Chapter 5

Anna's POV

As I continued walking with Patricia, Edward's voice sounded in my head again.

Anna Hartwell, just you wait!

I raised an eyebrow, pretending not to hear him, and kept walking.

I'm in danger here!

His voice suddenly softened, carrying an urgency that sounded almost like a plea.

I stopped, slightly taken aback.

Danger? He was in a private room at the hospital, with medical staff looking after him around the clock. Who would want to hurt him?

If I die, do you think Julian Vance will leave you alone?

His words sent a chill down my spine. I instinctively wrapped my arms around myself.

He was right. Julian and Isabelle had been plotting against me for a long time. Unless they got their hands on the trust fund my mother had left me, they wouldn't give up. Even if I escaped the surgery today, I wouldn't be safe from whatever they had planned next.

With that in mind, I reached for Patricia's wrist and softened my voice.

"Mom, Edward has been unconscious for so long. Why don't we try something different? We could take him home to recover. Being in a familiar environment might help him regain consciousness."

Patricia sighed, studying my face with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"His doctor has suggested sensory stimulation as well. I come here every day to talk to him, but nothing has changed. Perhaps you... might be the one who makes a difference."

Her gaze made my heart race. I couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen right through me.

"Nathan, take care of the discharge paperwork."

"Yes, ma'am."

When the doctor heard that Edward was being discharged, he hurried over and carefully went through a list of precautions.

After learning that I was Edward's wife, he pulled me aside and repeated his instructions.

"Mrs. Sterling, make sure he takes his medication on time and attends physical therapy every day to prevent muscle atrophy. Talk to him as often as you can. A familiar voice and physical contact might help stimulate his consciousness."

My scalp prickled as I listened.

This wasn't marriage. It was a full-time nursing job!

"Anna, Edward will be counting on you from now on."

Patricia placed a hand on my shoulder. Her eyes were slightly red, and her voice carried the weight of her trust.

I was at a loss for words.

Just as I was about to leave, a familiar voice suddenly called out behind me.

"Anna! I've finally found you! Where have you been? I was worried sick!"

Julian stood in front of me, his face filled with affection and concern. He delivered the performance so convincingly that anyone watching would have thought he was a devoted fiancé.

If I hadn't been given a second chance at life, I might have fallen for it all over again.

But now, seeing him put on that act only filled me with bitter irony.

"They've already postponed your surgery by an hour. Come with me."

He took two steps forward and reached for my wrist, but the bodyguard beside me immediately stepped in and blocked his way.

"Anna?"

Julian frowned. He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and the smile on his face stiffened slightly.

Watching his expression change, I suspected he was panicking. He must have realized that I'd uncovered something and sought protection from the Sterling family.

But he quickly composed himself and put on an earnest expression.

"Anna, your parents were terrified when they heard you were missing. They're on their way to the hospital right now. Come back with me. Don't make everyone worry any longer."

The moment he mentioned Harold and Vivian, hatred surged through me.

Of course they were worried.

They were worried that the truth would come out, that I would no longer fall for their lies, and, most of all, that they would lose their chance to get their hands on my mother's trust fund.

"You're Mr. Vance, aren't you?"

Patricia stepped forward, her voice calm but authoritative.

"Anna is now part of the Sterling family. I'd appreciate it if you stopped harassing her."

Julian stared at her in disbelief.

"What?"

I took a deep breath and straightened my back.

"I am now Edward Sterling's wife."

My face was still pale, but I held my head high.

I reminded myself that I'd been given a second chance to change my fate. I couldn't afford to back down now. I would live my life on my own terms, expose these people's lies, and reclaim everything that belonged to my mother.

Patricia seemed to notice how tense I was. She gently patted the back of my hand before turning to Julian.

"Mr. Vance, please step aside."

"No way. Anna is my fiancée..."

Julian clenched his fist, as if trying to convince himself that this wasn't really happening.

Watching his eyes dart around, I could guess what he was thinking. He would never willingly let go of someone he considered his ticket to a fortune.

Sure enough, his expression soon softened.

"Anna, I know you're afraid of the pain. If you don't want the surgery, then you don't have to go through with it. Let's go home first and talk things over, okay?"

I scoffed inwardly.

The moment I went with him, he'd have me strapped to the operating table before I knew what was happening. Once my body was permanently damaged and I had no way to fight back, I'd have no choice but to let him control my life, marry him, and hand over everything I owned.

His eyes flickered, but he continued pretending not to understand.

"Anna, what are you talking about? All right, all right. You're not sick. Let's just go home and talk about it, okay?"

"No."

I clenched my teeth, a bitter taste rising in my throat.

The Hartwell house wasn't a home. It was a place where people like me were slowly destroyed. I couldn't go back there. Not ever.

"Anna, don't throw a tantrum."

He adjusted his glasses, putting on an expression of helpless patience.

"We can talk about whatever's bothering you when we get home. Don't make a scene in front of Mrs. Sterling."

"My home is with the Sterlings."

As I said it, I glanced at Patricia.

She gave me a gentle smile, her eyes filled with encouragement.

Her support gave me the confidence to face Julian.

I looked straight at him and repeated, "I'm already married to Edward Sterling."

"Ha! That's impossible. Edward Sterling is nothing but a living..."

He abruptly cut himself off.

Several icy glares turned toward him at once. His face went pale, and he seemed to struggle to keep his balance.

"Mr. Vance, Anna is our daughter-in-law," Patricia said, her voice turning cold.

I watched Julian's face turn red, then pale. He was clearly furious, but he didn't dare let it show in front of Patricia.

Forcing himself to remain composed, he tried to reason with her.

"Mrs. Sterling, you must be mistaken. Anna was supposed to marry me."

"Were you engaged?" Patricia asked.

Julian shook his head.

"Were you married?"