Anna’s POV:
After leaving the hospital, I returned to the detention center, and the answer was the same as before: Emily refused to see
anyone.
Before meeting Scarlett, I had believed these people’s lies, but now? There was no way I would buy it!
“Is it you who won’t let me see her, or is it her who doesn’t want to see me? Be clear!” I shouted at the staff behind the
counter.
My patience had completely run out after returning from the hospital only to find I still couldn’t see Emily.
Things escalated quickly. Before I could process what was happening, two officers had me pinned to the ground, my face pressed against the cold floor.
“You’re interfering with official business,” one of them barked as he roughly pulled my arms behind my back. The cold metal of handcuffs bit into my wrists.
They dragged me to a holding cell, informing me I’d be detained for twelve hours and would need to pay a fine upon release. I demanded my phone call.
“Make it quick,” the officer said, handing me my phone before I was locked up.
I immediately called Seth. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing. After the fifth attempt, panic crawled up my spine. Seth always answered my calls, no matter what. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
I considered calling Daniel, Henry, or Michael, but twelve hours wasn’t worth bothering them. Besides, I didn’t want anyone seeing me like this–desperate and cornered.
Several hours later, the cell door opened. An officer appeared, looking uncomfortable.
“There’s been a misunderstanding, Mrs. Wright. You’re free to go.”
I blinked in confusion. “What?”
“We apologize for the inconvenience,” he mumbled, not meeting my eyes.
I was escorted to a small room with a single table and two chairs. The door closed behind me with a soft click. I knew
exactly who had arranged this.
wicha
When the door opened again, Blake walked in, left hand in his pocket, right hand holding my phone.
“What else do you have to say to me that you had to chase me all the way here?” I asked, my voice tight.
Blake extended his hand, offering my phone. “You called Seth so many times, but you never once called me.”
His hand trembled slightly. The vein in his temple throbbed as he continued, “You two video chat for over an hour every day. Three days ago, it was six hours and fifteen minutes. Do–you even sleep without hearing his voice?”
Each word dripped with venom as he spat, “How. Fucking. Sweet
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Chapter 203
My stomach dropped as I realized he wasn’t wrong about the length of our calls. Seth and I did talk for hours, often until one of us fell asleep.
I looked directly into Blake’s eyes. “What did you do to Seth?”
“Blake moved closer, his expensive cologne filling the small space between us. “I thought your first question would be about
your friend. Since when did Seth become more important than Emily?”
With each step he took, I backed up until I hit the wall. Blake’s shadow seemed to have weight, pressing against me. I struggled to breathe as he leaned in, his face inches from mine,
“You’re disgusting!” I hissed, “Going through my phone!“”
“Emily or Seth,” he said evenly. “I can only save one. Who do you choose?”
“So you’re admitting it,” I said. “Emily and Seth. Both your doing.”
Blake remained silent, his jaw tightening as he stared at me.
“Anna,” his voice softened slightly. “Haven’t you played enough? It’s time to come home.”
He leaned in to kiss me, one hand braced against the wall near my head, the other moving to my waist.
I placed both hands on his shoulders, stopping him at the last moment. I could hear my heart pounding against my
ribcage.
“This choice–one or the other–is it conditional or unconditional?” I asked.
Blake straightened, adjusting his suit jacket. “Depends on what you choose.”
“Emily,” I said firmly. “I want her released immediately, returned to Boston, and the research conference incident properly
resolved.”
Blake’s fingers suddenly gripped my chin, tilting my face up. “Anna, count how many demands you just made.”
I didn’t understand Blake’s words, couldn’t tell if he was implying I was overstepping or just teasing me.
The dim lighting in the room made it impossible to read his emotions through his eyes. All I knew was that without Seth’s help, getting Emily out on bail intact–with my current abilities would be nearly impossible, parents‘ situation.
No one understood the terrifying power of public opinion better than I did.
I gave in, looking up at him shamelessly. “One,” I said with complete seriousness.
cially considering her
Blake fell silent for a moment, perhaps considering my offer. “Fine, but starting now, you can’t contact Seth anymore. Can you do that?”
His large hand moved down, effortlessly enveloping the hand holding my phone. He lifted my hand and shook it firmly in front of my face. “All contact information must be deleted. You can’t keep anything.”
He released his grip, but my fist remained frozen in front of my face, my body stiff as stone.
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Chapter 203
I shook my head, not wanting to hurt Seth’s feelings.
“Absolutely not!” I declared.
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