This is a two-shot fanfic that I've written for Wattpad Fanfic, March's Big Change Contest!

This will contain two chapters in a sequence and if you like my story please vote and comment on it on Wattpad.

My username : Kaishi29 Story Title : Devoted Sacrifices

Enjoy reading!

I couldn't handle it anymore.

I was going to crumble any moment now.

Everyone would see my weakness.

The demons hiding in the shadows would know that they've finally broken me.

It would be a miracle if they haven't noticed it yet.

With my legs trembling so hard, I could fall down any moment now, and tears that I miserably fought over to control but failed.

Not only them, anyone could see I was about to break, if I hadn't already broken.

"Ana." A voice called out my name.

Not just any voice. This was the one I would have recognized anywhere.

This was the voice that I was hanging onto with threads, so that I won't go insane.

It belonged to him.

Christian.

I turned to look at him. Even with grim expressions and black mourning suit, he looked so beautiful.

He was the only one left now.

He was my only source of strength, my only weakness.

Which is why I had to this. As soon the funeral was over, I had to leave.

I couldn't endanger anymore lives.

Especially not his.

"Ana, it's your turn." Christian said, dragging me from my inner battle.

I nodded once at his direction. I was only capable of nodding right now. My voice had died along with the person who lay six feet under in the coffin now.

With strength I didn't know I possessed, I took two steps forward.

There was nothing for me to speak. No goodbye speech.

I didn't even deserve to come here but Christian had said that he would have wanted me there.

Of course he would have wanted me on his funeral.

He loved me.

He would always love me.

Even if I was the reason for his death.

With a heavy heart I dropped the sand I held in my fist on his coffin, silently thanking and apologizing to him.

I was told to be strong. To not give in to them.

Look where it had gotten me.

With my apartment thrashed, a bag full of threatening notes and my best friend dead.

I had warned Jose to not to go after them. They had been waiting for this opportunity.

They knew how much I loved my friends.

After all they were all I had since my parents had died in a car crash six months ago, which wasn't an accident at all.

I knew that. But the reports stated otherwise.

Jose was a smart cop though. He had immediately suspected it.

I had successfully kept my cover till last week. It was then when he had entered my apartment without my knowledge to surprise me on my birthday, that he had found the bag.

The bag.

Where I had hidden all the threatening notes and letters.

The threatens that demanded me to give away my dad's company, as I was now their next of kin, or meet the same end my parents had.

It hadn't taken much for Jose to put two and two together.

By the time I had arrived home, he was livid.

After numerous lectures of how stupid I was to not tell anyone about this and put myself in danger, Jose had sworn that he would protect me.

I believed him. We were best friends since childhood. He had been in love with me since high school.

Even though I hadn't returned that depth of his affection and kept our relation strictly platonic, he was always to ready to do anything for me.

To die for me.

Which he did.

But no one knew that.

No one except Christian.

There was no way he couldn't know it. He had always read me like an open book.

There was no way, he couldn't see the guilt in my eyes, the despair on my face, the agony and fear clearly pouring out of me with every movement.

He was too observant and smart for not to notice it.

Yet he didn't say anything. He didn't push me or asked me anything.

Whether it was to give me time to recover from Jose's death or any other reason, I was grateful for it.

Because I couldn't tell him about this at all.

Not one could know what my life was going through, especially not him.

Jose had been outraged when he had found out. He had instantly vowed to do whatever it took to keep me safe.

But Christian...

If he ever found out about, he would go psychotic. He would be out for bloodlust.

There was something about the way he carried himself that I knew he wasn't a man who should be tested. Ever.

No matter how loving and gentle and playful he was with me. His true nature came all out once we were in the bedroom.

He hid his devil deep down, wearing his facade in front of the eye of public.

Only I had seen that monster come alive. But not in his bloodthirsty form.

He used to come out to play with me. To torture me in the best ways possible.

And I loved every second of it. Just like I loved Christian himself.

And he loved me as much, if not more.

My heart broke once again, thinking how he would cope up when I would leave him today. It would shatter him.

But I had to do this. To protect him and his heart as well.

There were two possibilities at this moment. Either I would die or he would.

And both of them would be the death of him.

Just like the death of my parents and Jose made me feel like I was already dead.

My father's company was invested in producing secret weaponry for the U.S army forces.

Eight months ago, there had been a breakthrough in his company when they had come across inventing a super secret powerful weapon that would greatly benefit U.S army in defense.

It was meant to be a secret but somehow the news had been leaked.

All that it had taken for an upcoming terrorist organization was a week to know about it.

At first they had simply offered a prodigious amount of money to take over the company.

Of course my father had refused it.

Then the threats had started to come.

Either give them the company or they would forcefully take it by killing him and his wife, my mother.

But what they hadn't known was that Raymond Steele also had a daughter.

Dad had always kept me hidden away from the sight of everyone to keep me safe.

Which was why I had only Jose as my friend and now Christian as my boyfriend.

My world had consisted of only four people that mattered to me.

My parents never let me grow attached to anyone in high school. Never encouraged me to be a popular party girl.

In fact they were not very comfortable when Christian and I had begun to date until Jose had lectured them that I was a big girl now and could handle myself.

Now I knew why they had been like that.

They were afraid for this day to come. When I would be the cause for someone's death.

Someone who mattered to me so much. Someone who I had loved since childhood and who had been unconditionally in love with me. Someone who's death would tear me apart.

Throughout the rest of the ceremony I tried my best to hold myself together.

Christian seemed to sense my inner turmoil.

He never left my side once. His arm never got tired of supporting me.

His hand that held mine was silently communicating with me.

Telling me that it was okay to lose myself, to cry. That he will be here for me to hold me together.

But I couldn't do that. I couldn't put his life on risk more than I had already.

They were here somewhere. Hiding in plain sight. Watching me.

If I broke down now, Christian would support me and they'd know how much I was depended upon him.

How much he mattered to me. How I was on the verge of giving in and all it would for them was to threaten Christian's life and it will be over. They'll win.

Because I would do anything to keep him safe. Even if it meant to give over my dad's company and potentially put the whole nation in danger.

My dad was an unyielding person. He was too strong and too prideful.

He had refused to give up his company to those terrorists even when they had started acting on their threats and began invading into their privacy.

Of course I was unaware of everything. I was finally happy to get out of my parents watchful eyes and enjoy college life.

That was where I had met Christian after all.

He was a hard-working entrepreneur running his own empire called Grey Enterprises.

Till this date I didn't know how I had deserved this beautiful man.

And it wasn't because of his good looks or his money status, I had abundant of money in my bank account thanks to my dad.

It was because how pure his heart was. How deeply he was infatuated with me. How much he was in love with me.

My life was on the rocks until six months ago my parents had deceased from the alleged car accident, leaving me with a bunch of letters to explain everything along with the Raymond Weaponry Corporation (RWC) and their last wish of not handing over the company to anyone under any circumstances.

They had arranged for a tight security for me but that hadn't stopped for the threatens to come as soon as the news was released of the new owner of RWC.

It hadn't stopped for Jose to go after them either who had gone missing for a week, only to return as a dead body two days ago.

I hadn't taken anything so seriously before. Surely I had been scared and worried about me being the target, but the security my dad had organized for me kept reassuring me from time to time not to worry.

Being Raymond Steele's daughter, I had denied to give in as well. I refused to live in fear or allow them to affect my life in any way.

Now here I was, with three out of four people who mattered to me as dead.

Jose's death made me realize how gravely in danger I was.

How much in danger I had put Christian by just falling for him.

His death changed everything.

This changed everything in my life. In our lives.

I had to choices now. First, to finally give in and hand over the company to them and live rest of my life safely with Christian.

But what were the chances of living safely if they were planning to harm our country? And what was the guarantee that they would let me go after they get what they want from me?

The second option was to stay hidden and put and isolated. That meant to detach myself from world.

That meant to leave Christian.

I had to do it. Now only for my sake but his sake as well.

He would either die as the next target if we stayed together of will be heartbroken if he had to watch me die.

At least if I left him, he could continue with his life happily.

I knew he loved me and it would hurt him if I left, but he would be alive and his hurt would only be temporary.

In no time he would be dreamily in love with someone else. His world would consist of only her instead of me.

The thought of that made my heart beat painfully hard against my suddenly tightening chest.

I kept my tears at bay and my breathing in control.

The thought of Christian being happy and in love with someone else hurt like hell.

But I had to make this sacrifice for his sake.

And I would do it.

Because my love for Christian Grey was stronger than my fear, my selfishness and my jealousy.

"WHAT ARE YOU saying Ana?" Christian asked me later that evening.

His expressions were just as I had feared but so much more.

Disbelief, shock, confusion, hurt and pain.

God! This was so much harder than I thought it would be.

"I'm saying it's over Christian. I can't be with you anymore. I can't do this anymore."

"Ana, I understand what you're going through. These past few months have been very overwhelming for you. First your parents, then your dad's company thrown on your shoulder and now this sudden news of Jose."

"You don't understand a thing and it would be better if you leave it that way."

Yes, you could do it Ana. Just be more bitchy.

Christian's jaw clenched. "I understand more than you think Ana. I know how much Jose meant to you. It's okay to grieve for them. No one expects you to stay strong all the time."

Oh! How wrong you are Christian.

"Don't bother with it Christian. I know what I am doing and you're no one to tell me what do to. I'm breaking up with you. It's my final word."

He came forward with a heated expression and determination in his eyes.

No! No! No! Please don't touch me right now. I'll fall completely.

He raised his hand to cup my face but I ducked.

The agony that flashed over his face made me almost lose my exterior.

"Anastasia Steele, you will not leave me under any circumstances. We have been through so much over past two years. We'll get through this too, somehow. Just let me be there for you. I know you're hurting inside. Let me take away your pain Ana. Please don't do this."

Oh Christian. I love you so, so much.

"It has got nothing to do with this."

"Something tells me this has got everything to do with this! You're hiding something from me Ana. Tell me what's wrong. I can handle whatever it is. I can handle anything as long as you're with me."

Damn you Christian!

He had me and we both knew it. I panicked. What to do now?

Try the other route Ana. Don't go for the vague. Go for the mean.

It would break his heart. But I had to do it.

I had no choice.

Putting on my best bitter, hateful face, I replied him.

"You're right. This has got everything to do with this. With my mom's, dad's and now Jose's death."

He came forward and carefully brought his hands up on the either side of my face.

This time I didn't shrink away. Instead I leaned into his touch, feeling his skin against mine for the last time.

I didn't stop him when he leaned forward and captured his lips with mine.

I poured everything in that kiss, my love for him and the promise that I would always stay his.

Our tongues entangled with each other for one last time before separating forever.

"Tell me, what is it Ana?"

"My parents were right. You were never the one for me."

With that comment his eyes immediately widened in hurt as his mouth gaped open in disbelief.

He couldn't belief what he was hearing.

Neither did I. But I had to make it seem believable. For Christian's sake I had to crush his heart.

I wish I had been the one to die instead of Jose. That way not only Jose would have been alive but I would have saved myself from doing this to Christian.

"They had always known Jose was it for me. We had been best friends since childhood. He had been in love with since high school. I was so stupid not to realize how much he meant to me until now. Until he died. Now I'm so disgusted with myself that I can't even look at you."

Tears rolled down my eyes and I let them. It only made my act more real.

He won't be able to guess the real reason. That I was crying because I was breaking both of our hearts.

"We were a mistake Christian. It was never meant to happen. I guess I was just being rebellious to my parents' choice. I wanted to see the world. I was so stupid and I didn't realize it till all of them died. I didn't realize that it wasn't you as I was in love with but Jose until he died."

I was sobbing now. For each lie that passed my lips, my body trembled and the rain of tears poured from my eyes.

Christian was speechless by now. He will still as a statue. He looked like he was in shock, unable to understand what my words meant.

"So it's over. I never want to see you again. Never want to hear your voice. I can't stand to be near you."

That was it. I couldn't utter another single word.

I left him there in the middle of nowhere and hauled a taxi.

After giving him the address to my apartment I burrowed my face in the backseat and poured my heart out, not caring if I ruined his cab's seats.

I cried for what I did to Christian. I cried for what more I had to go through.

I cried because I was finally alone in this world now. With nothing left but unwanted responsibilities, commitments and heartache.

By the time I reached my apartment, it was already midnight.

Half of the day had gone grieving for my best friend while other half had gone hurting my boyfriend, my soul mate.

I had given everyone off today, needing all the time to myself.

Sawyer, the head of the security team had insisted for me not to be alone now that they had gone too far with Jose's life.

But I wasn't famous for my stubbornness without any reason.

After some heated arguments, we had reached a compromise.

I was to be secretly guarded during the funeral and the apartment was to be checked before I returned. After Christian would drop me home, one guard would stay at the entrance of the building while other at my front door.

If only Sawyer knew how I had truly arrived home. He would go crazy if he found about me taking a cab.

Which was why I had given every one off for today and tomorrow, with the exception of two guards of course.

I didn't want to interact with anyone. Just wanted to drown myself in heartache and self pity before deciding what to do next.

Because no matter what, I wasn't going to lose. I wasn't going to break.

Now with Christian gone, I had nothing to fear.

I would not disrespect memory of my parents and Jose by letting myself go weak.

Even if I had to stay hidden in a box for the rest of my life, I would do it.

Nothing could make me bow to the monsters who took my family, my life away from me.

The elevator pinged as the doors opened to my apartment.

I nodded to the guard, Ryan I think was his name, who was standing stoically against my door.

He stepped away for me to open the locks and enter. Out of courtesy, I called him in for a cup of coffee as I stepped inside.

It had been a while since I had come here.

I was living with Christian in his penthouse at Escala from past six months.

Since my parents had died, the thought of coming home to an empty house was too much. So I had moved in with Christian.

Now I returned with the burden of triple heart-wrecking sorrow.

Not only had I lost my parents but my best friend and the love of my life as well.

I was in pure hell.

As Ryan closed the front door behind us and I stepped into kitchen, I thought that nothing could be worse than this.

I was proved wrong within seconds.

A loud bang made me run into the living room only to see Ryan lying down with his eyes open, unblinking and blood pouring out from the bullet whole between his eyes.

Instinctively, my eyes darted around until it landed on the attacker.

He was wearing black clothes and a black mask.

He would have gone completely unseen in the dark, unlit house, if it hadn't been for him moving.

He was moving forward, towards me.

With a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.

Without a second thought, I ran towards the bedroom and picked the cordless phone once I was inside.

In my haste, I mistakenly pressed the redial button just before the door of my bedroom burst open and the attacker entered.

With one backhand at my jaw, I was down on the floor, face first

His weight pinned my body while one of his massive hands trapped both of my wrists painfully behind me back and the other hand squeezed my throat from front.

"You have been much more stupid than we took you to be Ms. Steele."

I was having trouble breathing, but somehow I managed to reply him back.

"Glad to... know... I could surprise you."

He chuckled harshly. "Damn girl! You have a smart mouth. Do you have some smart brains too? What have you decided of our proposition Ms. Steele?"

"You... already got... my answer... months ago."

"I thought lover-cop's fate would change your mind."

I remained silent, trying to keep down my panic state and breathe deeply.

"Let me tell you what will happen if you deny us Ms. Steele. Your death won't be as painless as a car-crash like your parents' or as painless as a bullet like your boyfriend's. You want to know what they will do to you?"

This man thought Jose was my boyfriend.

It was good. It meant they won't harm Christian to torture me.

Christian was safe. That was all that mattered.

I didn't care what fate I would meet as long as Christian was safe and alive.

I would happily make this sacrifice for him.

Just like my parents had sacrificed themselves to not me the evil win.

Just like Jose had sacrificed himself in an attempt to protect me.

Similarly, I would sacrifice myself to keep him away from this danger.

So I remained quiet.

The attacker took it as his cue to speak.

"They would kill you in the worst ways possible. They would cut you, play with you and rape you before burning you alive. How does that sound, huh?"

Stay strong, Steele.

"Sounds like... you don't have much.. creative ideas. Want me.. to suggest...a -a few?"

My lungs were burning for air, my vision turning blurry. In a few more minutes, I would either pass out or die.

Christian! Christian! Christian!

My mind kept chanting his name.

For some reason, it had already accepted its defeat and now that this was going to be the end, it threw me back all the flashbacks of Christian and I together in our happiest moments.

"You're strong, I like that about you. I can do you a favor and end you right here. Though it would cause me a bit trouble..."

I tuned out what my to-be murdered was saying and concentrated at the kaleidoscope of images my mind threw at me.

I saw it all behind my tunnel-vision eyes as the black spots danced in front of me.

But my only focus was in him. Christian.

Our first coffee date, the first time we danced, times he took me to gliding and sailing, our first time together, the first time we confessed to be in love with each other.

A violent jerk on my hair dragged me back into the reality.

The hand shifted on my throat a little lower, but still tight enough to not let me breathe.

He pressed his knee on my back to keep my wrists bounded under his leg as he worked his other hand around my front, sliding toward my neck.

I thought he was going to strangle me to death with both hands and that was fine by me.

It would only be a few seconds before my lungs ran out of oxygen.

I was deprived of it anyway. My mind was begging to shut so it won't matter for long.

But instead of feeling the fingers of his other hand at my neck, I felt the prick of sharp blade.

I realized he was going to slit my throat.

Okay so maybe not as merciful as suffocation but still not bad.

It would pain for just a second, longer if he planned to cut my neck slowly, by surely there were worse ways to go right?

Like he had mentioned cutting, raping and burning.

I guess I should be grateful.

But my each numbered breath, each limited heartbeat had only one name on them.

Christian.

"Goodbye Ms. Steele. Time to meet your maker."

Christian I love you!

Another chapter to be updated. Will try to complete the story within next twenty-four hours. How did you like it so far? Please comment and let me know!

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Love ya all,

Kaishi Springs xoxo