The older man stiffened. He knew he wasn't in a position to offend Daniel—not even slightly. But he had come here with one quiet hope: to ensure Anna's reckless words yesterday hadn't reached Daniel's ears.
When Hugo faltered, Daniel filled the silence himself.
"Don't worry, Mr. Bennett," he said evenly, his tone laced with quiet mockery. "I am not as cruel as you assume me to be. I've already been humiliated once, and I have no intention of being humiliated twice."
He leaned back in his chair, his posture casual but his words sharp. "As for your daughter… we are doing just fine."
It was a lie wrapped in half-truths. Daniel wouldn't admit that Anna had asked for divorce on their wedding night. Nor would he let Hugo see that matters between them were far from simple.
Hugo's shoulders eased slightly, relief flickering across his features. He had worried that Anna's outburst yesterday might have planted seeds of discord that would ruin everything. But hearing Daniel confirm otherwise allowed him to finally breathe.
"Then I suppose there's nothing for me to worry about," Hugo said with a thin, awkward smile. "I'm sure, with time, you and Anna will come to understand each other."
Daniel's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it never reached his eyes. "How about you join me for lunch, Mr. Bennett? After all, I missed eating breakfast at your place yesterday."
The suggestion carried weight, more test than invitation.
Hugo, however, rose politely and shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I have other matters waiting."
Daniel watched him turn, his expression unreadable, though his thoughts sharpened like blades.
The moment Hugo stepped out of Clafford Corporation, his shoulders dropped ever so slightly. He loosened his tie, exhaling the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Without wasting another second, he pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Roseline," he said as soon as the line connected. His tone was hushed, urgent. "It's fine. Everything's fine."
On the other end, his wife's voice sharpened with worry. "Did he suspect anything? About Anna?"
Hugo shook his head, though she couldn't see it. "No. He didn't mention a word. I told you, Roseline—Daniel Clafford is not a man we can afford to provoke. Yesterday I feared Anna's outburst would ruin everything, but… he claims they're doing fine."
Roseline's sigh of relief crackled through the line, though it was quickly replaced by her familiar edge. "Good. Then keep it that way. Anna must not make trouble, Hugo. Do you hear me? If she does, we'll all suffer for it."
"I know," Hugo muttered, his jaw tightening. His eyes drifted up at the towering building behind him. 'If only Anna understood the stakes…'
He ended the call, but the unease never left his chest.
***
By the time Anna returned to Clafford Mansion, the afternoon sun was already tilting past its peak.
True to her word, she ate the meal Mariam had prepared, and to her surprise, it was fulfilling enough to soothe both her stomach and her restless heart.
But later, back in her room, silence pressed in again.
Anna sat on the edge of her bed, her gaze fixed on the small note in her hand—the one Betty had slipped to her with such conviction.
A girl she had only just met, and yet… she had trusted Anna without hesitation. Not only helping her land that ridiculous dead-body role, but even offering to connect her with someone who could help her.
Anna traced her thumb over the ink on the paper, doubt flickering.
Should I really involve someone else in this mess?
Her family was already a battlefield. Dragging outsiders into it seemed unfair, reckless even.
But then she thought of Betty's easy smile, her cheer, her fearless warmth despite the shadows she carried. For the first time in a long time, Anna had felt… safe.
"There's no harm in checking it once, is there?" she murmured.
Before she could second-guess herself, she unlocked her phone and dialed the number.
The call barely rang twice before the line clicked alive.
"Big Sis! Is that you?" Betty's voice rang bright, as if she had been waiting all along.
Anna blinked, startled, but quickly composed herself. "Were you… expecting me to call?"
"Mm-hm." Betty's cheerful hum came through the speaker. "I knew you would. Big Sis needs help—and as usual, I'm here."
Anna's chest loosened. She hadn't realized how much she needed that kind of certainty until she heard it in Betty's tone.
Warmth seeped through her, chasing away the loneliness.
"So…" Betty continued, her tone lilting, casual yet certain. "When should I bring you to meet my friend?"
Anna's fingers tightened slightly around the phone, her pulse quickening.
"Tomorrow—if that's possible for you?" Anna asked softly.
She didn't want to burden Betty, not when the girl was already juggling school and work. But the answer she received left her throat tight with something she hadn't felt in a long time—gratitude.
"Yes, it's possible," Betty replied brightly. "After my classes end, I'll take you to the person."
Anna stared at the phone for a moment, overwhelmed.
She had no idea why she trusted Betty so easily, why this girl she barely knew already felt like a lifeline. Maybe it was because she was desperate. Maybe it was because no one else had ever reached out so freely.
Whatever the reason, she needed this chance.
Because escaping this marriage meant finding Kathrine.
But the lack of resources, the pressure from her parents, and the looming presence of Daniel—who refused her pleas for divorce again and again—were obstacles she couldn't topple alone.
But I won't give up.
"Okay then," Anna agreed, her voice steadier. "Tomorrow, after your classes."
The call ended, and Anna exhaled deeply, saving Betty's number before placing the phone aside.
"Ha…" She let her body fall back against the mattress, arms spread wide as she sank into its bounce.
Her eyes traced the ceiling above, mind racing.
This life—this second chance—wouldn't go the same way as before. She refused to let it.
In her past life, Kathrine had only returned after Anna was already pregnant. By then, it had been too late; her fate had been sealed with pain and betrayal.
Not this time.
This time, she wouldn't wait. She wouldn't bow to her parents' manipulations. She wouldn't let Daniel's coldness dictate the course of her heart.
She would not allow herself to fall again—no matter how different things seemed.
Her gaze sharpened, a fiery gleam sparking in her eyes.
"Wherever you are, Kathrine," Anna whispered to the empty room, her voice laced with unshakable determination. "I'm going to find you."
And this time—nothing would stop her.
Slamming her palm against the bed for emphasis, Anna forced herself upright. She still needed to change.
Dragging herself to the cupboard, she pulled the doors open—and froze.
Her eyes narrowed.
Daniel's clothes? Still here?
Custom-tailored suits hung neatly beside her dresses, his shirts pressed sharp, his nightwear folded in perfect order next to hers—as if mocking her demand.
Anna's jaw tightened. She had told Mariam clearly—Daniel was occupying another room now. So why…
Just as she reached for her phone to summon the woman, the door creaked open.
"Madam," Mariam's warm voice filled the room as she stepped inside, holding a tray. "I brought your favorite pineapple juice."
Anna's head snapped toward her, her tone clipped. "Mariam, didn't I make myself clear? Then why are Daniel's clothes still in here?"
Her voice wavered between irritation and disbelief. She hadn't insisted Mariam move his belongings immediately, but she had expected it to be done today at the latest.
Mariam's steps faltered. She set the tray carefully on the table, her lips pressed thin, her gaze lowering to the floor.
"Madam…" she hesitated before speaking softly. "The master declined. He said… he wouldn't move so soon."
Anna stilled. Her fingers tightened against the cupboard door as her breath caught, indignation rising in her chest.
So he's defying me outright now?