Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister's Secret novel Chapter 357

Chapter 357

Anna’s POV:

The antiseptic smell of the hospital burned my nostrils as I stepped into Ethan’s room.

Emily sat slumped in a chair beside his bed, her fingers loosely intertwined with his. Blake stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at nothing in particular.

When our eyes met, we both looked away almost immediately. Something felt different–the usual tension between us had shifted into something I couldn’t quite name.

“Emily,” I said softly, touching her shoulder. “You need to rest. There’s an empty room next door.”

Emily looked terrible. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her fingers nervously fidgeted with the

hem of her shirt. Her voice was hoarse with unshed tears.

“The doctor said the bullet just missed…” She trailed off, her shoulders trembling slightly. “If it had

been just a little more to the left…”

I took her hands in mine, feeling how cold they were. “Ethan’s going to be fine,” I reassured her, my eyes conveying the depth of my concern. “He’s strong. You know that.”

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Blake hovering awkwardly in the doorway. His hands were

stuffed deep in his suit pockets, and he was watching me with an almost timid expression–like a puppy afraid of being scolded.

His brow was furrowed with worry. I found myself staring a moment longer than necessary, puzzled

by this unusual demeanor.

Emily glanced up, catching the strange energy between Blake and me. She waved her hand

dismissively, exhaustion evident in every movement.

“Go on, get out of here,” she urged. “Both of you should head home. I just need to rest a bit.”

Blake nodded at Emily, his voice unusually gentle. “Call if you need anything.”

Blake’s POV:

The tension in the car was palpable as we pulled away from the hospital. Anna fastened her seatbelt

and frowned, her fingers tapping nervously against her knee.

“Why were we in such a rush to leave?” she asked. “Emily doesn’t look good at all.”

I kept my eyes on the road, trying to maintain a neutral expression. “There’s nothing more we can do right now. Besides, the moment you left the room, I saw her slip back to Ethan’s side.” I was careful

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Chapter 357

to keep my voice steady, though my eyes kept darting to the rearview mirror to gauge Anna’s

reaction.

She sighed, crossing her arms. “She’s going to make herself sick if she doesn’t rest properly.”

My fingers drummed against the steering wheel as I gathered my courage. This was my chance–to

test the waters.

“Ethan just came out of surgery,” I said carefully. “How could she possibly rest?” I paused, heart hammering in my chest. “Anna, if it were me lying on that operating table, would you be resting, or

would you be by my side?”

I couldn’t help glancing at her through the rearview mirror, my jaw tense with anticipation. My breathing quickened slightly as I waited for her answer, feeling uncharacteristically vulnerable.

Anna looked startled by my question. Her eyebrow arched as she studied me, noting the dark circles under my eyes. Her voice softened.

“Don’t talk like that,” she said, reaching out to touch my arm lightly. “I’m just glad you’re healthy. And I should thank you for today–but please don’t do anything that dangerous again. It was too

risky.”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my voice strained. “I didn’t think twice. I couldn’t let you get hurt.” I swallowed hard, my Adam’s apple bobbing. “If it happened again, I’d do the same thing.”

I kept stealing glances at her through the mirror, hoping desperately to see some sign that she still cared. Anna seemed to understand what I was looking for, but hesitation clouded her features. Her fingers nervously traced the leather seat beneath her.

When my hope began to visibly fade, Anna closed her eyes and leaned back, pretending to be tired.

Anna’s POV:

As the suburbs came into view, I gazed out the window, deliberately changing the subject to something safer.

“You should stay home tomorrow to look after Nora and Oliver,” I said casually. “I need to go to the police station, and then visit Caroline and Claire.”

Blake slammed on the brakes so suddenly I lurched forward against my seatbelt. His face turned ashen, eyebrows knotting together as his fingers tightened around the steering wheel. He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Tomorrow? That’s… not going to work,” he stammered, avoiding my gaze. “We need to handle some paperwork for Oliver’s adoption, remember?”

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Chapter 357

Over the next few days, Blake seemed determined to keep me occupied. While sorting through legal documents for Oliver’s adoption, he casually broached the subject.

“If we remarried, adopting Oliver would be much easier,” he suggested, his eyes hopeful. “Have you thought about it?”