Chapter 290
Anna’s POV:
The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife as Blake stared at me.
Just as Blake opened his mouth to speak, I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist.
“Long time no see, Blake,” Seth’s voice
out beside me as he pulled me closer to his side.
surrounding Blake. “Is that… isn’t that Seth Price?” one of them whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
A collective gasp went up from the girl
Seth flashed his trademark smirk. “Nothing famous about me. Blake, your girls here are quite the sweet–talkers.
Before I could react, Seth took the champagne flute from my hand and raised it in Blake’s direction. “I’ve been following the news of your recovery, Blake. Seeing you looking so well makes me happy as your friend. You two look great together.”
I glanced at the woman by Blake’s side. Melissa, his assistant.
She was pretty. Compared to Claire, she was just as attractive, only taller. The way she looked at Blake time.
–
full of admiration and respect sent me back in
–
I used to look at him that way too. Once upon a time, I’d been just as starstruck by Blake Wright, heir to one of Boston’s most powerful families. Now at thirty, those butterflies I once felt were long dead.
Blake refused to clink glasses with Seth. Instead, he placed his drink on a passing waiter’s tray.
“You two…” he began, his voice laced with pain and curiosity.
My mind raced back to why I’d returned to Boston. I thought about Nora, my questions in her eyes.
beautiful daughter, pointing at the king in her fairy tale book with unspoken
Questions about the father who hadn’t contacted us once in three years. I’d hoped Blake might step up, be a father to Nora, but seeing him here with someone new made that hope feel childish.
“We get along very well, I answered simply.
Seth looked at me with genuine surprise, then gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Anna and I have somewhere to be. We’ll catch up another
time.”
He leaned close to my ear, whispering, “Nora’s wai
for
us at home.”
“Who asked you to come? You’re being ridiculous!”
I hissed at him under my breath.
Let’s go. I want to go home,‘ I said more firmly.
I cast one final glance at Blake. His eyes were closed, patience clearly exhausted. I nodded slightly as I turned to leave, not c Seth’s hand at the small of my back, we walked out of the ballroom, the whispers following us like shadows.
he saw it or not. With
Outside in the fresh air, I turned to Seth. “You didn’t need to step in. I’m just helping Nora adjust to Boston life. If she still can’t accept it here, we’ll go back.”
Seth grinned. “Yeah, yeah, boss, I hear you. I miss Nora too, you know! You can’t keep me from seeing her. So bossy!”
“Wait here, I’ll get the car. Let’s hurry home–Nora’s looking for her mom!” He backed away with a wink.
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re impossible. Of course Nora misses you too.”
Seth raised an eyebrow suggestively. ‘And what about you? Do you miss me?”
1/3
Chapter 290
I closed my eyes and made a show of aiming a kick at his thigh.
‘Some mother you are, Anna! Is this the example you’re setting for Nora? Seth laughed.
I rolled my eyes. “Go get the car already! You’re being inappropriate.”
“Yes, ma’am! Seth saluted before walking toward the parking lot.
What I didn’t see was Blake in the distance, lighting a cigarette, taking a deep drag before crushing it under his foot. I didn’t hear him making a call: Find out. Do Anna and Seth have a child?”
At the parking lot, I struggled with the door. “What’s wrong with this door? Help me!”
Seth got out and walked around to my side. He pressed one hand against the car’s body and reached for the handle with the other, his hand covering mine, trapping me in the small space between his body and the car.
I turned my head and spoke softly. “Seth, I don’t want to think about anything else right now. Back there with Blake, I just didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.
“Anna, Seth replied, “I know you’re worried about Nora right now, but have you considered that Nora might want a father?”
He tilted my chin up, his eyes serious. “I don’t know why, but since coming back to Boston, I feel like I should reclaim what once belonged to me. I’m different now.”
‘I’m strong enough to protect myself–and you. I think I finally deserve a chance with you, and not just for selfish reasons.”
His voice softened. “Anna, isn’t it exhausting carrying this burden alone?”
My mind flashed to those difficult days after leaving Boston. My health had been poor. Nora was born a month premature. I nearly died giving birth.
Then discovering Nora’s suspected autism, remembering William’s promise that it definitely won’t be hereditary.”
The challenges of being a single mom were endless. I’d worked tirelessly to give Nora twice the love, building my professional reputation from scratch to provide her with a comfortable life.
For three years, I’d broken down in the quiet hours of night. The only thing I couldn’t give Nora was a father’s love.
‘Nora likes me, and I like her,” Seth continued. “If Nora accepts me, if I can find the best doctors to help with her condition–could you start living for yourself again?”
I turned my face away from his attempted kiss. “Seth, we missed our chance too, didn’t we? The only difference is our relationship didn’t end as badly as mine and Blake’s.”
I understood now why Blake had forgiven Claire time and again. Just as I kept Seth in my life because of our history, Blake and Claire’s bond was even closer.
‘Do I really have no chance?” Seth asked, his voice pained.
I brushed the hair from his forehead gently. “If you can get Nora to accept you…”
His eyes lit up instantly. He grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air, spinning me around.
I wanted to stop him but bit my lip instead. The memory of Blake lifting Claire at Seaside Manor flashed through my mind, leaving a bitter taste. I wondered how long old wounds take to truly heal.