Anna’s POV:
The once peaceful night had turned suffocating with the confrontation between the two men.
Seth glared at Blake, his posture rigid. Blake casually draped his arm over my shoulder, looking relaxed but clearly marking his territory.
Seth’s breathing grew heavier, his fingers trembling slightly. Blake had expected me to move away, but I didn’t.
Seth’s face turned pale, only managing to utter ‘You two…” before falling silent.
I tilted my head to look at Blake, noticing the awkwardness of the situation.
“How have you been lately? Are you okay?” I asked Seth softly.
The arm on my shoulder suddenly tightened. Blake extended his palm in front of my face, his tone strange, “Can’t you see who’s worse off right now
Anger flashed in Seth’s eyes, his jaw clenched tight.
I pushed Blake’s arm away. “Stop it. Let me talk to Seth for a minute…
“We’re not done yet,” Blake replied. “I’m still bleeding. It’s not convenient for you to chat with another man right now. He fixed Seth with an icy stare and coldly said, “Get out!”
Seth’s fists clenched audibly, but he was restraining himself. “Blake! Don’t push me too far!”
Blake stepped forward, completely blocking me, pressing his chest against Seth. “I’m pushing you. What are you going to do about it?”
I looked down, searching for my shoes at the entrance. ‘I’ll go outside for a few minutes to talk with him privately. Seeing Seth again was unexpected, and 1 felt we needed a proper goodbye.
“No,” Blake refused immediately, his voice growing cold. “It’s dangerous outside at night.”
“What danger could there be with me?” Seth countered.
‘It’s precisely because she’d be with you that it’s dangerous!” Blake shot back.
The tension between them made the air in the living room feel solid.
I pulled at the back of Blake’s suit jacket, tugging him backward. When I looked up, I saw Seth’s heartbroken expression.
“Annie, Seth called me by my nickname, “you and him… how are you together again? He’s not a good person. Don’t let him fool you!”
Blake’s lips tightened as he scoffed, pulling me into his arms like he was claiming ownership. “If I wasn’t a good person, your relatives would still have you locked up at home.”
Seth gritted his teeth. “Blake, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell her all the shit you’ve done?”
My chest tightened. I worried that my recently shaken heart would have to face another storm.
“You made your choices,” Blake replied, his tone betraying nervousness. “Don’t try to push the blame on m
“Stop fighting!” My voice trembled. “What are you saying…”
Tears welled in Seth’s eyes. He bowed his head, gathering himself. After half a minute, his emotions seemed under control, though his eyes remained moist as he looked at me devastated.
“You told me countless times not to seek revenge for you, not to cause trouble with my brother Maxwell. But I refused, Seth said.
13
Chapter 229
*Yes…” I responded.
Blake tightly wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me as if trying to fuse me into his bones. Hearing my confirmation clearly paused hiça tom
‘Being with you is something I’ve dreamed of, Seth continued. “Have you ever wondered why I was so stubborn?
Blake’s blue eyes filled with coldness. “Seth! Leave now, and I’ll pretend you were never here.”
“Huh. Seth gave a bitter laugh. He threatened me with the same tone before.”
“What did he threaten you with?” I asked, confused and worried. Time seemed to rewind to the day I decided to move to New York with Seth, making my heart ache again.
“Seth!” Blake tried to stop him.
“Blake! Things have gone this far already. There’s no point hiding anything now. Besides, what conflict haven’t we gone through? What’s one more, right? 1 insisted firmly.
Blake fell silent, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall with his back to us. “Make it quick. You have three minutes.
“Blake wouldn’t let me find you,” Seth revealed. “You were hurt because of my brother. He told me I had to get revenge for you, and it had to be severe, if it wasn’t harsh enough, he would step in himself. The outcome wouldn’t be lighter than what happened to the person who jumped off that building. He said he would destroy the Price family…”
“How could he…” My body felt like it was in an ice cellar, so cold my breath froze.
How could I forget that Blake was never kind–hearted? I almost fell for the warmth and care he had been showing.
“The Price and Wright families have been friends for generations,” I said to Blake, “You may not be close with this generation, but the elders friendship remains. Your father is still alive, Seth’s father too. Blake, how could you do that?”
Blake turned to face us, narrowing his eyes at Seth. “How could I be close to someone who covets my woman? His brother hurt my woman! I was being merciful by not handling it myself. Why should I maintain friendship with the Price family? His father looking down on you is a fact. Why should I be close to them? Anna, have you lost your mind? I did it all for you!”
‘But we were already divorced then. I didn’t need you to-”
“You think I’m that pathetic?” Blake interrupted. “I can’t stand seeing you mistreated. I’m not too weak to protect you! Anyone who tries to hurt you will have to get through me first!”
He turned to Seth. “Now, will you get the fuck out?”
“No, I haven’t finished!” Seth refused, clenching his fists tightly. “I thought that after following his instructions, solving family issues in a week, I could find
miscarriage, torn apart my family, lost my freedom, and lost you. All because of this man’s you. But now I’ve ruined Maxwell’s company, caused Victoria’s schemes!
“He even calculated you into his plan. He knew you would come to him for my sake, allowing him to make all kinds of disgraceful demands while you submitted to him! With such scheming, he doesn’t really love you! He just wants to possess you, like an object he can acquire with some thought and planning. Don’t you see, Anna?”
I was shocked and confused.
Blake’s deep blue eyes fixed on Seth, growing darker and more dangerous. “Seth, do you truly love Anna? and Anna, didn’t you choose your family? Didn’t you consider that your poor handling might prevent you 1.
orced to choose between the Price family meeting her on time?”
“Don’t portray yourself as so noble and innocent. Don’t put such heavy burdens on Anna. She was just your second choice after you made your decision. If it were me, I wouldn’t have been so stupid!”
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