Page 58 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna paused, her jaw trembling, wanting to speak, but feared if she did, she’d burst into tears. She shook her head and waited for his glee.

The tall man studied her for a long moment and then nodded and turned away. She followed him to her bedroom, and he softly closed the door after she walked inside.

Anna pulled her phone out of her purse, knowing she needed to call Devin, but her fingers wouldn’t push the right buttons. Finally, after several minutes of staring at the phone and warring with herself, she tossed the phone on her bed and went into the bathroom. She’d call him after she’d cleaned up.

She drew a bath and sank into the soothing hot water as it filled the tub. Her ass hurt. Her pussy hurt. Her breasts hurt. Shame, her new friend, had returned. Now she really understood why Devin insisted on her wearing her necklace. If she’d been wearing it, those men would have known who she was and not treated her like a Red Girl.

But she hadn’t obeyed Devin and gotten her necklace. He would be furious with her.

Her head dropped back onto the porcelain edge of the tub and she winced at the sharp pain, but it was nothing compared to what would happen when Devin found out she’d not obeyed him. Tears filled her eyes and slowly dripped down her cheeks. She’d tried so hard to please Devin these last few weeks, and he’d been so kind, but now? She shook her head. There was no way he’d be okay with blatant disobedience. She should go back and get the necklace. But the thought of going back to that store made her want to throw up.

She had to call Devin.

Anna dragged herself out of the bath and wrapped the soft robe around her before crawling onto the bed and staring at her phone again. With trembling fingers, she pressed the screen over Devin’s picture and waited for him to answer.

“Anna? Are you alright? Ian said you weren’t okay when you got back to the Manor.”

“I . . . I’m . . .” She burst into tears.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

Anna opened her mouth to answer, but only sobs came out.

“Are you sick? What happened?”

She sucked in a deep breath and let it out through pursed lips. Then did it again “I-I didn’t get my necklace,” she whispered, trembling violently.

“Why not?”

His voice, his question, was much gentler than she’d expected and her tears slowed. “I tried. I promise, I tried Devin, but the owner’s son?—‍”

“What happened, Baby?”

Anna stumbled through her explanation of what had happened at the jewelry store and the townhouse.

“This is why you need to wear your necklace, Anna.” She could hear the disappointment in his voice and her shoulders slumped.

“I know, Devin. I’m sorry I didn’t get it. I’m sorry I let Wilhelm cut it off.” She swallowed hard. “I promise I won’t go anywhere without it.” She took a shaky breath. “But please don’t make me go back there.” Why had she been so bold to beg that of him?

“Don’t worry, my love, I won’t make you go back there. I’ll have Ian get it tomorrow.”

Breath whooshed into her lungs. “Oh, thank you, Devin! Thank you.” She paused, staring at the floor. “Are you going to punish me?”

“Of course not. You did nothing wrong.”

With a sigh of relief, Anna sank back onto the bed and let her close. He wasn’t angry!

“If you’d like, I can stop by after work and stay the night with you. Would that help you feel better?”

Anna’s heart leaped in her chest. “You want to see me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I love you. I want to make sure you’re okay. But I won’t if you don’t want me to.”

He won’t come if I don’t want him to?

“Anna? Are you still there?”

“I’m here.” She smiled. “Yes, I’d like it if you came.”

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