Chapter 15
The butler, newly hired after the Orlando family moved to England, didn’t recognize Lance. However, knowing Anthea was single, he didn’t immediately let Lance in. Instead, leaving him outside while he went to report inside.
“Lance is here?” Toby smashed his teacup on the floor. “Tell him to get lost!”
The butler hesitated. Though he didn’t know Lance personally, the way he was dressed and the aura around him… he knew this was no ordinary person. If he messed this up, the consequences could be
dire.
Seeing the butler’s dilemma, Anthea spoke up. “Just tell him I won’t see him.”
The butler returned shortly after. “Miss, he says he won’t leave until he sees you.”
Anthea considered this briefly, then followed the butler toward the front door.
“Anthea!” Stacy called out anxiously.
Understanding her mother’s concern, Anthea gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Mom. I’ve got
this.”
The heavy door stood like a barrier between her and Lance.
When she’d left New York, Anthea had known that with the Rhodess‘ resources, Lance would eventually find her.
If her memory served correctly, today was supposed to be Lance and Hedy’s wedding day. Why wasn’t he back home being a groom instead of chasing his ex–wife across the ocean?
Lance clearly had different thoughts. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw her walking toward him.
“Anthea!”
If not for the door between them, he would have rushed forward to embrace her.
Unlike Lance’s excited demeanor, Anthea remained remarkably composed. Even her eyes were void
of the usual warmth.
Chance to let Ga
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Chapter 15
“Why are you here?”
Her tone was cool and detached–nothing like the warm, patient voice Lance was accustomed to
during their marriage.
Taken aback by her coldness, Lance finally managed to say hoarsely, I’ve come to take you home?
Realizing how strange that sounded, he quickly added, “The divorce. I don’t agree with it You’re still my wife.”
Wife?
Anthea almost laughed at that.
Throughout their entire marriage, he’d never once treated her like a wife. Now that the didn’t love him anymore, he wanted to claim her as his wife again?
“Lance, you don’t need to agree. I don’t need your permission to divorce you. And anyway, you’ve got Hedy.”
Hearing this, panic flashed across Lance’s face. “I’m not with Hedy. She’s just my sister.”
“Anthea, you’re the only one in my heart.”
Her lips curved into a bitter smile, and as the tears started to fall, she wiped them away quickly and said in a steady voice, “Lance, there’s someone in your heart, but it’s not me.”
“If you or your family had been honest from the beginning about your feelings for Hedy, I never would have married you.”
Then she wouldn’t have been wounded by his coldness and contempt.
“Let’s pretend the past never happened. Don’t come looking for me again. I won’t turn back for you.”
Her words were final as she turned and disappeared from Lance’s sight.
Lance stood frozen, stunned by what Anthea had said.
He’d never known she would have refused to marry him.
In the past, she had seemed to adore him. Especially The joy in her eyes when she heard about the
11.3%
marriage contract, the way she’d practically glowed.
Why? Even if he’d been honest about his relationship with Hedy, why couldn’t she gave lum either
chance now?
Lance’s fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. The pain spread throughout his bosky bear be
barely noticed it. He remained motionless.
Even as rain began pouring down, drenching hims completely, he didn’t move
“Lance, let’s go back home, okay?”
