Page 114 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“You fucked him?” He backed away.

“I healed him,” Anna corrected in a soft voice.

“By fucking him.”

Anna flinched at his crude words. “Yes.”

Kurt looked at her for a long moment. “I love you, Anna. More than any other woman I have ever known.” He shook his head. “But I cannot deal with you fucking my father. It—‍” He sighed. “Gretchen wanted him.”

“I love your father. I love you. He is my Master. I can’t not be with him. It’s part of my duties.”

“Duties!” He snarled and Anna jumped back. “Mein Gott, Alex, why did you have to die?” It was a wailing question shouted into the dark night. He fell to his knees and looked up at her, shaking his head. “I cannot do this, Anna. I am not my brother.” His shoulders slumped and he hung his head. “I am not meant to be an Elder-Son. I am meant to be the irresponsible little brother who drives his family crazy with his antics.”

Anna’s heart went out to him. “I understand, Kurt,” she said in a soft voice, kneeling next to him. She lifted her hand to his rough cheek. “I’m not meant to be an Elder-Mistress. But I am, and it’s terrible.” She smiled gently at him. “Your father is so proud of you,” she said earnestly. “You have done so well. Don’t give up.”

“He is proud of me?” His voice was strained.

“Yes. I see it in his eyes when he looks at you. And he’s told me so. You have made him so happy.”

Kurt pressed his lips together and shook his head. “I want to make Vati proud. I want to do right. But it is so against my nature.” He stroked her cheek. “I do not want to share you with anyone,” he whispered. “It breaks my heart thinking of you with other men. Even men who love you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you. I love you.” The warmth began to grow inside her again and she looked at him. She could help him, too. Take away his pain. Make him strong. Make him... let her go. She winced at the thought, but it would help him. She could never stop being what she was. But she could make it so he could find a good wife to make him happy. And let her go.

She leaned up to kiss him. “Let me heal your pain,” she whispered hypnotically. “Come.” She stood and led him to bed and healed him as she had healed his father.

Chapter 64

Anna flew back to San Francisco with only Wilhelm. Kurt had stayed home. She could see in his eyes that he had let her go, and now he could find a suitable wife. One he didn’t have to share.

Anna stared out the window and ached for Kurt. But it was for the best. He deserved to be happy. Genuinely happy. He was a kind, strong man, and he would make any woman proud to be his wife. It just wouldn’t be her. It couldn’t be her.

Wilhelm came and sat behind her on the couch and nuzzled her neck. His grief had been healed, and he was once again the strong, confident man she knew. Ilsa had thanked her before she left.

“We will be landing soon,” he said softly, running his hand down her thigh. They had made love several times during the long trip back to California. She would miss his gentle touch. Once she was back with Devin, who knew when she would have gentle touch again.

He kissed her neck and she closed her eyes and sighed. “I will miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Wilhelm,” she said softly, leaning back against him.

It was Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco when they landed. Wilhelm would take her to Devin tomorrow and maybe stay a few more days, depending on what Devin had planned. They would spend today getting settled back into the house. Anna was at peace with living there now, content with the memories of Alex in her heart. He would have wanted her to be there.

As they were driving into the city from the airport, her phone rang, playing Devin's distinct ringtone. Wilhelm frowned but nodded when Anna told him who was calling. “Hello, Devin.”

“Hello, Baby. I see you’re back in town.”

Anna frowned. “How did you?—‍”

“I know where you are at all times. Did you enjoy your time with Wilhelm and his family?”

“Yes. I did.”

“Good. I hope you’ve gotten them out of your system for a while. Where are you heading now?”

“To the house. Alex’s—er, my house. I don’t know what had happened to the apartment and thought I might like to stay at the house for a while.”

“You thought you would like?” Devin repeated coldly. “Oh, Anna, you have grown far too independent for your own good. Stay where you’d like tonight, but as of tomorrow, you are living with me at my house.”

Anna gasped. “At your house?”

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