Chapter 7

A light drizzle welcomed Anna as she arrived in the city—a city far from the painful memories she was running from, far from the names and faces she’d tried to bury even though their shadows still lingered. The wet pavement reflected the glow of streetlights, and a sharp, cold wind cut through her coat. Yet for the first time in a long while, Anna felt a hint of relief in her chest.

She was about to cross the street when the sound of something falling made her turn. Across the road, a middle-aged woman staggered and collapsed onto the slick asphalt.

“Oh my God!” Anna bolted forward.

Horns blared, cars slowed, but she didn’t care. She knelt beside the woman—late fifties, short hair, her face drained of all color.

“Ma’am? Can you hear me?” Anna tapped her cheek gently. No response.

With practiced hands, she checked the woman’s pulse and breathing. Thankfully, her heart was still beating, though faintly.

“Help me move her to the side!” Anna called out to a man who had stopped nearby.

Together, they lifted the woman onto the sidewalk. Rain dripped from the umbrella Anna held in one hand while the other worked quickly to bring the woman back to consciousness. A few minutes later, the woman groaned softly.

“W-where…?”

“You’re safe, Ma’am. My name is Anna,” she said gently. “You fainted. Do you think you can sit up?”

With trembling hands, the woman attempted to sit, relying on Anna’s support.

“Oh… the dizziness. It’s been like this for days…” She held her head, wincing.

“Let’s go to the nearest clinic,” Anna suggested.

The woman looked at her, and despite her weakness, a small, sincere smile appeared. “You’re an angel… where did you fall from?”

Anna lowered her gaze with a faint smile—one she hadn’t felt on her face in months. “Just happened to be passing by, Ma’am.”

“My name is Matilda.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Matilda. I’ll take you to a clinic, okay?”

Matilda quickly shook her head. “No need. Just take me home.”

Anna didn’t mind. She hailed a taxi and helped Matilda inside.

When the car stopped, Anna froze. The house wasn’t just big—it was practically a mansion. Grand pillars, tall windows, a perfectly manicured lawn that looked professionally tended.

“Matilda, where have you been?” A middle-aged man’s voice rang with worry as they stepped out of the taxi.

“I finally found our daughter-in-law,” Matilda announced excitedly.

Anna blinked. Daughter-in-law?

“Anna, this is my husband, Jonathan.”

Anna smiled awkwardly as the man—Jonathan—extended his hand.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jonathan,” she greeted politely.

“Come inside first,” Jonathan said warmly.

Anna hesitated. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay. I have an appointment with someone.”

“You brought a suitcase? Where are you going?” Jonathan asked, genuinely curious.

“I just arrived in the city. I’m looking for a place to live.”

“A place to live?” Matilda repeated quickly. “Then stay with us!”

Anna’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to be a burden.”

Matilda shot Jonathan a look—barely subtle, clearly a signal.

“Stay here,” Jonathan urged. “This house has plenty of empty rooms.”

“But—”

Anna’s protest was cut short when Matilda suddenly clutched her head.

“Ow… my head…”

“Mrs. Matilda! Are you okay?” Anna panicked.

“Let’s get inside first,” Jonathan said, immediately supporting his wife. Anna followed close behind.

“My wife often gets headaches from stress,” Jonathan explained. “But she refuses to take her medicine. Ferdi! Bring the medication!”

A man appeared with the pills, but Matilda waved him off in irritation.

“I don’t want to take it!”

Jonathan shot Anna a pleading look.

“Mrs. Matilda,” Anna said softly, “please take it so the pain will go away.”

Matilda narrowed her eyes. “I’ll take it… if you agree to stay here.”

Anna’s breath caught. “Ma’am…”

“We only have one son,” Matilda whispered, her eyes begging in a way that made her hard to refuse. “I want to know what it feels like to have a daughter.”

Anna hesitated for several seconds. She was exhausted, confused, had nowhere to stay—and the desperate look in Matilda’s eyes broke what little resistance she had left.

“All right,” Anna finally said quietly. “I’ll stay… if you promise to take your medicine regularly.”

Matilda immediately grabbed the pills and swallowed them. “Of course, sweetheart. And call me Mom. Jonathan… Dad.”

Anna forced a small smile. “Okay, Mom… Dad.”

Their faces lit up instantly, as if they’d just won the lottery.

“Ferdi, take Anna to the room on the third floor,” Matilda instructed, giving Ferdi a mysterious signal Anna couldn’t decipher.

“Get some rest, Anna,” Jonathan said warmly. “We’ll see you at dinner.”

Anna nodded and followed Ferdi upstairs. As her steps faded away, the voices downstairs drifted clearly through the cavernous house.

“Anna will be perfect for Liam,” Matilda murmured with certainty.

“You’re sure you want to match them?” Jonathan asked carefully.

“Of course! That boy never brings a woman home. If he won’t choose one himself, then I’ll choose for him.”

Jonathan sighed, resigned. “All right.”

Matilda smiled, satisfied, her gaze lifting toward the floor where Anna had disappeared. “Just wait… that girl is going to change Liam’s life.”