Anastasia Stark felt the elation from her act of defiance drain away as Christian Greys words washed over her, leaving in their wake a bitter taste of irony. Christian would regret his actions? Feel pain for what hed done? It seemed laughable now.
She looked into his eyes, her own brimming with sorrow. "In your eyes, am I just a tool?"
Christian met her gaze, his own eyes flickering with an emotion she couldnt place. "I believe it was you who offered to help, Anastasia. You said you wanted to repay me."
Anastasia let out a bitter laugh, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yes, after you saved me from those debts, from being sold to the highest bidder, Ive done everything for you. Ive been your spy, risking my life for information, never once complaining, but it wasnt just out of gratitude! It was because I loved you!"
Christian regarded her calmly, his reason prevailing as he punctured the fragile bubble of her dreams. "Love is an unnecessary emotion. It makes people foolish."
"Ha!" Anastasia couldnt help but laugh, the sound echoing with her pain. "How right you are!" she agreed, her voice thick with sarcasm. "So tell me, what else do you need me to do?"
Christian studied her, the calm in her eyes belying the turmoil she must be feeling. After a long moment of silence, he finally revealed his plan. "Professor Dumbledore is working on a groundbreaking gene therapy technology, one that could revolutionize medicine and yield immense profits."
Anastasia frowned, confused. "What does this have to do with Edward Cullen?"
Christians gaze turned sharp. "Dumbledore has sold the core technology to Edward."
As the days passed, Anastasia went about her life in a daze, the world around her moving while she felt anchored to a spot of despair. Two months later, she found herself at the hospital for two reasons: a check-up at the obstetrics department and an orchestrated accidental encounter with Edward.
When the doctor handed her the test results, her hands trembled slightly. "Congratulations, youre going to be a mother," the doctor said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," Anastasia replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she tried to process the news.
Walking out of the diagnostic room in a daze, she clutched the test results tightly, her mind racing with thoughts of what this meant for her and the child growing inside her. As she moved down the hallway with unfocused eyes, she collided with Edward.
"Anastasia, whats wrong?" Edward asked, his voice immediately filled with concern upon recognizing her.
Startled, Anastasia tried to hide the test results behind her back and mumbled an excuse to leave. "Its nothing, I should go!"
"Whats this?" Edward was quicker, snatching the paper from her hand before she could react.
Anastasias heart leaped into her throat as she made a desperate grab for the document. "Give it back to me!"
Edward moved out of reach, his eyes scanning the document quickly. When he saw the contents, his eyes widened in surprise. He looked at Anastasia, his expression serious. "Pregnant at eight weeks, is it mine?"