Alastor parked his car outside the mansion and then entered the living room.
Anastasia would usually be waiting for him quietly on the couch, or she would be painting in her study.
However, on this day, the house was unusually quiet.
âAnastasia?â Alastor shouted, but there was no response.
Even the restroom and the master bedroom on the second floor were empty.
âAnastasia?â Alastor called out.
Alastor called Anastasia on the phone, but she didnât answer.
Alastor tugged at his tie, feeling a little annoyed. It was clear that he wasnât willing to spend much effort trying to appease a woman.
For the past four years. Anastasia had been incredibly obedient and sensible, to the extent that Alastor had never had to expend energy on her.
Even though Alastor was aware that he was at fault this time, he still felt angered by Anastasiaâs disobedience. Alastor rubbed his temples irritably and ordered his assistant to find Anastasia. âFind out where Anastasia went.â
âMrs. Lopez is being quite unreasonable. How can she argue with you over something as trivial as breakfast? Canât she be more understanding? Youâve been extremely busy these past few days, and yet sheâs only adding to the chaos,â the assistant ventured to say.
âYou talk too much,â Alastor warned in a low voice.
Frightened, the assistant hurriedly apologized and ended the call right after.
There was a traffic jam on the way to the airport. Tears welled up involuntarily in Anastasiaâs eyes when she saw the bridal car on the road.
On the convertible bridal car, the bride was wearing a wedding dress and holding a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hands, smiling happily.
âSo this is how it looks like to marry true love, huh?â she mused.
Unfortunately, Anastasia got married before she could meet her true love.
âI apologize for the lengthy procession and the inconvenience it may have caused. The bridesmaid personally disembarked from the vehicle and distributed wedding favors to each driver and passenger, expressing her regret.
Anastasia subconsciously took the wedding favors and smiled bitterly.
After four years of marriage, Alastor provided her with the home she desired, yet failed to provide her with the sense of being officially married, complete with a wedding ceremony.
She recalled the day Alastor proposed marriage. His tone was composed and collected, as if he was discussing a business deal. âMy name is Alastor Lopez, and I believe I meet the criteria youâre looking for. Letâs register for marriage.â
*Iâm Anastasia Lawson. I have no house, no car, no family, and Iâm burdened with student loans. Would you like to reconsider?â
Actually, Anastasia was planning to refuse his proposal that day.
After all, she didnât know much about Alastor and felt that she was unworthy of him.
However, Alastor was silent for a while and said, âAnastasia, I can give you a home.â
Alastorâs promise struck a chord in Anastasia and made her waver.
The most impulsive decision Anastasia had ever made in her life was to have a blitz marriage with Alastor, disregarding everything else.
Obviously, it was a risky bet.
The consequences of that bet, no matter what it would be, would stay with her for the rest of her life.
âI donât want children. My mom may not like you, but you donât have to pay them any attention. Our family will consist only of the two of us, and it wonât involve others. If conflicts arise between you and my mother, Iâll handle them. You donât need to worry.
Because Alastorâs mother, Naomi Lopez, didnât approve of Anastasia, the Lopez family never recognized Anastasia as Alastorâs wife.
Coming from a less privileged family. Anastasia had been perceived by Naomi as attempting to climb the social ladder by marrying into a more affluent family.
Alastor, with your qualifications, you can find someone better. Why did you choose me?â Anastasia was also confused.
To take over the Lopez familyâs business, I need to start a family first. This is what Grandpa wrote in his will,â Alastor didnât lie, but he concealed one thing: the person he loved abandoned him and went to Atharia.
He couldnât wait any longer. He needed to get married first before he could obtain his shares and inheritance rights.
Otherwise, what rightfully belonged to him might be seized by the Lopez familyâs illegitimate son who was being raised outside.
Therefore, the marriage between Alastor and Anastasia had always been a business deal.
In this deal, Anastasia was the sole individual who had invested her emotions.
Alastor went to the Lawson residence.
Anastasiaâs mother passed away when she was very young. Her father, Zeke Lawson, remarried and found her a stepmother.
After getting married, Anastasia seldom returned home. However, Alastor didnât have a choice but to pay the Lawson residence a visit since he couldnât find Anastasia anywhere.
âMeredith, did Anastasia come by?â Alastor addressed Anastasiaâs stepmother, Meredith Lawson, as âMeredithâ like Anastasia did.
Meredith kindly let Alastor in and said with a smile, âAnnie didnât come back. Did you two get into a fight?â
After saying that, Meredith shouted to the attic, âSienna, Alastor is here. Come down!â
Hearing that, Sienna, who was playing games in her bedroom, hurriedly dressed up and primped in front of the mirror for a while before excitedly coming downstairs.
âAlastor.â
Sienna had feelings for Alastor. She wanted to take away everything that belonged to Anastasia.