Chapter 50
Anna’s POV:
“Anna.” Michael’s voice stopped me as I was about to leave the police station. His expression was serious, his sharp jawline tense, and his handsome eyes hidden beneath the brim of his cap.
“This time I owe you big time,” I said, turning to face him. “When this mess is over, I’d like to take you out for dinner. That is, if your busy schedule allows it.”
“Yeah, I can make time.” His voice was soft, his eyes brightening.
“Great. You’d better come. Bring your team too, it’s on me.”
Michael shook his head with resignation. “I didn’t help you for a free meal.”
“I know that. You’ve been a huge help, and I genuinely want to thank you.”
He called a taxi for me, instructing the driver to drive carefully.
“I’m not as fragile as you think. I don’t need your protection,” I protested.
Michael just smiled and waved as the taxi pulled away.
“Nice to have someone looking out for you like that. Police captain, right? He seems really concerned about you,” the driver commented, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.
“You’ve got it wrong. We’re just friends,” I replied with a polite smile.
*Do Michael and I really look like a couple? I thought as I stared out the window.
Back at my apartment in Back Bay, I recharged my phone and took a hot shower, trying to wash away the tension of the day.
But when I stepped out of the shower, I heard the sound of the smart lock on the door clicking open.
Oh no, I thought.
I rushed over to lock the door from the inside, but it was already too late. Blake had already stepped into the entryway.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning as I stepped in front of him.
His hand easily caught mine as I tried to stop him. I felt the warmth and strength of his palm against my wrist.
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Chapter 50
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The smell of alcohol and cigarettes hit me as he entered. “So eager to throw yourself at me, Mrs. Wright?” he asked.
“You promised you wouldn’t show up at my place unannounced anymore!” I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened.
In one smooth motion, he pushed me against the wall, one hand braced beside my head, the other gripping my chin, forcing me to look up at him.
His lips found mine with unexpected urgency, the sharp taste of whiskey overwhelming my senses. The kiss was desperate, almost angry, his hot breath making my head spin.
Blake’s fingers tangled roughly in my newly shortened hair, his touch revealing clear disappointment with the change. His other hand pressed firmly against the small of my back, pulling me closer.
This was a moment I’d fantasized about countless times during our four years of marriage. Alone in our bedroom, I’d imagined us stumbling through the door in a passionate embrace, falling onto the bed or–if we couldn’t make it that far–collapsing onto the sofa, leaving a trail of discarded clothes behind us.
But it had never happened. Maybe because Claire was always somewhere in the house. Maybe because he simply didn’t desire me. Probably both.
Reality crashed back as I stomped hard on Blake’s expensive leather shoe and shoved against his chest, putting distance between us. His blue eyes widened with surprise as I broke away, my breathing ragged.
He stumbled back a step, smoothing his tie with a cold smile. “What’s wrong? Got a man hidden away? Won’t even let me kiss you now?” His eyes flashed with pain before quickly being replaced by
anger.
I wiped my lips with the back of my hand. ‘Blake, are you here to catch me cheating? Or just drunk enough to forget what we are to each other now?”
He walked to the window, pulling out a cigarette pack from his pocket. “You were flirting with other guys right in front of me when we were together. Now that I’m gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a man hidden in here.” He lit the cigarette, blue smoke curling around his fingers.
I crossed my arms, my voice shaking despite my efforts to stay calm. “That’s rich coming from you. At least have the decency to wash off Claire’s perfume before accusing me.”
Watching his silhouette as he smoked by the window, I felt a strange emptiness. My heart ached in ways I couldn’t control.
There was this indescribable jealousy gnawing at me. Was he this upset because he was worried about Claire?
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Chapter 50
“Blake, coming to me is pointless. No matter what you say, or how your family tries to intervene, I won’t let this matter drop.” My voice regained its steadiness.
He exhaled a cloud of smoke and turned to face me, his gaze sharp. “You’ve got it all wrong about Claire.”
“Yes, Claire was at the ATM. But this was her friend Kate Coleman’s idea, not hers. After you and I had fight, Claire was upset. Kate thought you were targeting Claire unfairly and convinced her you needed to be taught a lesson.”
I laughed bitterly. “And Claire just went along with it?”
Blake shook his head. “Kate pushed her into it. Claire wasn’t thinking clearly. She was just following Kate’s lead.”
“So you came to plead her case? To protect your precious little sister again despite clear evidence?”
“No! I’m telling you what actually happened. I’ll deal with this before my parents find out, and I’m warning you not to say anything to William. His heart can’t take this kind of stress.” His voice was threatening, but his eyes held a hint of pleading.
“So you firmly believe Claire is innocent, but when the same thing happened to me, you said I’d be responsible for her wound and that my career would be over instantly?” I felt tears pricking at my eyes but refused to let them fall.
I took a deep breath. “Blake, I’m so tired of all this. Just tell me how to make you leave me alone and stay out of my life for good.”
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