Let The Games Begin Chapter 3 Analise's POV A knock sounded at my door , and when I opened it , I saw Gwen and Emily standing there . They both looked like they were ready to smack Roger around . " Alright , Gwen said that jerk married Sasha . What was he thinking ? Emily asked as she set her overnight bag down under my computer desk . " I will fill you all in at the same time . " I managed to say . They knew I had been crying : it was obvious . My eyes were red - rimmed , and I still had tears on my face that I had tried to wipe away . " All ? " Gwen asked . A knock sounded on the door before I could answer . I looked through the peephole and saw my mother at the door . Dad probably dropped her off at the curb . " Hey , Mom ," I said as I opened the door . She enveloped me in a hug before I could step back to let her into my condo . I let her hold me , breathing in her scent and reminding myself that I come from a line of strong women . I needed them tonight . Tomorrow , I will fine - tune my plan . I knew having them here was what I needed . I felt a little bad not telling Seth , but if I did . He would go find Roger and beat him up . I was sure of that . Right now , I couldn't let them find out I knew what they were up to . Another knock sounded on the door , and I opened it to see my father standing there . The delivery guy was just leaving . The pizza had come fast , and I wished I'd ordered another pizza , but I wasn't hungry anymore . I was too angry to eat . As soon as Dad shut the door , he asked , " Alright , what did that little worm do ? He was never good enough for you , Ana . I know you cared for him , but you need to learn to read people better . I knew from the first time | met him that he had no talent . You have more talent in your pinky finger than he has in his whole body . You never needed him , honey ; he needed you . If you hadn't helped him , he would never have gotten his company listed . I hope you followed my instructions . He's wasted enough of your time . What do you need me to do ? " I hugged him . Just hearing how much he supported me helped ease the weight on my chest . I felt like at disappointment to them , I'm twenty - seven . I know they both wanted grandchildren , and we all knew that Seth wasn't ready to settle down . In that , he's just like Holden . Both were willing to sleep with whoever they wanted , no matter how vile the person actually was . I was glad that I managed not to cry . " I'm going to show you something Holden sent me . It's quicker to get you all up to speed that way , " I replied . I I asked my parents to sit down before stepping behind the couch to stand between Emily and Gwen . I had hoped it would be easier to see the video this time around , but I suspected it wouldn't . I watched , detached , as it played much quicker without needing to pause the video multiple times , as I had to do . I guess I did that to try to bolster myself . To try to prepare for the pain I knew was coming . Once it ended , Dad immediately started the video over again . I could feel the anger radiating off of him in waves . He was furious , and so was 16 Let The Games Begin my mother . When it ended the second time , there was silence in the room . " That bastard . He utilized your talent and your money to grow his business . Now he wants to turn around and try to take it all away from you ? " Gwen's incredulous voice rose with each word she spoke . "You can't let him get away with this , Ana . Please tell me you have a plan . I'm happy to help you in any way can , " Emily said . I " I have a plan , and I'm going to put it into play on Monday . Gwen is registering my designs in my name and on behalf of the company , as we will use them at Fashion Forward . I'm glad that Roger's company finally went public , as it will make selling my shares that much easier . They should sell quickly , as the company is currently performing well . It won't be once I'm gone . Roger's taking Sasha on a honeymoon to Paris , and I will be putting my notice in next Friday . I don't have to give the company too much notice . I don't need Roger coming back too soon . My company is performing very well , I'll be selling my shares in his company before he even knows there's a problem . Don't worry , Dad . I've done as you , and Mom instructed . I'm glad you warned me , I would have lost a great deal if I hadn't , " I answered " That heartless jerk , he was supposed to take you to Paris for your honeymoon ," Gwen replied with venom . Gwen was my ride or die . She always had my back , and I knew I could trust her with my life . No matter what , she had my best interests at heart . She has run my company with integrity this entire time . My father had watched over it until we graduated from college . He had his man still in charge until Gwen felt comfortable . I should have listened to Gwen . She didn't trust Roger from the moment she met him . I was just blinded by his good looks . He was the oldest in his family at twenty eight years old . He was in his senior year when we met . He was handsome , with his chiseled features , blonde hair , and blue eyes , which made me fall hard . I had always felt oversized , especially in groups , but Roger acted like he could see me , that he accepted me . He had poured on the charm , and I fell for it . I had always wanted someone to be proud to show me off , and he did , at first . I could see it all clearly now . He needed me . My professor had let it slip in my senior year that he had mentioned to Roger what a talented designer I was . That was how I got on his radar . Roger actively pursued me , not because he liked me . He knew I liked him , and he made sure to use that against me . He was a handsome man , but watching the video the last time , I could see the glaring flaws . His weak chin , his narrow lips , his ability to lie right to my face and make it sound like the truth . I'm a smart person ; I should have seen what he was doing . Except I was so happy that someone I found attractive had found me attractive , too . It blinded me to the truth . I thought I had finally found the man who would love and take care of me for the rest of my life . Even two years ago , when he started to pull away when I turned twenty - five , I excused it . His friends never respected me , and he never made them stop taking digs at me . He let them drive me away , as I didn't like to hang out with them . They were just as disgusting as he was . I had protected my own designs . They all had a copyright in my name . I allowed my designs to be used by Cook Custom Jewelry . Now , I've changed my mind . I'm no longer allowing them to use them . I will now use the best ones at my own company . Since Sasha wants to run the design department so bad , I'm going to let her . Whatever they come up with , they can use . I've always tweaked what my team in the design department came up with . I provided them with suggestions on how to improve their designs , offering a few hints and tricks . That's over with . From now on , I will focus solely on growing my company . 53000 2/4 Let The Games Begin " I'm going to bury Cook Custom Jewelry . I know that Roger's father , Scott , has been interested in acquiring a stake in the company lately . I will make that happen for him by directing my broker to start with him . I believe Scott will be only too happy to be able to get his hands on the proverbial golden goose , " I said with a smile . " I'm sorry , honey . Neither of us ever liked Roger , but you know that you can still go forward with the arranged marriage with Holden , He obviously cares for you , or he wouldn't have sent the video to you to warn you , " My mother stated . " No , " I said sharply . I had to force myself to calm down . I spoke more gently to her , " I'm sorry , Mom , but I just got my heart broken . I don't want to be with Holden . I won't force him to honor the arrangement between families . I'm sorry , but things between Holden and me will never work out . There was a reason I cut him out life . He has no respect for me , and knowing that , I just can't marry him . There's no need to push him to honor it . I already know his feelings on the subject . " of my I see the frowns on both my parents ' foreheads . This was news to them , I never told a soul what happened , and I would rather not get into that right now . I had once adored Holden . I looked up to and admired him . I know I might have just said too much as I was upset , but I can't take the words back now . Holden had made his decision , and I would respect it . It should be enough that I shielded my family from what happened . It would have torn our families apart . He wouldn't be Seth's best friend anymore if that happened . Our families had been close friends with each other my entire life . I made excuses to not join their dinner parties over the years . Things became much easier when Holden left five years ago . I started to show up after he left , unless I knew he was in town . My parents and Seth were suspicious , but I always excused myself by saying I was too busy . I truly was busy . Running two companies myself , Roger had no idea what he was doing . We both had business degrees , but he was almost completely clueless . Additionally , over the last eight months , I had been planning our wedding on top of it , with no help from him . They accepted my excuses without argument , but they didn't like it . I knew they were concerned , but they left it alone . I think that they are all aware that if they actually pursued it , it might end up blowing up in their face . They knew I had a good head on my shoulders . I inwardly scoffed at that . I thought I did , but clearly I had no clue when it came to Roger . Was I so focused on replacing Holden that I was willing to accept scraps for the rest of my life ? No , I wasn't . I was going to live for myself from now on . I " Your mother and I will help you , Ana . I will never allow someone to hurt you without paying the price for it ," my father said . I know that he means Holden , too , but at the moment , I'm caught up in gratitude , I can always count on my parents to love and support me . I know in my heart that this will be much more than I can handle on my own , so I'm glad for their help . It's time to show them all who I really am . So , let the games begin .