Chapter 161
Anna’s POV:
The divorce was final. Just like that, four years of marriage dissolved with the stroke of a pen. I felt strangely hollow as I wandered the streets that evening, my mind not quite processing what had happened.
That emptiness didn’t last long. As night fell, the harbor lit up with a spectacular light show. Every landmark and skyscraper transformed into a dazzling galaxy of lights. For Scarlett. Blake’s grand romantic gesture for his new love was impossible to miss, and the media made sue everyone knew about it.
Social media buzzed. “Scarlett’s heto finally came to claim her.“;
People crowded the streets, phones raised to capture the spectacle, I overheard snippets of conversation–my name. Blake’s name, whispers about how quickly he moved on, speculation about what I must have done to deserve being cast aside.
I remembered what I’d overbeard outside city hall the day of our divorce.
“We’ll come back another day, Blake had told Scarlett, who was excitedly waving her driver’s license and social security card, eager to register their marriage immediately.
“Why not today?” she’d asked, bouncing on her toes like an impatient child.
“Let’s pick another day when we get back, he’d replied, his voice cold. “today just feels unlucky!”
Looking out at the night skyline, I felt oddly detached from that memory.
The realization settled over me: Blake and Scarlett weren’t just about revenge. Their relationship was real. Blake had simply needed a wife, and it could have been anyone. It just happened to be me for a while.
As I watched the city lights, a strange sense of liberation washed over me. Maybe this was the beginning of something
new.
“To your new beginning!” Seth declared, tossing my divorce papers into the small flame of the table candle at the restaurant he’d rented out for my birthday.
you
“Shit! Are you crazy?” I yelped, watching my divorce papers curl and blacken..
*Relax, it’s just a copy,” Seth grinned. “The original’s filed with the court.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t even want a birthday celebration. I just wanted Emily to keep me company.
“And miss seeing your grumpy face? No way,” Seth teased, popping open a champagne bottle.
Emily laughed as Seth deliberately aimed the foam at her, which quickly escalated into a champagne fight between them. Despite myself, I found a smile torming. These two idiots were trying so hard to cheer me up.
An hour later, Emily checked her phone and jumped up. “Oh crap, I completely forgot about the marine ecology assessment report for EcoMarine. Seth, you’ll take Anna home, right?”
Before I could protest, she was gone, leaving me with an all–too pleased Seth.
Chapter 161
mis Stepsister’s Secret
Anna’s POV:
The divorce was I
final. Just like that, four years of marriage dissolved with the stroke of a pen. I felt strangely hollow as wandered the streets that evening, my mind not quite processing what had happened.
That emptiness didn’t last long. As night fell, the harbor lit up with a spectacular light shone. Every landmark and skyscraper transformed into a dazzling galaxy of lights. For Scarlett. Blake’s grand romantic gesture for his new love was impossible to miss, and the media made sure everyone knew about it.
Social media buzzed. “Scarlett’s here finally came to claim her.
People crowded the streets, phones inised to capture the spectacle. I overheard snippets of conversation–my name, Blakers name, whispers about how quickly he’d moved on, speculation about what I must have done to deserve being cast ide
I remembered what I’d overfleand outside city hall the day of our divorce,
“Well come back another day, Blake had told Scarlett, who was excitedly waving her driver’s license and social security card, eager to register their marriage immediately.
ant child.
“Why not today?” she’d asked, bouncing on her toes like an impatient
“Let’s pick another day when we get back, he’d replied, his voice cold. “today just feels unlucky!”
Looking out at the night skyline, I felt oddly detached from that memory.
The realization settled over me: Blake and Scarlett weren’t just about revenge. Their relationship was real, Blake had simply needed a wife, and it could have been anyone. It just happened to be me for a while.
As I watched the city lights, a strange sense of liberation washed over me. Maybe this was the beginning of something
new.
To your new beginning!” Seth declared, tossing my divorce papers into the small flame of the table candle at the restaurant he’d rented out for my birthday.
“Shit! Are you crazy?” I yelped, watching my divorce papers curand blacken
“Relax, it’s just a copy,” Seth grinned. The original’s filed with the court.”
I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t even want a birthday celebration. I just wanted Emily top me company.
“And miss seeing your grumpy face? No way,” Seth teased, popping open a champagne bottle.
Emily laughed as Seth deliberately aimed the foam at her, which quickly escalated into a champagne fight between ther Despite myself, I found a smile forming. These two idiots were trying so hard to cheer me up.
An hour later, Emily checked her phone and jumped up. “Oh crap, I completely forgot about the marine ecology assessment report for EcoMarine. Seth, you’ll take Anna hoine, right?”
Before I could protest, she was gone, leaving me w
with a
an all–too pleased Seth-
Chapter 161
Looking out the window, I noticed the harbor lights had gone dark. Blake’s grand display for Scarlett was over, leaving only the usual city glow. Somehow, that felt right.
My old life was finished, and the pain–both fresh and old–was finally beginning to heal. Each new day suddenly held proinise.
“You know, when we were kids vacationing in Cape Cod, you never let me lean on you either, Seth said, his head falling onto my shoulder for the fifth time during our ride home. He was playing drunk, but I knew better,
“Get off me,” I said, shoving him away again.
He straightened suddenly, his playfulness vanishing. “Can you give me a chance?
His intense gaze caught me off guard. His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he waited for my response.
I thought back to those childhood vacations. Seth had always been irritating, deliberately pressing his weight on my shoulder until I complained, But now, he was careful with his touch, mindful of boundaries in a way he never used to be.
I’d just ended one marriage. Jumping from the frying pan into the fire seemed reckless. Unlike Blake, I couldn’t just switch
› “nemesis” since from one person to another without caring. And could I really start something with the guy who’d been my
childhood?
Seth must have read the hesitation in my eyes because his expression clouded with hurt.
“Do you still have feelings for Blake?” he asked abruptly.
“No!” I answered quickly, then tried to explain further.
“Forget it. I don’t want to hear it.” He cut me off.
“Anna!” His voice softened. “I’ve
ve joked around with you our whole lives, but I’m serious now. I really like you. I want to be
with you.”
I backed away until I hit the car door, shocked. How was 1, the supposedly experienced divorcée, being blindsided by such a straightforward confession?
I couldn’t cross lines before
re your divorce,” he explained, his voice catching. “I was afraid you’d run away. I was afraid of
ruining your reputation….
His eyes reddened at the corners, and guilt washed over me. “I’m sorry-
“Don’t apologize,” he interrupted. “I’m the one who didn’t seize the opportunity before.”
my shoulder again, his voice pitiful. Let’s not talk about the past. Things are different now, Seth rested his head on my There’s no moral barrier between us. If you want to reject me, you’d better come up with a decent excuse.”
“I’ll think of one,” I promised, but realized I had no idea how to refuse him. What moment in our lifetime of bickering had made him fall for me
He chuckled softly. “Take your time. No rush to reject me.”
When we reached my apartment, Seth made no move to let me out of the car.
2/3
Chapter 161
“How much do you like me? I asked, frustrated.
In my mind, love should be mutual. Blake’s reluctant acceptance of me had been painful enough.
I know you have concerns,” Seth replied, suddenly serious. “But my feelings for you can overcome all those concerns. 1 like you–not your family, not your past.”
His words felt reassuring, convincing, yet strangely disconnected from the Seth I’d always known. My heart warmed, but fear held me back. I couldn’t bear repeating the same mistakes,
“I don’t know if I like you,” I admitted honestly. I refused to follow Blake’s pattern of halfhearted acceptance. I also didn’t want to hurt Seth.
He suddenly sat up straight and cradled my face in his hands. Its eyes glittered in the dim light. “Kiss me. I don’t believe you feel nothing for me.”
My heart fluttered. I couldn’t meet his gaze. My thoughts were a chaotic mess.
As his lips drew closer to mine, bright headlights suddenly flooded the car.
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