Chapter 3
For the next few days, the empty marital home never welcomed back its master
Yet Anthea could see Lance’s presence every day in Hedy’s Instagram posts.
At the top of the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, Lance held Hedy protectively in his arms.
By the window of The Grill, Lance attentively cut the steak for her.
Under the fireworks at the beach, Lance tenderly covered her ears with his hands.
In every photo, the way he looked at Hedy was overwhelming with his love.
The caption read: “Having a brother who spoils you is the BEST THING EVER! ??”
Someone commented below: “Girl… your brother is so hot AND treats you like a princess. How are you even interested in dating other guys??”
Hedy replied with a cheeky: “Ikr? My brother nearly lost his mind when I tried and says he’ll take care of me forever. No choice but to say bye–bye to my date! ????”
Anthea swallowed her bitterness and quietly turned off her phone.
During these days, while Lance was away, Anthea packed most of her belongings. Meanwhile, she
contemplated how to fulfill Lance’s second regret.
Getting Lance’s parents to accept his relationship with Hedy.
Hosea, being Hedy’s biological mother, wouldn’t be difficult to convince. But Fred was the real
challenge.
As the patriarch of the Rhodes family, he had spent years grooming Lance into the perfect heir. He would not tolerate any missteps.
Though Lance and Hedy weren’t blood relatives, they were siblings in official records. That’s why i her previous life, when Fred discovered their romantic feelings, he was furious. He forcibly separated them and made Lance marry Anthea instead.
06:49
Back to the Past: This Time. I Choose to Let Go
1.6
just as Anthea was considering how to persuade Fred, Lance returned,
He wore an impeccably tailored suit and held out a dress to Anthea. “Family dinner tonight. You’re coming with me.”
Anthea paused momentarily, then accepted the dress. “Okay.”
She lowered her gaze, playing the role of the obedient wife, not asking why he hadn’t accompanied her to visit her parent nor been absent for days,
Lance looked at her, then pulled a gift box from his pocket and handed it to her. “Saw this at an auction. Rought it for you.”
Anthea opened the box to find a bracelet inside.
Recently, the news that Lance had spent over $14 million on a rare Van Cleef & Arpels necklace spread like wildfire, Everyone assumed it was for his wife.
Yet his wife apparently only deserved the complimentary bracelet that came with the jewelry set.
But she said nothing, simply smiled as she put on the bracelet and softly said, “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Lance watched her, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes before quickly returning to his usual calm.
That evening, they attended the family dinner together.
At the banquet, everyone praised what a handsome couple they made and teased the newlyweds.
“You two look perfect together! I always knew this would happen!”
“I bet it won’t be long before we’re celebrating a baby, huh?”
“Their kids are gonna be gorgeous!”
Lance clearly didn’t want to deal with this situation and found an excuse to leave. “Need to male a phone call.”
Anthea was left alone to handle everyone’s teasing remarks.
Rock to the Dast- This Time I Choose to let Go
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Finally free from the crowd. Anthea breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to leave, a familiar voice came from behind.
“Sister–in–law, long time no see.”
Anthea turned around to see Hedy standing behind her in an elegant white dress, her figure slender and graceful.
And around her neck was that very same $14 million necklace!
Anthea’s face froze for a few seconds, but she quickly composed herself and curved her lips upward “Hedy, long time no see. Your necklace is beautiful.”
Hedy stroked the necklace around her neck with a smug smile, her voice dripping with self–satisfaction.
“Isn’t it? My brother bought it for me. It was soooo expensive! I told him he should give it to you instead, but he said…” she let out a soft laugh, “only I was worthy of wearing it.”
As she spoke, she kept glancing at Anthea’s expression, clearly hoping to spot a flicker of jealousy or
disappointment.
But Anthea remained perfectly calm, even smiling as she complimented her. “It really does suit you
perfectly.”
Hedy was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to continue her provocation.
She had expected Anthea to get angry, show jealousy, maybe even argue with her. But Anthea’s calm
reaction threw her off completely.
Just as Anthea was about to leave, Hedy suddenly grabbed her hand with fake remorse in her voice. “Sister–in–law, I was at that blind date on your wedding day and never got to give you a gift. Let me
make it up to you today.”
Anthea was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but Hedy suddenly cried out dramatically, “Oh no!
Anthea, don’t push me!”
Then she deliberately threw herself into the swimming pool.
Before Anthea could even process what was happening, Lance came running.
Back to the Dast: This Time I Choose to Let Go
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The moment he saw Hedy thrashing in the water, his face drained of color. “Hedy!” he shouted, panicked, before diving straight in.
In his rush, he shoved Anthea aside–hard.
She lost her balance and stumbled, her forehead smashing hard against the stone edge of the pool. Blood immediately started flowing down her face.
Moments later, Hedy was pulled out of the water.
Completely soaked, she gazed pitifully at Lance, her voice quivering with feigned hurt. “Brother, I don’t know why she was so mad at me. She knows I can’t swim… and she still pushed me.”
Anthea pressed her bleeding forehead, utterly dumbfounded.
“I didn’t-”
But Lance shot her a single, icy glare that sent chills through her entire body.
He didn’t believe her!
Just as she was about to speak again, Hedy’s panicked voice rang out, “Brother, the necklace you gave me is gone! It must have fallen into the pool. I have to find it!”
Lance grabbed her arm quickly. “Forget it. I’ll buy you another one. Let’s get you to the hospital first.”
“No!” Hedy’s tears were already falling. “That was a gift from you. I absolutely have to find it.”
As she spoke, she made a move to jump back in.
Lance looked at the dripping–wet Hedy, then glanced at Anthea standing in the distance. His anger instantly boiled over.
He said coldly. “Whoever lost it should be the one to retrieve it.”
Then he shot a look at his bodyguard.
The bodyguard immediately understood and grabbed Anthea’s arm and threw her into the pool.
06.19
