Chapter 24
ANNA‘ S POV
I woke up the next morning stretching my arms above my head, and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
Of course I had turned down Caden‘ s request. He was my ex husband and there was no way we were sharing a bed together even though I was certain nothing was going to happen. He looked really disappointed when I politely turned him down.
But I knew in my heart that he was no longer the one for me. The love we once shared had faded, and I couldn’t force myself to feel something that wasn’t there.
After a quick bath, I changed into my old clothes from before. Somehow I felt guilty with the way I had spoken to Nate and
needed to go see him as soon as possible so that maybe we could clear the air and find
65% 18:39
1/7
Chapter 24
out who the actual mastermind was.
As I stepped out into the hallway, I almost bumped into Caden, who was holding a steaming cup of coffee. “Good morning,” he said, a warm smile on his face. “I had the maids brew this just the way you like it.”
I flashed him a small smile back as I took the cup from his hands. I thanked him and downed everything in a few seconds. It tasted so good that I had to lick my lips.
Handing over the cup and saucer back to him, I told him I was ready to return back
home.
Caden’s forehead creased at my
statement.
“Are you for real? You are still planning on going back to Nate’s house today?”
I paused, considering his question. “Yes, I am. I still need to talk to him. I need to understand what happened, and why.”
His frown deepened. “But Anna, you’re
65% 18:39
217
Chapter 24
here with me now. Why do you need to go back there? That man literally betrayed you, didn’t he?”
I arched a brow questioningly. “You betrayed me too, didn’t you? And yet I’m standing here with you right now in your house, how about that?”
Caden opened his mouth like he was gonna argue, but then closed it again in defeat. “Alright. I’ll take you to Nate’s house, but I don’t like it.”
With that, we made our way to Nate’s house and got into the living room. But Nate wasn’t alone, Sophie had her arms wrapped around him tightly and he was hugging her back, stroking her hair softly.
The sight of them together sent a sharp feeling through my heart, but I pushed it down, determined to stay strong.
Nate immediately broke free from Sophie on seeing me, as if he was being burned. “Anna, I… I didn’t expect you to be here.”
65% 18:39
3/7
Chapter 24
“Well, well, well. Looks like you were wasting no time moving on, Nate.” Caden suddenly commented.
Nate’s gaze shifted to Caden and I could see the hard glare.“This doesn’t concern you, Caden.”
These two knuckleheads were always at each other’s throats, and I was sick of being caught in the middle.
“Nate,” I called out. “I came here to talk
to you, to try and make things right between us. I didn’t think Sophie was already here keeping you company.”
Sophie had the audacity to look almost. innocent.“Oh, Anna, you shouldn’t misunderstand,” she purred. “Nate and I were just cozying up, after the night we had last night. Trust me, it was epic. You should have seen for yourself.”
I felt a huge lump in my throat and I had to resist the urge to slap that smug look right.
off her face.
65% 18:39
417
Chapter 24
“Nate,” I said quietly. “What is she talking about?”
Nate shot Sophie a murderous look. “What
on earth are you rambling about?” he growled.
“Do you want me to give her all the details?,” she thrust out her lower lip in an exaggerated pout.
Nate let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head.
“Sophie, stop. You’re just making a fool of yourself now.” He turned to me, his hazel eyes pleading.“Anna, I got drunk at a bar last night due to the whole mess, and she only helped me get home. Nothing happened, I swear.”
Sophie let out a scoff, gesturing to the shirt she was wearing. “Really, Nate? Then why am I wearing your shirt right now?”
He let out a low growl. “Shut up. You’re setting me up, aren’t you? Didn’t you just tell me you were traveling to Europe for
65% 18:39
517
Chapter 24
good and demanded a ‘farewell hug‘? And I even just told you to take off my clothes before leaving but you were so insistent on taking it as a ‘goodbye gift‘! Anna, I would never betray you like that.”
“Listen, there’s no need to explain yourself,” I interjected, raising a hand to make him go quiet. “Maybe you were right before – maybe we should just end this sham of a marriage already.”
Nate stared at me in surprise and I could. tell he was hurt too. “You don‘ t mean that, right?”
“Your family probably hates me anyway. I think it’s best that we both-”
He didn’t let me finish, rushing over to me, his hand grasping mine almost desperately.
“Leave her alone!” Caden snarled,
snatching my hand away from Nate’s. “She’s had enough of your crap. Just back off
and-”
65% 18:39
6/7
Chapter 24
“Or what,?” Nate interrupted, shooting him
a dangerous look. “Because I’ll warn you right now, I’m not in the mood to go easy on you this time.”
I groaned inwardly, rolling my eyes. “Would you two just shut up for a second?” I snapped, yanking my hand free from Caden’s grip. “I don’t have time for this nonsense right now. I’m done with the whole damn mess!”
I started to walk away but the next words that came out from Nate made me freeze in
my tracks.
“I love you, Anna. I really can’t lose you.”
65% 18:39
