"There you are," Anna sighed softly. "I searched for you everywhere,"
Her heels clicked the floor softly and when she reached Tim, she placed a hand on his broad shoulder, and smiled to herself.
Anna's lips curled, as she hugged him from behind. She drew in the scent of his cologne. "Why are you standing here all alone,"
Tim's jaw clenched. He gently pulled her hand off his waist and stepped away from her. Not replying to her, he walked away, leaving her confused.
Anna frowned, her brows knitting together as she watched Tim's retreating figure. The air between them had shifted—gone was the confidence he always carried. He was… distant.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
"Tim," she called, her voice softer now, almost careful.
He didn't stop.
Anna's chest tightened as frustration built inside her. She had won. Aurora was gone. She had him now—so why did it feel like she was losing?
She hurried after him, her heels clicking against the cold floor. "Tim," she tried again, reaching for his arm.
This time, he did stop, but only to turn his head slightly, just enough for her to see his expression.
It was blank. Cold. Not the way he used to look at her. Not the way he used to look at Aurora.
"Go back inside, Anna," he said quietly.
Her breath hitched. "But—"
"Just go," he repeated, his voice flat. And then, without waiting for her reply, he walked away, disappearing into the night.
Anna stood there, frozen.
She had everything she wanted.
So why did it feel like she had nothing at all?
Anna stood there for a moment, her hands trembling at her sides. She bit the inside of her cheek, pushing down the unease clawing at her chest. No. She wouldn't let this shake her.
Tim was just upset. He'd come around—he had to.
With a sharp inhale, she straightened her shoulders and turned on her heel, making her way back inside. The warmth of the grand hall wrapped around her, the laughter and chatter of the dinner party filling the air. But none of it mattered. Not when Tim was slipping through her fingers.
She spotted her father near the head of the room, deep in conversation with Tim's mother. Without hesitation, she walked toward them, smoothing her dress and forcing a smile onto her lips.
"Father," she said, placing a hand on his arm. "Mrs. Carter."
Both turned to her, their proud smiles so stretched.
"What is it, dear?" her father asked, taking a sip of his wine.
Anna cast a quick glance around, ensuring no one else was listening, then leaned in slightly. "I think we should move the wedding up," she said, keeping her voice slick and urgent.
Her father raised an eyebrow. "So soon? The arrangements aren't finished."
"They can be," Anna insisted. "We have the resources. It's just a matter of finalizing the date." She turned to Tim's mother, her expression carefully measured. "You know Tim, he's just… overwhelmed. A wedding will ground him. It will remind him of his responsibilities."
Mrs. Carter tilted her head, studying Anna for a long moment. "Has something happened?"
Anna shook her head quickly. "No. But I don't want to wait. We all know this is the right decision." She softened her voice, pressing, persuading. "You and my father have planned this for years. It would be best for both families if we settle things sooner rather than later."
Her father hummed in thought, glancing at Mrs. Carter, who took a slow sip of her champagne. After a pause, she nodded.
"I suppose we could arrange for an earlier date," Mrs. Carter mused. "Tim will adjust."
Anna exhaled, relief washing over her. "Thank you."
She turned her gaze toward the doors Tim had disappeared through, her stomach twisting.
The air in the grand hall shifted. Tim walked in.
His presence commanded attention, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with a quiet fury that made the hairs on Anna's arms rise. His jaw was set, his shoulders tense, and the moment his gaze landed on her—on them—Anna's stomach twisted.
He had heard.
Mrs. Carter set down her champagne flute, her expression immediately hardening. "Timothy," she said smoothly, like a mother ready to scold a child.
Tim didn't acknowledge her. Instead, he stopped right in front of Anna, his voice low and edged with something dangerous.
"Are you out of your damn mind?"
Anna flinched. "Tim, I was just—"
"I don't want to hear it." His voice cut through hers, sharp and final. He turned to his mother and Anna's father, his gaze burning. "Stop whatever the hell you're planning. Right now."
"Timothy—"
"I said stop!" His voice boomed, silencing the surrounding guests who had started to eavesdrop. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You don't get to decide this. You don't get to force my life into whatever perfect little arrangement you want."
Mrs. Carter straightened, unfazed by his outburst. "You're upset. That girl has—"
"That girl," Tim snapped, his voice dropping to something cold, something lethal, "is still my wife."
The words hung in the air like a bomb, their weight undeniable.
Anna felt her breath hitch, her nails digging into her palms. "You—"
Tim turned to her, his blue eyes stormy with resentment. "Did you really think I would just stand by and let you manipulate your way into my life? Into my bed?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "You think rushing this wedding will make me forget the fact that I'm married to Aurora? Do you remember when you ran away a night to our wedding and placed Aurora as a stand in? Everything has changed since then,"
Anna's father cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Timothy, let's be reasonable—"
Tim let out a sharp, humorless scoff. "Reasonable? You want reasonable?" His eyes flickered to his mother. "Then listen closely—because this is the last time I'll say it."
He turned back to Anna, his expression void of any warmth, any kindness he might have once had for her.
"I am not marrying you."
Anna's chest tightened. "Tim, you don't mean that—"
"I mean every word I just said." He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear, but the hate in it was unmistakable. "You took everything from her. You lied, schemed, and now you want to wear my last name like a trophy?" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You disgust me."
Anna felt the room spinning, felt the weight of every watching eye pressing down on her.