Chapter 156
Anna’s POV:
Woke up disoriented, my vision blurry as 1 blinked at the expanse of the dark Atlantic and the twinkling stars.
“How long was I out? I rubbed my eyes, my voice raspy from sleep.
“Less than an hour, Seth replied, turning off the engine. “We’re here, just in time for the fireworks.”
We walked toward the beach, the cold sen breeze clearing the fo in my head. The first firework exploded in the night sky with a sound like a heartbeat, colors reflecting in broken fragments across the water’s surface.
Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Blake could have
blazed more brilliantly in my heart than these fireworks in the sky. Instead, he chose darkness.
Seth patched me intently. “Girls usually love fireworks, but you’re not smiling. I arranged this specially for you.”
I turned my head, seeing the colorful light from the fireworks playing across his face. My eyes welled up again. “I really am touched, Seth. It’s just… too many emotions all at once.”
“I understand, Seth gently wiped a tear from my face, and this time I didn’t pull away. “Crying is better than keeping it all bottled up inside.”
I leaned slightly toward him. “Thank you for staying by my side.|
Seth’s lone grew serious. “Before, when I saw them mistreating you, I couldn’t step in. Now that you’re finally divorcing him, if he can’t protect you, then I will!”
I rested against Seth, feeling for the first time how reliable his embrace could be.
Seth took out his phone to record the fireworks. “Mind if I post this on Instagram? Let people see how beautiful tonight
Seth then edited and posted with the caption: Hope the joy you see in these fireworks can be shared
ok my head, and Seth th
I shook my
with her.
“Want to walk along the shore?” Seth asked softly. “Or we can just watch the whole show here.”
1 nodded slightly. “Let’s stay a
nu a bit
longer. This is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time.
My phone vibrated in my bag. I glanced at the caller ID and flipped it face down. Moments later, Seth’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and immediately rejected the call.
“He doesn’t give up, does he?“! Seth scoffed. “Still trying to control your life after
I didn’t respond, just turned my gaze back to the window.
r the divorce?”
When Seth’s car stopped outside my apartment building, he hestated. “Want me to walk you up?”
I shook my head. “No need You’ve done enough already.”
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Chapter 156
“If he contacts you again, fell me.” Seth’s eyes grew determined, I won’t let him hurt you anymore.
The next morning, my phone buzzed repeatedly with texts from Emily: Anna, have you seen the latest video? Blake is
such an asshole!
After a moment’s hesitation, I clicked the link Emily sent. Social media was buzzing with video of Blake picking up Scarlett from the hospital. I forced myself to watch the entire clip, feeling a sharp pang in my chest,
Blake was impeccably dressed, carrying flowers, smiling as he entered the hospital. He smiled at Scarlett, gallantly opening her car door with practiced elegance.
Their conversation was clear enough to hear:
Scarlett: “Blake, is it really okay for you to pick me up like this? I heard you and your wife just got divorced.”
Blake: The divorce is final. That’s all in the past now.”
I turned off the video and tossed my phone onto the couch, covering my face with my hands.
My phone buzzed again with Emily asking: [Are you okay? Do you want me to come over?]
I replied: [I’m fine. Just need some time alone.]
For the next two weeks, I avoided checking news and social media when I woke up. But Blake’s updates seemed to find their way to me regardless, as if deliberately entering my field of vision.
One day, I couldn’t resist clicking on a trending headline, immediately regretting it. My screen filled with news: “Wright Group Heir Visits Ailing Father with New Love Interest.” The photos showed Blake and Scarlett walking intimately into the hospital, her arm linked through his.
Business magazines speculated: “Scarlett Poised to Become the New Mrs. Wright.”
Emily texted: [The nerve of these writers! As if someone like Scarlett could ever fill the shoes of Mrs. Wright!
I replied: [I’ve seen enough. None of this concerns me anymore. I tumed off my phone and sat silently by the window.
Three days later, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Scarlett standing there with a middle–aged man.
“Blake sent us to deliver the agreement, Scarlett said, chin slightly raised. “This is his lawyer.”
The lawyer slammed the divorce papers onto my coffee table. Please sign promptly. Mr. Wright is op a tight schedule.”
I calmly picked up the document and sat on the sofa, carefully reading every page,
The lawyer checked his watch impatiently while Scarlett surveyed my apartment.
“Just sign it already, the lawyer said irritably. “Even with Mr. Wght’s countless assets, he won’t be sharing much with you. Businessmen are shrewd–if they gave away assets with every marriage, where would it end? Some people could spend a lifetime with a top–tier wealthy man and still walk away with nothing.”
Scarlett smirked beside him. “Anna, I’m starting to think you’re reluctant to divorce.”
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Chapter 156
I looked up, maintaining my composure. I’m just making sure understand what I’m signing”
I remembered Blakes empty promises to give me more in the element, claiming he’d come home that night to sort things out. He probably went to Claire’s room to take care of her instead.
I realized if I were after money, I shouldn’t have filed for divorce at all.
I noticed how well Blake had taken care of Scarlett. She was no longer timid, her eyes sparkled with new confidence, her attire screaming new money. Blake sending her here was like slapping me in the face.
It dawned on me that Blake had made time to care for William, comfort Caroline, look after Scarlett, and accompany Claire. Everyone except me
I could have said something cutting to Scarlett, but chose not to waste my words. She wouldn’t be someone I’d encounter again in my future.
The lawyer handed me a pen. I signed without hesitation.
“Satisfied now?” I pushed the document back. “Please give Blake my regards.”
After they left, I stood alone by the window, my forehead pressed against the cold glass. Suddenly my body gave out, and I slid to the floor, struck by dizziness, my forehead burning hot.
I struggled to crawl onto the bed, completely drained, feverish, my consciousness fading. My phone kept vibrating, but I had no strength to answer as darkness enveloped me.
In my delirious state, memory fragments flashed before me like slideshow,
די
Blake was my “love at first sight.” But now I was reassessing everything. “I thought we’d always be together…. but it seems… everything was wrong…
“Even our memories… were they fake too?”
The official date when our divorce would take effect was my twenty–seventh birthday.
How ironic. He chose my birthday as the day it officially ends.
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