"You!" Silas grinding his teeth, his face contorted with rage. No one had ever dared to show him such disrespect! The Reeds, equally incensed, surged forward, surrounding Ethan as though ready to attack.
Just as the tension reached a boiling point, the door swung open.
"What's going on?"
Ethan's heart pounded, and his body went rigid, a feeling that he almost forgot for the longest time. That familiar voice etched deeply into his soul, made him freeze. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to turn around.
He had envisioned this moment countless times, imagining his reunion with Anastasia. But now, hearing her gentle voice, he realized he had no idea how to face her.
What should I say to her?
Anastasia, however, didn't immediately notice Ethan, who stood with his back to the door. She walked in, her gaze falling on the crowd surrounding Silas Clay.
Anastasia's eyebrows knitted in frustration. Silas had been relentlessly declaring his love for her, resorting to all sorts of harassment, and frequently visiting their home without her permission. Just moments ago, she had seen his flashy sports car parked near her home.
"Why are you here again? I've already told you I'm not interested and never will be," Anastasia snapped, her voice tinged with weariness and irritation.
Watch your tone with Silas, Anastasia!" Claudia snapped before hurriedly adding, "It's good you're back. Since the courts are still open, why don't you hurry up and divorce this good-for-nothing? Hurry!"
"What?" Anastasia was bewildered when the little girl beside her suddenly leaped toward Ethan with sparkling eyes. "Daddy! Daddy, are you here to see me?"
Daddy? Anastasia's gaze shifted to the back of the person she had overlooked. This familiar height and silhouette... She took a step back in realization. It's... him?
Ethan squatted down and wrapped his arms around the little girl clinging to his thigh. He studied her closely. She had delicate eyebrows, luminous eyes, and tiny diamond-shaped lips. Even though her features were still developing, she was undeniably beautiful.
So, this kid is a Reed. He realized why she looked familiar, her features mirrored Anastasia's. Could she be? His heart pounded as he considered the possibility.
Holding the little girl, he felt an unexpected surge of affection. Taking a deep breath, he stood and turned to face the person he had thought about countless times.
Anastasia's long hair cascaded over her shoulders and wore a light gray bespoke business suit. Shock and confusion were etched on her face. Her beautiful eyes locked onto him.
The man before her was no longer the fresh graduate from seven years ago. Though his features were the same, his face was now chiseled, making him look more mature and reliable. Her expression shifted from shock to composure, but beneath it, anger simmered. Her chest heaved, and her fingernails dug into her palms.
"Anastasia, I..."
"Why did you come back?" Anastasia interrupted, her voice agitated and hoarse. "After everything, you left without a word. We thought you were dead all this time. What are you back for now?!"
Her eyes bore into Ethan with hatred. Back then, they had been drugged in a hotel, leading to a scandal that spread like wildfire. To cover it up, the Reeds hastily arranged their marriage. Though they had no feelings for each other at the time, Anastasia had resolved to spend her life with him, believing there was no undoing what had been done.
However, she never expected him to steal fifty thousand dollars from her father, and then, the money vanished without a trace soon after marriage. He's just a thorough liar!
She soon discovered she was pregnant. After agonizing for a long time, she decided to keep the baby. But she didn't anticipate the relentless crises her company would face during the most vulnerable stage of her pregnancy. The stress and betrayal led her to premature labor while vultures encroached on Orion Industries.
Every time Anastasia recalled the hardships and suffering, she endured during that time, her heart ached with unbearable pain, and her hatred for the irresponsible man who abandoned her burned fiercely.
"Are you back to ruin my life again? What have I done to make you despise me so much that you keep trying to destroy me?" Her voice trembled with fury, her eyes blazing and bloodshot with emotion. Though she didn't shed a tear, Ethan's heart shattered seeing her so tormented.
His silent departure had left a gaping wound in Anastasia's heart, a wound he knew he could never fully mend, no matter how hard he tried.
"I'm very sorry," he murmured, his voice heavy with guilt and sorrow, knowing his apology was a pitiful attempt at reconciliation.
Sensing the intense tension, the little girl clung to Ethan's neck and cried out, "Mommy."
Anastasia closed her eyes, struggling to regain her composure, not wanting to frighten her precious daughter. "Why did you leave back then?" she demanded, her voice cracking with the weight of her pain.
"I left because... I wanted to be worthy of being your husband," Ethan confessed, his voice raw with emotion. Though his intentions had been honorable, he knew his actions were unforgivable.
Anastasia sneered, her disbelief and resentment palpable. "So, why did you steal my father's money before you left?"
"What money?" Ethan asked, genuinely stunned and bewildered.