Chapter 99: Weakness
"You’ve been looking a little glum lately," William remarked as he set a glass of chilled lemonade on the garden table beside Anna’s rocking chair.
The summer heat had finally begun to ease, leaving behind a warm but pleasant breeze that made afternoons in the estate garden feel almost idyllic. Surrounded by blooming flowers and the gentle scent of jasmine and citrus trees, it was the perfect refuge from the heaviness that sometimes clouded Anna’s heart.
Whenever she felt down, Anna would retreat to the garden with a book in hand, seeking quiet solace among the greenery. And on the rare days when William could spare a few hours from his packed schedule, he’d join her—quietly, without a word, just content to be near.
Today was one of those days.
"It feels a little lonely without Gabriel," Anna admitted as she accepted the glass, her fingers brushing briefly against his.
William didn’t bother to hide his displeasure at the mention of the man. "Well, he did leave that mutt behind," he muttered, nodding toward the Dalmatian puppy currently tumbling through the grass in pursuit of a butterfly. "What’s the point of getting a dog if he can’t even take care of it?"
"I asked him to leave the dog," Anna said softly, taking a sip of the tart lemonade. "There was just too much going on. The poor thing would’ve only suffered if it went with him."
William clicked his tongue in annoyance, exhaling like an old man fed up with the world. "You care about that mutt far too much."
"You don’t like dogs?" Anna raised her eyebrows in surprise, a small smile tugging at her lips.