Page 384 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

When their plates were set before them, Wilhelm reached out and touched Anna’s hand. “Anna, eat.”

She blinked and picked up her fork. He hated commanding her, but it was the only way to get her to do anything. Losing a baby or husband was terrible enough, but losing both had pushed her over the edge.

She ate half of her food and Wilhelm was satisfied. It was more than she’d eaten earlier.

The jet touched down several hours later on a rainy Frankfurt morning. As it taxied to the hangar, Wilhelm spotted the waiting limo. When the jet’s door opened, Lili handed him an umbrella, and he gently took Anna’s elbow to guide her down the stairs.

The limo’s door swung open and a distressed Ilsa emerged, rushing toward him. “Wilhelm!” She buried her face in his shoulder.

Anna blinked and scrunched her face as heavy drops of water hit the top of her head. But it was only for a second and then something sheltered her again. She looked up. An umbrella. It was raining. And cold. She squinted at the tall man who stood in front of her, trying to bring his face into focus. Blond. Tall. Her heart leaped. Alex? Her vision cleared and her heart fell again. It wasn’t Alex. It was Kurt.

She turned her head and saw Wilhelm and Ilsa embracing and weeping together, then dropped her gaze to the ground. Wilhelm had a family to comfort and be comforted by. Why had he brought her to Germany? She wanted to be alone.

“Hello, Anna,” Kurt said softly.

Anna looked up at Kurt, stared at him for a long moment, gave a small nod, and looked back at the ground. Wilhelm would have Kurt look after her. What about Gretchen? Surely she wouldn’t be happy about that.

“Kurt, bring Anna to the car,” Wilhelm said. He and Ilsa stepped into the limo.

“Kommen Sie, Engel.” Kurt put his hand on her back to lead her to the awaiting vehicle. He helped her in first, and then closed the umbrella and handed it to the driver.

“Anna,” Ilsa said, reaching for her hand and squeezing it hard.

Anna stared at her knees and said nothing, but she didn’t pull away from Ilsa either. She liked Ilsa. Ilsa had given birth to the man Anna loved.

Memories of her last morning with Alex threatened to surface, but Anna pushed them away. She didn’t want to cry, didn’t want to think. It was bad enough that she could still feel her heart reaching for his. She didn’t like it. Her numbness was her cocoon, a refuge from the overwhelming pain she couldn’t deal with.

Kurt, Wilhelm, and Ilsa spoke softly in English, their voices creating a vague hum in the vehicle, but she didn’t pay any attention to them. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the passing scenery outside the car window. The sun struggled to make its presence known through the heavy clouds, and the limo passed through patches of sunlight that threatened to melt away the returning numbness in her heart. Remnants of the last snowfall clung to the shadows among the trees that lined the winding road. While the trees had not yet burst into full spring blooms, small shoots of green defiantly stretched toward the sun.

Before she knew it, they were ascending the familiar winding road that led up to Alex’s family home atop the hill. A massive lump lodged itself in her throat and memories of happier times threatened to engulf her. Tears stung her eyes, but she dug her fingernails into her palms, fighting the sadness that loomed in the corners of her mind. Why had Wilhelm brought her back to this place, filled with such bittersweet memories?

They walked inside the entryway a few minutes later, and Wilhelm was instantly surrounded by his daughters. Anna shuffled to the side of the hall and stared hard at the marble floor.

Ilsa approached. “I have had yours and Alex’s room readied for you. If you would like to rest or freshen up, we will have lunch soon.”

Anna nodded and walked toward the stairs. Greta grabbed her and hugged her before she made it there. “Oh, Anna. Please, if you need to talk or anything, come find me?”

Anna nodded again and walked up the two flights of stairs to the third floor, clasping the railing tightly. She paused at the top and looked back, wondering what would happen if she threw herself down. Alex had been the one beacon of hope in her life. The one man who could stand up for her. The one man who could confront Devin and keep her safe from him. And he was gone.

She was alone and there was no hope.

Death was no friend of hers. Her Immortal side kept him far away and there was no hope for peace. Only Devin remained. Devin was inevitable.

She trudged across the sitting area and pushed open the door to Alex’s room. Instantly, his familiar scent engulfed her, even after months of absence. She stared at the bed where she and Alex had made love so many times. The bed where she had first seen Alex years ago.

Closing her eyes, she turned away and walked into the closet. She pulled one of Alex’s heavy, black knit sweaters from its hanger and slid it over her head, then walked back out to the room and curled up on the rug next to the crackling fire. Bathed in its warmth, she instantly fell into the sweet oblivion of sleep.

Chapter 181

Wilhelm went to get Anna for lunch. He knocked on the door and walked in, knowing she wouldn’t answer. His heart stopped when he saw the empty bed. Where had she gone?

He looked around the room and saw her curled in a ball next to the fireplace, wearing one of Alex’s sweaters.

Maybe putting her in this room hadn’t been a good idea, but he didn’t want her to think that because Alex was dead that her position in the family had changed.

As he sighed, the weight of his own grief seemed to suffocate any comfort he could offer her. The jagged wound in his heart had been an endless source of pain since he’d learned about Alex and the others. But he knew he needed to stay strong for his family. Numerous tasks lay ahead, and if he lost control, his family would crumble as well. He had to maintain his composure, not just for his own sake, but for the well-being of his loved ones.

Watching Alex and Anna together had been one of the most beautiful things he’d ever seen. Alex’s love had transformed her, taking her from a scared, beaten-down girl to a radiant, self-assured woman who had found her purpose in the world. Her dancing had entranced everyone in the theater during La Bayadere. Beauty in motion.

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