Prisoner In Silk Sheets: A Wife With No Way Out

Julian extended his arm through the car window. In his slender fingers, he held out a packet of tissues.

Anna stood speechless. Her first impulse was to decline, but, against her better judgment, she accepted the packet.

"Thank you," she murmured.

The faint warmth from his hand appeared to remain on the thin sheet of paper, as if the contact had not fully faded yet. Julian broke his gaze at once and pulled the window up, cutting off the moment before it could linger any longer. The sedan accelerated down the road, and she was left standing alone on the sidewalk, watching it disappear.

At exactly ten o'clock, the employees at Hart Industries worked quietly at their desks. The company had not paid salaries in a month, yet most of the staff remained out of loyalty, carrying on as if nothing were amiss. Still, Anna knew this calm was only an illusion—the weight of unpaid debts hung over them like a shadow.

She entered the meeting room, accompanied by Sean Lockwood, the company's vice president. Her father's lawyer was already waiting inside.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Hart," he said solemnly. "Your father left me instructions regarding his will. I will read it to you now."

Anna nodded in acknowledgment.

The lawyer opened his folder and said, "Your father owned six properties... Here are the details."

She accepted the document and went through it with focused attention, making sure she understood every detail before allowing him to go on.

"There are also three parking lots listed, along with eight commercial properties and a total of twelve vehicles under the account."

Anna sat in shock. She had never tried to learn the extent of her father's wealth, and he had never confided in her. To uncover all these assets now left her deeply unsettled. One question burned in her mind: why, with so many resources, hadn't he sold them to pay for his treatment?

The lawyer continued, "Beyond these holdings, there is also this company." He glanced around the meeting room. "Your father wanted you to inherit it. But right now, it is suffering heavy losses."

"How much?" Anna asked, her voice tight with worry.

Sean adjusted his glasses and answered, "One hundred and twenty-five million. If you take over the business, you'll also inherit this debt. Even if you sold every asset, it wouldn't be enough to cover the deficit."

Anna went still. One hundred and twenty-five million! The figure felt impossible to grasp.

"You can refuse," Sean added. "If you do, the debt will not be your burden. But keep in mind, this company was your father's life's work. Are you truly prepared to let it vanish?"

Anna took a deep breath.

"And my stepmother? What about Mia?"

Sean's expression grew grim.

"There's no point discussing them. Your stepmother arranged things so that her own brother took control of all the finances, and he embezzled large sums before vanishing. She holds a significant share of responsibility for the situation we're in."

Anna pressed her hands to her forehead, her voice shaking. "I can't bear to watch my father's company collapse... but where could I possibly find such a large amount?"

"Borrow it!" Sean insisted. "Our new product is nearly ready. With a loan, its launch could save everything."

"But who would ever agree to lend me that much money?"

"Start with the banks. If they turn you down, then look for an investor. You have to try. Only when every option is exhausted should you even think about letting it go."

On the top floor of the Sterling Group, sunlight poured into Julian's office. Anna's silhouette appeared framed against the bright windows as Julian read through the report Alex Davis had just handed him.

"Mr. Ashford," Alex explained, "Hart Industries was already drowning in debt totaling one hundred twenty-five million. Adam Hart's wife and youngest daughter boarded a flight earlier today, and they were unlikely to return until this matter was resolved. As for Miss Hart, I believe she would eventually step back. That level of debt would be far too heavy for her to overcome."

Liam Blake, the financial director, gave a sly smile as he toyed with his coffee cup.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Anna will come looking for Julian. She knows he's the only one with enough power to help."

"I don't think she would have the nerve to try that," Alex replied, shaking his head in dismissal.

"You didn't see her yesterday," Liam insisted. "She shattered an expensive bottle of wine and stood up to Jessy without any fear. Underneath her gentle appearance, she's braver than you think."

They decided to make a bet: if Anna actually asked for a loan, Alex would supply coffee for Liam for an entire month. But if she didn't, Liam would cover the expenses for the whole office of the president.

That afternoon, Anna tried her luck with the banks. One after another, they refused her. She contacted eight different institutions, and none offered any solution. Some banks wouldn't even speak with her, so notorious were the company's debts.

Sean handed her a thick file.

"This is the full presentation of the new product. It's our last hope. Prepare yourself, show your best side, and arrange meetings with the executives from River City Bank and Silver Linings Bank."

"Why do I need to prepare so much?" Anna protested. "Can't I just go as I am?"

"In business, appearances matter. You need to look impeccable."

Anna sighed but opened the file anyway.

At six o'clock, Alex delivered an update to Liam.

"Surprisingly, she hasn't given up. She's having dinner tonight with executives from River City Bank and Silver Linings Bank."

Liam raised his eyebrows, a hint of bitterness in his expression.

"These two men are known for their greed. She has no idea what kind of trap she's walking into. Why didn't she choose Julian? After all, he is her husband, even if it's just in name."

Alex glanced at Julian. The look on Julian's face had grown as dark as a storm. Even if he didn't love Anna, she was still his wife. Watching her seek help from those bankers felt like an insult.

"Should I call him?" Alex asked uncertainly.

Julian's fists clenched, his knuckles whitening with tension.

"No. I want to see just how far she'll go."

Liam cleared his throat and suggested lightly, "Why don't we grab a drink together? My treat."

Julian abruptly shut his laptop, spun his wheelchair around, and left the room, his bodyguard following close behind.

It was nine o'clock in the evening.

Outside, the autumn air was crisp, and fallen leaves skittered across the ground in the wind. Anna got out of the taxi and felt a shiver run through her as the cold seeped in. She pulled her bag tighter against her body and hurried toward the entrance of Ashford Manor, eager to escape the biting air.

In the dim light of night, Anna's red spaghetti-strap dress caught the eye, accentuating her figure with a striking glow. Just that morning, she had left the house in simple pants and a t-shirt. Now, the idea that she had changed into such an outfit to impress other men made Julian's hands tighten in the living room.

She only noticed his presence as she changed her shoes in the hallway. Sitting on the couch in a black shirt, he looked colder and more enigmatic than ever. Anna hesitated to greet him. After all, that morning he had handed her a packet of tissues—a gesture so unexpected that it had left her unsettled. Unable to hold his gaze, she turned away.

Just as she was about to leave, his icy voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Come here."

She froze. With no one else around, it was impossible to pretend she hadn't heard.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice unsteady.

"I told you to come here."

His tone, sharp and commanding, made her flinch. Unable to resist, she stepped toward him, her heart pounding. His handsome, closed-off face gave nothing away.

"Is it time for the divorce?" she asked, unable to stand the silence any longer.

Julian's brows knitted together. A faint scent of wine drifted from his hair. Jealousy and anger surged inside him. Suddenly, his strong hand clamped down around her wrist.

"Did you go out drinking with someone? Did you enjoy yourself?" he growled.

The pain made Anna flinch.

"Let go of me! You're hurting me!"

Tears spilled down her cheeks, but his grip only tightened, as if he wanted to force a confession from her.

"Answer me!"

"I haven't drunk anything!" she protested through her sobs. "I swear, Julian!"

Her throat tightened with fear. Yet, the next moment, he pulled her into his arms. His cold nose pressed against the curve of her neck, brushing softly against her skin. Anna froze, forgetting how to breathe. Her hands trembled. The violence had ended, but a smoldering anger still burned within her.

She dared to run her fingers over his injured leg and pinched it hard, prepared for any reaction. Yet he gave none; his dark eyes simply studied her, clouded with unease.

"Your clothes reek of another man's alcohol," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Are you going to take them off yourself, or do you want my help?"

Stunned, Anna tried to step away, but he gripped her tightly. With a rough movement, he ripped the back of her dress and tossed her onto the couch.

"Julian Ashford! You're insane!" she shouted, shivering as the air hit her back.

"Don't forget who you are: Mrs. Ashford," he said coldly.

Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched the torn fabric of her dress. Yes, she had shared dinner with two bank executives, but she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol—she was carrying a child. No matter how much they encouraged her, she refused every offer. And still, here was Julian, hurling accusations.

"I don't care about your name! You have no right to judge me! I hate you!"

Overwhelmed with anger, she fled to her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Julian remained alone, his face unreadable but his eyes shadowed and dark. He had spent the entire day hoping Anna would turn to him for help. Instead, she had kept silent. Worse still, she had gone to someone else for support. Pride and jealousy had fueled his anger, and now he realized she feared him more than anything.

His phone vibrated with a message from Alex: "Mr. Ashford, has Miss Hart come back? Liam and I saw her. She argued with both directors and left before dinner."

A wave of bitterness swept over Julian. Even if she hadn't touched any alcohol, she should never have shown up before those men in such a dress.

Meanwhile, Anna had just stepped out of the shower when Mrs. Miller entered her room with a tray.

"Ms. Anna, Master Julian asked me to bring you some soup. He wasn't sure what you would like."

Anna tensed.

"What does that mean?"

The housekeeper offered a gentle smile. "He must feel sorry for being too harsh. Since you locked yourself away, he's been in an awful mood."

Anna picked up the ruined red dress from the bed.

"Would you like me to mend it?" Mrs. Miller offered.

"It's useless," Anna replied in a hoarse voice. "It's not even mine. Just return the tag to him."

She let out a weary sigh and sat down, utterly spent.

"I can't afford to replace it."

Mrs. Miller set the soup down in front of her.

"Try to get some rest. Tomorrow, Miss Hilary will be going out, and Master Julian will take you with him to the old manor."