Page 315 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

Aaron stared at Alex for a long moment and then turned to look at Jasmine, who was talking to Anna with a kind expression on her face. She was definitely different today. “He can do that?”

“Immortals can do all sorts of things.”

Anna hugged Jasmine and gave her a friendly smile and Jasmine looked... sincerely happy. He’d never seen the woman look that way.

“Give her a chance, Aaron. If you do, the others will. She acted out from her past hurts.”

Aaron scrunched his face and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine.”

Chapter 156

Later that afternoon, Anna looked around her empty room with a twinge of nostalgia. Only the bed remained. She would miss living with Aaron, but Alex being alive changed so many things. All for the good.

The movers had come as she’d arrived home after rehearsal. They’d helped her pack and were delivering her items as she stood there. Alex was out in the other room talking to Aaron, giving her a few minutes to herself.

Her friends in the company had been very supportive of her relationship with Alex, especially when they found out that Alex was the one person who could keep Devin away from her. Everyone knew who Devin was, and more than one said that they never wanted him to visit again.

Jasmine’s sincere apology had been the biggest surprise this morning. Anna could see something different in her. She was... peaceful. Anna would still be a little wary around her, though.

Tonight, she had to face Wilhelm and Kurt. She wasn’t looking forward to that. For one, she and Alex hadn’t had enough time together. She still hadn’t heard how he had escaped or what he’d gone through while he was captured. She didn’t know what would happen between now and Tyler’s funeral.

“Anna?” Alex walked into the room and gave her a bright smile. “Ready?” He glanced over to the window, a small smile on his face.

Anna followed his gaze and realized he was looking at the spot where he’d appeared to her in her dream. Or rather... “That wasn’t a dream, was it? When I dreamed of you.”

Alex shook his head, looking a little ashamed. “Sebastian helped me. I... I couldn’t let you get too involved with Hugo. I knew I was returning soon, and?—‍”

“You came just to keep me from getting too close to Hugo?” Anna gave him a bewildered look. “That’s why you came? You were jealous?”

Alex blew out a breath as Anna frowned and crossed her arms. “Anna, if I hadn’t come, and you and Hugo had become even more involved... What would have happened when I returned? What if I had given up on you? That day, when Devin came to the city? He would have found you and you would be back with him now, instead of here.” He inhaled slowly. “Yes, perhaps my motives weren’t totally pure. Yes, I was jealous. But?—‍”

“You manipulated me,” she said in a low voice.

“I kept you from getting hurt.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What would have really happened if I’d decided I didn’t want to be with you?”

Alex hesitated. She would be angry at the truth. “Anna, please—‍” He stepped forward and she stepped back.

“What would have happened?”

He searched her eyes, desperately wanting to conceal the truth, wanting her to believe she’d come to him of her own free will. He wanted to believe it, too. But he couldn’t lie. “You wouldn’t have chosen him.”

“What do you mean?” Her eyes narrowed further.

“You may have tried to be with him for a while, but eventually, you would have returned to me. We’re bonded, Anna. Sebastian said that’s why you could never get over me, even though you desperately wanted to. If I had truly been dead, the ties would have been severed and you would have been able to choose him. But because I was alive, the bonds remain active.” He sighed. “You would always choose me.”

Her jaw trembled and she clenched her fists. “You mean I never really had a choice?”

“I did what I could to let you have that choice, Schatzi. But... no, you didn’t.”

She stared at him a moment longer and then walked out of the room. The apartment door opened and closed, and his shoulders slumped.

“Seth!”

Seth’s curious face appeared in the doorway.

“Follow her. Make sure she’s okay, but don’t be seen. I want her safe, but she needs space.”

---