Chapter 368
As soon as the family of three disappeared from sight, the smile slipped from Anastasia’s lips.
“Does it hurt?” a voice murmured beside her.
She turned to find Harrison watching her, concern and tenderness softening his deep eyes.
Her chest tightened. She turned away, then suddenly wrapped her arms around him, burrowing her head against his chest. “Not at all. They’re not worth my tears!”
She’d long since stopped seeing Gabriel as her father. Seeing his cold indifference again just left her with a taste she couldn’t quite name. For origınal chapters go to ~net
Harrison held his petite wife close, his large hand gently stroking her silky hair as he spoke, carefully choosing his words, “If you ever wanted family_”
“I don’t,” Anastasia interrupted, tightening her arms around his neck and gazing
up at him. “My mom is gone, yes, but now I have you, darling. You’re my love, but you’re also my family. I don’t need anyone else.”
“And besides, I have my cousin. You’ve met Juliet-you know how close we are. She treats me like a real sister, and I feel the same about her.”
“I have you two. That’s all I need.”
As for the rest of her grandfather’s side, well, she knew they still hadn’t forgiven her. Harrison probably knew that too, so she didn’t bring them up.
Harrison’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He pulled her even closer, holding her tightly in his arms, silent for a long moment.
Her utter trust and devotion warmed his heart, but beneath it all, it made him uneasy. She poured everything into him-what would become of her if he were ever gone?
Anastasia didn’t notice the shadow crossing his face. Suddenly, she looked up at him, her voice lighter. “Honey, you said just now that no matter what I do, even if I mess up, you’ll always protect me. Was that true?”
He stroked her cheek, answering without hesitation, “Of course.”
Her heart fluttered. She opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat. All she could do was squeeze him tighter. “You’re the best, darling!”
How lucky she was, to have found him.
Harrison pressed a kiss to her hair. “And you’re wonderful, too, Ana.”
A smile broke across her face. “Let’s go back to Rosewood Manor, okay? I had them clear out a patch of ground in the garden. Will you plant flowers with me?”
“Of course,” Harrison replied.
They returned to Rosewood Manor.
Anastasia adored the garden there. Every so often, she’d dig through the soil, planting strange and beautiful flowers that no one else had ever seen.
Asking Harrison to help her plant flowers was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but now that he’d agreed, she found herself truly excited.
What should they plant? If they planted it now, when would it bloom? Would the flowers still be there when she and Harrison’s hair had turned white?
Once home, she changed into a comfortable, loose outfit for working outside. Then she grabbed Harrison’s large hand and practically skipped toward the garden.
The gardens at Rosewood Manor were filled with rare and exotic blooms-any one of them could fetch a fortune if sold. But now, in one corner, where the old flowers had been cleared away, there was a patch of humble, unremarkable greenery-plants no one could name.
Those were Anastasia’s. She’d once mentioned wanting to plant something, and Harrison had immediately ordered a spot cleared for her.
Now, with her new idea, the staff-well aware by now who truly ran things at Rosewood Manor-didn’t even check with Harrison. As soon as she made the request, they had a fresh patch ready for her.
But this time, Anastasia had changed her mind about what to plant. Today, she wanted to grow something together with Harrison.