Anna’s frown deepened as she processed Pervis’s cold dismissal, her mind struggling to reconcile this new version of her husband with the man she thought she controlled.
“You’re still blaming me for taking care of Noah,” she said accusingly, her voice rising with frustration.” This is exactly what I mean, Pervis. You’re being incredibly petty about an innocent friendship.”
“Innocent?” Pervis repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, innocent!” Anna snapped. “Noah is like a brother to me. He’s my best friend’s younger brother, and he’s been through so much trauma. All I’ve done is show him basic human kindness.”
“Basic human kindness,” Pervis mused, as if tasting the words. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Before Anna could respond, Aria stepped forward, her elegant presence commanding immediate
attention
“Excuse me,” Aria interjected smoothly, her voice carrying a subtle edge of steel “But I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Anna said sharply, turning her attention to the woman she perceived as her rival
“Doesn’t it?” Aria asked with a slight smile. “You’re berating him for being ‘petty‘ about your relationship with another man. I find that quite interesting.”
“And who are you to judge my marriage?” Anna demanded.
“Someone who’s watched him suffer through years of emotional neglect while you lavished attention on your houseguest,” Aria replied calmly.
Anna’s face flushed red. “You don’t know anything about my marriage!”
“I know enough,” Aria said coolly. “I know that when your husband’s elderly grandmother was being thrown out of a hospital on your orders, you were more concerned about another man’s comfort than your own family’s welfare.”
“That’s not true!” Anna protested.
“Isn’t it?” Aria’s smile grew sharper. “Tell me, Mrs. Tyler, when was the last time you showed your husband even half the consideration you show Noah Patterson?”
The question hung in the air like a challenge, and Anna found herself unable to answer immediately.
“I thought so,” Aria continued. “It’s fascinating how you can demand loyalty while showing none in
return.”
Pervis watched this exchange with mild interest, noting how Anna’s usual confidence was beginning to
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RC MAN’s sed observations
que quietly. 7 find pour outrage rather boring at this point.”
25 BONUS
te bring Fervis confimed “The sette accusations, the sate justifications, the same refusal to soladey your own hypocrisy. It’s tedious”
drowwledge
Herd toe with a gentle expression “Shall we go visit Grandmother now? I want to make sure
dose
shes contable before the meeting begins
“Of cover Fra agreed taking his arm “Lead the way”
As they walked toward the hospital entrance, Anne stood frozen in the parking lot, their words echoing In her mond like accusations she couldn’t escape
“What’s voice broke through her reverie “Are you alrighte
She turned to look at him, really look at him, and for the first time in years, she felt a flicker of doubt
Wosh, be honest with me,” she said slowly. “Do you think I’ve been unfair to Pervis?”
Noah’s eyes darted nervously “What do you mean?”
“All the attention I’ve given you, all the care and consideration, Anna continued, her voice growing uncertain “Did it hurt my marriage?”
dit
“Anna, you were just being kind,” Nosh said quickly, though his voice lacked its usual conviction. “Pervis was always jealous for no reason
Anna shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts “No, I can’t accept that. There has to be a reason Pervis changed so dramatically”
“Maybe he’s just showing his true colors now,” Nosh suggested desperately.
“Or maybe.” Anna trailed off, the possibility too painful to voice aloud.
“We should head inside, Noah said, eager to change the subject. “The meeting will start soon.*
wrestle Anna nodded absently, following him toward the hospital entrance while her mind continued to with uncomfortable truths
The conference room was already buzzing with conversation when Anna and Noah arrived. Board. members and shareholders filled the elegant space, their voices creating a low hum of anticipation.
I can’t believe we’re finally going to meet her,” one board member was saying excitedly.
“Ana Coleman,” another added with obvious admiration. The business prodigy who built an empire
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before she turned thirty”
“Tve heard she’s absolutely brilliant,” a third voice chimed in “Single–handedly tumed sound failing companies in the past five years”
Anna found herself nodding along, her earlier doubts temporarily pushed aside by her excitement abaki meeting her business idol
“She’s always been the backbone of the Coleman family enterprises, the hospital’s chief financial offic was explaining to a group of newer board members. Even when the family faced that major crisis eight years ago, she managed to not only save the company but expand it globally
Tve always admired her work,” Anna said, joining the conversation. Her strategic thinking is absolutely revolutionary. I’ve studied her business models extensively.”
“Then you’ll appreciate this opportunity even more,” the CFO replied “Working with the Coleman famil could transform this hospital into the premier medical facility on the East Coast
“The possibilities are endless,” Anna agreed, her eyes shining with genuine enthusiasm Tean’t wait to discuss potential collaborations with her.”
Noah listened to the praise being heaped on Ana Coleman with growing excitement, though for entirely different reasons than Anna’s professional admiration
The clock on the conference room wall showed exactly two o’clock when footsteps could be heard approaching in the hallway outside.
“That must be them now,” someone whispered excitedly
All conversation ceased as everyone turned toward the double doors at the entrance to the conference room. The anticipation was palpable as they waited to meet the legendary business genius who had just acquired controlling interest in their hospital
The doors opened with a soft click, and two figures stepped into the room
Anna’s face went completely white as she recognized the woman who had just humiliated her in the parking lot. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly as her brain struggled to process what the was
seeing.
“This is impossible,” she whispered under her breath, her voice barely audible
But it wasn’t impossible. The woman she had dismissed as Pervis’s mistress, the woman she had insulted and belittled just minutes earlier, was indeed Aria Coleman–the business genius Anna had idolized for years.
And standing beside her, looking completely at ease in the boardroom environment, was Perris Tyler, her supposedly worthless husband
The irony was so complete, so devastating, that Anna felt her knees begin to buckle beneath her
Chapter
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.
