Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister's Secret novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Anna’s POV:

As we stepped back into Seaside Manor, Claire’s sugary voice instantly filled the living room.

“Blakey, you’re finally back!” she called out, lounging on the sofa in skintight leotard, a fashion magazine dangling from her manicured fingers. “Could you help me with this new dance move? We have a performance next week.”

She gracefully rose to her feet and executed a perfect arabesque.

I kept my face neutral. Claire should have been at dance rehearsal today, not waiting at home.

Blake set down his briefcase with a sigh. “Claire, I just picked Anna up from work. I’m a bit tired.”

“Just a quick look,” she pouted, her eyes flashing with that stubborn glint I’d come to recognize. Blake nodded reluctantly.

I slipped away to the kitchen without a word. No point in watching this familiar performance.

Dinner was tense. I’d prepared everything myself–roasted beef tenderloin with garlic butter potatoes and fresh asparagus. Claire’s cutlery scraped against her plate with unnecessary force, her gaze flicking between Blake and me.

“Blake, could you drop me off at the coast next Monday? I need to collect some samples for the research project Henry assigned me, I asked.

Just as I cut a piece of steak for Blake, Claire suddenly spoke up.

“Anna, Blake is already exhausted every day. Can’t you stop causing problems?” Her voice dripped with disapproval. “Going to work is your business. Can’t you stop making his already tiring life worse?

My hand froze midway to my mouth. I gripped my napkin tightly in my left hand before setting down my fork. I could feel Blake’s

eyes on me.

Blake narrowed his eyes and put down his utensils, his expression turning serious. The silence that followed was suffocating.

The Wright family never discussed contentious matters at the dinner table.

Before Blake could speak, I jumped in, my voice tight. “I’m sorry. Claire’s right. I wasn’t thinking things through.” I swallowed hard. “I’ll transfer you $50,000 for spending money later. If it’s not enough, I’ll send more.”

Blake frowned, clearly displeased. “Anna! You’re giving her-”

“An apology, right?” I cut him off, my voice steady though my eyes were burning.

I stood up and gave Claire a small bow. “I’m sorry, Claire!”

My voice shook slightly with the effort of holding back tears. Claire looked stunned.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just-”

I didn’t wait for her to finish. I turned and quickly eft the dining room, hastily wiping the corner of my eye as I fled.

The rooftop had become my sanctuary. The night air was cool against my skin as I stared at the moon, my eyes dry and empty. In my head, I calculated how long it would take Claire to finish dinner.

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Chapter 79

Once enough time had passed 1 transferred $50,000 to her account with a lengthy, sincere apology attached.

Deep down, I knew exactly what I was doing–letting Claire belleve was a pushover, a traditional wife shackled by money and appearances. This way, she’d lover her guard and reveal more of her true nature.

As the night deepened and the moonlight intensified, I found myself thinking of my mother, Lillian.

The moon’s pale face reminded me of her, and I recalled her words: Business is like warfare. Know yourself and your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle.”

I don’t know how much time passed before the rooftop door creaked open. Blake’s silhouette appeared in the moonlight.

“You found a good spot,” he laid quietly, settling on the lounger beside mine. Eventually, he lay back, and we both gazed up at the

stars.

I didn’t look at him or speak. I just closed my eyes, trying to shut out everything.

Blake sighed, breaking the silence. “I wasn’t telling you to apologize to her. I was going to ask why you’re giving her money. I’ve given her my secondary card. She can’t even spend all of it, and I don’t allow her to waste money anyway.”

His words cut through me like a knife. In four years of marriage, I’d never had Blake’s secondary card. But his stepsister did.

I thought about our joint household account that Blake had set up when we married, meant for family expenses. I could check the balance, but any large withdrawal required Blake’s signature.

I’ve always been an outsider, I thought bitterly. Love really did blind me.

I remained silent. Blake, misinterpreting my silence as anger, began to coax me in a gentle voice.

“Besides, picking you up today didn’t tire me at all.”

“I was happy to do it.”

“You were fine in the car. What’s wrong now?”

He moved closer, his hand caressing my cheek before he bent down to kiss my forehead. His familiar scent surrounded me, but I felt

suffocated.

I sat up slowly, creating space between us, and looked directly into his eyes.