Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister's Secret novel Chapter 33

Anna’s POV:

I quickly stood up, gesturing to the nearest server. “Excuse me, could we get another-

My words were cut short as Blake reached our table. His fingers wrapped firmly around my wrist, pulling me down beside him as he took the empty chair next to mine. The pressure of his grip sent a clear message before he released me.

‘Don’t bother,” he said coolly. “I’ve already asked them to bring another setting.”

The four of us sat in awkward silence around the small table. Seth’s mouth twitched with a barely suppressed smirk that made Blake’s expression darken. I could feel the tension radiating from Blake’s body next to mine, his shoulders rigid beneath his perfectly tailored suit.

Thank god for the waiter who appeared with another set of silverware and menus, breaking the suffocating silence.

“What a surprise, Henry said finally, his voice smooth and controlled. “We didn’t expect to see you here, Mr. Wright.”

Blake’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Clearly.”

The waiter arrived with the restaurant’s new specialty dish. Henry, sitting across from me, pointed excitedly at the plate.

“Anna, you’ve got to try this new truffle and wild mushroom tart. The chef just added it to the menu today.”

As the waiter was about to place the elegant dish in front of me, Blake’s hand shot out, pushing the plate away.

“Anna’s allergic to certain wild mushrooms,” he said sharply. “We can’t risk it.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign he was annoyed. “How thoughtful of you. Though maybe Anna could decide for herself what she wants to try?” He smoothly redirected the rejected plate toward Seth. These mushrooms are quite rare–shame to miss out.”

God, these men and their

Cons.

As our main courses arrived, Henry lifted his wine glass. “To this unexpected gathering today.”

I smiled and raised my glass. Seth followed suit. All three of us turned expectantly toward Blake.

Blake lifted his glass with deliberate slowness. “Meeting an expert like Mr. Smith is certainly a rare

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Chapter 33

opportunity. However,” his eyes flicked to mine, “I still believe Anna is unsuited to working with

you.”

Henry met Blake’s gaze directly, his smile unwavering but his eyes sharp. “I believe everyone has the right to choose their own path, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Persisting in the pursuit of self–worth, one always finds a way forward.”

The glasses clinked together, the sound brittle in the tense air between us.

When dinner finally ended, I murmured to Seth that I needed to use the restroom, then slipped away

to the front desk.

I had just signed the receipt when a familiar hand clamped around my wrist. Blake pulled me into a secluded corner of the hallway leading to the restrooms, his grip painfully tight.