffened, caught between surprise and suspicion. "You're smart. Beautiful," he added, voice softening, "capable. You worked by his side for three years. I'm sure you know more of his secrets than anyone else." Anne understood his intention. Their goals aligned perfectly: bring Denis down. She thought she would team up with him. "Okay, I'll marry you." Augustine smiled victoriously. ~~~~~~~ Denis stormed into his father's office, the doors swinging shut behind him with a dull thud. He found his father brooding. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brows furrowing. He had never seen his father this unsettled before. Gabriel exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "Augustine is back," he grunted. "And I don't like it. I'm afraid he'll try to snatch everything from us." Denis stiffened, the mere mention of his cousin igniting an old, familiar rage. "Impossible," he growled. "He has been out of the country for years. He doesn't belong here anymore. This is our territory. Nothing happens in this city without our say. If he dares to cross us, he'll disappear without a trace." He slammed his fist on the table. The crystal pen holder rattled from the impact. Gabriel grimaced, waving a hand for his son to calm down. "Control your temper, Denis," he warned. "Augustine isn't the same powerless boy we once knew. He has changed—stronger, sharper. And I can't shake the feeling that someone powerful is backing him." Denis's scowl deepened. He had noticed it too—the quiet confidence in Augustine's demeanor, the cold defiance in his eyes – those were unmistakable. That introverted boy he used to mock had disappeared. This Augustine was calculating and unyielding. He even had dared to stand up to him. Gabriel's mind shifted to their morning's encounter. "He came to see me earlier," he muttered. "Said someone tampered with his car. It should've been him in that wreck, but he escaped. He rode with a friend instead, and his driver took the hit. I have a feeling that he is suspicious of us." As he listened to his father's words, Denis grew even more solemn. For the first time in years, he felt something unsettling coil in his chest. "We need to be cautious," Gabriel cautioned. "We can't let the old man catch wind of our plans. He still holds thirty percent of the company shares. If he decides to hand those over to Augustine, your cousin will become the major shareholder. He'll have the power to control the entire company and boss us around." "That will never happen." Denis's eyes flashed with fury. "The Beaumont fortune and this company are rightfully mine. I'm the elder son. The true heir. No one can steal my power and position." His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned bone-white. He could feel the pulse of his own rage, hot and relentless. "Augustine's parents died years ago. He has survived only because the family elders pitied him. He is nothing without our mercy. If he dares to return and challenge me, he'll suffer the same fate as before—thrown out, disgraced, and forgotten." Denis shot to his feet and stormed out. Back in his own office, Denis snatched up his phone and immediately dialed Anne's number. The line rang once... twice... then fell silent. His brows furrowed. He redialed. Same result. "You've got some nerve," he muttered through gritted teeth. "Anne Clair." He clasped the phone so tightly that his fingers turned pale. "You will regret it. Even if you beg me, I'll not forgive you." He threw the phone onto the desk. Knock-Knock... Denis's gaze snapped toward the entrance, his already sour mood darkening further when he saw who it was. Tania. "Why did you come here?" he barked. She stood there, hesitating for a moment as she took in his stormy expression. The fire burning in his eyes made her falter, but she quickly recovered, softening her features into a look of concern. "I was worried about you," she murmured, crossing the distance between them. "So, I came to see you." He turned away, striding toward his chair and sinking into it with an air of exhaustion. "This is my workplace. You shouldn't keep showing up here." The truth was that Anne's defiance had already rattled him, and the last thing he needed was more fuel on the fire. Tania fidgeted with her fingers. Displeasure flickered across her face, but she quickly masked it with feigned vulnerability. "I wanted to talk about the baby," she mumbled, hiding her irritation. Denis's gaze flickered toward her, his irritation rising. "I told you last night—I'll take responsibility for the baby. You'll have everything you need. But marrying you? That's not happening." "Why not?" she pressed, her voice rising. She stepped toward him. The mask slipped, revealing raw desperation. "You love me. If you didn't, you wouldn't have come to see me every single day since I returned. Denis." She tugged at his arm. "We love each other. Why are we torturing ourselves by staying apart?" Denis pulled his hand back, his hesitation clear. "Tania..." But she didn't let him finish. "You don't like Anne," Tania interjected. "She was just a substitute. A placeholder. But now I'm back. It's a good thing she wants to break up with you, isn't it? Finally, we can be together—like we always planned." Denis's expression darkened, and he shot to his feet. "You left me in the first place, remember?" Tania panicked. She hadn't expected his anger to flare so quickly. "I know," she pleaded. "I was reckless. Immature. But I'm here now, ready to make it right. This child," she held his hand and put it on her stomach, "let's give our baby a complete family." Uncertainty flickered across his face, but beneath it all, there was something colder—resentment, mistrust, and the bitter sting of betrayal that love alone couldn't erase. Denis recoiled, pulling his hand away from Tania's grasp. "I've already told you—I'll take responsibility for you and the baby. You won't lack anything. But breaking up with Anne is not an

Chapter 7: The hesitation

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