Chapter 206
Anna’s POV:
Blake dragged me through the security doors of the apartment building, his grip tight enough to leave marks. When we reached my door, he chosed he forward roughly
“Open it, he commanded.
My hands trembled as 1 fumbled with the keys.
The door swung open to reveal my haven–a modern, cozy space that Seth and I had carefully chosen.
My pale blue slippers sat neatly by the door, while the men’s slippers on the rack looked untouched,
Blake stepped right over my slippers as he marched inside. His driver followed silently behind him.
Blake’s eyes darted around the apartment like a predator assessing territory. He moved from room to room with deliberate steps, his jaw clenched tight
When he reached Seth’s bedroom, he barely glanced inside, his disgust evident. But in my room, he lingered, examining every detail–my books, my clothes, the photos on my nightstand.
I stood in the doorway, watching him invade my personal space yet again.
After what felt like an eternity, he walked into the living room and stopped in front of my aquarium–the room divider that Seth had installed as a housewarming gift.
The unique design made the tropical fish appear as if they were swimming in mid–air.
I remembered the day Seth had shown it to me. “I’ll take care of all the maintenance, he’d promised with that crooked smile of his. “The professional team will come clean it regularly. All you have to do is enjoy watching them. I picked each fish specially.”
A deafening crash yanked me from my memory.
Blake had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and grabbed one of the solid wood dining chairs.
With a look of pure rage, he swung it at the aquarium again.
The first blow did nothing–the glass was thicker than standard aquariums–but the fish inside darted around in panic.
Something dark and manic flashed in his eyes as he struck again. And again. And again.
After several powerful blows, the glass finally gave way. Water gushed out, soaking Blake’s tailored pants. Shards of glass had cut his hand, and blood mixed with the water pooling on my hardwood floor.
I dropped to my knees, scooping up the struggling fish with my shirt. Racing to the bathroom, I filled a basin with water and gently placed the fish inside.
Watching them begin to swim again, I felt a small measure of relief.
“Save them,” I whispered to myself. “Like I’m saving a piece of my soul. These are Seth’s fish…”
Suddenly, Blake loomed over me, his shadow darkening the room. Without a word, he grabbed the basin and strode toward the toilet.
He dumped everything–water, fish, plants–into the bowl and flushed. All those beautiful creatures, gone in seconds.
“What the hell are you doing?” I screamed, finding my voice at last. “Those were living things! I was taking care of them!”
Blake let out a cold laugh, discretely hiding his trembling hand behind his back.
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Chapter 206
He’d used so much force that his palm was bleeding, but I didn’t care if he was hurt. All I cared about were those poor fish
Blake turned to me, his smile cold. Were you planning to bring them to Seaside Manor? Or was Seth Price going to visit them–and you here regularly?”
I fell silent. Arguing about marine life protection with Blake was pointless. My shoulders slumped in defeat.
‘Get someone to remove all of this, Blake ordered his driver, gesturing at the broken aquarium. I want no trace of it left.
The driver nodded and stepped away to make the call.
I didn’t try to stop him. Beneath my anger, what I felt most was a deep sense of hurt.
Maybe it was better this way. As if I’d never been here. As if none of this had ever happened.
I followed Blake out like a hollow shell, numb and silent.
The car started up again, and I sank into the leather seat, staring blankly through the window. I didn’t speak a single word during the entire drive back to Boston.
When we arrived at Seaside Manor, I headed toward the guest room I’d been using before I left. After such a long journey, the last person I wanted to run into was Claire. All I wanted was to hurry back to my guest room and sleep, but to my surprise, Blake called after me.
“Go to the master bedroom,” he said, almost casually. “I’ll have Claire move back to her own room.”
Confusion washed over me, but I kept my face neutral.
“Anna,” he added, his voice hardening, “remember, you don’t get to question my decisions.”
I nodded silently, thinking of Emily’s safety. For now, I had to endure.
The master bedroom surprised me. There was no sign that Claire had ever been there. The closet held clothes in my size–many of them new. It hit me then that Blake had prepared for my “return” long before he’d found me.
I thought moving to New York meant starting over. But I never truly escaped his control.
After showering, I put on a nightgown and tried to sleep, but the pillows and sheets carried Blake’s familiar cologne. Half–awake, I dreamed of escaping this mansion–turned–prison.
The mattress dipped as Blake got into bed. I tensed, fully awake now.
Memories flooded back–how I used to pretend to be asleep when he came to bed late, only to roll into his arms.
Now I curled at the edge of the mattress, keeping as much distance between us as possible,
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