Anna’s POV:
Nora stood motionless, her small hand clutching Seth’s pant leg. Her eyes, so much like Blake’s, stared through me with an emptiness that pierced my heart.
Seth gently placed his hand on Nora’s shoulder. “Nora, your mom
home. Go say hello to her. He nudged her forward slightly.
I held her close, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, trying to ignore the way she remained unresponsive in my embrace. ‘Did you have a good day with Uncle Seth?‘ I asked.
Seth reached for my bag. ‘Let me take that. How was your day? Did you find any good preschools? I could help you contact some places.”
‘I saw a few,” I replied, my voice dry and scratchy. “The facilities were nice. But I’ll need to take Nora to visit before making any decisions.”
Seth’s brow furrowed as we walked toward the dining room. “Why didn’t you take her with you today? I could have taken time off to go with you both.
“I wanted to narrow down the options first,” I said, avoiding his gaze. “No need to drag her all over town.”
Seth studied my face, concern evident in his expression.
Martha had prepared dinner, and the three of us sat around the table. I pushed food around my plate, my mind still at Seaside Manor with Blake and his behavior.
“Anna?” Seth’s voice was louder than necessary. “I asked if you wanted more potatoes
I jerked my head up. “Sorry, what?”
“You seem hungry,” Seth said gently. “You’ve barely touched your food. Was today too exhausting?”
I forced a smile. “Yes, I visited several places. I’m just tired.”
Seth reached across the table to take my hand. “Would you like a massage after dinner? It might help you relax.
Before his fingers could touch mine, my phone rang. I practically jumped from my chair. “I need to take this,” I said, hurrying to the window for privacy.
“Daniel?” I answered quietly, turning my back to Seth.
“Anna, Daniel’s voice was urgent. “Blake’s assistant needs to speak with you immediately. I just texted you her number. She sounds really worried.”
My heart rate doubled instantly. “Did she say what it’s about?”
‘No details. Just that it’s urgent and she needs to talk to you right away.”
I felt Seth’s presence before I heard him. His hand settled on my shoulder, and I nearly dropped the phone.
“Everything okay?” he asked, his voice low with concern. “You look worried.”
‘It’s nothing, I lied. “Just work stuff.”
Seth stepped closer, his expression earnest. “Whatever it is, I’m here for you. We can face any challenge together, Annie.”
His voice softened. “We’ve known each other for years. You know how I feel about you. I just hope you’ll give me a chance–and then we can work together to help Nora accept me too.”
How can I think about relationships when Blake is consuming my every thought?
Seth suddenly leaned in, his nose wrinkling slightly. “Anna, who did you meet today?”
1/3
“What do you mean?” I stepped back, my shoulder blades pressing against the window glass.
“Cigarettes, and…” he inhaled again, men’s cologne. Anna, where did you really go today?”
I felt trapped between Seth and the window. I took taxis all day. It must be from the drivers.”
Pain flashed across Seth’s face.
“Annie,‘ his voice trembled slightly, ‘starting tomorrow until we leave, I’m going with you everywhere. I’ve taken time off work. I’m completely free.
I watched him turn away, his shoulders slumped. ‘Seth, wait. I did see Blake today.”
He froze but didn’t turn around.
“It was just catching up, discussing some work matters,‘ I continued. “We’ve been apart for years. We both have separate lives now.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m telling you this because I consider you one of my closest friends, not because you have any right to question my actions.
I can’t tell him everything. I can’t drag him into this mess. Blake would crush him.
Seth spun around, his eyes flashing. “Just catching up leaves you smelling like him? Do you think I’m an idiot, Anna?”
He grabbed my shoulders, his fingers digging into my skin. “Tell me the truth!”
Before I could respond, he pulled me into a tight embrace. “How long would I need to hold you for you to smell like me instead of him? Anna, you say you don’t want to hurt me, so why are you lying to me?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, not returning his embrace.
“Promise me you won’t see Blake again, he pleaded. “For my sake. For Nora’s sake.”
I gently pushed him away. “I have some matters I need to resolve. After that…”
Seth’s arms fell to his sides as if all strength had left him. His face crumpled momentarily before he forced a bitter smile. “Annie, I understand you can’t force feelings. Don’t worry about it.”
He blinked rapidly, fighting tears. “I just need some time to process this…”
I watched him walk away, his steps unsteady, and felt a fresh wave of guilt wash over me. I slumped into a chair by the window, staring into the darkness outside, occasionally rubbing my throbbing temples.
An hour passed before I finally dragged myself up. ‘My head is killing me. I can’t think straight.
After a hot shower, I sat on my bed, determination replacing the exhaustion on my face. I need to resolve this Blake situation quickly. Time to take control.
I called Daniel, my voice steady and decisive. “Daniel, I need you to investigate something.”
“What do you need?” he asked./
‘I need the list of shareholders who signed agreements with Blake, and the exact terms of those agreements.”
Daniel hesitated. ‘Anna, that’s going to be extremely difficult. Those documents are probably locked away somewhere only Blake can access, and it’s been years.”
‘I need to eliminate his leverage over me, I insisted. “Find a way, whatever it takes.”
“If anyone knows the details, it would be his assistant, Daniel suggested. “She’s always been his most trusted confidante.”
I ended the call and immediately dialed the number Daniel had sent me.
2/3
Chapter 296
‘Ms. Anderson! Melissa’s voice was frantic. “Thank God I reached you!
“What’s so urgent?” I asked.
Her voice trembled. ‘Can you contact Mr. Wright? I’ve called him dozens of times with no answer,” she said, her voice breaking. “He’s never done this before… I’m worried something terrible has happened to him!”
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