Anna’s POV:
I hung up on Scarlett after giving her some half–hearted responses. I had more pressing matters to deal with
Immediately, I texted Daniel to find Maxwell’s wife Victoria’s family address. The response came quickly Victoria was from the Johnson family, who had climbed the social ladder when she married into the Price family.
The next day, I found myself standing outside a massive iron gate in Boston’s suburbs. The Johnson estate was impressive, but not nearly as grand as the Wright family home.
I’d barely rung the bell when Barbara Johnson, Victoria’s mother, emerged with a venomous look that told me everything I needed to know about how this conversation would go.
“Get out of here,” she spat, looking at me like I was something stuck to the bottom of her designer heel. “You have some nerve showing up at our doorstep.
I maintained my smile, though my stomach tightened. These weren’t the first nasty rumors I’d heard about myself. Being seen with Seth had triggered a tornado of gossip.
“Mrs. Johnson, I just want to speak with Victoria,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I brought something for her.”
She glanced at the gift bag in my hand with undisguised contempt. “Even the broken toaster we have is worth more than whatever that junk is.” Her eyes raked over me. “Now that Blake’s tossed you aside, I suppose you can’t afford much these days.*
I bit back a laugh. Seth was right when he said gossip in high society spread faster than Twitter. I kept my composure, remembering the real reason I was here.
“Name your price then, ma’am,” I said calmly. “If I can’t afford it now, I’ll find a way to afford it.”
Barbara’s eyes narrowed. “You shameless bitch. If my daughter had carried that baby to term, it would have been the Price family heir! Do you have any idea
what-”
A weak voice interrupted her tirade. “Mother, please.”
Victoria Price stood in the doorway. She’d lost considerable weight, her once–lustrous blonde hair now dull and lifeless.
“Anna, just go,” Victoria said, her voice thin. “All I wanted was for Maxwell to stand up for me. I don’t care about money.”
Barbara stepped forward. “Did you hear her? Leave! Who do you think you are to negotiate with us?”
I took a breath. “Victoria, you know Seth set up his brother, and you lost your baby in the aftermath. But do you know why he did it?”
Victoria’s eyes flashed with pain. “Maxwell said it was because of you. I can’t look at you without thinking of my unborn child.”
“What if I told you I almost died because of Maxwell?” I pulled down my collar, revealing the scar on my neck.
Barbara scoffed. “Drop the act. Do you have any proof that Maxwell caused this scar?”
Victoria shook her head. “Anna, I don’t know why you and Seth are targeting Maxwell, but he would never hurt anyone.”
Before I could respond, the roar of an engine cut through the air. Maxwell screeched to a halt and rushed toward me, grabbing my arm roughly.
“Anna, what did you tell my wife?* His voice shook with barely controlled panic, his hand trembling against my skin.
I was about to answer when another car engine approached. A Porsche pulled up, and Blake leapt out, moving with unusual urgen beside me, his fingers digging into Maxwell’s wrist until he released me.
‘Don’t touch her, Blake said, his voice dangerously low.
seconds, he was
1/3
Chapter 213
I was stunned when Blake pulled me against him protectively. Did he hurt you? His voice carried an unfamiliar coas
Barbara Johnson’s entire demeanor transformed when she recognized Blake. Mr. Wright! I… we didn’t know Her eyes darted between as She’s your
“I saw Mr. Price at Rosewood yesterday and heard about this situation, Blake replied coolly My wife, being kind hearted, wanted to visit. I didn’t get 124 to receive such treatment.”
I caught the way any wife rolled off his tongue, and how the Johnson’s massive iron gate suddenly swung open in welcome.
Blake turned to Maxwell, his eyes cold. “This is the last time. You know what I’m talking about.”
“Please, won’t you come in?” Barbara’s voice had morphed into honeyed enthusiasm.
“Yes, I’d like- I began, eager to complete my mission.
Blake’s hand pressed firmly on my shoulder, cutting me short. Barbara nudged Maxwell to intervene, but he remained frozen in place.
Before I could protest further, Blake turned me around and lifted me into his arms.
“Put me down,” I whispered furiously, my face burning with humiliation.
When Blake smacked my butt, the sound echoed through the quiet neighborhood. I instinctively tightened my legs around his waist.
“Don’t squeeze so tight,” he growled, his voice unexpectedly husky.
Barbara Johnson chased after us. “Mr. Wright! Wait!”
I buried my face in Blake’s shoulder, too mortified to look at anyone.
Once in the car, the temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees. Blake’s warm demeanor vanished, replaced by the cold, distant husband I knew too well.
“Didn’t I tell you not to come here?” His voice was rough, eyes glacial.
I fell silent. My fingers absently toyed with my wedding ring as I considered the question.
Back at Sunshine Villa, our new home, I sat at my desk watching the coral fish swim in the aquarium.
Blake deliberately positioned himself in front of the tank, blocking my view.
When I briefly glanced at him before looking away, he moved closer, completely obstructing my sight.
‘I’m done looking anyway,” I said flatly, standing to leave.
In one swift motion, Blake hoisted me over his shoulder and carried me to our bedroom, tossing me onto the mattress before pressing me down with his weight.
I struggled against him. “Don’t touch me. You chose to come get me today – this doesn’t count as part of our arrangement.”
Blake gave a cold laugh, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. Behind the desire in his blue eyes, I saw something unexpected – hurt. I’d never seen that expression before.
He gripped my chin and kissed me forcefully. I couldn’t fight him as he tore at my clothes, exposing my collarbone.
“Anna,” he whispered against my skin, am I invisible to you? You only know how to use me, and when you’re done, I’m worthless to you, is that it?”
His voice carried an anger tinged with genuine pain.