Chapter 157: I’m already married.
"I did so much for this family, but they only hated me," Anne whispered through her sobs.
The ache in her chest deepened as she thought of the countless times she had tried to please Patricia and Lorie, but nothing had ever been enough. The only person who had ever truly seen her, who had stood by her through it all, was her father. And now he was lying unconscious, unaware of what they had done to her in his absence.
"He’ll be devastated when he finds out," she murmured, her words nearly swallowed by her grief. "I can’t keep this from him anymore. I’ve been pretending for so long... acting like we were still a family. But I don’t know how to break his heart with the truth."
Unable to contain the sorrow, Anne buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent tears.
"Anne," Denis said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She quickly wiped her tears, trying to compose herself as she looked up at him.
"Don’t cry," he said. "Your father will pull through. He is strong." He reached into a small paper bag and handed her a sandwich. "Here. You need to eat something."
"Thanks," she said quietly, taking it from him.
"Eat," Denis encouraged, settling beside her and unwrapping his own sandwich. "You’ve got to keep your strength up."
Anne took a small bite, the taste barely registering. He wasn’t acting like a possessive ex, just someone offering support when she needed it most. His presence, his unexpected kindness—it didn’t feel like manipulation or pity.
Anne felt a flicker of ease.