All night, Annie had her eyes glued to the closed doors
on the upper floor
. Tonight she planned to confront them
. S
he had a feeling that last night had been set up by Alice just for her benefit. She felt sleepy
, but
was
determined to stay up and watch the doors. She prayed that Alice would not go to Burke again. She didn
’
t know what she would do if that were the case.
A pang of regret went through her. Burke had looked so tired and groggy before he
’
d finally gone upstairs. She couldn
’
t bring herself to talk to him.
She started to doze, and then she heard a door open. Looking up
.
she could see Alice in a sexy red number tiptoeing to Burke
’
s room. Annie held her breath willing the woman to keep going toward the bathroom, but that didn
’
t happen. Her heart lodged in her throat when Alice opened Burke
’
s door and snuck in.
Annie couldn
’
t leave it there; she had to see for herself. She knew that Alice was capable of such actions, but Burke? Now was not the time to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was
time for facts
. She groaned as she swung her legs off the couch. The stairs loomed large
, but
she didn
’
t have a choice
. S
he had to climb them. She had to know. The doubts had been eating at her for too long. She loved him,
and
she had found a self-worth here in Texas that she hadn
’
t possessed before. She deserved the truth and she deserved a faithful husband.
Step by painstaking step, Annie climbed the stairs. Her brow grew wet
with sweat
and her breathing became labored. Finally, she reached the top
, and s
he felt so winded that she had to take a break. Her stomach was in knots. Filled with dread, Annie opened Burke
’
s bedroom door.
She couldn
’
t contain her cry of despair when she saw Alice on top of her husband. Burke didn
’
t even look up at her
, but
Alice smiled at her over her shoulder. They were both naked as Alice bounced up and down on Burke. Annie gripped the doorjamb for support, afraid that she would fall. She finally forced herself to look away and
leave
the room.
I
n shock
,
s
he climbed back down the stairs, sat down at the kitchen table
and
star
ed
into space. Until she had seen the evidence, Annie had held on to the smallest of hope that it was all a bad dream
, but s
he realized that she could no longer hide her head in the sand. What a fool she had been.
Now s
he needed to get out of there fast. She didn
’
t want either of them to see how much they had hurt her.
She thought of calling Sherry but didn
’
t want to get her involved just in case Ted was part of some plan to defraud her. Suddenly she thought of Noreen. There must be someone at the diner that could give her a ride to the airport for a fee. She looked at the clock and was surprised to see that it was only nine
.
Her hand shook as she picked up the phone and dialed.
“
You poor dear,
”
Noreen commiserated.
“
Don
’
t worry sugar your secret is safe with me. I
’
ll just say you have a family emergency. Hold on a sec.
”
Annie could hear talking in the background before Noreen picked the phone up again.
“
Hank is here, as usual, and he
’
d be delighted to take you to the airport.
”
“
I don
’
t know how to thank you, Noreen. You
’
ve been a good friend.
”
“
You keep your chin up kid and don
’
t be a stranger,
”
Noreen said before she hung up.
Annie began to get herself ready to go. She was still half waiting for Burke to come downstairs and beg her to stay
, but
she knew deep down that it wouldn
’
t happen
. Still,
that was her, forever hopeful. Thank goodness that a good amount of her cloth
ing
had been bought downstairs when she broke her leg. She put as much as she could in a shopping bag, grabb
ing
her purse and crutches. She wanted to be on the front porch by the time Hank arrived to take her to the airport.
She sat on the front porch of the house that had embraced her and filled her head and heart with promises.
Burke did too
,
she thought as her heart twisted painfully in her chest. The wind had kicked up a bit, a warm wind, making the roses sway back and forth. At one time, she would have been fanciful and would have thought they were greeting her, but now she knew differently. If anything, they were calling her a fool, waving good-bye, giving her the old heave ho.
She was thankful when she saw the headlights of Hank
’
s truck bouncing up and down the lane. She was starting to question her sanity. Roses were just roses and houses were just houses. Most importantly, you only had yourself to rely on. You only had yourself to blame. Her heart did ache for Cat
, but s
he knew that she was gone for good.
She gave Hank a quick smile as she climbed into his truck with her shopping bag and crutches. She was glad that he didn
’
t seem inclined to talk. When they arrived at the airport, he helped her down and tugged on the brim of his cowboy hat
,
g
i
v
ing
her a sad smile and walk
ing
away.
Chapter Nine
It had taken five weeks
, but
Annie now had the evidence she needed to confront Sonny. With the help of her lawyer, Charlie Banks, she was now in sole control of her inheritance. She also had many
of the
forged documents she planned to use to confront Sonny. It sickened her how he
’
d treated her while he helped himself to her money.
Rumor had it that he
was
spen
ding
a lot of time with her one-time friend Lisa. Rumor also had it that they were playing house in her old apartment. She hadn
’
t known it
, but
she owned it. Armed with her evidence, Annie felt stronger than she ever had. Her cast had finally come off and she felt fine. No one was going to ride roughshod over her again. She was her own woman now and she was on a mission.
She glanced at herself in her compact mirror as she rode to her old address. Money had its privileges such as a car and driver. She had her hair done, her nails manicured and a complete makeover. Who knew that she
’
d been a diamond in the rough? She hardly recognized the beautifully turned out confident woman staring back at her in the mirror.
Annie looked forward to their little meeting. In fact, Sonny was unaware that she was even in town and she couldn
’
t wait to see his face when he learned that she knew of his deceit. Too bad his father wasn
’
t still alive to feel her wrath too. She pasted a serene smile on her face when her driver opened her door.
With her spine stiff and strong, she entered the building. She waved to the doorman
,
who tried to intercept her.
“
Miss Douglas,
”
he called as she headed for the elevators.
“
Miss Douglas you don
’
t live here anymore.
”
Annie coolly turned around.
“
Excuse me?
”
“
Your stepbrother advised me that you were not to enter the premises again,
”
he explained apologetically.
Annie smiled.
“
Don
’
t worry
,
Frank
.
Y
ou won
’
t get in trouble. In fact, I
’
m still grateful for all your help a few months ago, but my stepbrother doesn
’
t own the apartment. I do.
”
Annie gladly showed Frank the necessary paperwork.
Frank chuckled.
“
I have a feeling there
’
s going to be some fireworks around here soon.
”
Annie laughed with him.
“
You better believe it.
”
Frank pushed the elevator button for her and shook his head as the doors closed.
Annie
’
s heart began to race at the thought of confronting her stepbrother. She smoothed down her high-powered Gucci suit, fixed her heavy gold jewelry, and patted her professionally styled hair. Looking at her long nails she practically laughed aloud. She looked more like Alice than Alice did
now
. After the meeting
,
all that was fake would wash away. She didn
’
t like this style and never would, but she had hoped to shock and intimidate Sonny with her new look and her new determination. After all
,
she had all the cards and wasn
’
t about to back down.
This wasn
’
t only for her and all the years
they had
treated her
like a dog. It was also for the baby she suspected she carried. The thought of being pregnant thrilled Annie, but her emotions toward Burke were still too raw. She had always wanted to have children, a family. Now she would be a single mother, but she wasn
’
t daunted. She knew that she had what it took to do a great job.
Annie
snapped
out of her musing as the elevator door opened into the penthouse apartment. She had always wondered why she lived in such a nice place. Sonny just said that it was an investment. Now she knew the truth
;
it belonged to her.
Sonny and Lisa both jumped up as they heard the elevator open. Annie relished
in
both the shock and the look
s
of recognition on their faces. She wanted to laugh at them but kept a cool, indifferent facade. She knew that she couldn
’
t show any sign of weakness for Sonny to prey on.
Sonny wore his usual tailor made suit
, with his black hair slicked.
He thought it was in vogue, but it just made him look greasy.
His dark eyes simmered with rage.
Lisa looked worse for the wear. It was obvious that she wasn
’
t taking care of herself. She was
usually
so perfectly made up with her chestnut hair curled and bright eye shadow highlighting her golden eyes. Now she looked weary and haggard. Annie wondered if the tinge of blue on her chin was a bruise.
Annie sashayed into the living room, the same way she had watched Alice make an entrance.
“
Please, don
’
t look so surprised,
”
she admonished softly. Annie made an
overt
gesture of walking around the apartment, touching her own things that she had left behind.
“
The place still looks good,
”
she remarked offhandedly, ignoring both their stares.
Finally, she turned and looked Sonny straight in the eye. He tried to stare her down, but she refused to cower as she
did
in the past. She smiled at him as he glared at her.
“
We have some business to attend to dear, dear, Stepbrother,
”
she almost purred.
“
I
’
ve been to see Charlie Banks.
”
She walked to the windows that spanned one whole wall. She had always loved the view from here. She took it all in, fortifying herself before turning toward Sonny with narrowed eyes.
“
You remember Charlie don
’
t you?
”
Sonny
’
s face turned pale.
“
I don
’
t know what line of bull Charlie has been feeding you
, but
he
’
s wrong,
”
he sputtered.
Annie almost laughed, but she kept her cool facade.
“
I think not. In fact I have document after document,
files
and more files of your crimes against me.
”
Sonny took a step toward her, wanting to intimidate her. He reached out and grabbed her upper arm in a vice
-
like grip.
“
Think again
. I
do what I want
.
”
He grabbed her arm tighter and yanked her toward him.
“
I
’
m still in charge.
”
Annie pulled her arm out of his punishing grip. She could feel the bruises forming
, but
she knew that she had to remain calm. Shaking inside, she pretended to examine her newly manicured nails, needing a moment to regroup.
“
So you
’
re with Lisa now?
”
Sonny laughed.
“
I always was, baby. I set you up with Jeffrey so that you would never get married. He
’
s gay
,
actually
,
but was willing to play along for the right price.
”
Annie
’
s eyes widened. Turning
,
she stared at Lisa.
“
But I saw you in bed together,
”
she protested.
Lisa laughed long and hard, making Annie feel
small.
“
It was all a set up. Honestly, Annie you were ripe for the picking. Who could possibly want you? My God, you
’
re as cold and dumb as they come
.
”
“
The past is over,
”
Annie declared
, straightening again
.
“
I have business to discuss with you Sonny and I believe that you
’
ll want to hear the deal I
’
m willing to offer you.
”
Annie opened her bag and flung a huge file on the glass coffee table.
“
Read them and weep,
”
she retorted.
Sonny grabbed the file and flipped through it. He groaned and sank down hard onto the white couch. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
He ran his fingers through his black hair.
“
What
’
s this deal you
’
re talking about?
”
Annie was surprised just how fast the fight went out of him.
“
According to my accountants you have taken over twenty million dollars from my trust.
”
She turned as she heard Lisa gasp.
“
Don
’
t worry I seem to have plenty more.
”
Annie turned her attention back to Sonny.
“
Here are my conditions,
”
she began.
“
I want the Texas property in my name, I want you out of this
apartment,
and most important, I never want to see you or hear from you ever again.
”
Sonny studied her for a minute.
“
No jail? No authorities?
”
“
Right, just sign the property over to me and move out, it
’
s that simple.
”
Sonny grabbed the pen that she had
held out to him
and signed the deed
immediately.
He threw the pen down on the table.
“
I
’
m going to be ruined. All the money is gone
.
”
.
Annie serenely picked up the signed papers and put them along with the thick file into her bag. She walked toward the elevator and turned. Cocking her head, she looked at Sonny.
“
You know, you
’
ve been nothing but a millstone around my neck and it kills me that I had to spend any money on you at all,
”
she said, repeating the o
h-
so
-
familiar taunt.
“
I want you out of here by the end of the month.
”
She stepped into the elevator.
“
Oh
,
and Lisa? You are such a bitch.
”
*
*
*
*
Six weeks later Annie sat overlooking Central Park, waiting for her architect to show up. She felt impatient to get on with her plans. Two more weeks and she was heading home to Texas. She missed Weltworth and the people she had come to know. Smiling to herself
,
she looked down at her faded jeans and green T-shirt
. S
he didn
’
t need expensive clothes or things for that matter. It felt good to be independent
, but
she missed Burke. She knew that their marriage was over
,
but she couldn
’
t help but remember the good times.
Annie jumped when the doorbell rang and she quickly answered it and let her architect, Van Crawford in. She was glad to see him. They had been working together for almost six weeks now, remodeling, rebuilding, and outfitting her property in Texas. She was paying him a fortune, but he was worth it. He understood how important it was to her to maintain the integrity of the original house while adding on and upgrading it.
Annie led Van over to a table by the window where they could go over the plans. She was building a horse ranch and she was so excited about the whole project. She smiled at Van. No matter how many times she saw him
,
she couldn
’
t get over just how good-looking he was. He had whiskey
-
colored eyes that often winked at her. His blond hair looked rich and thick and he filled out a T-shirt
nicely
. He was so beefy. Unfortunately, her heart remained occupied. She had no room for anyone else except for the little one growing inside her. She unconsciously touched her lower abdomen and smiled.
Van smiled back at her.