Page 376 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Chapter 175

A gentle hand brushed Anna’s cheek and she felt something cool lay across her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open to see Tommy and Travis looking down at her with concern in their eyes. She wasn’t where she’d passed out earlier. She was in a pavilion on a soft bed with a warm blanket over her. The white silk curtains of the pavilion’s walls rustled in the breeze, allowing the morning sunlight to filter through and cast a gentle, warm glow.

“Travis?” Her voice was hoarse and she coughed. “What are you doing here?”

“Alex asked me to come and keep an eye on you.” He grimaced. “I can’t believe what Devin did.”

Anna blinked as the memories of the previous night flooded her mind. Her hand moved instinctively to her stomach, only to find it flat, her waist slender. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She turned to Travis, her voice trembling as she whispered, “It wasn’t Ben’s baby. Devin said he had Kaveh get me pregnant so he could...” She couldn’t utter the terrible words. The dreams of her and Alex raising a child together crumbled into despair.

“I’m so sorry, Anna. I know how happy it made you.” Travis leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Alex will take care of him,” he said softly. “You know he will.”

Anna nodded. Alex. Her one glimmer of hope.

She glanced at Tommy and gave him a weak smile.

“You didn’t tell me you got married,” he said softly, petting her hair.

“I didn’t know if Devin wanted me to tell people.”

“Travis says he’s a good guy.”

Anna nodded. “The best.”

Tommy smiled sadly. “Then I guess I can’t complain too much.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it, then intertwined his fingers with hers. After a few minutes, Tommy kissed her head and stood. “I’m going to get her something to eat. Ian said she didn’t eat yesterday.”

Travis nodded, and Tommy walked out between the curtains. Travis lay down next to Anna and held her while she cried.

Tommy returned a while later with a plate of food, his face drawn tight.

Devin appeared behind him a moment later. “Travis? What are you doing here?”

Travis glared at Devin. “I’m allowed to come to these things.”

Devin raised his brow. “Did your father not teach you respect?”

Travis clenched his jaw, but didn’t say anything more.

Devin’s gaze turned to Anna. “I’m glad you’re awake.” He frowned and glanced at the plate in Tommy’s hand. “Eat and then come back to the pavilion. I need you.”

“Yes, Master,” she whispered.

He turned on his heel and left the pavilion. Tommy handed her the plate and exchanged looks with Travis. Anna stared at the plate. She had no appetite.

“Anna, you need to eat,” Tommy said gently. “You don’t want to waste away before your husband comes home, do you?”

She gave him a grateful smile and began to eat. Alex would be home soon. There was still something to hope for.

Once Anna finished eating, she thanked Travis and Tommy and made her way back to Devin’s pavilion. Her dress was filthy and torn, but at least she was clothed, unlike most of the girls she saw as she walked across the field.

Devin sat with Oscar, Tom, and Connor on the chaises. Each had a girl between his legs.

“Go get cleaned up and come back,” Devin said. “Maggie’s waiting for you in the dorm.”

“Yes, Master.” She turned and found the path that led into the woods toward the lodge she’d visited the previous day. A few steps in, she paused and gazed into the dense woods, searching in the direction she’d run, trying to escape. Her shoulders slumped and she continued along the path. There was no escape from Devin.

Except with Alex.

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