They stepped into the room, and Augustine settled onto the bed, reclining against the headboard. Anne sat beside him, quietly peeling an apple. She neither spoke nor smiled, her focus entirely on the task at hand.
Watching her in silence, Augustine felt a growing unease. It seed she still hadn’t forgiven him. But this was not the only thing—there were still many things he had kept from her. If she were to discover the truth about his real identity from soone else, the pain and disappointnt would cut even deeper. Keeping secrets from her was no longer an option.
"You are still upset with ," Augustine murmured cautiously.
Anne slowly shook her head. "I was, but you already apologized. How could I stay mad at you?"
A quiet sigh of relief escaped Augustine. "Then why are you so quiet? What’s on your mind? Are you still thinking about Gustave’s harsh words? Don’t worry—I’ll make sure he learns his lesson for being rude to you."
"No... I’m not upset with him." Anne placed the peeled apple on a plate and handed it to him. Although Gustave’s words had stung, she chose to overlook them, knowing they stemd from his devotion to Augustine.
"He genuinely cares about you," she continued. "He was angry with , blaming for your condition, worried that I’d only bring more trouble your way. I could see how much he is devoted to you."
Her expression grew even more solemn as she added, "He ntioned your struggles abroad, how you always stayed focused on your goal. But now, with in your life, he thinks you’ve beco distracted. He is afraid that being with will only lead you into more danger."
Augustine gripped the plate tightly, his expression darkening. He was taken aback that Gustave had spoken such deaning words to Anne.
’He has overstepped this ti,’ he thought to himself. ’I need to have a word with him.’
"This isn’t what’s truly troubling ," Anne said, pulling him from his thoughts. "There was sothing deeper in what he ant."
She hadn’t overlooked Gustave’s warning about Augustine being surrounded by enemies. Initially, she had believed his resentnt toward his uncle and Denis stemd from their arrogance and the way they had cast him aside, sending him abroad to struggle alone. But now, it seed the truth was far worse than she had imagined.
Could it be about inheritance? Property disputes among family mbers often bred hostility. If that was the case, securing his rightful share from the Beaumont family would be anything but easy. With his influence and power, Denis wouldn’t simply hand over what belonged to Augustine.
"Are you facing challenges in claiming your inheritance from the Beaumont family?" she asked, unable to hold back her concern.
Her question caught Augustine off guard. He hadn’t expected her to bring this up.
"What makes you ask that?" he countered.
Anne gave a small shrug. "Because I’m worried about you. Denis is arrogant, stubborn, and ruthlessly ambitious."
Over the past three years, she had witnessed just how deep Denis’s ambitions ran. She had also experienced firsthand the intimidation he wielded to make others submit. On top of that, she knew well how powerful he was—one of the top three wealthiest n in the country.
"I’m afraid he won’t give you what’s rightfully yours. If you push too hard, he might try to crush you. He has the resources to influence anyone and the ans to destroy you. In this situation, Gustave’s concerns aren’t entirely unfounded. If Denis sees as your weakness, he might use to hurt you."
Augustine’s chest tightened at her words, a sinking feeling settling over him. Was she trying to leave him? His voice was tense as he demanded, "Be clear—what are you trying to say?"
Anne sighed, her expression filled with sorrow. "Augustine, you’re a good man," she said softly. "The ti I’ve spent with you is sothing I will always cherish. I’ll never forget it. But I can’t be the cause of your suffering. Denis is already furious with you because of . I don’t want him to use against you, to manipulate you into doing things you don’t want to. It’s best if we end this marriage here."
As she said that, her heart ached. But she pushed that feeling aside and added firmly, "I promise I’ll leave, go far away, and never trouble you again."
Before she could finish, Augustine growled in frustration and pulled her into his arms.
"Don’t ever think about leaving ," he declared fiercely, holding her tightly as if he feared she would vanish the mont he let go.
"I don’t care if Denis is angry," he continued. "His wealth and influence an nothing to . What belongs to is mine, and I’ll claim it no matter what. He can’t stop ."
He cupped her face as his gaze bore into hers, filled with raw desperation and anger. "And you...You are my wife. And I, Augustine, never abandon the people I love."
He crushed his lips against hers in a forceful, possessive kiss.
Anne froze in shock before struggling to pull away.
He released her montarily. "I can protect myself—and those I care about. You don’t need to worry about my safety."
He captured her lips again, this ti with even more intensity, his frustration evident in the way he kissed her—hard, demanding, almost punishing.
Anne whimpered, wincing when she felt a sharp sting as he bit her lower lip. Tears welled in her eyes, a mix of pain, confusion, and the storm of emotions raging in her.
Augustine pulled away slightly, his expression softening, though the fire in his eyes still burned. "Why don’t you understand?" he murmured, his voice thick with frustration and helplessness. "Can’t you see what’s in my heart? Can’t you feel it?"
He seized her hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. Anne stiffened, fearful and confused.
"Feel it, Anne," he urged desperately. "Listen to it. With every beat, my heart calls only your na. It’s you—only you."
Anne blinked, startled. The raw emotion in his eyes spoke louder than any words—he was truly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with her. But how? How had he fallen for her so quickly?
The questions gnawed at her, but despite them, she couldn’t ignore the thrill coursing through her at his confession.
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