Chapter 75: Oh Anna
Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose at the sheer force of Norma’s voice, her words cutting through the receiver like steel. Still, he steadied himself and confirmed flatly, "Yes, I did marry Anna."
"And when," Norma’s tone sharpened, cold and precise, "were you planning to tell me?"
Daniel’s jaw tightened. Of course—this was what he had dreaded. He hadn’t told her, not because he wanted to hide it forever, but because the timing was wrong. Norma had always been more invested in his union with Kathrine Bennett. The marriage Hugo pushed onto him had been the perfect weapon for their shared goal—the Bennetts’ downfall.
But Kathrine’s disappearance had shattered that plan, leaving him cornered. Marrying Anna had been an unplanned move, a compromise. A move Norma was never going to forgive easily.
"I thought—"
"Don’t tell me you’re straying from your promise, Daniel." Her interruption was sharp enough to slice through his defense. "If that’s what this is, then be honest with me right now."
Her words hit him like a blade to the chest. He closed his eyes briefly, swallowing down the storm inside. "No. I haven’t forgotten. I know exactly what I promised you, Aunt Norma. Marrying Anna... it’s just another step toward destroying the Bennetts."
But deep down, the thought he dared not voice clawed at him. I doubt she’s one of them...
There was silence. Heavy. Suffocating. Daniel thought for a moment Norma had hung up, but then her voice returned, low and deliberate.
"If that’s truly how you see it, then I’ll trust you. But..." She let the pause linger, weaving tension into the air. "Make sure you don’t get swayed. Don’t lose sight of the goal. I won’t tolerate weakness—least of all over a Bennett girl."
It was less advice and more warning, and Daniel heard the suspicion laced beneath it. As if she already knew Anna had become his distraction.
His grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles paling. "Understood. I’ll keep that in mind."
"Good," she said curtly, before asking a few logistical questions and cutting the line.
Daniel lowered the phone slowly, tapping the back of it against his chin as he stared blankly out the car window. His thoughts spiraled, colliding in conflict.
Norma’s words were a blade he couldn’t shake. He wanted vengeance. He needed the Bennetts’ ruin. That had always been the plan.
But then there was Anna.
Anna, who flinched at her father’s voice.
Anna, who smiled through her pain.
Anna, who somehow unsettled every wall he had built.
"Oh, Anna..." his mind whispered, frustration curling through his chest. "How did you become my distraction?"
He shut his eyes briefly, regaining his composure. There was no room for hesitation—not now, not ever.
Pulling out his phone again, he dialed Henry.
"Boss?" Henry answered quickly.
"Two girls mistreated Anna after the table read. Find out who they are and what their motive was."
His tone was razor-sharp, leaving no room for argument.
Norma’s call might have clouded his focus for a moment, but Daniel wasn’t someone who let things slip—not when it concerned Anna. Someone had dared to humiliate her, to put their hands on her, and worse, it happened right under his nose.
And that was unforgivable.
Slipping the phone back into his pocket, he gave a curt nod to the driver. The car pulled forward, his mind already strategizing the next move.
No matter what Aunt Norma suspected, no matter what Anna thought of him—he wouldn’t let anyone else touch her.
***
[Restroom Corridor]
Anna emerged from the restroom, freshly changed, only to stop short. Ethan was still there, leaning casually against the wall as though he had every right to stand guard.
"You didn’t have to wait," she murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she stepped toward him.
"I know," Ethan said, straightening and sliding his hands into his pockets. "But I wanted to make sure you’re okay."
Anna tried to brush it off with a light laugh. "You keep asking that a lot."
"Then answer me," he said, his voice low but firm. "Why did those girls come after you?"
The memory of eggs cracking against her chest flashed in her mind. Anna exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. "I honestly don’t know what gave them the idea that I stole their role. But... yes—those two were the same girls who caused a scene during the audition."
The moment she said it, her thoughts tightened like a knot. Fiona’s smug face flickered across her memory. It’s too neat to be coincidence. She couldn’t prove it yet, but something about the girls’ timing reeked of manipulation.
"Then why didn’t you say something earlier?" Ethan frowned, his brows drawing together. "We could have taken action before it got this far."
Anna gave a half-shrug. "And what? Feed the drama? I’m not giving them that satisfaction."
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "I don’t like it. They got in without anyone noticing. What if they try again?"
His concern was so earnest it caught her off guard. Anna blinked, momentarily lost for words, then forced a small smile. "I don’t think they’ll risk it. After today, I’m sure they’ve learned their lesson."
Ethan studied her face carefully. The curve of her lips said I’m fine, but the faint shadow in her eyes told him otherwise. He recognized it—he’d seen that same quiet resilience years ago, back when she’d endured far worse in silence.
"I hope you’re right," he said at last, his tone softening. "But if anything like this happens again..." His gaze held hers, steady and unwavering. "Promise me you’ll reach out. Don’t try to handle it alone."
Anna’s throat tightened. For a heartbeat she forgot how to breathe beneath the weight of his steady, protective stare. Finally, she nodded—small, but certain. "Okay."
"Now come on, let me drop you home," Ethan offered, already reaching for his car keys.
Anna’s reaction was instant—too instant. "No! You can’t," she blurted, shaking her head so hard her hair whipped across her face.
Ethan froze, eyebrows arching. "...I can’t?"
The flat refusal caught him off guard. That was the third time she’d turned down a simple ride, and the sharpness in her voice this time made him pause.
’Why?’
A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. ’Don’t tell me she’s avoiding going home.’
His thoughts darted back to the day she’d leapt in front of that speeding car without a second thought. Reckless, fearless... and hiding something. Maybe she had somewhere else she always disappeared to—some secret life of public service, or a place she went to escape.
Ethan studied her for a beat longer, then let the tension slide from his shoulders and tried a lighter approach. "Alright," he said with a half-smile, tucking his keys back into his pocket. "If you’re set on not going home yet... how about we do something else instead?"
Anna blinked, caught off guard by the shift. "Something... else?"
"It’s been ages since I just went out and chilled," he said, his voice warm with easy mischief. "No scripts, no cameras, no schedules. Just... a break. What do you say?"
Her lips parted, hesitation flickering across her face. The offer dangled in the air between them, unexpected and tempting—and far harder to refuse than a simple ride home.’