Chapter 272
Anna’s POV:
I stared out the car window. My marriage to Blake had become a hollow shell, a performance for the world while we both suffered inside.
Even if we maintained this façade, I knew I couldn’t continue living with him. His love was like’a rose in a glass greenhouse beautiful to look at, but unreachable, covered in thorns that cut whenever I tried to get close. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t establish a genuine emotional connection with him.
Each time I compromised, meeting him halfway, he would vanish from my life like a cliff–edge suddenly giving way beneath my feet.
I’d been forced to endure emotional breakdowns alone, going through Blake–withdrawal like an addict detoxing,
And now, after his abrupt disappearance, he had the audacity to reappear and refuse our divorce. The contradiction made my blood boil.
“You know,” I said with a cold laugh, breaking the silence. ‘When men suddenly decide their ex was actually great, it’s usually because their current partner doesn’t suit them as well.”
I couldn’t help wondering how Blake was handling Claire’s relationship with Frank Hamilton. Was he deliberately playing dumb?
The more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that Blake loved Claire so deeply he’d rather ignore their inappropriate relationship than confront the truth.
“Anna, Blake said softly, his voice cutting through my thoughts. “I’ve never had anyone else. Don’t accuse me in front of the baby. If she’s born with prenatal memories, she’ll definitely hate her father.”
His gaze dropped to my belly, a look of concern crossing his face. Instinctively, I placed my hand protectively over my stomach, creating a barrier between Blake and my unborn child.
‘She’s just an embryo, she can’t possibly have memories,” I snapped. “Besides, this is my child. She has nothing to do with you.”
Blake leaned closer, ignoring my obvious rejection. “Our child will take after me, I’m sure of it. She’ll be intelligent. I remember things from when I was in the womb. Our baby will too.”
“Stop joking about this!” I said sharply.
I couldn’t help imagining what pregnancy would be like in a perfect marriage. I’d be able to snuggle against my husband’s chest, whining about morning sickness.
We’d go to prenatal check–ups together, shop for baby supplies, pick out names. The fantasy made my chest ache with longing. But Blake would never be that man for me – the one who shared those precious moments.
Without warning, Blake reached over and moved my hand away from my stomach. Before I could react, he bent down and pressed his ear against my belly.
We were suddenly too close. I could feel his rapid heartbeat, smell his familiar cologne. His warmth stirred memories I’d been trying desperately to suppress.
“Anna, I can hear the baby’s heartbeat!” he exclaimed, his voice vibrating with excitement. “She just kicked me!”
I shoved him away violently, my hands trembling. “What the hell are you talking about? She’s not even three months along!”
My voice rose with each word until I was practically shouting. “Blake Wright, stay away from me! All you provided was some DNA! This is MY child, and she has NOTHING to do with you!”
The force of my push sent Blake crashing into the rearview mirror. The impact made a horrible crunching sound as the mirror bent at an awkward angle. Silence filled the car, thick and suffocating.
Blake didn’t make a sound. He didn’t seem to register any pain from the collision. Instead, a strange expression crossed his face – something almost like relief.
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Chapter 272
the closed his eyes lowly, wilt proceding everything that had non happened
His eyelashet trembled silently, evidence of fits restraint. Then, to my shock, a single tear escaped from the corner of fits cloved one add bad 3
His hand shook as he reached for mine. “What happened to us?: he whispered, his voice barely audible. What went wrong between ben
At first, rage coursed through me. How dare he ask such a question? What right did he have?
But seeing that tear the first I’d witnessed from him in years
cooled my fury, replacing it with helplessness.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. ‘Blake, I’d like to know too. Do you think I’m the one who hurt you? Do you believe I’m responsible for where we are now?”
My voice grew stronger as I continued, “Yes, I’m the one who asked for a divorce, but after four years of marriage and everything we’ve been through, wanted an amicable separation. Not you disappearing without warning. Do you have any idea how terrified I was when I found out i was pregnant?
“I know… I understand… Blake murmured.
“You know NOTHING!” I nearly screamed, my voice breaking. “You understand NOTHING!”
What terrified me wasn’t getting pregnant again – it was losing another child. Blake had no idea what Caroline had done to me. The memories made my skin crawl.
Blake opened his eyes. In the darkness of the car, they looked impossibly blue and deep, wet with unshed tears. He resembled an abandoned puppy. desperate for forgiveness.
“I know this is my fault,” he said. “But I have my reasons-
“I don’t want to hear your reasons!” I interrupted. “Nobody cared about my pain.
Anna, he pleaded, “what can I do to make you stop being angry with me?”
“So that’s what you think?” I laughed bitterly, tears streaming down my face despite my best efforts to hold them back. “You think I want a divorce because
I’m angry?”
Blake reached out to wipe away my tears, but I jerked away from his touch.
“Don’t cry,” he whispered, his hand hovering awkwardly in the air between us.
‘Seeing you upset kills me,” he continued. “It’s my fault. I failed as a husband. I made you unhappy.”
He added quietly, “I really do have my reasons. I never wanted to be apart from you. I wish I could be by your side every moment.”
His voice grew softer, barely audible over the hum of the car engine.
“Anna, will you give me one more chance?”
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