Chapter 47
Anna nodded, her face still cast downward in embarrassment, and she turned slightly toward Cressida, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, ma. I’ll be forever grateful for your generosity.” Her voice cracked as tears welled up in her eyes again.
A warm smile spread across Cressida’s lips as she enveloped Anna in a gentle hug. “You owe me nothing,” she said softly. “But if you insist, then focus on your studies. I want to see you graduate with flying colors.”
Anna sniffled and nodded reassuringly. “I promise,” she vowed, her voice filled with determination. “I won’t let you down. I’ll graduate as the overall best student.”
Alaric cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “I deserve a hug as well.” He said, and Cressida’s face furrowed, unclear. He smirked, adding, “you’re showing her kindness. Shouldn’t you be gracious enough to appreciate me, too?”
Cressida chuckled softly and brushed off his comment. “Let’s pack this meal for dinner. It’s getting late.” She instructed, facing Anna.
Alaric scoffed under his breath. “What a waste of kindness,” he whispered, trying to reel Cressida back in. He had helped Anna, expecting Cressida to show him some appreciation, but she seemed unfazed. As he was about to turn away, Anna's voice halted him.
“Wait, sir…” Anna said, her tone unexpectedly loud, and she turned to her, surprised. “I think I may have some information for you.”
“Information?” Cressida repeated, curiosity creeping into her voice. While Alaric’s eyes locked onto Anna, eager to know more, but composed himself, not wanting to seem too interested.
Anna nodded in confirmation. “Yes, ma'am.”
“Okay, tell me.” Cressida’s curiosity was piqued, her voice and demeanor reflecting her interest. However, Anna seemed hesitant, glancing at Alaric before refocusing on Cressida.
“Should he excuse us?” Cressida asked, her eyes locking onto Anna’s. Without waiting for an answer, she grasped her hand, urging her toward the entrance. “Let’s go to the room for privacy. It’ll be just us. You and I.”
Anna stood firm, refusing to budge. “No, it doesn’t have to be just us,” she said. “He can stay, but we still need privacy. If he can overhear us from outside, what’s guaranteeing no one else is listening now?”
“That’s true,” Cressida agreed. Alaric, however, maintained a neutral expression, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of interest when Cressida suggested a private conversation between the two of them, making his composure waver for a moment.
“It’s about the assignment the chairman gave to you,” Anna disclosed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I have some information about the project supervisor—if that would help.”
Alaric’s eyes widened as he lost his calm demeanor. “The project supervisor?” He exclaimed, almost in unison with Cressida. They quickly covered their mouths, scanning their surroundings nervously.
Alaric strode toward the door. “Let’s go, please.” He urged, his wheel quickening. Cressida followed closely behind, helping him move faster, while Anna hurried to open the door.
As Cressida got out of the bathroom, Alaric’s gaze followed her to the dressing area, where she slipped into her nightgown. She then moved to the mirror to dry her hair.
“Anna…” Alaric began, his voice trailing.
“Do you think we can trust her?” He asked finally. The concern had been nagging him since Anna shared the information she had overheard from Felix’s conversation with his mother and Rowan. And had wanted to discuss his doubts since Anna left the room, but dinner interrupted.
Cressida paused mid-stroke while drying her hair, her forehead withering as she turned to face him. “Why are you questioning her trustworthiness?” She asked, her tone inquisitive.
He nodded candidly. “Something feels off. Her attitude earlier seemed... insincere. She changed her demeanor too quickly,” he let out. “Like a chameleon, that was too quick. What if she’s-”
Cressida cut him off with a gentle shake of her head. “You’re doubting her because you don’t know what she’s been through,” she said, her voice soft but firm.
Despite being interrupted, Alaric listened intently, his eyes locked on hers. “For someone like Anna, all she’s ever wanted is kindness. We showed her that, and this is her response…” Her words trailed off, her expression empathetic.
“Repaying us in every way possible,” she continued, her gaze intensifying. “I understand why you’re hesitant to trust her, but I trust her. I’ve been through hell, and I know how it feels when someone changes in an instant. I’m a victim...”
“A victim?” Alaric asked, his curiosity piqued. As he saw tears welling up in her eyes, he found himself wanting to know more, forgetting his resolve to keep his distance. “What are you talking about?”
“A victim of-” her words faltered, and for a moment, it seemed like she might open up to Alaric. She looked at him with vulnerability, suggesting him as someone who could understand her, someone who could help her. But then she caught herself, pulling back from the brink of revealing more.
“Never mind.”
She shook her head and lowered her gaze before turning to face the mirror.
Catching Alaric’s dumbfounded expression through the mirror, she felt self-conscious and couldn’t continue. She turned off the hair dryer, set it down, and walked over to the couch, where she sat and wrapped her feet in the duvet.
“Now that we know the project supervisor’s whereabouts and Felix’s plan to visit with a gift, I think we’re one step closer to our goal,” she said, deliberately avoiding eye contact with him. “We’ll discuss this further tomorrow.”
As Alaric opened his mouth to respond, she quickly lay down on the bed, turning away from him and covering herself completely with the duvet. His gaze lingered on her, his eyes filled with concern, wondering what secrets her past held, what experiences had shaped her into the person she was today.
Before their marriage, he conducted secret inquiries about her, but what he’d uncovered seemed like just the tip of the iceberg. The more he saw her, the more he realized how little he knew.
He’d been struggling lately, torn between his mission and his growing desire to help her heal. But his thoughts swirled with uncertainty—he wished to help her mend the wounds he sensed she carried, but he felt lost.
Without knowing the root of her pain, he didn’t know where to start. It was like trying to repair a shattered mirror without knowing how it broke or where the cracks began. He felt helpless, unsure of how to reach her or ease her hurt.
As he sat there, lost in thought, Cressida lay still, her eyes wide open, wondering what he was thinking. Was he still staring at her? What was going through his mind?
Despite her curiosity, she couldn’t bring herself to turn around and face him.
Alaric sighed, shifting his position in bed. He turned onto his side, closed his eyes, and attempted to force himself to sleep, but it eluded him.
Restless, he turned onto his other side, but still felt uneasy. Eventually, he gave up, opening his eyes to face up. His hands were clasped together, resting on his stomach.
‘Whatever your problem is, I won’t watch you struggle again. Just like you’ve gained my trust, I’ll work harder to earn yours,’
His thoughts continued, filled with determination. ‘This won’t be a one-sided thing, Cressida. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to help you heal and fulfill your heart's desire.’