Chapter 55
Anna’s POV:
Caroline looked radiant despite the late hour, her composure intact while Blake lay slumped nearby, completely wasted.
Her gaze bounced between Blake and me, then she reached for my hand with gentleness.
“Caroline…” I hesitated, not wanting to follow her lead.
“Anna, William’s already asleep at the Wright Estate by now, and I can’t really take Blake there, Caroline said softly. “Let’s go to Seaside Manor. There aren’t any staff there tonight, and can’t manage him alone. Would you please help me?*
I stared at Blake’s unconscious form, torn between my instinct to flee and the obligation I still felt.
“He’s drunk,” Carolinadded, her voice soothing. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him mistreat you.”
When I still didn’t move, she added, “I’ll have the driver take you home afterward.”
How could I refuse this kind, understanding woman? Caroline had always treated me well, even when things with Blake went to shit. I nodded reluctantly and helped her get Blake into the waiting limo.
Inside the stretched Lincoln, Blake’s head rested on my lap, his face surprisingly peaceful in unconsciousness. Caroline pulled out her phone and snapped several photos of us.
“What are you doing?” I asked, bewildered.
She smiled, admiring the pictures. “Blake hasn’t been cute since he grew up. It’s been ages since I’ve seen Blake so unguarded. It’s
because you’re here, Anna.”
Moonlight streamed through the window, highlighting Blake’s relaxed features. His lips curved slightly upward, almost like he was having a pleasant dream.
I nearly reached out to touch his cheek before catching myself. What the hell am I doing? This man doesn’t want me.
“You know, Blake lost his mother when he was very young,” Caroline continued. “In many ways, he grew up in a single–parent household, just like Claire. When I first married into the Wright family, I hardly ever saw Blake smile.”
I remained silent, watching Blake’s chest rise and fall steadily.
“William told me that as a child, Blake had some social difficulties. Nothing severe, but he wasn’t like typical children.”
My breath caught. Blake had social difficulties? In all our four years of marriage, I’d never heard this. My mind flashed to the yellowed sketchbook I’d found at the Wright Estate–filled with drawings but no words.
*If I’d known this earlier, would I have been more patient with him? Would things have turned out differently between us?* I immediately brushed away the thought.
It didn’t matter now. Blake had someone he truly cared for, and it wasn’t me. No amount of understanding or effort on my part would change that..
“Claire means something special to Blake, and he to her,” Caroline continued. “I failed Claire by not giving her a complete family. Those two small children comforted each other and saved each others childhood. How can you expect them to sever that bond?”
I clenched my jaw, trying to maintain a neutral expression.
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Chapter 55
“Claire just wants her brother attention. She hasn’t hurt you–she’s burt herself. Childish games, really,”
I remained silent, digesting Cafoline’s words. So Claire represented lake’s wounded, vulnerable self, while he was her protector Great. What a touching fucking story. Except those “childish games most landed me in jail.
“I’m not worried about Claire,” Caroline said. “You must understand why Blake moved her to Infinite Theatre. He’s teaching her a lesson–she can’t keep acting out like this.”
Caroline sighed, her expression softening. I just feel for Blake. He didn’t have a complete childhood. Does that mean he can’t have a complete family as an adult? He can have both a wife and a sister, can’t he? Do you remember your wedding vows? I think Blake has lived up to his part quite well.”
The memory hit me like a slep. At our wedding, the officiant had hurriedly passed the microphone to Blake. His hand trembled slightly as he spoke.
“I promise I’ll take care of you for life. You’ll have more than any other woman out there. So, will you marry me?
**Yes, I will,** I’d answered, my heart overflowing.
He smiled, pulling me into his arms amid applause and kissing me.
I gave a bitter smile as I realized the truth in his words. Responsibility, not love. That’s all he’d ever promised.
“Yes, he’s done well,” I finally responded to Caroline. “I was just greedy, wanting too much.”
Caroline patted my hand. “William and I have always considered you our daughter. We won’t force you into anything. I only came today to tell you things you didn’t know. Whatever decision you make, William and I will respect it. You young people need to figure things out yourselves.”
The car eventually stopped outside my apartment in Back Bay. Caroline fell silent, and I understood she was offering me a choice: go with her to Seaside Manor to care for Blake, or return to my apartment and cut ties with the Wright family completely.
I stared at Blake for several long seconds. Then I gently lifted his head from my lap and stood up.
“Goodnight, Caroline,” I said, stepping out of the car.
As the luxury car pulled away, I felt the final thread between Blake and me snap. Even the moonlight couldn’t make our shadows intertwine anymore.
I entered my apartment feeling like I’d just woken from a long dream. Exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed, expecting to lie awake for hours. Instead, sleep claimed me quickly.
The next morning, my phone’s shrill ring dragged me from deep sleep.
“Hello?” I mumbled, still buried under my comforter with my hair a tangled mess.
“Anna!” Emily’s excited voice blared through the speaker. “Guess what? There’s a reunion happening tonight!
I groaned. “Emily, maybe next time.”
“You’ll want to be there, trust me! Henry and I organized it especially for you!*
I sat up, confused. “Henry?”
Yeah, Henry went to the same college as us! He was our senior.”
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Chapter 59
Wright, but he was several years thand of us. When done fushave these
Wat werry about that. Emily said cryptedly Just Brees up and gorge Escorting the
a ser
Make sure you look beautiful Live, really beautiful! 11 eral
As I bung up, I realized how long it had been since I’d thought stiwal entlege reunions far marrying in the Wright family and abandoning my dreams in marine science, I’d fell too ashamed to fall my profesors and claromater
But despite my confusion over this sudden invitation, Ergily’s excitement was infections. For the first time in sreeter, I felt a park at curiosity about what lay shed.
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