Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Anna stood up from the bed, her eyes scanning the room with a sense of restlessness. She couldn't stay idle at home all day, she needed to work. But first, she needed to talk to Fernandez.
Just then, the nanny appeared at the door, a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, Anna. Looking for Fernandez?"
Anna nodded, her mind already focused on the tasks ahead. "Yes, I need to speak with him. I want to start working again."
The nanny nodded understandingly. "Try his study room, dear. He's usually there in the mornings."
Anna made her way to the study room, her feet light on the carpeted floor. She pushed open the door and found Fernandez sitting behind his desk, his eyes fixed on the screen in front of him. He was in a conference call, his voice firm and commanding.
Anna hesitated for a moment, not wanting to interrupt him. But then she cleared her throat to announce her presence. Fernandez didn't notice her yet, too engrossed in his call. Anna took a seat in one of the armchairs, waiting patiently for him to finish.
Fernandez's eyes snapped towards Anna as he ended the conference call. "Anna, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone firm.
"I want to talk to you about working," Anna said, her eyes locked on his.
Fernandez raised an eyebrow. "You're my wife, Anna. The wife of billionaire Antonio Fernandez. You can't just go work in some cheap company."
Anna's eyes flashed with anger. "You still don't get it, do you? You're only thinking about yourself and your reputation. You're not thinking about me. Do you expect me to just stay under your roof like a nobody and not make a name for myself?"
Fernandez's face darkened with anger, but he controlled it. "If you want to work, then come work in my company," he said, his voice tight.
Anna laughed, a harsh sound. "You can never mend your ways, Fernandez. You're too used to getting what you want, no matter who you hurt."
"I mean it, Anna. You can work in my company," Fernandez repeated, his eyes narrowing.
Anna stood up, her eyes blazing. "I will never work with you again, ever. You've made it clear how little you value me. I won't be your trophy wife, Fernandez. I deserve better."
With that, she turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Fernandez's face twisted in anger and frustration.
Fernandez sighed and left the study room, heading to find the nanny. But Anna didn't follow him. Instead, she stormed into the kitchen, her anger boiling over. She needed to do something to divert her attention, and baking a cake was just the thing.
"Ah, cake," she said to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. "My favorite therapy."
She began gathering ingredients, her hands moving with a purpose. Flour, sugar, eggs, butter - she measured and mixed with precision, her mind focused on the task at hand.
As she worked, the nanny appeared beside her. "Anna, dear, I couldn't help but overhear your argument with Fernandez," she said, her voice soft with concern.
Anna's smile faltered for a moment, but she continued mixing. "He just can't mend his ways, can he?" she said, her voice bitter. "Even if he won't allow me to work, he shouldn't have rejected me like that."
The nanny nodded in agreement. "You deserve better, Anna. Don't let him bring you down."
Anna finished mixing the batter and slid the cake into the oven. The aroma of sweet vanilla filled the kitchen, and she smiled again, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
When the cake was done, she let it cool before slicing it and wrapping a piece for Granny. She headed to Granny's room, cake in hand, and found her sitting in her favorite armchair.
"Granny, I baked a cake," Anna said, holding out the wrapped slice.
Granny's face lit up. "Oh, dearie, you know I love cakes but Fernandez doesn't like me eating it because of my old age!"
They sat down together, enjoying the moist, fluffy cake. But when Granny saw Anna's sad eyes, she asked, "What's wrong, child? You look troubled."
Anna sighed, telling Granny everything that had happened with Fernandez. Granny listened, her face growing more and more stern.
"Don't back down on this, Anna," Granny said, her voice firm. "You deserve to work and make a name for yourself. Don't let Fernandez hold you back."
Anna's phone rang, shrill in the silence of the room. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the receiver. She didn't recognize the number, and a shiver ran down her spine. Who could be calling her?
Despite her reservations, she picked up the phone. "Hello?" she said, her voice cautious.
"Anna, can you please send me some money?" a familiar voice whined. "Your husband must be rich. Please, I haven't been able to drink since he told us not to contact you. Please, Anna, send some money to me."
Anna's eyes widened in shock as she realized who was calling. Her father. Mr. Anderson. The man who had sold her off to Fernandez like a commodity. The man who had never cared about her well-being, only about what he could gain from her.
She felt a wave of anger and disgust wash over her, but she tried to keep her cool. "So, did he give you permission to call me?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
There was a pause on the other end of the line before her father replied, "No, Anna, I secretly called you. Please, help me. He must be taking good care of you. You're his wife. If you don't have the money with you, ask him. I'm sure he'll give it to you."
Anna's grip on the phone tightened as she struggled to contain her fury. How dare he? How dare he call her and beg for money after what he had done to her?
Anna's eyes widened in shock as she listened to her father's words. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He didn't ask how she was doing, or if she was happy. All he cared about was getting money from her.
Anna's anger boiled over. She shook her head, her eyes blazing with fury. "You won't get a dime from me ever again," she spat. "When you wanted to sell me off to Fernandez, you said you wouldn't ask me for anything again. But here you are, begging for money like a shameless dog."
She hung up the phone, her hands trembling with rage. And then she saw Fernandez standing there, watching her. She glared at him, her eyes flashing with anger.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she accused. "You're enjoying seeing me hurt like this."
Fernandez didn't say a word. He just kept staring at her, his expression unreadable. Anna turned and walked away, leaving him standing there. She couldn't bear to look at him anymore.