3. Mr. Harrison! 

Cassandra pointed at me, her soft voice echoing in the hallway. 

That was when Aiden peeled his gaze from her, and the tender look on his face was instantly gone.

But instead of appearing confused, only fear and frustration flashed in his eyes.

He quickly let go of Cassandra, 

While Cassandra trembled on the spot, staring at me fearfully like she'd seen the Grim Reaper.

“A- Annalise…” She staggered forward, her expression a mix of concern and wariness. “I— I heard you are sick. I'm so sorry about your miscarriage. I should have visited you at the hospital and offered my condolences—”

“Cassie and I are only here to meet a client.” Before Cassandra finished speaking, Aiden stepped forward, shielding her behind him protectively. “You didn't have to stalk us, Annalise. You should still be in the hospital.”

“Y-Yes.” Cassandra squeaked from behind him. “The client is from a very big company. Without Aiden’s help, I’ll never be able to meet him. Aiden worked day and night to make sure I got this appointment. Please don't misunderstand us, Annalise. It's only about work.”

Glancing from the anxious girl to the cautious man, I suppressed a chortle.

Right.

In the past, I was the foolish woman who would disregard her health to stalk a man who would rather be with another woman.

In the past, I would have followed Aiden to Cassandra’s place and pleaded with him to spare me at least a minute of his time.

In the past, I would literally cry on my knees, begging him to come home with me.

Aiden would disregard my pleas.

He would accuse me of being too desperate. 

He would assure me that there was really nothing going on between him and Cassandra, and I was being too sensitive. 

Even now,

He thought I had secretly followed them to make a scene.

To beg him to return home with me. 

To accuse Cassandra of trying to snatch him. 

I rolled my eyes, treating their words as air, and glanced at my wristwatch.

Tania hadn't gotten back to me.

She must have prepared the divorce papers by now. 

Making a mental note to call her immediately I left here, I resumed walking, moving past the couple.

But Aiden grabbed my arm. And this time, confusion flashed in his eyes. “Annalise…”

“Mr. Harrison, I’m in a hurry. Can you please unhand me?” 

My voice was low, my tone light but firm. 

“Mr. Harrison?” Aiden stared at me as if assessing a strange object. “Annalise, are you alright—?”

“You’re still here!” The hopeful voice interrupted. Xander came striding down the hallway, his expression turning from frantic to blank the moment he noticed the other two people. 

He stopped beside me, his eyes falling on Aiden’s hand that held my arm. 

Masking the anger in his eyes with indifference, he looked at me. “Is this man bothering you?” 

But the urgency in Xander’s tone gave his annoyance away. 

Aiden immediately let go, more confusion swirling in his eyes. “Mr. Sterling, do you perhaps know her?”

Xander just stared at him.

The awkward silence stayed for a few seconds, before Aiden cleared his throat, quickly extending his hand. “By the way, it is a pleasure to meet you. We are very sorry for arriving just now. We didn't know you would be here in person.”

“Uhm, Mr. Sterling…” Cassandra stepped forward, smiling bashfully. “I… I mean, we feel honored that you came here to meet us in person. The HR manager didn't say that you would come, but here you are…”

As if he'd rather be anywhere else but here, Xander glanced at his wristwatch impatiently. 

And before leaving, he grabbed my hand and walked out of the hotel with me. 

“What are you doing?”

“We aren't done speaking yet, Big Sis.” Outside the building, Xander gave me a desperate look. “Can’t you see how difficult it is for me to keep this stoic persona? By the way, who's that scumbag who tried to harass you in the hallway?”

I let out a tired sigh.

“Besides, you didn't even touch the food and you look hungry,” Xander added. “Big Sis, tell me. What should I do to make you come home?”

True, I was hungry.

And I’d rather be anywhere aside from this hotel. Because, Aiden was nearby, and I might also faint from exhaustion.

Thankfully, one of the bodyguards rushed forward and whispered something in his ear. 

Xander cursed under his breath before turning to me. “Hang in there, Big Sis! I'm still coming back!”

He soon left with his entourage of cars and bodyguards. I didn't spend another second there either.  

As I walked out of the hotel, my phone rang and I brought it out to see Tania’s name flashing on the screen.

Finally!

I answered at the first ring. 

“Hello—”

“What the hell is going on, Anna?” Tania’s voice resounded through the speakers. “I took an entire day searching, and there's still no single record that you and Aiden have ever been married!”