Page 128 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

She read through the texts. Most were from Wilhelm, wanting to know if she was okay. There were a few from Travis, also wanting to know if she was okay. She listened to the messages. Travis and Wilhelm again. Each message from Wilhelm’s was more urgent. She hated that she’d caused him anxiety and quickly called him.

“Anna!” he exclaimed. “It is you, right?”

“Yes, Wilhelm. It’s me. I’m sorry I didn’t call. I just checked my phone and saw all your calls. I’m so sorry.”

“It is alright, Anna. I was so worried about you.” He sighed and said something in German off the phone. “Ilsa and Kurt are glad you are alright as well. Well, as alright as you can be.”

She blinked back tears at the loss of their baby. “Yeah, I’m okay. Are you?” She’d forgotten that Devin had made Wilhelm watch as the baby was ripped from her body. How could she have forgotten? She bit her lip to keep the sobs from escaping.

“I am much better now that I have heard your voice.” The tenderness in his voice made her close her eyes and wish she was back in Germany. “What he did, Anna... It is inexcusable. Barbaric.”

She sighed. “It’s Devin.”

“Yes. It is.”

Something in his voice gave her chills. “Wilhelm, please don’t cross him. He’ll kill you. You know he will.”

Wilhelm didn’t respond, and a chill ran through her body.

“Wilhelm? Please. Promise me.”

“I cannot promise you, Anna. I am sorry.”

Her heart froze. “What did you do?”

“I cannot not tell you. Please do not ask.”

“Wilhelm...” Fear squeezed her chest and the tears escaped. “Please Wilhelm. Don’t. Whatever you did, don’t. Undo it. Please, he’ll kill you. I can’t lose someone else I love. Think of your family.”

“I am thinking of my family,” he said in a low tone.

“Please undo it,” she whispered.

“I am sorry, Anna. I cannot do that.”

Anna stared at her steering wheel. “I love you. Please be careful.”

“I love you, Liebling. So much.”

She looked at the clock on the dash. It was after eight-thirty. “I have to go. Please... whatever you did. Reconsider it.”

“I will talk to you soon.” He disconnected before she could say anything else.

Anna walked into the dance studio, trying to process what Wilhelm had told her, and suddenly the absence of Peter’s presence overwhelmed her. She looked around and then walked to the corner and sat down. She was reluctant to go to her old place in the back center, where she and Peter and Aaron had danced together. The corner she’d chosen would keep her away from any trouble, since it was far away from any friends.

But sitting there alone allowed thoughts of Wilhelm to return. She shook her head, desperate to think of anything else.

Nutcracker. Yes, she could think about that. Rehearsals began today. Who would dance the Nutcracker Prince now that Peter was gone? Travis, maybe? He’d been Snow King. Maybe Isaak would bump him up. She looked around at the other principles. They were all capable men, but they weren’t Peter. Or Aaron, for that matter. Both Peter and Aaron had that extra special something that made her wonder if Immortal blood ran through their veins.

Her eyes landed on Justin. He was a very talented dancer and had been with the company for several years, but joined after Alex had died. He seemed friendly enough, but because Peter hadn’t been friends with him, they hadn’t interacted very much.

Looking up from a stretch, Justin’s brown hair flopped into his gray eyes, and he smiled when he caught her watching him. Anna looked away. The last thing she needed was the attention of another man.

Travis arrived a few minutes later. He dropped his bag and plopped down on the floor next to her. “Anna! You’re here. Why didn’t you call me?”

“I just got your messages this morning. I’m sorry.” She didn’t look up at him, not wanting to encourage his attention.

“Are you okay?”

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