Page 296 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

She stared at her phone for a long minute before tapping on Wilhelm’s picture on the screen.

“Hello, Liebling,” Wilhelm answered in a gentle voice. “Thank you for calling me.”

He didn’t sound angry. Was it a trick? She’d never thought Wilhelm capable of trickery before, but her father-in-law had clearly learned how to be sneaky and deceptive. “Hello, Wilhelm.”

There was a pause before he spoke. “Anna, I know I have been... distant and hard on you these last few months. I am very sorry about that. Now that you know that Alex is back, I do not have to hide anything from you anymore. The last few months have been very, very busy and I am so sorry I pushed you aside.”

Anna didn’t respond. She didn’t know what Alex’s return had to do with his pushing her aside. He had hidden Alex’s return from her too, and it hurt.

“Anna, I am lifting any commands I have given you since you arrived in New York.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What?”

“When you arrived, you were told you were free and then I removed your freedoms without explaining why. That was unfair of me. Obviously, you are no longer engaged to Kurt, but I—‍” He hesitated. “I remove the ban on you being with Hugo as well.”

Alex had returned—her husband had returned—and Wilhelm was telling her it was okay for her to be with Hugo?

“Alex will respect your wishes about whether or not people learn that he is your husband. He will not demand you return to him.”

Anna didn’t know what to say.

“I only ask that you give him a chance to win you back. That is not a command.”

“He’s leaving again . . .”

“For jobs given to him by myself, Tom, and Vlad. There is no trap. They are simple jobs, and, if you want, he can remain in contact with you while he is gone. Aside from a handful of us, no one knows he is alive.”

“Anyone who sees him will know he’s related to Kurt.”

“If you want him to remain out of sight, he will. Though it will be difficult for him to take you out if he does.”

“Take me out?”

“How else do you court a woman?”

“Oh.”

“Is it alright if he asks you out on a date?”

“I—‍” Alex wanted to ask her out? He wouldn’t demand her return? He would even hide that they were married if she wanted him to. She could go out with Hugo, too. “Y-yes, I suppose so.”

“Gut.”

“What if I decide I don’t want to be with him?”

Wilhelm didn’t answer right away and Anna bit her lip, her stomach doing somersaults. “Then I will permit a divorce,” he said softly.

Anna inhaled deeply. He really meant what he was saying. She really was free. Free to choose whether or not she wanted to be with Alex. Tears came to her eyes at the thought of not being with him, but she didn’t want to think about that now. “Thank you, Wilhelm,” she whispered. Freedom.

“I love you, Liebling. I want you to be happy.”

Anna’s lower lip trembled. “I love you, too, Wilhelm.”

Anna stared at the engagement ring she held in her hand. The one that Kurt had given her. She no longer had to wear it. She was no longer engaged. Yes, she was married, but only technically. If she didn’t want to stay with Alex, she didn’t have to. The thought was both heart-freeing and sad.

Now what did she do?

Chapter 147

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