Page 347 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Wilhelm raised his brow. “Really? You were not feeding information about Anna’s activities to anyone?”

Gretchen’s eyes widened. “How?—‍”

“There is very little I do not know, Gretchen. I have many contacts.” Wilhelm wouldn’t reveal Alex’s extracurricular activities. Especially to her. “Do you know who it was that you were speaking to?”

She twisted the hem of her shirt between her fingers. “He told me he was a friend of Anna’s and wanted to know what she was doing.”

“Is that all?”

She shook her head. “He said he would take her back to America.”

Alex started to stand. “Why you little?—‍”

“Alex!” Wilhelm gave his son a pointed look, and he sat back down. Wilhelm turned back to Gretchen. “Let me tell you about that... man who would have taken Anna back to America. He is one of the cruelest men I have ever met. He had Anna raised in a home where she was regularly beaten and raped. He turned her into a sex slave at the age of sixteen. If she had been taken back to America, she would have been locked up and punished for daring to even think about marrying Alex. He likely would have tortured her until she passed out, and then revived her and tortured her again. And repeated the process until she no longer responded.”

Gretchen’s face turned green and her eyes were as wide as he’d ever seen them.

“Do you know why I know this, Gretchen?”

She shook her head.

“Because he has done it to her before. Anna has gone through things you could not even imagine. Her marriage to Alex will prevent that from occurring in the future.” Wilhelm paused, keeping his eyes locked on Gretchen’s. “And you wanted to send her home?”

Gretchen’s mouth moved, but she didn’t speak right away. She looked at Anna. “I-I had no idea,” she said in a whisper. “I—I am sorry.”

Wilhelm could tell Anna didn’t know what to do or say. Her face was pale and she trembled as she stared at her hands. Her first instinct was to sweetly forgive, but he could see she was very hurt. As horrible as things had been in her life, it never would have occurred to her that someone would act as Gretchen had, and that made Gretchen’s actions even worse.

Wilhelm’s blood boiled again at the thought.

Alex leaned over and whispered to Anna. She nodded in response. “Vati, I’m sorry, but Anna needs to eat. She hasn’t eaten since dinner last night.”

“Oh, Liebling, I am so sorry. Yes, Alex, take her down for lunch. I will speak with you later.”

Alex helped Anna to her feet and led her out of the room.

“Is Anna alright?” Kurt asked in German, watching the door close.

Wilhelm smiled. “Yes. She’s pregnant.”

Kurt’s eyes widened. “But I thought?—‍”

“There are ways, son.”

Gretchen narrowed her eyes. “I thought she couldn’t have kids. That’s what Alex said.”

“No, I believe Alex told you she was told her whole life she couldn’t have children,” Wilhelm said. “Being told something doesn’t make it true.”

Alex took Anna’s hand and led her out of the room. He closed the door behind him and Vati’s raised voice followed them to the staircase.

Anna trembled and Alex held her tightly as they made their way down the stairs, lest she fall. The further they got from his father’s study, the calmer Alex felt. Vati was as furious as he was and could take care of things. He had no doubt his father would ensure justice was done. He would speak to him later, once both of them had calmed down.

But for now, he wanted to be sure Anna ate and rested before the party tonight. He grinned. It would be wonderful to introduce her off to his friends and family.

Chapter 161

Anna sighed as she and Alex made their way through the garden and into the family dining room at the back of the house. The tension in Wilhelm’s study had been terrible and she’d begun to feel like she was going to throw up again. Thankfully Alex noticed and they were able to leave.

The look of horror on Gretchen’s face as Wilhelm spoke haunted her, though. It was clear that Gretchen had no idea what she was doing. The woman didn’t know about Devin. How could she?

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