Chapter 7: I Want to Help You
Anna stumbled out of the bar, her movements sluggish, her breath curling into the cold night air. Through the haze of her still-clouded vision, she caught a glimpse of William slipping into the back seat of a sleek black car. The engine purred softly before the vehicle disappeared into the river of traffic flowing through the rain-slicked streets.
William Stark... The name echoed in her mind as she stood there, watching the city swallow him whole. How long has he been back? And why? If he had returned, surely someone would have mentioned it. A man like William never went unnoticed—his name alone would have been the talk of high society by now.
But no one had said a word.
The rain showed no mercy, soaking through her already damp clothes, the cold seeping into her bones. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
I have enough for a cab, but where can I go?
There was no one left for her to turn to. Robert had never allowed her to build a life beyond him, keeping her isolated in a gilded cage. Over time, friendships had faded, social connections had withered, and now, she was truly alone.
Aunt Lilian had been the last thread tying her to family, and she had severed it without a second thought—without even facing her.
A hotel? Even the cheapest room was beyond her reach. The weight of reality pressed down on her, suffocating.
What am I supposed to do now?
"Anna!"
The sharp call of her name jolted her from her thoughts. Her heart lurched, and she frantically scanned the street, rain blurring her vision.