Chapter 347
“You manipulative witch! You used me?!” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ
Shirley lunged forward, seizing a fistful of Penelope’s hair and yanking hard.
Penelope shrieked, her cry echoing through the ballroom as chaos erupted. Some guests rushed forward, trying to break up the fight, while others slipped quietly toward the exits. The same debutantes who had eagerly tried to curry favor with Shirley by belittling Anastasia were now just as pale and shaken, dread etched across their faces. Each one hurried away, silently praying that Harrison Lancaster wouldn’t even remember their names-because everyone knew how ruthless he could be.
Juliet and Sandra lingered just long enough to watch Penelope get thoroughly humiliated, then exchanged satisfied glances and sauntered out, their curiosity sated.
Outside the hotel, Maggie was still in a daze. The sharp chill of the evening air finally snapped her back to reality.
“Wait-Anastasia’s husband is Harrison Lancaster?!” she blurted, eyes wide. She’d suspected Anastasia’s husband was someone powerful, but this? This was on an entirely different level.
Sandra just stared.
Juliet glanced at her, bemused.
Could Maggie’s processing speed be any slower?
Meanwhile, Anastasia had already slid into the back of Harrison’s car before realizing she’d left her friends behind. Flustered, she quickly grabbed her phone and messaged Maggie and the others, telling them to wait by the hotel entrance— she’d send the driver back for them.
As she finished texting and looked up, she caught Harrison watching her, his gaze deep and unreadable.
She instinctively smiled, then leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. “Honey, I’m so happy you came tonight!”
She’d suspected he might show up, but seeing him there-standing by her side— still felt like a wonderful surprise.
Harrison reached out to gently ruffle her hair. He hesitated, then asked quietly, “Ana, do you know what this means?”
Anastasia didn’t hesitate for a second. “It means everyone will know you’re my husband from now on!”
Her happiness was unfiltered and obvious, her bright, clear eyes reflecting his face.
Harrison froze, the words he’d meant to say dying on his lips.
Could she really not see it? By showing up tonight and making their relationship public, the news would spread across all of Riverton. If he were a healthy man, it wouldn’t matter—he’d gladly let the whole world know this was his wife, the woman he cherished above all else.
But the truth was, he was dying.
For every person in Riverton who feared him, there were just as many who hated him. When he was gone, she would be left all alone in a world full of enemies. Because of their connection, people would inevitably target her. Who would protect her then?
Harrison closed his eyes, forcing down the turmoil inside.
He’d never felt this reluctant to leave the world behind.
Anastasia couldn’t guess what he was thinking. All she saw was the flash of pain in his eyes, and her heart ached for him.
She hugged him tighter, her gaze unwavering and stubborn, tinged with a childish possessiveness. “I don’t care what happens. I just want everyone to know you’re mine, and I’m yours!”
Harrison looked at her, his eyes impossibly deep. Finally, a faint, hoarse smile tugged at his lips. “Alright.”
He bent down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
Back home, Harrison made a call, instructing someone to bring in a doctor.
He’d already seen countless specialists; none of them had been able to help, and
he’d long since stopped letting anyone try. Each new attempt only tore open wounds he’d tried so hard to ignore.
If he was doomed to die, he wanted to go with dignity.
But now, for this fierce and stubborn girl-for even the tiniest sliver of hope-he refused to give up. Not anymore.