CHAPTER 144: SIX HOURS, SIX YEARS

Anna’s POV

I stared at Marcus, unable to process the words that had just left his mouth.

My mind raced, trying to make sense of what he’d offered. This powerful man had just volunteered to be the father of my children — children who weren’t biologically his.

The room seemed to spin around me.

I gripped the arm of my chair, steadying myself. During my entire marriage to Jack, I’d questioned my worth daily—was I not good enough to hold his interest, his respect? Now here 1 was, divorced and six months pregnant, with two successful men competing to father my children. Life’s ironies could be brutal.

I reached out and closed all three jewelry boxes with trembling fingers.

The sapphire necklace was exquisite, but it was the jade bracelets for my unborn twins that truly stole my breath. He’d thought of them-not just me.

"I love the gifts. Thank you, Uncle Marcus," I managed, my voice steadier than I felt. His knowing look told me he understood my hesitation.

"Happy birthday, Annie," he replied, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart stutter.

The fact that he’d risked returning specifically for my birthday stirred something deep within me. No man besides my father had ever prioritized me this way. Though I prided myself on my independence, in quiet moments I sometimes longed to be cherished, protected. Marcus’s broad shoulders seemed to promise exactly that security, yet I wasn’t ready to surrender to it.

My emotions felt tangled and contradictory. I wanted his affection without the obligations that typically accompanied it.

"I am happy today," I admitted, allowing a genuine smile to break through. "I expected just a simple birthday, but ended up with an unexpected surprise." After a moment’s pause, I asked the question weighing on me. "Uncle Marcus, how long will you stay this time?"

His expression shifted subtly, and I knew he understood the pain his previous sudden departure had caused me.

’Two days," he answered simply.

I nodded, feigning casualness while my heart sank. "Alright, it’s getting late. You should get some rest." For most people, the hour might not be late, but with twins draining my energy, my bedtime came earlier these days.

Marcus gathered the jewelry boxes into the gift bag and handed it to me. "Go to sleep. Goodnight."

As 1 turned to leave, his arms encircled me from behind, careful of my rounded belly. My pulse thundered in my ears.

"Annie, you have feelings for me," he said, his voice both confident and gentle-not a question but a statement of fact.

Taking a deep breath, I finally admitted what I’d been denying: "But I don’t want marriage, don’t want constraints, at least not now."

Joy filled his voice: "That’s fine. T’II take whatever you’ll give."

His acceptance startled me. I turned to face him, genuinely confused about why Marcus Murphy would compromise so much for me. A man like him could have any woman he desired.

"Uncle Marcus, why me?" The question that had troubled me for months finally escaped. Once unleashed, my emotions expanded wildly. I recalled the extravagant gift he’d given upon his return to America, and his subsequent assistance—he had never hidden his feelings. But why?

Before last year, we had barely even met.

I didn’t believe it was simply because of my father. Grandmother Margaret had clearly stated that Marcus and my father had merely been acquaintances.

"Why me? Have we met before?" A suspicion suddenly formed in my mind.

A mysterious smile played at the corners of his eyes. "You really don’t remember?"

"I was in that car with my father when he died," I confessed. "Even now, I don’t remember what happened then —only waking up in the hospital afterward." After a moment’s thought, I added, feeling slightly ridiculous, "Did we meet when you were injured?

Did I save you in some cliché way?"

Marcus looked at me deeply, saying nothing, but his silence was confirmation enough.

I was stunned. "Then why didn’t you tell me sooner?" I pressed.

"It’s not too late now," he answered softly, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead before ruffling my hair. "It’s okay if you don’t remember, and don’t overthink it. Just know that I want you and the children. Go to sleep now. TIl still be here tomorrow."

Marcus’s POV

I closed Anna’s bedroom door behind me, the warmth of her presence still I closed Anna’s bedroom door behind me, the warmth of her presence still lingering on my skin. Grabbing a bottle of ice water from the mini-fridge, I took a long sip and tried to quiet my racing thoughts.

Clayton appeared in the hallway just as I was lost in thought.

"What’s the story with George Simpson?" I asked directly, my voice carrying the weight of authority I rarely displayed in Skyview City.

Clayton stood with military precision.

"I made some inquiries, sir. George Simpson did approach the Brown family when he was younger, but Mr. Gregory Brown felt he wasn’t suitable for Mrs. Shaw and declined the proposal. Two years later, George married your sister Mary."

I kept my expression neutral despite the churning in my gut. George’s ambition had never surprised me, but this pattern was troubling.

"Besides these two women, Simpson pursued three other ladies," Clayton continued, lowering his voice. "There’s a curious pattern, sir. With the exception of Mary Murphy, all the women he pursued were only daughters from extremely wealthy families."

The revelation clicked into place like the final tumbler in a lock. George Simpson had always been calculating—Willing to use innocent women as aring tones to wealth and power.

Even my sister.

I retrieved another bottle of water, taking a drink to cool my rising anger.

"George actively pursued my sister.

Initially, my father opposed the match. but soon Mary became pregnant," I recalled grimly. "After their marriage, Father provided Simpson with resources and connections. Within just a few years, Simpson Group had caught up to the Walker family, despite their century of establishment."

Disgust coated my tongue like something rancid. George had used my sister, used the Murphy family, and now he might be targeting Anna.

I looked up at Clayton, my eyes hardening. "If George Simpson attempts anything against Ms. Shaw, disregard the Murphy family. Anna and her children take absolute priority."

"Understood, sir," Clayton responded with a firm nod.

- - -

The next morning, Anna and I descended the stairs together. After our conversation last night, a new awareness hummed between us, though she still maintained a careful distance. I caught her stealing glances at me when she thought I wasn’t looking.

Elizabeth was holding something as we appeared on the staircase.

"Annie, come see what I found..." Her voice died abruptly as she spotted me.

Her eyes widened, and whatever she’d been holding tumbled to the floor.

"Oh! Oh my goodness!"

Margaret looked equally stunned. The Shaw Estate staff had kept their word —not even the matriarchs knew I was here.

Margaret recovered first, her aristocratic composure reasserting itself. "Marcus, when did you return?" Her voice held both surprise and wariness.

"I arrived last night," I responded with a slight nod. "Please forgive me for not giving advance notice. I’d appreciate if you could keep my return confidential the Murphy family isn’t aware I’m back in Skyview City."

I felt Anna quietly observing me, her presence at my side warming me more than I cared to admit.

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?

You’ve returned but don’t plan to visit your family?"

Only then did I allow myself to look at Anna. Something melted inside me, and I couldn’t suppress a slight smile.

"I came specifically to see Annie. I’ll be leaving again soon, so there’s no need for me to return to Murphy Estate."

Anna’s POV

I allowed Elizabeth to guide me into her private tea room, her fingers gripping my wrist with surprising strength. The door clicked shut behind us, and she immediately whirled to face me, her eyes wide with concern.

’Tell me the truth, Annie. Why is Marcus Murphy here? What’s going on between you two?" Her voice was hushed but intense, as if she feared the walls might be listening.

I took a deep breath, suddenly finding it difficult to meet her gaze. "It’s exactly what you think, Mom."

Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth, her already wide eyes growing impossibly wider. "Oh my God. Does this mean I’ll become in-laws with William Murphy?"

A startled laugh escaped me. "Mom, is that seriously your main concern right now? Nothing else bothers you?"

She straightened her shoulders, her expression growing serious. "I’ve had my suspicions from the very beginning. The way he looked at you that first night he drove you home, calling you ’Annie’ in front of us all-l knew then that man had ulterior motives." Her eyes drifted down to my rounded belly. "But I am curious.

You’re already pregnant. He doesn’t mind?"

I shook my head, warmth spreading through my chest even as uncertainty lingered. "He doesn’t. He even brought gifts for the babies. Said he wants me and the children."

"And you? What do you want?"

My mind flashed back to those endless six hours waiting for him in Europe, the hope gradually crumbling into disappointment. "I want to try, Mom.

Despite everything."

To my surprise, Elizabeth’s face softened. "Then go for it, if that’s what your heart wants."

"Remember how devastated you were when you realized Jack didn’t love you?" she continued, her voice gentle.

"Looking back now, does it still hurt the same way?"

I shook my head.

"Exactly. With Margaret and me by your side, you have nothing to fear." She squeezed my hand. "Life and death-those are the things that truly matter. Everything else, including relationships and men, will come and go as they should. Don’t force what isn’t meant to be."

My throat tightened with emotion. "I thought you’d be against this."

Elizabeth smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "My daughter’s happiness is what matters most.

Besides, he’s accepting your children as his own. What more could I ask for?"

I pulled her into a tight embrace, breathing in her familiar scent. "How did I get so lucky to have such a beautiful, loving, and wise mother? I’m truly blessed."

As we walked back toward the main living area, voices drifted from the sitting room. Marcus’s deep tones mixed with Grandma Margaret’s more measured cadence. We slowed our pace, listening.

"As long as Annie is willing, neither Elizabeth nor I object," Margaret was saying, her voice firm. "But one thing, Marcus—you cannot hurt Annie again."

His response made my heart nearly stop beating. "Earlier this year, Annie came to Europe looking for me. She waited six hours. What she doesn’t know is that I’ve been waiting for her for at least six years. If I have sixty more years to live, I’d give them all to her."

My hand instinctively rose to my throat. If anyone else had spoken those words, I would have dismissed them as exaggerated, ridiculous, completely unbelievable. But coming from Marcus Murphy, a man who never made promises lightly...

*Was I really the one he’d been waiting for all this time? What happened between us years ago that would make someone like Marcus Murphy wait so long?*

I decided not to mention the enemies Marcus had alluded to. No need to worry them unnecessarily, especially when I didn’t have all the details myself.

The next morning at breakfast, Marcus and I exchanged a knowing glance, silently agreeing to keep his potential danger private.

"I think we should keep our relationship private for now," I suggested, spreading jam on my toast.

"At least until things stabilize."

Marcus nodded, understanding immediately what I meant. "I’d prefer to wait until my current business matters are settled before telling my family anyway. William has always supported us, and Phillip and Layla are quite fond of Annie. They won’t object."

His voice suddenly dropped, taking on a dangerous edge. "As for the others... they wouldn’t dare object."

Something in his tone sent simultaneous shivers of comfort and concern through me.

Later, as we prepared to leaveme to my prenatal appointment, Marcus to his mysterious business—| instructed Clayton to accompany him, ignoring the protest in his eyes.

In the car with Elizabeth, her worried expression returned. "This Marcus... if he’s been waiting for you all this time, why didn’t he speak up sooner? And while he says he doesn’t mind about the babies, this is a lifelong commitment. Who knows what might happen years down the road?"

I stroked my belly, feeling the twins shifting inside me. "If he ever holds them against me, I’ll walk away."

I wasn’t the same naive girl who once lost herself in a marriage with Jack.

My children and my life came first now. While I was giving Marcus a chance, I would never again make a man my entire world.

At the hospital, just after finishing my checkup, we encountered a pregnant woman whose water had suddenly broken. She was alone and terrified.

"She’s in labor!" Elizabeth rushed to the information desk. "She needs to lie down immediately!"

"Go help her," I told Rachel. "I’ll wait in the seating area."

I had barely settled into a chair when two men in dark suits appeared before me.

"Ms. Shaw, you need to come with us," one said, his tone leaving no room for argument.