Hello readers!

Bet you weren't expecting that big twist at the end of chapter 23 hey haha!

Explanations for what's happened will be in the next few chapters alongside some big Christian/Ana scenes.

As for this chapter let us final reveal who Victoria Gold belongs to and how her father and mother met. Bring on the flashbacks.

By the way for all of you who are interested I am seriously sunburnt out here In Mykanos! Wish I was back where the sun isn't so hot, actually no scrap that because today I spent all my time writing this chapter on a sunny beach. Jealous anyone? Hehe

Love you all!

Alexandra "Alexandria (Greek version of my name)" xxxxx

Esmeralda's Pov

I sit patiently beside my daughter as the nurses run their final tests , checking her blood pressure and heart rate before moving down to examine the now stitched up wound in her stomach , the bullet has been surgically removed but the scar will never heal , she will never be able to forget this incident , and neither will I.

I stand up and walk towards the small window, looking out at the busy Seattle street below, marvelling at the normal people who have no idea what has gone on right under their noses, they wake up to go to their mundane little jobs and yet I have to watch as surgeons and doctors fight against the clock to save my little girls life. It all seems too much to be real , A mad woman abducted my child and when the man she thought to be her father came to rescues her she was shot , it's as if I've had a nightmare and am yet to wake up from the horrifying things around me , but it's not a dream. The scar on Tori's stomach shows me that this is real, this is happening.

"Mommy? Mommy are you there?" I move away from the window and smile as Tori opens her eyes for the first time since we arrived, almost five days ago now. She gives me a weak smile as I take her hand and kiss her forehead softly.

"Hello my brave little girl" her eyes shift uneasily and my heart sinks, she's still scared, scared that her nightmare will return in the form of that woman. Leila.

"Mommy , is she here , that lady from the front door , is she still here?" tears stream down her cheeks as she remembers the night she was taken , pure fear racks her tiny body as she starts sobbing uncontrollably. I take her in my arms, sitting down beside her so she can fully snuggle into me.

"She's gone Tori, she's gone forever. I promise that you will never ever see that woman again" she sobs into my shoulder, soaking my dress with her tears; I have to take deep breaths to stop myself sobbing with her. These past few days have pushed me to the edge of my emotions and now I am left to deal with the aftermath, fear, joy, sadness, they all roll into one inside me making me feel suffocated.

I have to talk to Christian, just to tell him how sorry I am for putting him through so much for no reason, even if it means him telling me to fuck off and leave his life forever I still feel the need to tell him why I did what I did, I need him to understand that I never intended to hurt him, would never want to cause him pain. But then I honestly don't know why I told him I knew for sure that he was Tori's father when I've never been sure , but how can any mother be sure? Okay that's stupid for me to say but honestly how am I supposed to remember, I was young and scared. I don't even remember sleeping with any man but Christian, well except for that night in May, when Christian had given me a black eye and I'd called it quits. If only I could remember the name of that young man, the man with the blue shirt.

"Esmeralda!" I cover my ears as my best friend Morgan runs over to me, something I find very impressive considering she's wearing six inch black heels and a tight fitting fuchsia pink dress. She's standing at the bar with her boyfriend Jamie when I arrive at Granger, one of Seattle's up and coming night spots and also one of the only clubs in Seattle not owned by my lord and master Christian Grey. A man who is probably pacing his red room in pure unadulterated rage right about now because I've refused to come over tonight , which goes against everything in our contract , but who can blame me? I'll do a lot in that room but being hit across the face for not standing straight enough is pushing it too far , he needs to realise I am human and to mark me so obviously , a black eye the size of Africa on my right eye , is just not acceptable.

"Morgan slow down!" I giggle as I catch her in a big bear hug, conscious that I may not have put my concealer on thick enough and my bruise will be visible, thankfully the lights have been dimmed and neon flashing lights fill the elegant space of the club.

"What I'm excited! It's been weeks since I saw you! Why have you become some sort of recluse? You never ever come out anymore!" I giggle once again at my small friend, taking in her tiny frame and slim waist alongside her Barbie blonde curls and sky blue eyes, she's a little stunner.

"You haven't lost your dramatic attitude yet then hey?" she shakes her head playfully, making her short curls bounce around her small face.

"Nope, serious people are just too…" she trails off as she thinks about what word to use.

"Serious?" I suggest with a smile, smoothing down my own figure hugging black dress and taking my long brunette hair out of its practical ponytail so it tumbles over my shoulders. I'm nowhere near as pretty as Morgan but I'm far from ugly, at least that's what Christian said once, right before he spanked me with a spiked paddle. Remembering that night makes a delicious shudder through me, but I hide it by pretending I'm chilly.

"Hey Esmee girl" I smile a hello as Jamie , Morgan's boyfriend of 3 years , slides in next to her and hugs her to him with an arm around her waist. He's dressed smartly in a button down shirt and grey slacks; his light blonde hair is wavy around his smooth facial features.

"Hey Jamie how's work?" I ask politely , one of the awkward things about being with Christian is that Jamie works as an executive at Grey Enterprises and Holdings and from what I've overheard he's close to become ex-executive if he doesn't stop taking days off to spend with Morgan. I don't tell him this of course; Christian would go mental if he knew I had listened into his phone calls after our sessions together.

"Uh same old really, we've just been given a contract for an international catering company called Mad Hat Catering and the owner is being a little too eager to sell, which is obviously a little suspicious considering the company is making them a very rich individual" I try my best to look interested but in all honesty I don't really care about Jamie's job right now because he works for Christian and I am desperately trying to forget about him.

"Jamie your boring Esmee! She's only been here two minutes and you talk business with her!" I giggle as Morgan playfully slaps her boyfriend, whose eyes are trained lovingly on his beautiful girlfriend, he giggles as well before sweeping her up in an embrace and kissing her passionately. I smile shyly at their very public display of affection, waiting for them to separate. They don't and soon it becomes very awkward just watching as they get it on, I tap Morgan on the shoulder and point towards the bar, and she smiles as Jamie attacks her neck with kisses and gives me a little wave.

"Malibu and Coke please" I lean back against the bar and spot Jamie and Morgan again , his hands are all over her slim body and I instantly remember Christians hands on me , my body warms and a hot sensation rushes over my most private areas "actually make it a double vodka and coke" the barman smiles at me and starts making my drink , he's good looking in that exotic way with his dark eyes and black hair , not really my type but good for a one night kinda thing. I push the thought from my mind quickly, downing my drink just as it's placed in front of me, I motion for a second and he winks at me, making my stomach turn. I want Christian not this guy, what am I doing thinking about one night stands!

"Hard night?" I look around to see who's just spoken to me and my eyes land on a gorgeous man stood just next to me, his finger pointed towards my empty glass. He's quite tall with sandy blonde hair and sea blue eyes which match his button down shirt perfectly; his jeans look expensive and are excellently fitted to his lean legs. Overall he looks like some Abercrombie and Finch model mixed with Alex Petteryfer.

"Oh um yea a little" I smile shyly as my second drink is handed to me , I go to my purse to get my money but the handsome man gives the barman his card and winks at me , I try to object but he silences me with a raised eyebrow.

"So come on then" he sits down at the stall and I follow , pulling my dress over my knees as best I can , unfortunately its stupidly short and I suddenly feel very exposed in front of this handsome stranger. Thank God I thought to wear tights.

"Come on what?" I sip my drink this time, noticing how a beer has been placed in front of him which he takes a long sip from, his beautiful eyes trained on me.

"Come on and tell me what's wrong, it's obvious you're troubled about something, and the best way to deal with things I've found is to talk them through with someone who cares" I smile at his confidence.

"You don't even know me and yet you care?" I can feel my confidence grow as well as he raises his eyebrows playfully, placing his beer back on the bar and leaning forward on his stool.

"I care with all my heart miss …" he motions for me to fill the space with my name and I find my cheeks glowing redder , I really shouldn't be doing this, Christian would go absolutely mental at me. The kind of punishment he'd give me for something like this would really hurt, but I just can't resist this God of a man.

"Esmeralda" his eyes widen at my unusual name but soon his mouth is widening in a truly irresistible smile.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman" he pauses as I giggle then shakes his head at his own cheesy line "okay I need to apologise for that it was complete cheese" I can't contain the laughter this causes and I notice he too is laughing alongside me. I can literally feel the stress from my earlier phone call with Christian melt away as I laugh alongside my stranger.

"I'm Ethan" he holds out his hand and I place mine in it, blushing as he places a soft kiss on the top of it. "Now Esmeralda tell me what's wrong and we'll see if we can make you smile all night long" I smile happily and start talking, okay so I don't tell him the whole truth because I've signed a non-disclosure agreement and Christian would probably kill me if I mentioned his name but I do tell him about a boyfriend who I've had an argument with and that he's not as committed to our relationship as I'd wish. Ethan stays silent while I explain how I feel for him and that I'm scared I'm falling for a man who is unable to love someone back , watching as his eyes stay locked on my face and not my chest like all the other blokes I've come across in bars. He really seems to be paying attention to me and I find myself becoming completely comfortable around him. I come to the end of my speech and take a big gulp of my drink, practically draining the small glass. Ethan watches me intently before grabbing my hand to get my attention, his eyes stare into mine and I find myself holding my breath in case he kisses me.

"You deserve so much better Esmeralda" his words shock me and I let go of his hand, standing from my stool abruptly.

"I shouldn't have told you anything, I think it's best if I go. Thank you for the drink" I grab my bag and turn towards the dance floor, fixated on making it to the door at the end of the room.

"Esmeralda wait!" I try to walk quicker but my heels and a very crowded dance floor stop me from making the speedy exit I'd hoped for. I bash into Morgan, who is still making out with Jamie, but she breaks away from him when she sees my face. I shake my head when she tries to talk to me and she steps back so I can pass, grabbing my hand she squeezes it reassuringly and I send her a quick smile before disappearing into the dark street.

I gulp back deep breaths of air as I stop just outside the club, music filters out and the cold air carries it out along the sidewalk. Looking over my shoulder I spot Ethan approaching fast and take off down the sidewalk towards a small park, my feet are aching as I pound the pavement in my heels, for some reason I'm not running because I'm scared of him but because I'm ashamed of what I've told him, ashamed that he's worked out what I've been telling myself for nearly two months now. I do deserve better than letting a man I love beat me, and that is what this has become, at first I enjoyed the BDSM and loved being controlled so fully but now I'm just a walking punching bag for Christian. And what hurts the most is I love him , love him so much I want to give him what I know he needs , but at what price?

"Esmeralda please stop" he races after me as I turn into the park , I look back just as my heel catches on an uneven piece of pavement and I end up falling through the air towards the hard stone below, I cover my face and brace myself for the pain. I crash against the cold stone and yelp out as my bare knee slides along the floor and my ankle snaps within the strap of my silly heels. I lay still for a few seconds, trying to work out if my ankle is broken or just very painful.

"Jesus are you okay?" I feel arms around me but I'm too dazed from my fall to register who they belong too , soon I feel weightlessness as I'm lifted into arms and held against someone's chest. It's a strong chest; it belongs to someone who works out regularly. My head has started hurting and my eyes are suddenly very heavy, did I hit my head when I fell? I do vaguely remember my head colliding with the concrete but it seems like a distant memory not something that literally just happened.

I feel my eyes start to close and snuggle into the person who's carrying me's chest , grasping hold of their shirt like a child as they carry me with ease. It's not long before I'm fast asleep.

I open my eyes and have to stifle my gasp as I take in my beautiful surroundings , I'm in an interior designers heaven. Crisp white walls with huge landscape portraits of numerous countries around the world , deep brown oak wood flooring with stylish yet comforting rugs dotted around , and a beautiful white leather sofa that takes up the entire corner of the largish room baking onto a floor to ceiling window giving me a stunning view over Seattle's skyline. Overall I feel like I've awoken in some dream apartment. The scary thing is I don't have a clue how I got here or who I came here with.

"Hello?" I call out softly; I'm on some sort of white leather chaise lounge chair with a deep blue comforter thrown over me. My shoes have been removed and rather worryingly so have my tights, leaving my legs bare and exposed beneath my extremely short dress.

"Sleeping beauty awakens, how's your head?" I look up as a handsome young man enters, from what I'm guessing is a kitchen as he's carrying two cups of something hot in his hands, he's dressed in black joggers with a sky blue vest which shows off his muscular arms perfectly, the sweat on the front of the vest tells me he's been working out not long ago.

"Um sorry to be rude but who the hells are you? And why was I asleep here?" he raises an eyebrow at me as he places the cups down , his eyes are the same shade as his vest and I could see myself getting lost in their beauty. His lips curl into a confused smile as he sits across from me.

"You can't be serious Esmeralda" I flinch slightly, how the hell does this man know my name, and why do I feel a deep need to move closer to him?

"How do you know my name?" he frowns slightly before rubbing a hand against his forehead , I notice he's not wearing a wedding ring which makes me smile , a smile I whip away before he notices.

"Because you told me it, at the bar, remember?" he leans forward towards me, obviously both surprised and annoyed I've forgotten our supposed meeting "Jesus Esmeralda I know I saw you hit your head when you tripped but I didn't expect it to give you bloody memory loss!" he stands quickly and starts pacing the elegant room, his strides filling the space with ease.

"I'm sorry, I wish I remembered honestly I do, but there's nothing. Can I leave now?" I know I should just get up and run away, after all this is a strange apartment and I'm alone with a strange, but extremely good looking, man. It's a recipe for bad if you ask me. I'm just about to stand up when he places his hands either side of me and leans into my face, his lips inches from mine as his eyes scan my face.

"You really can't remember anything? Not the two double vodka and cokes you had, which could account for why you fell" I shake my head no and he sighs exasperatedly "oh wait what about you telling me about your boyfriend, this argument you had today and how you wish he would commit more to you?" those words fire through me, igniting my memories of the past few hours. Christian, my argument with him about the bruise to my right eye, I place my hand over my eye and press down, gasping when I feel a stinging pain. He must be telling the truth! I must have told him something.

"Come on Esmee remember" I look up at him, smiling at the need that seems to have filled his eyes, he's desperate for me to remember him and it warms my heart instantly. That's when the memories return.

"Ethan" his smile takes my breath away as I say his name again "your name is Ethan" he nods and laughs softly as he sits beside me and takes my hand in his , stroking my skin with his finger , suddenly I remember me running away from him , remember the fall I took.

"Esmeralda I'm sorry I said what I said, it wasn't my place and I feel completely responsible for this whole accident" I shake my head softly.

"There is no need for you to apologise, your right, I guess I do deserve better, but I love him" a stray tear escapes my eye causing my makeup to smudge slightly, scared my bruise may become visible I move away from him. He stops me quickly and takes my hand away from my eye, his entire stance changes as he spots the darkened skin.

"Esmeralda, what aren't you telling me about this boyfriend of yours" he's completely trained on my bruise now and I hang my head in shame, no one should know about this. Christian didn't mean it, it was an accident, and no one should see this. I turn away and stand abruptly, grabbing my bag and hunting for my shoes.

"I need to go" he grabs my arm then and spins me towards him, grasping my waist with a strong arm as his lips press against mine. Hot and powerful are the two words I can think best to describe his kiss , a possessive yet passionate release of sexual lust rushes between us as my arms wrap around his neck , allowing him to draw me closer to his body.

"Let me take care of you , even for one night , let me show you how a man should treat a woman as beautiful as you" his clichéd words wash over me as I nod my agreement , silencing him with a kiss before being lifted back into his arms and carried towards his bedroom.

That night we made love 5 times, slow and passionately, hot and rough. We were entwined with each other in a way I'd never ever experienced with Christian. Even now I still feel like Ethan and I shared something that night that can never be matched , yes I loved Christian but I also fell in love with Ethan , however what I did to him means if I ever was to meet him again he'd probably tell me to fuck off and leave him the hell alone.

When I awaken the next morning I instantly realise the mistake I've made. Ethan's arm is wrapped around me, pulling my naked body against him as he sleeps soundly. Dread and guilt wash over me as I replay last night's events, the two double vodka's on an empty stomach, the sickening jealousy I felt watching Morgan and Jamie on the dance floor, the phone call to Christian.

Oh God Christian! What the hell is he going to do when he finds out? And he will find out, he always finds out. There is no way; no way in hell I can hide this from him. I shudder at how much pain he will make me endure in punishment; will he at least make sure my bruises can be covered?

"Mmmm I could get use to waking up to someone as beautiful as you every morning" I smile as Ethan sleepily kisses me , his arm wrapping around my waist before laying over me with lust filled eyes. I can see where this is going and need to put a stop to this right away, I can't cheat again.

"Ethan I need to go" I try to move away but he's already trailing kisses down my stomach , his hands parting my thighs leisurely , I clamp them closed and pull his face up to mine , his sleepy grin makes my heart contract with an unknown emotion.

"God your beautiful" he leans up and silences any words I may have tried to mutter with a passion filled kiss , pushing my legs back open so he can slide between them , his morning glory pressing against my stomach.

"Ethan I seriously need to go!" he ignores me , playfully kissing my neck and grinning against my skin as I moan involuntarily , it's like he's found a hotwire to my pleasure.

"That's not what your body's saying to me babe" he kisses my neck again before sliding into me, making me arch my back in pure pleasure. I moan out as he kisses me over and over again, making me wants him more and more.

By the time we've brought each other to our climax, five times for both of us, it's nearly half past two. Ethan is in the shower while I potter around the kitchen, trying to find us something to eat for lunch. That's when I notice my phone , discarded with the rest of my things , its incoming call light is shining brightly and I remember turning it onto silent when I hung up on Christian , after I told him the contract was done.

"Shit!" I rush over to the little device and scan the screen, UNKNOWN shines back up at me and I take a deep breath before answering "Hello?"

"Esmeralda where the fuck have you been?" my heart sinks at the anger in Christian's voice and I have to take the phone away from my mouth to stifle a soft sob.

"I told you Christian, the contract it's over, I won't "I take another deep breath as tears threaten to invade my call "I won't be treated like that, you know my limits and you pushed me too far" he's silent and I feel myself worrying that he's hung up on me "Christian? Sir?" I can vaguely hear someone else talking in the background and am amount to hang up when he speaks again, his voice is back to his beautifully husky tone.

"Your right Esmee , I shouldn't have done what I did , I forgot your limits and I hurt you and for that I am truly sorry , please come back to me so I can show you that I understand your limits and respect what you are and aren't willing to do , let me show you that I understand you" never has he spoken to me like this before , showing me that he does have some care in him for me , it's like a flame to my ever growing love for him. I suddenly feel a painful urge to go to him, to feel him dominate and control my world once again, for him to be my world once again.

"Okay" is all I can say but his smile is practically audible as he sighs down the line.

"Thank you Esmee, go to your apartment and wait, Taylor will collect you for dinner with me at half eight" my breath stops. Dinner, he's taking me for dinner before a session. Like a date, we're going on a date. The joy I feel right now cannot be described. I hang up my phone just as Ethan enters the kitchen, he's wearing grey joggers and a black vest, his hair is still damp from the shower and it drips down my neck as he comes behind me and kisses my neck.

"Hey beautiful, you find something for us to eat or can I just have you for lunch" I smile awkwardly but he doesn't notice, he's too busy laughing at his own cheesiness as he hunts through his cupboards and fridge for food. I hesitant slightly and he turns towards me , his eyes narrowed in confusion "hey what's wrong with you babe?" he reaches an arm out to grab me by the waist but I stand back out of his reach , unable to look him in the eye.

"I have to go" he smiles once more and again reaches for my hip, making me step back even further away this time.

"Babe I can tell you want to stay , Its fine I want you to stay as well , heck I'd be thrilled if you moved in right now" he throws his arms up in obvious joy before jumping up on his breakfast table , he's so happy that it breaks my heart. I know he's happy because he's falling for me and I can't love him, I love another.

"I mean it Ethan; I have to go back to my boyfriend" I can't look him in the eye as I move around the apartment, collecting my bits and pieces which were removed from me over the course of last night.

"Back to a man that gave you that black eye, really? Save me the bullshit Esmeralda" his anger rips through me like a knife and I have to hold my breath so he doesn't see how pained I am feeling.

"I love him" this makes him angry , super angry , and it's not long before he's jumping off the breakfast bar and grabbing me , turning me to face him , pulling my face up so I have to stare into those beautiful eyes.

"You love him so much that you were able to make love with me last night and this morning? Your lying Esmeralda and it doesn't suit you so tell me what's going on right this second" more tears fill my eyes as I see his rage but also see the hurt I'm causing him , this wasn't just sex for him , it was love making and that makes things extremely complicated. I know what I must do to make him move on, make him forget this hurt. But I'm worried I'll never be able to forgive myself for doing it.

"It wasn't love Ethan, it was sex. I was drunk and vulnerable. I guess you could even say you raped me" his eyes shoot out in pure unadulterated pain as I mutter that ugly word, his arms release their hold on me and I step back , holding my hand to my stomach in case I'm sick with embarrassment for what I've just said.

"Get out" my heart shatters slightly as the life that was in his eyes dies instantly, turning him dark from the inside out.

"Ethan" he cuts me off with a raised hand.

"I said get the fuck out of my apartment Esmeralda" I nod in understanding and pick the last bit of my things off the floor , wiping my tears away as I step through the front door , feeling myself flinch as he slams it behind me. That's when I let myself cry.

"Esmee?" I snap out of my daydream as I hear my name being called, my heart leaps as I instantly recognise his voice. Turning round I gasp as he stands beside Tori, his eyes trained on her lips which look like his, his eyes taking in her light hair and high cheekbones which parry up with his same gentle features. He's slightly older but the years make him look more mature and healthy, his skin is positively glowing from what looks like a recent holiday abroad. His fashion sense is more sophisticated , perhaps he's become richer since that night all those years ago , now instead of jeans he's in crisp black dress pants and a dark grey shirt with a sea green tie , his hair is style sexily as well. He looks like Tori which makes my stomach twist and turn.

"Ethan how did you…" he cuts me off with a pointed look before returning his eyes to Tori, watching her as she sleeps soundly.

"She's my daughter isn't she?" he doesn't even look at me as the words leave his lips, making my heart break slightly; there's no joy in his voice. I can practically hear the regret he feels.

"Yes, yes she is" Ethan's face crumbles as he hears the confirmation and I turn back to the window as tears of guilt rush down my cheeks.