Chapter 152
“Darling!”
At the sound of her voice, Harrison turned his head. The moment Anastasia met his deep, enigmatic gaze, her heart skipped a beat, betraying her cool
composure.
No sooner had she climbed into the car than she dove straight into his arms.
“Darling, what are you still doing here?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with delight. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ.net
Harrison instinctively wrapped an arm around her, steadying her so she wouldn’t fall, his tone calm as he replied, “Just passing by.”
Just passing by? What were the odds?
A question mark all but popped above Anastasia’s head, but she didn’t doubt him for a second. Instead, she sighed contentedly, “Seems like even fate can’t bear to keep us apart. I get to see you again today-how wonderful!”
She snuggled against his chest, her expression radiating trust and comfort.
In the front passenger seat, Logan risked a glance at the rearview mirror. Ever since they’d left campus, Mr. Harrison Lancaster had been in a foul mood-but now, at last, his expression seemed to soften.
How on earth was he supposed to tell the new Mrs. Lancaster that fate had nothing to do with it? It wasn’t the universe being merciful-it was Harrison himself, unable to let go.
On the drive back earlier, the man’s foul mood had been almost visible. By the time they reached Rosewood Manor, the darkness on his face was enough to send the staff scattering.
At dinner, when he glanced at the empty place beside him, the gloom in his eyes deepened. He barely touched his meal before tossing his fork onto his plate and giving the driver a frosty command:
“Back to Kingsbridge University.”
Logan was honestly surprised. He hadn’t realized just how much Mr. Lancaster cared about his new wife. They’d only been apart a few hours, and already he couldn’t bear it.
Anastasia, oblivious to all this, spent half an hour in the car before finally, albeit reluctantly, speaking up. “Darling, shouldn’t you get going?”
She knew how busy Harrison was; his time was precious. No matter how much she wanted him to stay, she had to be considerate.
But Harrison’s expression darkened instantly; there was something intimidating in his eyes. “You don’t want to spend time with me?”
He looked down at her, his grip tightening around her waist until her ribs ached.
“I didn’t mean that Anastasia’s voice wavered, a little hurt.
She didn’t understand why he was suddenly upset, but she remembered all too well from her previous life: when he was unwell, his nerves were raw, his emotions volatile. Now wasn’t the time to argue-it was time to comfort him.
So she hurried to say, “I just don’t want to take up your time. You’re so busy, with so much to do.”
She hugged him tighter. “If only I didn’t have to go to class, I’d stay with you every single day!”
That remark hit Harrison right in the heart. For a fleeting moment, a dark temptation surfaced-he actually considered keeping her from school, just so she could be with him all day, every day…
But reason prevailed; he forced those thoughts down.
“I’m not busy. I can stay a little longer,” he said.
Anastasia gave a soft, obedient “Okay.”
They lingered in the car for over an hour. By the time night had fallen, Harrison finally, with visible restraint, released her.
“Go on,” he said quietly.
Anastasia got out, but after a few steps, she turned back. Through the dim glow of the car, she saw him sitting there-jaw clenched, features drawn in sharp relief, his whole figure swallowed by darkness and loneliness as he watched her walk away.
Her heart wrenched. Suddenly, she wanted to run back and suggest she just return with him to Rosewood Manor for the night.
She had barely taken a step when-
“Anastasia!”
Someone called her name. She turned and saw Helen, who should have been in class, hurrying toward her-her gaze fixed unabashedly on the car parked nearby.