Chapter 198

Seeing Juliet remain silent, Sandra didn’t hesitate-she snatched another cup of milk tea and shoved it into Juliet’s hands.
Startled, Juliet quickly protested, “You don’t need to do this. I’ve already forgiven you!”
She had always been soft-hearted, and now, looking at Sandra’s pitiful
expression, she couldn’t hold onto any resentment for what had happened in the past.
Anastasia stood by, watching coldly without a word.
Sure, Sandra had been a victim in her own right, but the way she’d bullied Anastasia’s cousin before-none of that could just be brushed aside.
Anastasia hadn’t planned to let her off so easily, but seeing Sandra apologize so earnestly, and with her own cousin having already forgiven her, it didn’t seem right to press the issue any further.
“Juliet, let’s go,” she said.
As they passed by Maggie and her friends, Anastasia paused for a moment and said, “Thanks for earlier.”
She’d noticed the kindness in their actions—she wasn’t the sort to ignore people’s good intentions. Google seaʀᴄh.net
“Oh! Um, it’s nothing! Really!” Maggie’s eyes went wide, her hand fluttering awkwardly as excitement and nerves tangled together.
Anastasia found their reaction a little odd but didn’t dwell on it. She simply took Juliet by the arm and headed out.
It was getting late, and her husband was probably already waiting at home. Time to head back.
At the school gates, Anastasia watched Juliet climb into the Brennans’ car before finally relaxing and making her way back to her apartment.
She’d barely reached the front door when her phone rang-Harrison’s name lit up on the screen.
“Where are you?” His deep, smooth voice came through the line.
A smile crept onto Anastasia’s lips before she could stop it. “I’m home already!”
She practically skipped through the doorway. Harrison was standing by the window, but his eyes flicked straight to the door as she entered. Her heart melted at the sight, and she ran straight into his arms.
“I missed you so much!” she said, burying herself in his embrace.
Harrison caught her with practiced ease. After spending the whole day in an empty apartment, it felt as if something inside him had finally been restored.
No matter how many times she told him she missed him, he never grew tired of it. The corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly, even as he chided her in a half-hearted tone, “Careful, you.”
Then, more softly, “What happened today? You’re in such a good mood.”
“I’m not telling!” Anastasia tightened her hold on him, hiding her bashful smile against his chest.
She wasn’t about to admit that her happiness was all because of his phone call just now.
If this were her previous life, around this time she’d have been miserable— grieving over her breakup with Aaron and tormented by the prospect of being forced to marry Harrison. Back then, every day had felt like a blur.
But now, everything was different.
Just knowing there was someone waiting for her at home-knowing he was thinking of her, that he’d actually call if she was a few minutes late—the sweetness of it all filled her heart, leaving one corner of it deliciously soft.
Her eyes stung with emotion. How lucky she was to get a second chance at life.
The next morning, her first two classes were core subjects, and the whole class attended together.
As soon as Anastasia entered the classroom, Maggie and her friends waved her over. “Anastasia! Over here, there’s a spot!”
Anastasia hesitated for a second, then made her way over to them without turning them down.
Maggie looked like she might burst with excitement-Anastasia had actually responded to her!
Even their gossip session seemed livelier than ever.
“Did you hear? Penelope didn’t come to school at all today!”