Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Henry opened the car door and held it for Anna. She climbed in quietly, her movements delicate and uncertain. As he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, he glanced sideways—and froze.

Tears were silently rolling down her cheeks.

Henry exhaled sharply, leaning back in his seat. “Are you okay?”

Anna nodded without a word, trying to wipe her face quickly, but the tears kept coming. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and that tugged at something in him.

He sighed again, softer this time. “Listen… if you don’t want to go through with this, feel free to say it.”

She blinked at him.

“I mean it,” he continued. “You say the word, and we’ll turn around. No explanations needed. I don’t want you feeling forced. To be honest, marriage was never in my agenda.

But on my way to the Brigg's mansion earlier, I thought about it and realized it wasn't such a bad idea to give it a try. I find you very attractive and that's good enough for me. But you still need to be fine with this if we are to proceed.”

Anna quickly shook her head, her voice quiet but steady. “No. I want this.”

Henry looked at her carefully. “You’re sure?”

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Why would you think I don’t?”

He gave a dry chuckle. “Well, for one, you’re crying. Most brides don’t cry on the way to a wedding.... unless they’re being dragged to it.”

Anna gave him a watery smile. “These are not sad tears. I’m just overwhelmed. It feels like my life exploded and rebuilt itself in twenty-four hours.”

He nodded slowly.

Then she looked at him with a bit of hesitation. “Aren’t you… uncomfortable? I mean, I’m just a little over twenty. You’re… what, thirty-eight?”

“Almost thirty-nine actually,” he corrected with a grin. “And yeah, I thought about that. But you know what else I thought? I’m not twenty either. I don’t have time for slow games or second-guessing. What happened last night may not have been planned, but I won’t pretend it didn’t mean something.”

She bit her lower lip, listening intently.

“I don’t usually give in to temptation,” he continued. “I have… standards. Preferences. A type. But with you, I didn’t even think. It just happened. And maybe it was meant to.”

His voice lowered. “So no, it’s not such a bad deal. You’re pretty, you’ve got guts, and somehow, you got under my skin. I’ve had worse ideas than marrying someone like you.”

Anna blushed, her lips tugging into a real smile now.

“Alright then,” she said. “Since we’re really doing this… I want someone close to me there. Someone who really cares about me.”

“Of course,” Henry nodded. “Who do you want to call?”

She immediately picked up her phone and dialed Tanya.

Tanya was just about to head out to lunch with Colby when her phone rang. She answered with a curious smile, but when Anna told her she was on her way to the marriage registry with Henry, Tanya nearly screamed.

“Oh my God! What?! Are you serious?!”

Anna laughed softly. “Yes. I wanted you to be there.”

“Girl, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

Tanya hung up and turned to Colby, practically bouncing with excitement.

“She’s doing it. They’re getting married....today!”

Colby raised an eyebrow. “Henry actually wants to get married?”

Tanya nodded eagerly. “Yes! And thank you. I know you’re the reason he showed up. You got through to him.”

He chuckled, pulling her into a hug. “Let’s just say I gave him a little push.”

“I was so scared for her,” Tanya whispered. “But with Henry… I think she’s safe. He’s a good man. Rough around the edges, but good.”

Colby nodded. “He’ll protect her. That, I know.”

A few hours later, at the marriage registry, Anna and Henry stood side by side—Anna in a soft cream-colored dress Tanya had picked up for her, and Henry in a simple but sharp navy-blue suit.

They signed the documents, posed for photos, and smiled as the registrar declared them husband and wife.

Outside, Colby pulled Henry aside while the girls chatted.

“Wow,” Colby said. “You really did it. I didn’t think you’d go all the way.”

Henry gave a half-smile. “It’s a good thing you called when you did. You have no idea what I walked into.”

“What happened?”

Henry’s smile faded.

“She was on her knees. Her grandfather, her so-called family—were about to whip her. Literally. They had a man standing there with a whip. And no one was asking her what happened. They just assumed the worst and were ready to punish her like some criminal.”

Colby’s jaw tightened. “No wonder Tanya was so worried. She cried all night thinking about it.”

Henry shook his head, his voice low and serious. “I’ve seen a lot in my life, but that… that was inhumane. After witnessing that, how could I just leave her alone?

Colby looked at him, expression softening. “So that’s why you married her.”

Henry didn’t answer immediately. He looked across the courtyard at Anna, who was laughing softly with Tanya, her face glowing in the sunlight.

“…It started that way,” he murmured. “But now? I think it’s becoming something else.”

Henry ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Colby with a half-smile. “You know, my family’s been on my case for years about settling down. They thought I’d never do it. And honestly, I didn’t think I would either.”

Colby raised a brow. “So why now?”

Henry’s eyes darkened slightly. “When I walked into that house and saw her on her knees, about to be whipped like a criminal… something in me just clicked. I couldn’t leave her there. I didn’t want to.”

He shrugged. “Besides, it’s not like I’m taking in a problem. She’s beautiful, attractive, respectful… maybe a little too obedient for my taste, but she’s genuine. And that’s rare.”

Colby smirked. “Well, just don’t break her spirit. If Tanya finds out you’re making Anna cry, she’ll cry too. And if my wife cries, I go into full warfare mode.”

Henry snorted. “Relax. I’m not some monster. I don’t plan to give my wife a reason to shed a single tear.”

Colby nodded, satisfied.