Chapter 17 I clenched my fists , my body trembling Why would I do that ? Because youre a distraction , James said coldly .
Johan has a future ahead of him , and it doesnt involve a woman who will only hold him back I felt my breath hitch Hold him back ? My voice shook with anger .
Tve supported Johan in everything .
Ive stood by him , and why are you only saying this now ? I thought you liked me for him .
James didnt flinch .
lied .
My stomach twisted .
Why would I tell Johan that I didnt like you ? he continued .
At first , you were acceptable .
But then you had your scandal with your stepbrother , and it tainted our family name .
Johan didnt tell you , right ? That he kept you safe from the backlash ? I blinked , confused .
What are you talking about ? ) ; James exhaled sharply , looking at me as if I were an ignorant child .

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Because of your past with Jayson , our company faced a stock crash .
Investors pulled out .
Clients lost confidence .
Johan has spent the past weeks trying to clean up the mess , making sure it doesnt fall apart completely .
My heart pounded Johan never told me any of this .
He didnt tell you , James repeated , reading the shock on my face .
Because he didnt want you to worry .
But you should .
Because even if he manages to fix the company , he will always be shadowed by you by the woman who had an affair with her stepbrother .
Tears burned in my eyes , but I refused to let them fall .
It wasnt an affair you James tilted his head , mockingly Really ? Then tell me , what do you think the public believes ? I swallowed hard , unable to answer Thats exactly why it was Jack who was chosen as CEO first .
It wasnt just because of his seniority .
It was because we didnt want connected to our family .
But then Jack ruined himself , and now we have no choice but to make Johan the heir .
His cold eyes darkened further .
But even now , the investors dont trust us , You have to realize that Johans name is being dragged down because of you I gritted my teeth Thats not fair .
Fair ? James let out a humorless laugh .
Was it fair that my son had to bury your past with Jayson just to keep you from being tom apart by the media ? Was it fair that Johan who worked his entire life to prove himself now has to beg for the respect of people who once believed in him ? My nails dug into my palms .
I love him .
James shook his head .
Love is not enough It is to us .
His jaw tightened .
Youre just like Yanna .
A gold digger .
I sucked in a sharp breath .
How dare you- !! You started as a pretend couple , he cut me off .
So why should I believe this isnt just another scheme? I know because I had it investigated ever since the affair with your stepbrother That the baby is even his ? Tears welled up in my eyes , but I refused to let them fall .
This baby is Johans .
James didnt react .
He didnt care .
All I care about is my son , he said .
And if you love Johan as much as you claim , youll walk away before you ruin him completely .
Silence stretched between us , suffocating Then he stood up .
This is your final warning , Anastacia .
Stay away from Johan , or I will make sure you regret staying .
) I watched as he walked out , the weight of his words crushing down on me I For the next few days , I tried to act normal .
I told Johan I was just tired , brushing off his concerns .
But inside , my mind was spiraling & James words replayed over and over in my head .
I wanted to believe Johan didnt hide anything from me , but doubts started creeping in .
Then , late one night , I heard him talking in his study .
I wasnt planning on eavesdropping , but something about the urgency in his voice made me pause ! She cant know about this , Johan was saying .
1 Anastacia finds out , shell blame herself .
My breath caught Another article ? Johan sounded furious .
Bury it .
Pay the media off again .
I dont care how much it costs .
No one can see it .
H I pressed a hand to my mouth Theyre still talking about Jayson ? After everything ? he hissed .
Make it stop .
I dont care what it takes .
I felt the world tilt beneath my feet .
Johan had been the one protecting me .
He had been the one making sure I didnt have to face the backlash .
He had been paying off the media , shielding me from the consequences of my past ⠀ And it didnt stop there Also , Johan continued .
Make sure Anastacia never finds out Im the one keeping her familys company afloat : My heart stopped .
No one wants to trust them after what happened .
But I cant let them fail .
Not when shes still tied to them .
) I staggered back , hands trembling All this time , I thought things were finally settling .
That Johan and I were building something real But the truth was , I was a burden .
His father was night And so , with my hands shaking .
I picked up my phone and dialed James Smiths number .
!! The moment he answered , I whispered the words I never thought Id say .
Til take your offer )