Blake’s POV:
“what did you say?!” My hand holding Anna’s chin suddenly trembled, uncontrollably tightening my grip until she winced in pale: “Gay that Team-
Anna slapped my hand away and laughed softly. “I said, cut off all contact with Claire, then get down on one knee in publie and propose to me again. Th me you love ne
Love. That word hit me like a punch to the gut.
My mind raced, trying to process het audacity. How dare she make these demands? And that word–love. What the hell did Anna know about my feelings?
I stared at her, this woman who had been my wife for four years. Why did she affect me so much? Why did I get so jealous that 1 deliberately went on that date with Scarlett just to prove a point? Why did I, for the first time in my life, go against my father’s wishes because of her?
She didn’t understand my aviation business. She couldn’t be the supportive wife I needed. She was just… convenient.
I enjoyed her in bed. I’d grown accustomed to having her around, to her admiration. That was all.
And Claire–she was my stepsister. She needed
Protection.
I was the CEO of Wright Group for fuck’s sake. Get down on one knee for a woman? Publicly declare love? Ridiculous.
Anna continued, her tone maddeningly calm. “Since you don’t want me as your wife anyway, there’s no need to make things difficult for others. Seth will succeed or fail on his own terms. Your interference only hurts your own business.”
I let out a cold laugh, suddenly feeling calmer. So that’s what this was about. She was pleading for Seth.
You’re defending him now?” I asked, my voice low and
dangerous.
It all made sense.
My emotional reaction wasn’t about loving her–it was about loyalty. I couldn’t accept that a woman who had been devoted to me for years would suddenly betray me. That’s all this was.
I slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt on the side of the road.
“Get out,” I said, not looking at her.
When she didn’t move immediately, I reached across her and flung her door open.
‘I said get out.”
Without another word, I watched her step out, then accelerated away, leaving her standing alone on the unfamiliar roadside.
Anna’s POV:
I stood on the roadside, watching Blake’s luxury car disappear into the distance.
“What a psycho!” I muttered to myself.
At least Blake might leave Seth alone now.
I’d achieved something with my little performance, even if it meant getting abandoned in the middle of nowhere.
Love. It’s so difficult. Blake doesn’t understand it, and honestly, I’m not sure I do either.
My concern for Seth wasn’t romantic worried about him, yes, but not the way you worry about a lover.
1/3
Chapter 178
I wanted him to succeed for himself, not for me I wanted him to prove his moinese could thrive, to them bile own ball and par
I’d promised to wait for him, but I knew I needed to move forward foo.
I looked around at the unfamiljar suburban landscape, feeling a wave of desolation.
I didn’t even know where I was, but it didn’t matter. I could always call a taxi back to my apartment.
The next morning, my social media notifications kept buzzing.
Someone had spotted the incident between Blake and me outside the TV station. A follower had sent me a photo of Blake kissing me in front of his car, asking, “Is this really you?‘
I froze for a good three or four seconds staring at the image. This was our first and only intimate photo together–we didn’t even have a kissing shot in out wedding album.
My finger unconsciously traced the figures on the screen before it shrank back to its original
The comments all expressed regret about our relationship, hoping we’d reconcile.
I closed the app with a sigh.
size.
A few days later, I went to the airport to see Seth off. He wore a black hoodie pulled low over his face, trying to avoid being recognized for fear it might cause problems for me.
“I was there that day too, you know,” he said suddenly. “Nobody noticed me.”
“It’s just the flavor of the week,” I assured him. “Something new will come along and they’ll forget all about it.”
Seth nodded thoughtfully. “I’m starting to believe in fate. I grew up alongside you, but somehow I’ve never really been part of your life.”
“Are you still leaving?” I asked. “I know everything now. If you stayed in Boston, you might have better opportunities.”
Seth snorted. “Blake told you? That bastard, always talking behind people’s backs. He doesn’t think I’ll succeed, does he?”
I nodded.
Seth took my hand. “He just can’t stand seeing me do well. Wait for me, okay? When I come back, even if he is the CEO of Wright Group, he’ll have to take me seriously. I won’t let him bully you anymore!”
‘I believe in your abilities,” I said, squeezing his hand. “But you need to do this for yourself, understand?”
The airport announcements repeatedly called for Seth to board. He kept turning back, asking if I’d really wait for him. I nodded patiently each time.
Seth ran forward a few steps, then turned back to wave. “Wait for me!”
I jumped up, waving back. “Good luck!”
As I watched him leave, looking as carefree as if he were going on vacation, I worried.
Someone as free–spirited as Seth–how would he handle failure if it came? How could he accept an arranged marriage to someone he didn’t love?
After Seth disappeared from view, I turned to leave and suddenly froze.
Standing before me was a man who looked remarkably like Seth–Maxwell. He must have been watching us from somewhere nearby.
He stepped forward, stopping at a respectable distance.
‘Anna.
2/3
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