Anna’s POV
The words hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. I sat frozen, my coffee cup suspended halfway to my lips, as my brain struggled to process what Marcus had just said. The bustling restaurant seed to fade away, leaving only the thundering of my heart in my ears.
Gabriel’s face drained of color. Leah Barrett looked like she’d swallowed sothing particularly unpleasant. And my mother-my poor mother— appeared to be experiencing all five stages of grief simultaneously.
"Marcus," Elizabeth finally managed, her voice pitched several notes higher than normal, "what an unexpected... joke. Very amusing." She forced out a laugh that sounded like glass breaking.
Marcus’s eyes remained fixed on , ignoring everyone else at the table.
"I’m not joking."
The intensity of his gaze made my skin prickle with heat. I set down my coffee cup before my trembling hands could betray further.
"Uncle Marcus," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "this really isn’t the ti or place-"
"I’ve made my intentions clear," he interrupted, his deep voice cutting through my protests like a hot knife through butter. "And I don’t believe in wasting ti on pretense."
Leah Barrett, ever the social strategist, recognized a battle lost before it had truly begun. She placed her napkin on the table and rose gracefully.
"Elizabeth, darling, I just rembered we have another engagent this afternoon. Gabriel?"
Gabriel stood imdiately, smoothing his jacket with hands that weren’t quite steady. "Yes, of course. Ms. Shaw," he nodded toward , "it was a pleasure eting you. Perhaps another ti."
I forced a smile, knowing full well there wouldn’t be "another ti" thanks to Marcus’s theatrical entrance. "Thank you for lunch. It was lovely eting you both."
As soon as the Barretts were out of earshot, Elizabeth turned to Marcus.
"What on earth do you think you’re doing? Have you completely lost your mind?"
"Was it not clear enough? I’m interested in Anna." The matter-of-fact way he stated this made it sound like he was discussing a business acquisition rather than a romantic pursuit.
"This is *not* how things are done," my mother hissed, keeping her voice low but sharp. "You can’t just barge in and announce yourself like that! "
"Isn’t this more efficient?" he asked. "Why waste her ti with candidates who aren’t suitable?"
This al is not enough to eat, my mother made an excuse and took away.
---
"Anna, you tell the truth right now," Elizabeth demanded the mont our car pulled away from the restaurant. "What is going on between you and Marcus Murphy?"
My mother’s voice contained equal parts fear and fury.
I sighed and said, "His intentions were quite obvious, it was clear even at grandmother’s birthday celebration. I really don’t know why he took an interest in ."
"Anna," my mother’s voice dropped to a near-whisper, "you need to stay away from Marcus Murphy."
I raised an eyebrow. "Mom, I didn’t seek him out. He’s the one who keeps appearing."
Elizabeth turned to look out the window, her profile rigid with tension.
"This can’t happen, Anna. I can’t—I won’t have William Murphy as an in-law. I simply can’t get past that." She slapped her knee in frustration. "And you should stay away from the Murphy estate. Just... keep your distance from all of them."
----
The Sanders estate was awash with lights, the sounds of laughter and music spilling out from every open window. I handed my coat to the waiting attendant, ntally preparing myself for an evening of socializing when I’d much rather be hiding under my blankets at ho.
"Annie! You made it!"
Before I could fully register the voice, I was enveloped in a crushing hug. Paisley Sanders, the birthday girl herself, bounced on her toes as she embraced , her enthusiasm causing her curls to bounce against my cheek.
"Paisley, happy birthday," I managed, patting her back awkwardly. For all my business acun, I’d never quite mastered the art of receiving physical affection gracefully.
She pulled back, her eyes bright with excitent. "I wasn’t sure you’d co!
I know how busy you are with Shaw Corp and everything."
I smiled, genuinely this ti. Paisley’s unfiltered joy was contagious. "How could I miss your eighteenth? Besides, you’re a senior in high school now— it’s not like I can just drop by to see you anyti."
"I know, right? Mom’s been so strict about visitors during exam prep." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "But look, you’re here now!"
I handed her the small velvet box I’d been carrying. "Happy birthday, Paisley."
Her eyes widened as she opened it, revealing the pink diamond bracelet I’d selected. "Annie! Oh my god, it’s gorgeous!" She bounced on her toes, her excitent almost childlike in its purity. "Put it on , please?"
"Perfect," I said, admiring how the pink diamonds caught the light. "It suits you."
Paisley threw her arms around again. "Thank you! I love it so much!
Wait here, okay? Catherine texted that she’s arriving soon. We can all catch up together!"
"Annie! Surprise!"
Catherine’s familiar voice cut through the ambient chatter of the party. I turned, a smile already forming on my lips—until I saw who was standing beside her.
Marcus Murphy.
My smile froze in place as I took in the sight of them both. Catherine looked absolutely delighted with herself, a mischievous glint in her eye that confird my suspicion that she’d orchestrated this "coincidence."
"Catherine, so good to see you," I managed, my voice remarkably steady despite the chaos erupting in my brain. "And Uncle Marcus... what a surprise. Twice in one day—how lucky am I?"
Marcus, dressed impeccably in a dark suit that emphasized his imposing height and broad shoulders, rely nodded in acknowledgnt.
"Uncle Marcus just got back to town," Catherine explained with false innocence, "so I thought, why not bring him along to Paisley’s party?
Surprise!" She wiggled her fingers in a jazz-hands gesture that made want to strangle her.
"How thoughtful of you," I replied dryly. Catherine’s expression told she knew exactly what I was thinking.
Before I could formulate an appropriate response, I spotted my mother across the room. The mont Elizabeth caught sight of Marcus, her pleasant socialite smile vanished.
Within seconds, she was at my side, her arm linking firmly with mine.
"Catherine, darling! How lovely to see you," she greeted warmly, completely ignoring Marcus’s presence. "Why don’t we go sit with the other ladies? I spotted Daisy Sanders over by the window with the most fascinating champagne fountain."
Without waiting for a response, my mother began steering away, her grip on my arm brooking no argunt.
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