Page 210 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Hugo looked like he was going to protest, and then stopped. “That’s true.” He leaned back in his seat. “God, I’ve learned more about Katrina tonight than I have the entire time I’ve known her. Which son was Alex?”

“The oldest.”

“Did he have brothers?”

“One brother, two sisters.”

Hugo stared up at the ceiling with sad eyes. “I’m not going to get to stay with her for long, am I?” He lifted his head and looked at Aaron. “Unless the brother is married already?”

“He was. He divorced a few years ago.”

“Divorced? I didn’t think that was allowed in those families.”

“Gretchen was a... blight on the family, to say the least.”

“An unmarried brother,” Hugo said softly and shook his head. “She’ll be expected to marry him. Unless the father has decided against it because she’s American?”

Aaron felt terrible as he shook his head. “No, Wilhelm is quite fond of Anna. He’s the one who came up with her new name.”

“Does she know what’s expected of her?”

“She’s guessed.”

Hugo sighed and rubbed his face. “What do I do with that?”

Chapter 111

Anna stepped out of the shower feeling much better. She was glad to find most of the blood was not hers, though she had quite a few bruises. Part of her wished she knew what had happened. How had she managed to kill Jack? How could she possibly be that strong?

She pulled on a comfortable pair of sweats and a cotton camisole, and went back out to the living room. She could hear the deep voices of Hugo and Aaron as she opened the door, but they stopped talking once she entered the room.

Hugo stood. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged. “Okay.” She stood in the hallway, twisting her fingers into the hem of her camisole. Did he still want her? He hadn’t left, but?—

“Wilhelm called,” Aaron said. “He wants you to call him.”

Anna grimaced. “I don’t want to talk to him. Besides, it’s the middle of the night there.”

Aaron gave her a look. “He wants you to call him.”

She crossed her arms. “I don’t want to talk to him.”

Aaron sighed. “It’s not a request.”

Wilhelm had commanded her? “Fine.” She turned on her heel to return to her room and picked up her phone. She pressed his picture on the screen and waited for him to answer. Maybe he’d gone to bed and wouldn’t?—

“Hello, Anna.”

“Hello, Wilhelm,” she said coldly. “Aaron said you wanted me to call you.”

There was a pause. “I wanted to make sure you are alright,” he said softly.

“I’m fine.”

“You do not sound fine. You sound angry.”

Anna sat on her bed with her head in her hands. “I’m fine. Aaron and Hugo are taking care of me.”

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