Chapter 40

ANA’s POV

“Hey,” I blinked and looked around, realizing that we were at the town hall. I stifled a yawn, as I hadn't had a proper sleep in a week. I tried to read Lady Stella’s diary again, but I couldn't focus due to my business responsibilities and the upcoming election.

“Martin,” I called out softly to Martin, who was listening intently to the conversation. “Martin,” I tugged at his sleeve, causing him to turn towards me. “What are you discussing?” I asked.

He glared at me, so I just smiled, as I hadn’t really been paying attention, my mind preoccupied with Lady Stella’s diary.

“About business and the funds for the citizens,” he replied.

I fell silent and leaned back in my chair. I glanced at the Villalobos, who were acting as if they were saints in front of the investors. Furthermore, I couldn’t believe that they could still carry themselves so confidently after what they had done to me, as if they had nothing to do with what happened to me. It was obvious that they were hiding everything to keep Mateo from finding out.

I smirked at the thought and coincidentally, Chloe raised an eyebrow at me, so I grinned even wider and leaned back on the table to annoy her even more. She just rolled her eyes and turned back to the business associates with us. I smirked and moved my foot to touch Mateo’s leg, causing him to startle and stand up. I looked ahead to avoid them noticing that I was the one who moved Mateo’s leg.

I just want to tease them because I’m so bored today. Martin has been bossing me around and dragging me everywhere. I wanted to go on vacation, but since Martin is still mad at me, I’m putting up with his bossiness. TCH.

The meeting ended in a few minutes, and I was relieved that it was finally over. I have enough money to invest in my business, and I earned it all on my own. I didn’t take a single cent from Martin because I prefer to stand on my feet.

“Martin, let’s eat. I’m hungry!” I said, grabbing his arm.

“You weren’t listening earlier,” he replied.

I just laughed and teased him even more because he’s still mad at me. I can’t blame him for not knowing that I was pregnant before the accident, as things were still unclear back then.

Speaking of the baby…

I touched my stomach and bit my lip, remembering my unborn baby, who never got to see his mother or experience being a child.

“Mom! Dad!”

I was startled by the child running towards Mateo and Chloe.

Hah! That’s right. They have kids. Meanwhile, mine never even got a chance to live. Damn.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I avoided Mateo’s gaze and smiled at Martin, who looked worried about me.

“I’m fine,” I replied with a smile, holding on to his arm tightly. He held my hand.

“Let’s get some food. What would you like to eat?”

I looked up at him, and he seemed calmer now.

“Oh, would you like to date me?” I asked with a smile. I noticed him avoiding my gaze and blushing slightly.

Martin coughed and looked at me

irritably. “Who would want to date you? TSK.”

I just chuckled and rested my head on his arm as we walked out of the town hall, but we were interrupted by someone calling my name.

“Miss Mystica, Don Levi would like to speak with you.”

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Martin.

“I’ll wait for you,” Martin said.

I just nodded at him and followed Levi’s secretary. What does he need from me now? TSK.

Levi's secretary opened the door to his office, and I walked in, only to be surprised to see his whole family inside.

“Please have a seat, Ana,” Levi said.

I raised my eyebrow and sat in front of him. “What do you need from me?” I asked, crossing my arms.

Levi smiled and leaned back in his swivel chair. “The investors and other people want you to leave this town. Of course, I didn’t agree with them. They said the town might be ruined if you stay, I’m sorry,” he said, with a hint of regret, but I knew his reaction was fake. “The people and my other partners have decided in the vote, so I have no choice but to ask you to leave.”

I remained silent, observing him.

“I’m sure you have many businesses in Manila. San Alfonso is too small for you, Ana. I’m also sure Don Martin wouldn’t want his reputation as the son of the former Don of the town to be tarnished. Don’t worry, I won’t let your investment in my campaign go to waste,” he added.

I was about to speak when Mateo interrupted.

“What the hell, dad? What are you talking about?!” Mateo asked angrily. I leaned back in my chair and secretly smirked because his son had joined the conversation.

“M-Mateo…” Chloe whispered, and I heard her. She held Mateo’s arm, but he just brushed her hand away, confirming my suspicion that Mateo didn’t really love Chloe.

Everything they showed in public was fake.

I heard Levi sigh, so I looked back at him, furrowing my brow because it seemed like he didn’t like Mateo’s interruption. It looked like he was going to come up with another excuse to cover their wrongdoings.

“Can you please leave, Mateo? You shouldn’t be involved in this conversation,” he said calmly, even though I knew he wanted to scold his son. “Chloe, please wait for us in the car.”

Chloe nodded and pulled Mateo and their child out of the office. Once they were outside, I looked back at Levi. I didn’t expect him to use Martin’s reputation and the people just to get rid of me.

The Villalobos family was really something else. They would do anything to get me out of town.

I just shook my head and smiled at him. “Did you do the same thing to the Montes family, Don Levi?” I asked with a smile. Levi was taken aback, and Caridad's eyes widened.

“Ana, what does the Montes family have to do with your conversation with Levi?” Caridad asked me, furrowing her brow. I just smiled and leaned back in my chair.

“Why? Are you afraid of reopening the case of their family? Is that why you’re rushing to get me out of here?” I asked, grinning because I caught them in their act. “Don’t use Martin’s reputation in the town just to get rid of me,” I said seriously, looking at them, but they didn't speak.

I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair. “I’m not leaving town until I find out who’s planning to kill me,” I added firmly and stood up. “We’re not done yet, Don Levi… You haven’t received my surprise yet.” I smiled at him and turned to leave his office, remembering something. “It’s not just Ana Bernardino they killed. It’s not just her,” I said firmly before finally leaving Levi's office.

I held my chest and clenched my fists. We’re not at the end yet. You haven’t tasted the full force of my revenge. I looked back at Levi’s office because I was sure they were thinking about everything I said. Even if you die thinking, I won’t stop my plans.

“Ana.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. What does Mateo need now? Can I not see one of their family members for a while? I’m just getting more annoyed, and my plans might fail.

“What? Can you stop pestering me? You’re annoying!” I snapped at Mateo, who just shook his head and blocked my way.

“I just want to know, and hear it from you.”

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. What does he want to hear from me?

“What do you want to know, huh?” I asked. He looked at me with annoyance.

“About the accident!” he shouted, which caught me off guard.

About the accident six years ago? Why now? Why didn’t you find out the reason back then?

“Did my parents have something to do with what happened to you?”

I was even more taken aback by his question. I didn’t know whether to be annoyed or amused by him. Until now, he’s still pretending not to know.

“Why don’t you ask them? They were the ones handling my accident case back then. Because if I tell you, you might be too embarrassed to show your face in front of me,” I said emotionlessly. He took a step back and sighed. “What did you do back then to cause my accident?” I asked with a smirk and pushed him slightly. “Don’t you have any guilt—”

“Mateo!”

I closed my eyes in frustration and just sighed. Oh, here comes the wife.

“You’re seducing my husband!” Chloe pointed at me, raising an eyebrow. I just laughed at her.

“For your information, bitch. Your husband is all yours. I won’t claim him for myself. I don’t know how to take someone else’s husband, and I’m not like you, who steals husbands,” I said with a smirk, rolled my eyes at her, and then approached Mateo, who was just staring blankly. “Why don’t you ask your wife about my accident?” I whispered to him and tapped him on the shoulder before leaving the town hall.

I saw Martin leaning against the car as if he were waiting for me.

“Why did you take so long?”

I just smiled at him and approached him. “Sorry, let’s go—” but I was interrupted by someone bumping into me. I turned to see who it was and noticed the beggar who had something gave me.

I just looked at the beggar, who glanced at me before walking away.

“Fuck. Are you okay?”

I just nodded at Martin and pocketed the paper that was clutched in my hand before getting into the car.

“Is that him?”

I nodded at Martin. “Yeah,” I looked back at the car and noticed him signaling to me, so I just nodded before adjusting my seat. “Let’s go, I’m hungry,” I said.

Martin just nodded and signaled to Alexis that we should leave the town hall. I took a deep breath because I just saw Detective Paul again after being silent for a week at the hacienda. It appears that Levi’s men have also stopped bothering him, as he can now leave his hut.

“What did you and Levi talk about?”

I looked at Martin and just grinned at him. “He wants to use your reputation just to get me out of here. He tried to scare me, saying that the people’s trust in you might be lost if I stay here.” I said with a smirk.

He frowned. “Oh, so he will use my name for this nonsense.”

I grinned at Martin and rested my head on his shoulder. “He won’t be able to use that against me. My case hasn’t been reopened yet, so I still have an ace up my sleeve. I have many things I can use against him. Let’s see… who will win in the end,” I said with a smirk and closed my eyes because I felt tired. “Just wake me up, Martin,” I said with a smile and hugged him. I felt him kiss my head, which made me smile even more.

After everything, Martin, we can start a new life together…