Anna’s POV:
I should never have come back to Boston.
The thought hit me like a physical blow as I gently closed the door, careful not to make a sound
The image of Claire straddling Blake, her hands pulling at his shirt, was seared into my brain. I felt sick. Humiliated. But most of all, I felt like a complete fool.
I backed away from the door, my heart hammering against my ribs. The medication bag crinkled in my grip as I turned to leave–and nearly collided with Melissa.
She limped toward me. “Ms. Anderson! I’m so sorry I’m late.” Her voice caught slightly. “Did you… did you speak with Mr. Wright? I’m sure he’d be happy to know you came by.”
I shook my head, forcing a neutral expression. “No need.”
Melissa’s eyes darted to the door behind me, then back to my face. I thrust the pharmacy bag toward her.
‘Here. It’s just some hangover medicine and burn cream for his hand. Give it to him when he’s… available.”
“But- Melissa started to protest, reaching for the door.
‘He already has someone taking care of him, I cut her off.
Her eyebrows shot up, confusion crossing her face. “What? That’s impossible. Blake doesn’t allow anyone in Seaside Manor, especially when he’s… I mean, who could possibly be- She moved toward the door. “Let me check. Mr. Wright has been through so much these past three years…”
“Three years?” The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. “What exactly do you think I’ve been doing for three years, Melissa?
She froze, looking like she’d said too much.
“You know what? I don’t care.” I stepped back, something ugly and painful writhing in my chest. “I’m leaving.”
I turned and walked away. I wasn’t just walking–I was fleeing. I just needed to get the hell out of there before I completely lost it.
Behind me,
home.
I heard Melissa call out, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. If I stopped moving, I might break apart right there in the hallway of what used to be my
From the shadows of the hallway, Melissa watched my retreating figure until I disappeared.
The concern on her face slowly hardened into something colder, more calculating. She carefully folded the pharmacy bag a
ked it into her purse.
She pressed her index finger against the door’s sensor lock and pushed it open.
Blake’s POV:
I woke with a groan, every muscle protesting. I’d spent the night in a guest room on what felt like concrete. My head throbbed.
Fragments of a dream lingered–Anna’s smile, her/body against mine. The memory dissolved as pain shot through my back.
“Fuck this bed, I muttered, disgusted at what I’d become–a drunk who couldn’t maintain the discipline I’d once prided myself on.
I called Melissa. “What’s on the agenda today?”
“Nothing, sir, she replied. “Yesterday you cancelled all of today’s appointments.”
1/3
Chapter 298
I frowned. Had 17 The previous day was a blur after Anna had stormed out.
Ill be attending the dinner tonight, I decided. “Make the arrangements.”
Anna’s POV:
1
‘Nora made three new friends today,” Martha reported as we waited outside the preschool. “The teacher says she’s adjusting beautifully.
I nodded, but my stomach was in knots. This was only Nora’s third day, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake coming back to Boston.
A shadow fell across my window. I looked up and froze.
Blake stood there, his intense blue eyes fixed on me. My heart lurched traitorously.
Martha gasped, then smiled. “Mr. Wright! Oh my goodness!” She reached for her door handle.
I quickly locked the doors. “Martha, don’t bother with him.”
Outside, Blake waited, certain I would eventually get out.
“Madam, Martha said urgently, “when you were gone, Mr. Wright was so kind. He let me stay in the staff quarters even though you weren’t there. He was worried you’d come back and not find me.”
I laughed bitterly. ‘Is that what he told you? Martha, he didn’t know if I was ever coming back.”
“No, no. He specifically said it was in case you returned. He’s a good man.”
“Everyone keeps telling me there are things I don’t know,” I snapped. “Well, what about the things they don’t know? Who was there when I went into premature labor? Who held me when I thought Nora might not make it?”
I unlocked the doors. “I’m going to pick up Nora early. You can go say hi to your beloved Mr. Wright.”
Martha stepped out. I shifted into drive-
Blake darted in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes as he yanked open my door.
“Were you going to run me over?” he demanded, grabbing my wrist hard.
“Let go of me!” I tried to pull away.
“You’re not running away again.” He dragged me from the car. “Try running one more time. See what happens.”
I shoved him. “Who do you think you are? I don’t need your permission to go anywhere!”
Martha tried to intervene, but Blake directed her to wait for Nora. He steered me toward his Bentley where Melissa sat, then pushed me into the back seat.
The privacy partition rose. Blake leaned close, his cologne filling my senses.
I turned away. “Where are you taking me?”
Blake made a harsh sound. He caught my chin. “Now you’re disgusted by me? That’s rich. You weren’t disgusted when we fucked and I got too rough.”
His crude words hit like slaps.
Blake reached for my phone, adding his contact information. “Don’t delete it, or I’ll show you something truly disgusting.”
After tense silence, I couldn’t hold back. “You’re just pretending to care.”
I’m not interested in your theories about me.” I lifted his chin. “I understand now. So many encounters in this world are completely unnecessary.“
1
Chapter 298
We sat in silence, unable to look away from each other.
The car stopped outside an upscale hotel. Melissa turned to us.
“Ms. Anderson, Mr. Wright has arranged for you to take over a project. The compensation is quite generous.”
I followed Blake toward the entrance. “Blake, I agreed to be your arm candy at events. Just for show. Nothing more.”
His brow furrowed. “Didn’t Melissa explain the situation?”
‘She did. But I’m not interested.”
“Then stop being difficult.” He grabbed my wrist. “Per our arrangement, I also said I’d look out for your interests. This is a good opportunity.”
‘I don’t need your help.”
“You didn’t seem to have any problem accepting help from others,” he spat. “Why is it only me you refuse?”
That single word-“others“-ignited something in me. The contrast was stark: Seth’s support versus Blake’s absence when I needed him most. The memory of Blake with Claire was the final straw.
My hand connected with his face in a resounding slap.
“What gives you the right to compare yourself to anyone else?” I hissed, trembling with rage.
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