Chapter Ninety-Two: Looking Forward
Chapter Ninety-Two: Looking Forward
ANNA SERRANO
"Does she..." Alexander hesitated, then forced the words out. "Does she have someone else?"
I was genuinely taken aback by the question, but I saw an opportunity to perhaps make my oblivious brother finally realize what he'd lost by taking Sherry for granted for so long.
"Yes," I said, nodding firmly. "Yes, she's interested in someone else now. That's part of why she's different, more mature, less willing to waste time on situations that don't go anywhere. She's being more realistic about what she wants from life."
I just hope I'm not overstepping, I thought. But maybe this will finally wake him up.
"Mom!"
Hermione's voice interrupted our conversation. I turned to see my daughter trotting down the stairs, already dressed in her pajamas even though it was barely evening. She approached me with wide eyes, taking in my appearance.
"Wow, you're really going all out for this date," she said, impressed. "You look like a movie star!"
I laughed, reaching out to touch her cheek affectionately. "Thank you, baby. But how did you even know I was going on a date? I don't remember mentioning it to you."
"Oh, Sherry told me," Hermione said casually, as if this were obvious. "She was really excited about it. Good luck, Mom!"
She turned to head toward the kitchen, presumably to join Sherry in raiding the refrigerator.
"Wait—Hermione," I called after her. "Your nanny is going to help you get ready for bed later. Do not give her any trouble, understand?"
Hermione turned back with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "I know, Mom. I know. I'm a good girl, I won't cause any trouble. You say this every time!"
"I'm serious," I warned, but I was smiling.
"I know you are!" she called back, disappearing around the corner. "Have fun on your date!"
Just then, I heard the sound of a car horn from outside, polite and brief, announcing an arrival rather than demanding attention.
"Seems my date is here," I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. I looked at Alexander with deliberate mockery in my expression. "Get your life together, big brother. Maybe go back to Claire since she's apparently already living with you."
"I told you, I don't have anything going on with Claire!" Alexander said, his frustration returning in full force.
"Sure, sure," I said breezily, heading toward the door. "Keep telling yourself that. We all think otherwise."
I walked out before he could respond, smiling to myself.
I loved getting under Alexander's skin. It was fun, and satisfying, and, most importantly, I knew that no matter how angry or annoyed he got, he would never actually do anything to hurt me. It was safe teasing, the kind that made me feel like we had a real sibling relationship.
Unlike with Flora, I thought, my smile fading slightly as I stepped outside.
I'd never had that kind of relationship with Flora. Even when I'd tried, when I'd genuinely wanted us to be close as sisters, she'd turned everything into a competition. Every interaction had been calculated, strategic, designed to put her ahead and me behind.
But with Alexander, who wasn't even my biological brother, who I'd only known for a few years, I felt more like I had a real sibling than I ever had with the sister I'd grown up with.
Funny how that works.
I pushed thoughts of Flora away as I focused on the scene in front of me.
Christopher's sleek car was parked in the circular driveway, and he'd already stepped out. He stood by the driver's side door holding an enormous bouquet of flowers, not roses, but something more unique and thoughtful. Orchids, I realized as he walked closer. Beautiful, exotic orchids in shades of white and pale purple.
He was dressed impeccably in dark slacks and a crisp white button-down, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms in a way that was somehow both casual and elegant. His smile when he saw me was wide and genuine, reaching all the way to his eyes.
"Anna," he said as he approached, and I loved the way my name sounded in his voice, warm, appreciative, full of admiration. "You look absolutely stunning."
"Thank you," I said, feeling my cheeks warm slightly. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
He laughed and held out the bouquet. "These are for you. I know roses are traditional, but I thought you might appreciate something a bit different."
"Orchids are my favorite," I said truthfully, accepting the flowers and inhaling their subtle, sweet scent. "How did you know?"
"Lucky guess," Christopher said, but the pleased smile on his face suggested he'd done his research. "And good taste on my part, apparently."
I looked at him, this man who'd taken the time to find out what flowers I liked, who'd shown up on time looking handsome and holding a thoughtful gift, who looked at me like I was the most interesting woman in the world.
And I made a decision.
I was going to put everything else behind me tonight. All the scheming, all the revenge planning, all the anger and hurt and complicated history. Tonight, I was just going to be Anna on a date with Christopher, enjoying an evening with someone who made me feel lighter, happier, more like myself.
Damn Flora. Damn Abel. Damn all of them, I thought firmly. Tonight is about me and my happiness.
"Shall we?" Christopher offered his arm with an old-fashioned courtesy that made me smile.
"We shall," I said, linking my arm through his.
As we walked toward his car, I glanced back at the mansion one last time. Through the window, I could see Alexander standing in the living room, watching us leave. He looked forlorn and lost.
Good, I thought without much sympathy. Maybe now you'll realize what you had before it's completely gone.
Christopher opened the car door for me, and I slid into the passenger seat, still holding the orchids carefully.
As we pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the restaurant, Christopher glanced over at me with that warm smile.
"I'm really glad you said yes to this," he said.
"So am I," I replied.
And I meant it.
For the first time in five years, I was allowing myself to look forward instead of just backward.
And it felt like freedom.