Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister's Secret novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Anna’s POV:

After sending that message, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

It was time to move forward, to put real distance between Blake and me. The decision to build a life with Seth felt right–difficult, but right.

I couldn’t sleep. Maybe because I’d been unconscious for too long after the… incident.

So I scrolled through New York City real estate listings on my phone, imagining a fresh start in a new city.

‘Seth and I could make a good life there, I thought, sending him a text suggesting we could move to New York together.

I tried making a mental list of items I’d need to take from Boston, but Blake’s face kept appearing in my mind.

His blue eyes. His stern expression that occasionally softened when we were alone. The way his jaw tightened when he was angry.

“This is just a grand farewell to the past,” I whispered to myself in the darkness. “Nothing more.”

My phone buzzed around 3 AM. Seth had finally replied.

[Already bought a place. Put your name on it too.]

I smiled and texted back: [You’re the second person to give me a house.]

His response came quickly: [Not thrilled about that.]

[The first was my father, Seth. The Back Bay apartment, remember? Not Blake.]

[Oh. Not upset. Just… feels weird. In a good way.]

I stared at the ceiling with empty eyes, my thoughts unusually clear. I understood everything perfectly–I just wasn’t feeling that spark of excitement. But adults don’t need excitement; they just need to be responsible for their choices.

And right now, choosing Seth feels like the right thing to do.

We made plans. I suggested meeting in New York tomorrow to see the house, but Seth refused. He needed to “settle things” first and give me “proper closure. We agreed to meet in New York in a week.

I slept until noon. A gentle knocking at my hotel room door eventually woke me. Emily stood outside, looking anxious but relieved to see me.

‘I didn’t want to wake you, but…” Her voice trailed off, concern etched on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, suddenly alert.

Emily stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “The MarineTech CEO jumped from the company’s rooftop this morning. Our assessment meeting’s been canceled.”

“What?” My stomach dropped. Marine Tech was the company whose marine resource development permit application we’d been evaluating at EcoMarine Group.

“It’s crazy, right? Daniel said Marine Tech was being pressured by Wright Group lately. They wanted to acquire the company’s ocean developmen Emily watched me carefully. “Do you think there’s a connection?”

ology.

My father’s words echoed in my mind. He’d warned me about the ruthlessness of business competition.

Blake had mentioned looking for marine technology investments before.

1/3

Chapter 198

A chill ran down my spine. Could this suicide be connected to a business acquisition?

‘Anna? You look pale. Is your neck hurting?” Emily misinterpreted my reaction.

“I’m fine, I lied. “Just shocked,”

“We should change your bandage. I’ll call for a car to take us to the hospital.”

As Emily stepped out to make the call, I grabbed my phone. After a moment’s hesitation, I dialed Blake’s number.

Silence filled the line after he answered. Finally, I asked, ‘Is Marine Tech’s situation connected to Wright Group?”

“Just a business acquisition.” His voice was cold. Since when do you care about my business matters?”

“What about the CEO’s death? Right before the acquisition?”

Blake’s voice dropped dangerously low. “Are you accusing me of something, Anna?”

“Did you use underhanded tactics to force the acquisition?” The words spilled out before I could stop them.

“Would you prefer it happened to Seth’s company?” he snapped.

“You only care about your family’s business, not about human lives!”

“I’m a law–abiding businessman. Everything follows legal procedures.”

“Double standards much? You can have your affair with Claire, but I can’t move on with my life?”

Blake’s control suddenly shattered. “Don’t mention Claire again!” he growled.

When he spoke again, his voice was eerily calm. “This doesn’t concern you. Focus on your relationship with Seth.”

“Don’t contact me again,” he added before hanging up.

My teeth were chattering, though it wasn’t cold. I’d never call him again. Never. The man I once loved was nothing but a bloodless business assassin.

Emily took me to the hospital. I remained silent during the drive, my mind racing. As we passed the MarineTech building, I noticed Wright Group personnel already entering.

Reporters clustered outside, but the scene had been cleaned up, as if someone wanted this tragedy quickly forgotten.

\

Back at the hotel, Henry called. “Your team doesn’t need to continue the Marine Tech assessment, he informed us. “Wright Group has announced the acquisition. The deal moved extraordinarily fast.”

I felt uneasy about the whole situation, while Emily was excited about the unexpected break.

If I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, I’d think this was all just a nightmare.

That evening, I video–called Seth. He immediately hung up. Five minutes later, he called back, his background clearly a bathroom.