Page 298 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Anna heard people beginning to whisper around them and hoped she and Hugo weren’t being too obvious. She continued to gaze up at Hugo. Oh, how wonderful to be able to look at him without fearing disobedience to Wilhelm!

He reached out and caressed her cheek. “Have dinner with me tonight.”

She leaned into his caress. “Okay.”

His gaze intensified, and she thought he might lean down and kiss her, but Vincent clapped his hands and the moment was broken. She glanced over to see Vincent walking onto the stage with several men behind him. Tall men. Men that?—

“Oh, no!”

Alex had shaved off his beard and cut his hair, making him look exactly like the handsome man she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. He wasn’t as broad as he’d been, but obviously was still very muscular, as she’d felt on Saturday night. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled, but a sadness loomed around him. He was older now, in his mid-thirties, and his long imprisonment had taken its toll on his spirit.

But when his gaze locked onto her, all the old feelings rushed forth. Was he really here? Alive?

He turned away from her and said something to Vincent next to him. She stared as he followed Vincent to the center of the stage.

Anna realized all the female dancers were staring at him, star struck. Is this why he’d come? So he could attract the attention of the other dancers since she was avoiding him?

Aaron walked on stage at that moment and stopped short when he saw Alex. They made eye contact, and Alex gave a small shake of his head.

“Everyone!” Vincent clapped his hands again.

The whispers stopped, and everyone was free to gape at her husband as if he were a piece of meat. A very handsome piece of meat. Anna was having a hard time keeping her heart beating at a normal pace.

Alex smiled and she, along with every other woman on stage, melted. Hugo stiffened beside her, and Anna closed her eyes. This was not good. Not good at all.

“Everyone,” Vincent repeated. “I’d like to introduce you to Alex Kunzberg. A new and—‍” Vincent smiled. “... very generous donor. I believe you all gave him the name Euroman?”

The stage instantly filled with the sound of a hundred people whispering and giggling to each other. Alex smiled politely, but didn’t give flirtatious smiles to any of the women. He simply nodded his head in greeting.

Stef walked over to Anna and grabbed her hand. “Omigosh! He is so hot!” She giggled and then glanced at Anna. “Doesn’t he look a little like Kurt?”

Anna shrugged and glanced up to see Hugo pressing his lips together.

“So, he will be watching rehearsal today and spending time around the theater. Please be polite.” Vincent nodded. “And let’s begin our warm-up.”

Hugo turned on his heel and walked off the stage. Anna hurried after him.

“Hugo? Hugo, what’s wrong?”

He stopped in the wings and turned around, hurt in his eyes. “I never thought you could be so shallow, Katrina,” he said in a harsh whisper.

“What?”

“I saw how you reacted to... him... when he walked up. I thought you were different from the other women.”

It took Anna a moment to understand why he was so upset. She’d tried to mask her reaction to Alex’s appearance, but had apparently failed to do so. And now she’d hurt Hugo. Before she realized it, Hugo had spun around and walked away. “Hugo!” She ran after him into the dressing room area. “Hugo, wait. Please?”

He stopped, hands on his hips, but didn’t turn around. “That hurts, Katrina.”

Anna put her hand on his arm and walked around in front of him. “Hugo, please... I can explain...” But did she want to? No, but Hugo deserved the truth. “Hugo... I—‍” She took a deep breath. “That is Alex. My Alex. My... husband, who was dead—or so we were told.”

Hugo frowned and stared at her. “You expect me to believe that’s your dead husband out there? Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“I just found out on Saturday. Wilhelm called yesterday, telling me that I was free to do as I wanted.” She told him about Mr. J and how she discovered it was really Alex, and her conversations with Aaron and Wilhelm. By the time she was done, she was in tears. “I don’t know what to do, Hugo. I love you. I want to be with you. But... Alex... I don’t know what to do about him.” She looked up into his eyes. “Please believe me.”

He was still frowning, but let out a sigh. “I don’t think anyone could make up a story like that.” He closed his eyes and pulled her to him, stroking her hair. “I don’t want to keep you from him, Kittycat.”

“I don’t know what I want. I’m so confused.”

---