Chapter 2

Anastasia's POV

A searing pain tore across my tongue, and the metallic tang of blood flooded my mouth. Still, I didn't make a sound.

Instead, Timothy's body went rigid. Every bit of pain from biting my tongue was transferred to him in full.

He tightened his grip on my shoulder, the veins standing out across the back of his hand.

"Ana!"

Suddenly, he realized what was happening and forgot about himself. Panic seized him as he bent down and tried to pry my jaw open.

"Let go!"

I refused. If anything, I bit down harder.

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth and ran down Timothy's fingers. Yet, it felt strangely satisfying.

He had no idea that everything I'd suffered in his place over the past three years had been infinitely worse.

Timothy turned toward the door and bellowed, "Someone get the doctor! Now!"

In an instant, hurried footsteps thundered outside.

Edna stumbled through the door. The instant she saw the blood around my mouth, she screamed.

Before I knew it, Sarah rushed over and grabbed Timothy's arm. "What happened to Anastasia? This is all my fault. If I hadn't asked to come live here, she wouldn't have…"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.

Somehow, the panic on Timothy's face eased the moment he saw her crying. He reached over with one hand and reassured her, saying, "This has nothing to do with you. Don't cry."

He was making sure neither of us was neglected. How considerate.

The doctor was drenched in sweat as he looked helplessly at Timothy. "General, she won't let go. What should we do?"

Timothy's expression darkened at once. He gently pushed Sarah aside before cupping my face in both hands.

"Come on. Let go."

But I refused to look at him.

At last, his patience snapped. He shot to his feet and pointed at Edna, who was on her knees nearby.

"If you don't let go, I'll have them drag her outside and beat her to death!" he said, his voice cold with murderous intent.

The color drained from Edna's face, but she bit her lip and didn't make a sound. A beat later, she said, "I'm not afraid, Mrs. Grayson. Please, don't worry about me."

My heart lurched, and my jaw finally relaxed. Edna had been loyal to me. I couldn't let her suffer because of me.

The doctor hurried over and sprinkled medicinal powder onto the wound. It took several long minutes before he finally managed to stop the bleeding.

…

I didn't know how long I'd been out. By the time I woke, the lamps had already been lit.

Edna sat beside my bed, her eyes swollen from crying.

At that moment, Sarah's laughter drifted in from outside, followed by Timothy's low, gentle voice.

Then, they walked in together.

Sarah held a flower with two blossoms growing from the same stem. She held it up to Timothy and asked with a smile, "Isn't it beautiful, General Grayson?"

A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he nodded.

My gaze settled on the twin blossoms, and it felt as though someone were slowly carving into my chest.

Three years ago, during Timothy's first battle, a stray arrow had pierced straight through his back.

When the pain reached me, I was sitting by the window embroidering a shirt for him. The next second, I'd toppled out of my chair and hit the floor, my entire body convulsing from agony.

Timothy had rushed home that very night. Fumbling, he pulled a tiny wildflower from inside his coat and gently tucked it behind my ear.

His fingertips brushed my cheek, and his voice was soft yet hoarse as he said, "Ana, my life is yours as much as it's mine."

I couldn't bring myself to throw the flower away. Instead, I pressed it between the pages of a book and kept it there until the petals had crumbled to dust.

Now, he'd never remember that little wildflower again.

"Ana, you're awake!"

Just then, Sarah stepped closer with a bright smile.

My gaze dropped to her wrist and stayed there. The familiar pearl bracelet was my mother's keepsake—the one she'd left behind for me.

But now, it rested on Sarah's slender wrist.

I jerked my head up.

"That bracelet…" My injured tongue slurred the words. "It belonged to my mother."

Timothy merely glanced at me. "You made such a scene earlier that you frightened Sarah. She said she liked the bracelet on your table, so I let her have it. Call it your apology."

In that instant, all the blood, sweat, and tears I'd endured over the past three years suddenly meant nothing.

I almost laughed at myself. But then, I took a deep breath and said, "General, I'd like to step down and let Ms. Tucker take my place as your wife."

At last, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Timothy's face.

"Now this is the Anastasia I know."

He bent down again, leaning closer. "When you started talking about dying earlier, you nearly frightened me to death. Don't say such things again, okay?"

I simply looked at him.

Timothy thought I'd finally given in and chosen to step aside. He had no idea that I wasn't fighting anymore because I'd already decided to let him go.

I was going home.

"You're right. I won't bring it up again," I said softly.