“Blake, this has nothing to do with Seth or Henry. Don’t drag uninvolved people into this,” I said,
trying to keep my voice steady.
Blake had threatened before to throw me into a police station for questioning, and I’d been naive
enough to think I just needed to find evidence proving my innocence.
But now it was clear–he wasn’t joking. For Claire, there really was no line he wouldn’t cross.
I had severely underestimated how cold he could be toward me.
His lip curled with disdain. “Uninvolved? So what was Henry’s attitude all about? You must be pretty
pleased with yourself.”
His gaze grew increasingly dark as he stared me down. I lifted my chin and smiled right back at him.
“Is my intention that obvious? Blake, I absolutely can’t wait for the day when I uncover the truth about all this. I’ll make you apologize to me!”
Blake’s face hardened even more. “No matter how much you talk, it doesn’t change the fact that Claire needed stitches because of you. Anna, if you refuse to admit your mistake, you’ll have to face
the consequences.”
He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. “Instead of wasting time finding people to
help you, you should go back to Seaside Manor and apologize to Claire!”
So that was it–his true intention. He wanted me to apologize to Claire. A wave of sadness washed
over me, and I looked up at him, my question genuine.
“Blake, why have you never believed me? Nót even once?”
His blue eyes were ice cold. “You can’t hide what you’ve done. I don’t buy into that many coincidences. Just know that even if you’re sleeping with Henry, he can’t help you.”
I decided to push his buttons. “Then who should I sleep with to get help? Would Seth work?”
Blake’s response was unnervingly calm. “Sure, go ahead. See if he dares to take you.”
“Maybe I will,” I shot back, holding his gaze.
When I returned to our table, Henry looked up with concern in his eyes. “I was about to come looking for you.”
I tried to sound casual. “Almost got swept away by a bad guy. Let’s get out of here, I’m scared.”
Seth snorted. “Who could possibly scare you? You’re so tough on your own!”
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11:59 Thu, 22 May
Chapter 34
I noticed Seth was unusually irritable today, constantly running his fingers through his curly hair, pushing it back from his forehead.
Then I spotted Blake approaching our table. Time for a change in strategy. I softened my voice and turned to Seth with a deliberately vulnerable expression, wrapping my arm around his.
“I’m not tough at all. Actually, I need to ask for your help with something. Do you think you could help me?”
Seth took a step back, his ears turning red. “Anna, I’m warning you–just talk, don’t get handsy!”
I maintained my act, letting my voice drop to a near–whisper. “Seth, Henry has other things to do. We should leave. I’ll text you tonight, and we can catch up on our years of friendship. Maybe discuss some things that are worth talking about… without any restrictions.”
In the parking lot, I was heading toward Henry’s car when Blake grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the passenger door.
“My wife doesn’t need your chauffeur service, Mr. Smith,” he announced coldly.
Henry’s face darkened instantly. “But she still has work to do.”
I didn’t want to cause more conflict between them because of me. With a small sigh, I said goodbye to Henry, trying to convey my apology with my eyes.
Just then, Seth walked over, looking between Blake and me with exaggerated interest before clapping his hands together.
“What’s going on with you two? Having a fight?”
“It’s not a fight, I need to-” I started to explain, but Blake cut me off.
“I’m taking her with me,” he stated firmly.
I felt a pang in my chest. Blake was constantly interrupting me these days, as if he had lost all patience for anything I had to say.
Making a split–second decision, I turned to Seth and linked my arm through his. I deliberately softened my voice—the same voice I had once used only when coaxing Blake.
“Seth, I don’t want to go with him. Could you take me back to my apartment in Back Bay?”
I held my breath, waiting for his response.
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Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister’s Secret