Chapter 288
Three Years later…
Blake’s POV:
The rain hammered against the windows of Seaside Manor as I sat in the darkness, my face illuminated only by the blue glow of my phone.
I scrolled through the video that had gone viral today, watching it for what must have been the hundredth time.
Seth Price handing Anna flowers as she stepped off the plane, both of them smiling like they shared some private joke.
Three years. Three fucking years since I’d seen her in person.
The first year after she left, Seth divorced his wife and got tangled in a $9 million debt dispute. The second year, Anna expanded her business in Europe, opening BlueWave Technologies‘ overseas branch. And this past year? Anna returned briefly to help Seth resolve his legal problems with her own team of
attorneys.
Three years, and Seth Price’s name had become permanently linked with Anna’s.
Meanwhile, I, Blake Wright, existed only as a pathetic footnote–the man crying at Boston Airport, begging his wife not to leave. A joke. A punchline. Ancient history in Anna’s world.
“Look at the happy couple,” the reporter’s voice narrated over the footage. “What a beautiful reunion between childhood sweethearts.”
I closed my eyes, the bitterness climbing up my throat like bile.
When I opened them again, I noticed a small figure standing in the rain outside.
Claire, my ‘stepsister, completely soaked, her clothes clinging to her frame. She’d been there for God knows how long.
Melissa approached, bending respectfully to whisper in my ear. “Sir, Miss Wright has been standing out there for two hours now. It’s cold and raining–her
health…”
I turned off my phone and took the towel Melissa offered, wiping my hands before dropping it carelessly to the floor. “Tell her to come in.”
I heard Melissa open the front door. Claire’s desperate voice carried through the hallway, followed by the sounds of a confrontation.
‘Just a bitch, Claire’s voice hissed. “I should have fired you when I had the chance!”
“Mr. Wright instructed me to have you dry off before entering,” Melissa replied coolly. “That carpet is Mrs. Wright’s favorite.”
“This house is MINE!” Claire shrieked. “Blakey gave it to me himself! How could you not know that?”
I almost laughed. After Anna moved out, Claire had thrown away all her things.
She had no idea I’d meticulously replaced everything, restoring Seaside Manor to exactly how it had been when Anna lived here.
“The property is currently in Mr. Wright’s name,” Melissa responded. “I suggest you hurry. Mr. Wright isn’t giving you much time.”
Minutes later, the sticky sound of wet bare feet approached. I kept my back to the door, staring out at the storm,
“Blakey! Blakey, you’re finally seeing me!” Claire’s voice was breathless with excitement.
“Stop.” I commanded without turning around. When I finally faced her, I saw she was wearing next to nothing, her skin still damp from the rain. ‘Dry yourself.”
My eyes were cold as I indicated the towel at my feet. The only thing available for her to use.
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Chapter 288,
Claire looked around desperately before her eyes settled on the towel. A calculating smile spread across her face as she stepped toward me. Bl.a. anything you say, I’ve dreamed of being with you again.”
She bent down slowly, deliberately showing off her slender waist. I remembered how she used to do this at high society parties, displaying that dancer. grace that wealthy men seemed to find so appealing.
“Blakey,‘ she cooed, twisting her body as she dried herself, ‘I can’t reach my back. Could you help me?”
She inched closer, inhaling deeply. It’s been so long since I’ve smelled your scent.”
Claire tilted her head, eyes full of misplaced devotion. “Your emotional healing doesn’t have to take just one path. Seeing you like this now makes me happy.”
In one swift motion, I grabbed her throat. My hand was ice–cold against her skin, colder than the storm outside.
“You’re getting the carpet dirty,” I said flatly. “Didn’t I tell you not to look at me with that disgusting expression?”
Claire’s initial shock gave way to hysterical laughter. “Hahaha!”
She stopped struggling, her nails lightly grazing the back of my hand as her eyes roamed my face hungrily. “Blakey, I’m Claire. You used to say how sweet and innocent I was. You promised we’d be together forever. Have you forgotten?”
“That sweet, innocent sister is long gone,” I replied. “All that’s left is a cold, heartless woman.”
“Sister? SISTER?” Claire’s voice rose. “Blakey, did you really think I wanted to be your sister? We just happened to grow up under the same roof. We’re not blood–related! My love for you is like anyone else’s–there’s nothing shameful about it! Why can’t you see me?*
Her words tumbled out faster. “You call me poisonous, but the person who changed their heart first deserves to die! But I would never hurt you, even if I had to harm everyone else in the world. This poisonous woman is still better than that woman called Anna!”
“Shut up.” I raised my hand slightly, and her body flew back, crashing against the floor–to–ceiling window.
‘I called you here to warn you,” I said evenly. “When Anna returns, you are not to appear before us. Ever.”
Claire made a strangled sound, clutching her throat as she laughed.
Her expression turned taunting. “As long as I’m the Wright family’s little princess, I can appear wherever I want. Blakey, if you love her so much, why don’t you publicly disown me? Or just kill me–then I’ll disappear forever.”
I stood up and turned to leave. “We have nothing more to say. Clairé, stay alive. Having everything and then losing it all–that’s my punishment for you.”
Her desperate voice followed me. “You tell me to call you stepbrother, but I haven’t seen you in three years. You say I’m the Wright family’s princess, but I’m in rags, living in that hospital. You say this is my punishment, but Blakey, are you any better off? Seth is divorced now. You couldn’t wait anymore, could
you?”
I paused, looking into the shadows. “Take her back,” I instructed my security team. “Send someone to clean the house. Replace the carpet.”
Claire was right about one thing. I couldn’t wait anymore. I couldn’t wait to see Anna again.
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