Fickle Hearts, Shifting Ties

As they were leaving,Samuel remarked,"You've lost weight."His voice was calm,but the concern in his tone was unmistakable.

Anya was slightly taken aback.For the first time,she offered him a sincere smile."I've been dieting."

"If you lose any more weight,your wedding dress won’t fit."

She paused for a moment,surprised by his serious expression,then chuckled softly."You make a good point.I’ll eat properly."

But in truth,her appetite had been poor lately.Even food had lost its appeal.Still,she chose not to dwell on it.

Her phone vibrated incessantly.She glanced at the screen only to find Chris’s name flashed repeatedly.

Without hesitation,she ignored it.

Samuel,noticing the persistent calls,hesitated before asking,"They seem desperate.Are you not going to answer?"

Anya’s expression remained indifferent,her voice carrying a hint of coldness."It’s just spam calls.There’s no need to respond."

Samuel was visibly pleased by her words.A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he gazed at her with warmth."I’m really glad we met today."

"I heard you like the sea.I have a house in Corvencia.After we get married,we can live there and we can bring your father over too."

His words were gentle yet firm as if he were carefully mapping out their future.The sincerity in his tone felt unfamiliar to Anya.

Time with him seemed to pass effortlessly.Her father had once told her that Samuel had liked her for a long time,but she found that hard to believe.

Rumors were just rumors,after all.

That night,she returned home,only to be caught off guard the moment she stepped through the door.A figure lunged at her,pulling her into a tight embrace.

Warm breath brushed against her neck.Chris leaned into her shoulder,holding onto her as if he never wanted to let go.

"Anya,I've been waiting for you for so long.Why did you come back so late?Are you upset after seeing the news?"His last sentence carried a hint of caution.

Anya subtly pushed him away,but before she could fully retreat,she was once again trapped in Chris's embrace,his grip tight with unease.

"Anya,don’t leave.None of it is true.The journalists are just spreading rumors to make money.Won’t you believe me?"His eyes pleaded with her,his expression resembling that of a helpless puppy.

Anya’s face remained impassive,her tone indifferent."I believe you,but I'm tired.Can you let me go?"

There was a trace of impatience in her voice,but Chris did not seem to notice.He only held her tighter,taking a deep breath."Anya,I know that even if the whole world doubts me,you’ll always stand by my side."

A flicker of guilt flashed through his dark eyes as he tightened his hold."I knew you were the one who cared about me the most."

In the past,hearing these words would have filled Anya with warmth.Yet,now,they only made her want to laugh.

She had once trusted him wholeheartedly,only to realize he had always treated her like a fool.

Every day,messages flooded in from Carmen using Chris’s account.

Photos of him sleeping.Photos of him holding Carmen in his arms,their poses intimate,their affection undeniable.

Gradually,a pattern emerged.During the day,Chris used work as an excuse to accompany Carmen to pick out jewelry for her,to take her to banquets,to introduce her at the company.

At Roswell Group,everyone already called her"Mrs.Roswell."

Carmen even recorded a video.Her delicate brows arched with pride and her lips curved in a smug smile."Anya,so what if you’ve been with him for six years?In the end,the only woman they acknowledge is me."

She also sent a voice recording.In it,her voice carried a teasing lilt as she asked,"Chris,you've been with Anya for so many years.Why haven’t you married her?"

Chris's tone darkened,laced with irritation,as if he were suppressing some emotion."Carmen,you know the one I love is you."

"It has always been you.The only woman I,Chris Roswell,will ever marry is Carmen Avery.As for Anya?She's nothing more than just a distraction,something to pass the time.I’ll get rid of her soon."

Anya’s expression remained unreadable.Neither anger nor sorrow surfaced.

She printed every photo Carmen had sent,carefully arranging them before placing a single piece of paper on top.On it,she had written just one sentence.

After everything was done,she stared at the inked words and exhaled slowly.It was finally over.