Gabriel must be getting ready to return to France, Anna thought with a quiet sigh, her lips tightening into a thin, tense line.
Ever since their strange, emotionally charged conversation in the garden, he had been keeping his distance again—like clockwork, retreating behind his wall of silence the mont things beca uncomfortable.
Co to think of it, she mused bitterly, that was the second ti we had a tense, unresolved conversation in that sa garden. And just like the first, he couldn’t handle his emotions—he fled again, unable to face whatever truths lingered between them. He’s so immature... and yet, ironically, there are tis when he seems to have more emotional clarity than I do.
"Chloe?" Marienne’s voice sliced through her thoughts like a needle popping a bubble, pulling her abruptly back to the present. "What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Anna blinked, disoriented for a mont. Only then did she realize they were standing in a completely different boutique from where they’d been just minutes ago.
She’d been so lost in her mind that she hadn’t noticed the shift in their surroundings, the change in music, or even the scent in the air.
"Oh... I was just thinking about sothing work-related," she replied quickly, her voice light as she masked the truth with a practiced, effortless smile.
"Is it about your art consulting work?" Marienne bead. "That job of yours sounds so glamorous! You’ve got to tell all about it soday."
Sure, Anna thought with an inward smirk, though her pleasant expression didn’t falter for even a second. Hopefully, that day never cos.
"I’m sorry we can’t do it today," Marienne said with a pout, letting her fingers glide over a rack of silk scarves cascading from the display like a waterfall of color. "I’m still completely at a loss when it cos to picking sothing for my future mother-in-law. The gifts I bought last ti were... well, apparently not up to her standards."
She let out a dramatic sigh, her lips pursing as she turned her wide eyes back to Anna. "I’m just so grateful you agreed to help shop today. You know so much about art, and you always look so polished and elegant. I just know your taste in gifts will leave a good impression on that woman."
Anna responded with a polite nod and another carefully practiced smile before turning her attention to the scarves, her eyes glazing over the delicate fabrics without really seeing them.
When Marienne had contacted William’s estate and requested to et, Anna had hesitated. The request had felt suspicious—like an attempt to wedge herself deeper into their lives, to self-invite into territory where she didn’t belong.
To her mild relief, though, Marienne’s intentions had been far less dramatic. She simply wanted to go shopping.
Not ideal—but manageable.
As long as she didn’t cross any boundaries or try to overstep again, Anna could tolerate it. For now.
Still, Anna found herself standing at a quiet crossroads—torn between two impulses. Should she genuinely help Marienne pick out a gift, thereby further strengthening whatever connection the woman was trying to form with her?
Or should she subtly sabotage her instead—add another layer to the quiet, simring bitterness growing inside her?
No, I can’t be cruel to her yet, Anna decided, her gaze drifting across the marble-tiled hall toward a sleek jewelry boutique glittering in the distance. William said I need to get closer to her... so I guess I’ll have to play nice. At least for now.
Suppressing a sigh, she clenched her jaw for a heartbeat before spinning on her heel.
"Let’s go," she said smoothly, gesturing for Marienne to follow as she led the way toward the exit. "Your mother-in-law sounds like the type who won’t be impressed unless the gift cos with a red price tag and a recognizable logo."
As the two of them stepped into the jewelry store, Anna felt a flicker of sothing sharp and familiar twist in her chest—a subtle ache of nostalgia laced with old resentnt.
It felt as though it had been just yesterday when she herself had walked into places like this, hunting for gifts she could barely afford. Back then, she’d drained her savings dry trying to please Colette, who had never once offered her a single cent from the family wealth—not even from the funds that rightfully belonged to her husband.
Much like Marienne now, Anna had spent countless hours scouring shops, searching for the perfect item, until it finally dawned on her: Colette didn’t care about the gift itself. Not really.
What mattered to her was the price tag. The higher the number, the greater the value she placed on it—regardless of sentint or thoughtfulness. The gift could be hollow, even tasteless, but as long as it ca with an impressive figure, it would pass her ruthless standards.
If Marienne truly hoped to earn that woman’s approval, Anna mused, all she needed to do was buy sothing eye-wateringly expensive.
Still, a quiet frown tugged at Anna’s lips as her gaze drifted over the glittering display of diamonds and gemstones. Sothing about the timing didn’t sit right.
I’m surprised Colette sent her out on such an "important" task before she’s even officially part of the family, Anna thought, her brows knitting slightly. Could it be that she’s testing her? Marienne is an orphan now—her only living relative, an uncle, passed away from cancer so ti ago, leaving her with an inheritance. But... what if Marienne showed hesitation about sharing that money? Or worse—what if Colette suspects she doesn’t have much of it left at all?
"Ugh," Marienne groaned, drawing Anna out of her thoughts.
Anna turned toward her, arching a brow in mild curiosity. "Is sothing wrong?" she asked, keeping her tone calm as she subtly tried to glimpse the screen of Marienne’s phone.
"I’m just so annoyed by how so people can drain money out of you without even doing their job properly!" Marienne burst out, frustration tightening her voice as she shoved her phone back into her purse with a sharp motion.
"Contracted workers?" Anna asked, offering a polite, understanding smile—though the truth was, she had no idea what Marienne was talking about. "Yes, sotis they can be... a little unreliable."
"If only it were just that," Marienne huffed, lowering her voice. "Then I wouldn’t be this upset. But..."
She took a step closer to Anna, her eyes darting cautiously around the store, as if to make sure no one else was within earshot. Her tone dropped to a near-whisper. "The worker I’m talking about is... well, let’s just say he’s like a private detective."
"A private detective?" Anna repeated, her brows lifting in surprise. "Are you... looking for soone?"
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