Page 346 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Seth nodded and left the room.

Wilhelm concentrated on his breathing, staring hard at the snow-covered lawn in front of his home. The stone fountain was shut down for the winter, but he stared at the top, imagining it in the spring when the water sprayed cheerily up into the sky and danced its way through the lower sections. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky and watching the peaceful scene calmed his anger better than any counting or breathing exercises.

For Anna’s sake, he was glad to find peace in this horrible moment. If she hadn’t been in the room, he wouldn’t have bothered hiding his fury from his other daughter-in-law. He knew how Gretchen was, but she had taken things too far this time. He wasn’t totally convinced she didn’t know what she was doing.

To be safe, he counted fifty snowflakes and then walked to the door of his study and opened it. “Mausi?” he called to his wife. “Would you please join us in here?”

Ilsa looked up, her eyes wide. He rarely asked her to come to his study, though she was always welcome. He loved it when she sat in the room with him. But he didn’t begrudge her love of the light in the sitting room. “Wilhelm, what’s wrong?”

Seth returned with Gretchen and Kurt, and they sat down on the couch across from Alex and Anna. Seth turned to leave, but Wilhelm held up his hand. “Please stay, Seth.” If Gretchen tried to run, Seth would prevent it. He also had the first-hand information that might be useful. Seth stationed himself near the door, watching Gretchen with hard eyes.

Ilsa sat next to Alex and Anna on the couch. Wilhelm sat back down in the chair at the end and studied Gretchen over tented fingers. She at least had the decency to look nervous.

“I understand there is some news you would like to share, Gretchen.” Wilhelm raised his eyebrows. He spoke in English so that Anna wouldn’t feel left out.

Gretchen paled and glanced at Alex, who glared at her. She looked back at Wilhelm. “Wh-what do you mean?”

Kurt frowned and looked at Wilhelm. “Vati, what is going on?”

Wilhelm continued to look at Gretchen. “Ask your wife.” He cocked his brow. “Something regarding Otto?”

Gretchen’s eyes narrowed and she turned to Alex. “You told him?”

Alex’s jaw tightened and the veins in his neck bulged as he struggled against his natural inclinations. His eyes flashed and his jaw clenched. Wilhelm could empathize with how difficult it was to keep calm in this situation. He was very proud of his eldest son.

“Yes. I told him.” Alex gritted his teeth. “You obviously weren’t trying to keep it a secret anymore, since you hinted as much to my wife.”

“I did you a favor, Alex. You said she could not have children. Now you have a son.”

Kurt sat up and stared at Gretchen. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Gretchen lifted her chin and sneered at her husband. “Alex is Otto’s father.”

Kurt’s face turned pale, then green. “What?”

Wilhelm felt bad for his younger son. As poor a husband as he was, he was a very good father and adored his children. Gretchen... He sighed. He didn’t know what to do with her.

“You heard me,” Gretchen snapped.

Kurt and Gretchen launched into an argument in German.

Poor Anna’s eyes were wide and filled with fright. Ilsa stared at them with her mouth dropped open, her eyes nearly as wide as Anna’s. Alex glared at Gretchen. Seth looked amused, and Wilhelm smiled. At least one person found some humor in the situation.

“Enough!” Wilhelm shouted, his voice echoing around the room. Both Kurt and Gretchen stopped mid-word. “Gretchen, what made you think it was appropriate to share this news with Alex on his wedding day?” He was careful to keep his voice low.

Gretchen looked flustered. “I... I just thought he needed to know.”

“Alex has been back since July. Otto was born in November. You could not have chosen another, more appropriate time?”

She looked away. “I did not know he was getting married so quickly.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Gretchen snapped her mouth closed.

“Perhaps you thought maybe Anna would be gone and he would run to you for comfort?”

She raised her eyebrows and gave a strained smile. “I do not know what you mean.”

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