Chapter Fourteen
Anna adjusted her designer blazer as she walked toward her cat, Plati
o frating on her
still in its dramatic sling
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hospital parking garage as they made that way so the shareholders meeting that would change everything
“Are you sure you’re feeling up to this?” Arina asked Noah, though her mind was clearly eliserebane
“I’m fine,” Noah assured her, secretly thrilled that his plan was progressing as partecity. “Besides, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything
As they settled into Anna’s luxury sedan, she found herself lost in thought Woah, before
meeting. I want to stop by and see Mrs Tyler”
“Pervis’s grandmother? Noah asked, trying to keep the concem out of his voice
“Yes,” Anna replied, starting the engine “I need to understand what’s been happening with Pervis lately Maybe she can shed some light on why he’s changed so dramatically
Noah shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The last thing he needed was for Arina to start investigating
Pervis’s transformation too closely
“Maybe that’s not such a good idea,” he suggested carefully. “After everything that is happened, she might not want to see you”
Anna’s grip tightened on the steering wheel 1 was only trying to take care of you, Noah. You’re my best friend Sarah’s younger brother Why couldn’t Pervis understand that I was just being kind to family?“
“Some people are naturally jealous.” Noah replied, though internally he was celebrating how well his
manipulation had worked
Meanwhile, across town at the Coleman estate, Aria was finishing her preparations for the shareholders‘
meeting when her phone rang
“Miss Coleman, this is Jennifer Walsh from Metropolitan General Hospital,” came the professional voice I’m calling to confirm your attendance at today’s shareholders‘ meeting”
“Of course we’ll be attending.” Aria replied smoothly. “As major shareholders, my brother and I wouldn’t
miss it
“Excellent. The meeting begins at two o’clock sharp”
After ending the call, Aria found Pervis in the estate’s library, calmly reading through some legal documents.
“The hospital called to confirm our attendance,” she informed him. “Are you ready for this?”
Pervis looked up from his papers, his expression serene “steady as
“You realize Anna will probably be there,” Aria said, watching his face cardully for any sign of acety
“So?” Pervis replied with a slight shrug T’ve done nothing wrong Why should 1 tear facing Ana
Morrison?”
“She might cause a scene when she sees us together,” Ana warned
“Let her,” Pervis said calmly, closing the document folder “Besides, this will give me a chance to visit my grandmother. I want to make sure she’s receiving the best possible care
Aria smiled with genuine warmth. “You’ve really matured, haven’t you? The old Pervis would have been terrified at the thought of confronting Anna.”
“The old Pervis was a fool,” he replied matter of factly. “He let people walk all over him because he was afraid of conflict.”
“And now?”
“Now I know my worth,” Pervis said, standing and adjusting his tailored jacket. “Shall we go?”
The drive to Metropolitan General Hospital was peaceful, Aria and Pervis discussing business matters and family plans. As their sleek black limousine pulled into the hospital parking lot, Aria noticed another familiar vehicle arriving at the same time.
“That’s Anna’s car,” she observed.
Pervis glanced over as Anna’s sedan parked nearby. “So it is ”
As they stepped out of their respective vehicles, the tension in the air was immediately palpable Anna’s eyes locked onto Pervis emerging from the passenger side of the limousine, and her face flushed with a mixture of rage and something else she couldn’t quite identify
“So it’s true,” Anna muttered under her breath, loud enough for Noah to hear. “He really is with another
woman”
Noah watched the scene unfold with barely concealed glee. Everything was playing out exactly as he’d
hoped
Anna forced herself to maintain her composure as she approached Pervis, her heels clicking authoritatively against the asphalt
“Pervis,” she said coldly, “you owe me an explanation”
Pervis turned to face his estranged wife, his expression completely neutral “Do I?”
“Yes, you do,” Anna replied, gesturing toward Aria. “Who is this woman, and why are you gallivanting around town with her while your wife is at home worried sick?”
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Pervis looked at Anna for a long moment before responding, a slight smile playing at the corners of hist
mouth.
“This is Aria,” he said calmly. “She’s my grandmother’s savior. Without her intervention, Grandmother might have died from the stress of being thrown out of the hospital on your orders.”
“Your grandmother’s savior?” Anna repented, confusion evident in her voice.
“That’s right,” Pervis continued, his tone growing slightly mocking. “I’m simply looking after someone who showed kindness to my family. Why are you being no petty about it, Anna?”
The word ‘petty‘ hit Anna like a physical slap. It was the same accusation she had hurled at Pervis countless times over the years whenever he had dared to question her relationship with Noah.
Her face darkened as the irony of the situation became clear. “How dare you use my own words against
me?”
“Why not?” Pervis asked with genuine curiosity. “They seem to fit the situation perfectly.”
Anna felt a storm of emotions churning inside her chest–anger, confusion, hurt, and something she couldn’t quite name. The man standing before her bore only a superficial resemblance to the husband she thought she knew.
“You’re a thief,” she said finally, falling back on her earlier accusation. “You stole from my safe.”
“And as I told you before,” Pervis replied with infuriating calm, “if you have evidence of that, you should go to the police.”
“I already have,” Anna snapped, the words escaping before she could stop them.
“Good,” Pervis said simply. “I look forward to clearing my name officially.*
Anna stared at him in bewilderment. The old Pervis would have been terrified at the mention of police involvement. He would have begged for forgiveness, promised to make amends, done anything to avoid official scrutiny.
“What happened to you?” she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Pervis heard the question and considered it seriously for a moment before answering.
“The old Pervis Tyler is dead,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a finality that made Anna’s heart skip a beat. “He died the moment he realized that four years of devotion and sacrifice meant nothing to the woman he loved.”
“Pervis…”
“Don’t,” he interrupted gently but firmly. “There’s nothing left to say between us, Anna. We’re strangers
now.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
