Chapter 97
Anna’s POV:
Blake hadn’t spoken a word since we left the restaurant. His jaw was clenched tight, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. The tension in the car was suffocating.
“You need to quit,” he finally said, his voice low and strained. “Stay Home until this blows over. You don’t take care of yourself when you’re working anyway. You’ve been under attack from your colleague for days now, and there’s just so much happening. I can’t always be there to protect you when you need me.”
I stared at him, stunned by the demand.
“Those fanatics will find opportunities to hurt you, Anna,” he continued, his tone hardening. “They followed you today. Next, they’ll track your research routes. You’re constantly out for field work, on the coast, on boats–it’s not safe.”
“This project means a lot to me, Blake,” I replied firmly. “I can’t just drop everything and my responsibilities because of a few rowdy
fans of Claire.”
His jaw tightened even more, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. “Suit yourself. But don’t expect me to pay for this decision.”
When we arrived at Seaside Manor, Claire was waiting in the driveway, clutching a dolphin plushie nearly as tall as her petite frame. Her eyes were red–rimmed, apparently upset about something at rehearsal.
Blake didn’t even glance my way as he stepped out of the car. He went straight to Claire, supporting her back to her bedroom.
I headed to my guest room, still smelling faintly of coffee despite my shower and change of clothes. Opening my laptop, I started checking the day’s aftermath online.
Holy shit.
Claire’s fans had unleashed a digital hurricane aimed directly at me. Posts claimed I’d deliberately caused Claire’s injury, costing her the principal dancer position.
Others accused me of using Wright family connections to sabotage her dance career. Someone had even posted “insider information” suggesting I was jealous of Claire’s talent and beauty.
My personal information was being circulated in what amounted to a doxxing file with photos. Someone had posted pictures of Henry and me working together, implying an inappropriate relationship.
The comments were vicious: [Privileged bitch who’s never known real struggle.] [Cold–hearted science robot.] [Using Wright money to destroy a true artist.]
I took a deep breath and closed the browser. Focus on work. I turned my attention to the coral conservation documents I’d brought home, trying to lose myself in research.
Hours later, a sharp knock interrupted my concentration.
Blake leaned against the doorframe, the scent of antiseptić wafting from him. “Come out,” he said flatly.
His phone was on speaker. Caroline’s voice filled the hallway: “Anna, dear, have you seen what’s happening online? Those rumors from Claire’s fans are outrageous. Should Blake handle this?”
“Mom, I’ve told you,” Blake cut in impatiently, “it’s not that I don’t want to help. She doesn’t care.”
1/3
Chapter 97
“I’m sorry you’re worried this fate, Caroline,” I said. “This will pass, paused, “Eventually.”
“I understand, but your personal information is everywhere now, including your marriage into the Wright family,‘ Caroline continued. “If something happens to you and we do nothing, what will people think? It would be embarrassing. And it might affect Blake’s company… what about the stock price?”
Blake switched off the speaker and gave me a cold look before walking away.
“Mom, don’t worry about the company,” I heard him say as he moved down the hall. She’s not important enough to impact stock prices. Just ignore her.”
I followed him, waiting until he ended the call.
“Besides quitting immediately, I’ll agree to anything that doesn’t interfere with my work,” I said. “If you want to control the online narrative, go ahead.”
Blake turned, his eyes dark and cold. “You think I have nothing better to do?”
At 3 AM, still unable to sleep, I scrolled through my phone and stumbled upon Claire’s Instagram. My heart stopped.
She’d posted a photo of herself and Blake in bed together. He was asleep, looking peaceful and relaxed–completely different from the cold, hostile man I’d faced earlier.
Claire wore cartoon pajamas, her clothing visible near Blake’s shoulder. Yes, they were both dressed, but they were sleeping together.
Her caption: “Forever my brother’s little princess! with a heart emoji at the end.
I felt hollow, like every cell in my body had been drained. I lay on the hard guest bed, my heart barely beating.
Over the next few days, Blake and I fell into an unspoken cold war. We existed in perfect, mutual silence. He left for Wright Group before I woke up. I studied coral research in my room after dinner.
I accepted this new reality with a strange calm. Better this way. No more drowning in false moments of tenderness.
Occasionally, I’d catch Blake staring at me, his expression unreadable. But Claire always appeared, tugging him away, claiming she needed his attention for something urgent.
Every moment Blake and I shared the same space felt forbidden, with Claire acting as some righteous judge.
I saw it all and chose to say nothing, throwing myself deeper into work. Without Blake, I seemed to have lost the ability to smile.
When Henry’s farewell dinner came around, I went despite everything. I wore a sun hat and sunglasses, hoping to avoid recognition.
The high–end restaurant was discreet, the gathering small–just colleagues Henry had grown close to. The atmosphere wasn’t sad, just a mild nostalgia for professional relationships now ending. But beneath that ran currents of concern for my situation.
“Anna, Henry said over dessert, “Seth once told me you were an ambitious woman. I never believed you’d truly abandoned your
passion for marine biology like you seemed to after marriage.”
He studied me carefully. “What are your plans after this storm passes?”
“Taking it one day at a time,” I replied vaguely: “None of us could have predicted this situation.”
“That’s not what I’m asking,” Henry pressed. “This coral project–you complete it brilliantly despite everything. But those fans have gone too far.”
2/3
Chapter 97
I knew what he meant. Claire & supporters had escalated the attack Red paint and reffen fratt had been then at Ertainer entrance multiple times. New evidence of my persecution of Clave appeared online delle
Henry reached into his jacket paket and pulled cat a trasiness card Would you consider mining me ne marine research team? We’re establishing a base for from all this… chaos.
I lowered my eyes to the gold embossed card in his hand, realizing that what he offered–friendelity, esp, no heginnings… weighed far more than the card itself. A fresh start herkoned.
Chapter Comments
LIKE