Chapter 291
He said that the moment something odd happened with her phone, he noticed it immediately. Still, he didn’t do anything—he didn’t want to tip anyone off.
[Sonder: It’s an extremely sophisticated tracking app. If I hadn’t been monitoring your phone in advance, there’s no way I would have caught it. Whoever built this is seriously skilled.]
[Sonder: But don’t worry. I’m more than capable of removing it without anyone noticing.]
[Summer: Does this app do anything besides track my location?]
[Sonder: Yes. It logs everywhere you’ve been in the past two weeks, and if you ever go beyond a certain distance from the person who installed it, it triggers an alert and automatically sends them your new location.] Googlá´‡ search.net
[Sonder: If we don’t get rid of it, your every move will be under their control.]
[Sonder: Let me wipe it for you.]
Anastasia quickly typed-
[Summer: No, don’t!]
Sonder replied with a surprised question mark.
[Summer: He’s only worried about my safety, that’s all.]
There was no doubt about it-this had to be Harrison’s doing.
Yet Anastasia couldn’t even muster up anger. All she felt was a deep ache in her chest, a bittersweet tenderness.
She thought of how, after she started college, he couldn’t sleep alone and ended up moving with her to the apartment. She remembered how he wouldn’t even let her stroll through the garden by herself-he insisted on watching from upstairs, just in case. Only now did Anastasia finally realize she’d underestimated her place in his heart.
She hadn’t truly grasped how much she mattered to him-how much sway she held over his feelings.
If this was what it took to put his mind at ease—to make things a little easier for him-then so be it. It was just a tracking app. She could pretend she didn’t know.
Footsteps sounded behind her—measured, steady. She didn’t even need to look; she knew it was Harrison.
She turned and saw his tall figure in the doorway. Without thinking, her face lit up in a radiant smile-she didn’t even notice how much brighter her eyes had become.
“Hey, hubby!”
She ran to him, melting into the safety of his arms.
He hugged her close and kissed her forehead. “Feeling any better?”
She grumbled softly, “Not as awful as before
She looped her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to walk anymore. Carry me, hubby.”
Indulging her, Harrison lifted her up and started down the stairs.
Suddenly, something occurred to him. “Where did that incense come from?”
Anastasia tensed, assuming he was about to scold her for it again.
Feeling her stiffen in his arms, Harrison patted her gently behind the knee. “I’m just asking, not looking to punish you.”
He’d already disciplined her once; he couldn’t bring himself to do it again.
She snuck a glance at his face, saw he wasn’t bluffing, and relaxed. Tilting her chin up with a hint of pride, she declared, “I made it myself!”
Harrison raised his eyebrows, surprised. “You made it, Ana?”
“Of course! Impressed?” Anastasia’s toes wriggled with excitement. She was always modest around others, but with him, she couldn’t help but show off, wanting nothing more than to amaze him and win his praise.
“I’m very impressed,” Harrison said, meaning it.
His own team of doctors had been astonished by her skills-they’d called her a miracle worker. Clearly, his little wife was truly gifted.
He’d always assumed it was something her mother had left behind. After all, Cecilia’s reputation as a healer was legendary in Fairhaven.
Finally hearing his compliment, Anastasia beamed, her smile curling up at the corners. But after his praise ended, she found herself wishing he’d say more.
She tested the waters. “Hubby, I really am good, you know. I could treat you if you were ever sick.”
Harrison paused, his smile fading a touch.
After a moment, his expression softened. “Alright. Ana, I’ll let you try.”