Chapter 286
Anna’s POV:
I stood outside the building, exhausted after my three–hour conversation with Emily. Daniel approached, handing me my phone with a concerned look.
‘Ms. Anderson, your phone’s been vibrating non–stop.”
I glanced at the screen and froze. Forty–eight missed calls. All from Blake.
‘It’s fine,” I said calmly, though my heart was racing. “Just take me
the al
1
can’t miss today’s prenatal shot.”
As Daniel went to get the car, I stood alone in the parking lot, staring at my
What kind of man goes from being intimate one night to completely disappearing the next? Especially when there’s a life growing inside me because of him.
My phone vibrated again. Call number forty–nine. My eyes moistened
noticed the timestamp of the first call–exactly three hours ago.
I’d waited up for him countless nights. Stared at my phone, desperate for sick, I’d ask him how it felt to be on the other side of that silence.
any
sign
of him. I’d experienced my own share of three–hour waits. If he wasn’t
Taking a deep breath, I answered. “Blake.”
“Anna. The relief in his voice was palpable. He cleared his throat, trying to hide what sounded like emotion. “Where are you? I need to tell you something important.”
I could picture him hours earlier, storming into BlueWave Technologies, demanding to know where I was. The usually aloof CEO, losing his composure in front of bewildered staff. They wouldn’t know anything–they barely knew me, their mysterious boss. And Daniel would have deflected his calls too.
Daniel pulled up in front of me. As he opened the car door, I told Blake, “Whatever it is, we can discuss it at the hearing.”
Blake sighed heavily. His voice sounded raw, almost broken. ‘Anna, even if we’re divorced, can’t we meet like friends? There are things I need to say to your face.”
I bit my lip. “How many divorced couples actually stay friends, Blake?”
‘Why not?” The hope in his voice was unmistakable. “If you want to.”
I stayed silent, which only made him more desperate.
“Anna, I haven’t eaten. Let’s have dinner together. I haven’t had a proper meal in
ages.
Please?
‘Blake, you need to eat properly to recover, to fight negative emotions. Take care of yourself. But I’m not hungry, so I’ll pass.”
A loud bang came through the phone, making me jump. It sounded like he’d hit something.
“I’m only asking for a little of your time,” he pleaded. “really need to talk to you. If not dinner, maybe afternoon tea? I think there’s been a misunderstanding-
‘Blake, I cut him off gently. “I’m sorry, but I have other commitments. Find someone else to have dinner with.”
I had to get to the hospital. My appointment couldn’t wait. And what misunderstanding was there to clear up? The truth was painfully obvious.
What did he take me for? When I was worried sick about him, it wasn’t me who gave him hope to live, nor was it the baby I carried. He’d made it crystal clear that we were divorced, that Claire was his only family now. And here he was, thinking only of himself, not once considering me or our child.
Why should I see him? Out of respect for his illness, I could be civil, but nothing more. I’d loved him completely, fought for him fiercely. After divorce, maintaining distance through past pain was best for both of us.
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Chapter 286
You’ve changed, Anna, Blake said with a bitter smile in his voice. Remember how you used to hover around me whenever I came i time together, wanting to travel, have dinner, or just be in the same room? You were happy just being near me
My eyes stung. Yes, when I loved him, everything in my world carried his name. Was that wrong? Should I be blamed for my past devotisia ner ha gone?
I didn’t understand why Blake’s attitude had changed so dramatically in just a few hours. Perhaps it was his illness making his emotions unstable
Daniel came around the car and opened the door for me. ‘Miss, let’s
“Where are you going?” Blake’s voice grew frantic. ‘I’ll come to you.”
I pressed my lips together. “Blake, let’s leave at that.”
I hung up. People always said that people who truly loved each other can’t be friends. One look softens your heart, one embrace makes you fall again, one glance makes you want everything back. So it’s either forever or nothing at all.
I got into the car and slammed the door, trying to release my frustration. If Blake could so easily suggest friendship, then he never truly loved me
Two months passed both slowly and quickly. When I saw Blake again, it was under the shade trees leading to the courthouse.
As Daniel opened my car door, I noticed Blake standing beneath a large tree, watching me. He looked nervous, his fingers trembling at his sides. He walked toward me with purposeful strides, as if he’d rehearsed this moment a thousand times.
He reached me in seconds. “Let’s go in. It’s almost time.”
I could see sweat beading on his forehead. The heat was oppressive, cicadas screaming
in
the
trees.
My composure seemed to center him. His expression shifted rapidly, the redness around his eyes fading.
He caught up to me and said, “You’ve gained a little weight. It looks good on you. Take care of yourself.”
“Thanks, I will.” I walked quickly ahead, maintaining my distance.
I already had my ticket to leave the country immediately after the hearing. I didn’t look at him again, even though this might be the last time we’d ever see
each other.
Inside the courtroom, Blake deliberately sat beside me. His dark eyes were like a net I couldn’t escape, despite all my attempts at detachment. Daniel noticed my discomfort and switched seats with me. I finally relaxed.
Caroline confessed to everything. I’m sure Blake had investigated thoroughly by now, so things proceeded smoothly. From the moment Blake entered, Caroline had been scanning the room, searching for someone.
As she accepted her multiple charges, the court sentenced her to life imprisonment.
I put on my sunglasses and slipped away.
Blake noticed me leaving, but the imprisonment of the Wright Group CEO’s mother wasn’t a small matter. The moment he stepped outside, cameras would swarm him. I wasn’t worried about him following me; he had to stay and handle the aftermath.
On my way to the airport, my phone rang repeatedly. I sent him one final message: [Goodbye indefinitely.]
Then I removed my SIM card and tossed it onto Boston’s busiest street. Just like my love for him, from vibrant to desolate.
At the airport, Blake appeared unexpectedly, as if he’d known I was leaving. Separated by security gates, he called my name over and over, each cry more desperate than the last….