This time, Anathea’s tone was firm beyond doubt.
When Gregory heard her say those words again, a chill ran through him.
The first time he heard it, he was furious. He thought Anathea was just putting on a show to squeeze more benefits from him.
So he tore up the signed divorce papers in front of her, ripping apart her last shred of goodwill toward him.
The second time, he almost lost his mind. That bloody scene played over in his mind–the suffocating standoff and their tears blending with blood. It was an image seared deeply into their memories.
The third time, Anathea’s emotions no longer stirred like before. She had become like a lifeless pool, devoid of any spark.
And he was the cause of it all.
Gregory found himself unable to speak. A sharp pain hit his chest, making it impossible to speak. However, his hand gripping Anathea’s wheelchair tightened until his veins bulged.
The first time was anger, the second was madness, and the third was heart–wrenching pain.
But no matter how much it hurt, he gritted his teeth and said, “No way.”
His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was rough and strained as he uttered those words.
As Anathea watched him struggle to hold back the terrifying storm of breakdown and fury, her fingers tightened instinctively.
“It seems like what they said was true. You really are a heartless monster.” She sneered.
Her flat, emotionless words made Gregory stagger. She’d stabbed straight into his heart.
The sunlight vanished, and heavy shadows enveloped him. Anathea could feel the dark energy radiating off him, as if it could crush everything around.
That energy sparked a deep–rooted fear within her. Anathea could already anticipate that he would try to overpower her into backing down just like before, but she didn’t regret bringing up divorce.
She had endured this soul–crushing pain again and again. Why couldn’t she return it all to him?
Yet unexpectedly, he gripped her hand tightly through the blanket and said in a trembling voice, “But I love you.”
People said he was emotionless and unable to express love, but he truly loved Anathea.
He truly loved her.
Complex emotions flickered in Anathea’s eyes. She closed them briefly. “Mr. Sinclair, your love is too heavy. I cannot bear it. My father might never wake up, my baby is gone, and I have no strength left to endure your so–called love.”
After a pause, she continued, “Of course, I still have a mother. Are you planning to use her to threaten me this time?”
Gregory’s throat tightened. He shook his head. “No. I won’t threaten you anymore. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Please, Annie, stay by my side…”
He sank to one knee and bowed a head he had held proud for nearly 30 years while humbly pleading, “Please stay with me, Annie. I really can’t live without you.”
Tears welled in Anathea’s eyes. Those were the words she once longed to hear most, yet now that he said them aloud, she felt nothing.
“Annie, come home with me, please.”
Anathea silently looked at him. His deep eyes were filled with obsession.
1/2
She saw being loved by such a dangerously obsessed, nearly insane man as a disaster she couldn’t escape.
Gregory gave her no chance to refuse. He bent down and lifted her up along with the blanket.
His leg was injured, making his steps slow and uneven, but he held her tightly, refusing to loosen his grip even a little.
He feared that if he did, she would immediately leave him without hesitation.
Anathea didn’t move. Her face was buried beneath the blanket, revealing no expression.
When Gregory carried her to the car, he was surprised that she didn’t struggle like before.
