Divorcing My Husband Over His Stepsister's Secret novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Anna’s POV:

“Anna, wait up.”

I heard the familiar voice echoing down the police station’s hallway just as I was about to push through the exit doors,

Taking a deep breath, I composed myself before turning around with smile.

“Michael. Didn’t expect to see you here.” I studied the man standing before me in his crisp uniform, noting the slight redness around his eyes and the tension in his jaw. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.”

Michael closed the distance between us with measured steps, his shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor.

We both started speaking at the same time.

“I’m sorry, I never meant for things to go this far-”

“Thank you for providing those key details, they’ve been extremely helpful-”

An awkward silence fell between us. Michael broke it with a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“Got time for dinner? There’s a new Italian place right next to the station.”

He added with a playful tone, “Remember when you said you’d treat me to dinner someday? We’ve run into each other now, so how

about today?”

When he saw my hesitation, he quickly added, “If it’s not convenient, I could invite some of my team members too. We can celebrate the progress on the case.”

I knew better than to accept. Being seen alone with Michael or sitting at a table with police officers would only complicate things further. Not with everything still unresolved with Blake and the family situation hanging by a thread.

The light in Michael’s eyes dimmed as he read my expression. He stepped back, adjusting his cap with practiced precision.

“I understand. Maybe another time.”

With a polite nod, he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders squared under his uniform. I watched him disappear down the corridor, feeling the invisible barrier that had formed between us.

My mind drifted back to our college days. The image of a younger Michael walking me across campus in the golden afternoon light surfaced with unexpected clarity.

“Anna,” he had said, his voice gentle but determined. “Mr. Anderson may be gone, but don’t be too sad. If you ever run into trouble, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

The sun–bronzed boy had walked ahead of me, turning back with that characteristic smile that crinki

* corners of his eyes.

I was too preoccupied with thoughts of graduation and my upcoming marriage to Blake to truly process what Michael was trying to

say.

“I’m getting married after graduation,” I had told him excitedly. “Our lives are heading in completely different directions.”

I remembered the last time he walked me home. Through my apartment window, I’d caught sight of him crouching by a tree, angrily

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Chapter 85

pounding the ground with his fist. His shoulders had shaken with what I now realized were suppressed sobs.

And just now, I’d seen that same wounded look in his eyes, carefully masked behind his professional demeanor.

Standing alone in the police station corridor, I contemplated how people drift in and out of each other’s lives, sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance.

Getting closer to Michael would only bring him misfortune. He had s career, his reputation. The last thing he needed was to be entangled in the Wright family drama.

“I will treat you to dinner, just not now,” I whispered to the empty hallway.

A young female officer approached me, interrupting my thoughts. Ms. Anderson, Kate Coleman says she wants to meet with you. The Captain think it might help with the investigation.”

After a moment’s consideration, I nodded. “Take me to her.”

Under the harsh lights of the interrogation room, I came face to face with Kate Coleman for the first time.

The resemblance to Claire was startling – the same petite frame, barely 5’3“, the same almost angelic features. But Kate’s eyes had a slight upward tilt, revealing a calculation and sharpness that Claire’s never held.

I noticed her rough fingers and ill–fitting clothes, clear indicators that unlike Claire, she hadn’t grown up with wealth and privilege. The contrast with Claire’s polished appearance was striking.

I sat down across from her, meeting her gaze directly. “Do you regret it now that things have come to this?”

Kate slowly shook her head, a bitter smile crossing her face. “I just came so close to standing by his side. Claire promised me.”

“Who is ‘he‘?” I asked, watching her carefully.

Kate’s voice took on a dreamy quality. “Claire said to wait just one more month. She was going to host a big celebration at the theater and invite me. She had a way to make him fall in love with me.”

“A colleague of yours?” I pressed.

A fanatical light entered her eyes. “He’s the gentlest man in the world… he’s been my only light during these oppressive days.

Suddenly, Kate dropped to her knees, her voice breaking. “Mrs. Wright, for Claire’s sake, could you let me go? I just love him too

much.”

She covered her face, shoulders heaving with sobs, tears slipping through her fingers.

I watched her quietly, seeing in her a reflection of my younger self–desperate, determined, willing to do anything for love.

“Once there was a girl,” I began softly, “who fell in love with a boy at first sight. The boy came from an elite family, and the girl knew she wasn’t good enough for him.”

Kate’s sobs quieted as she listened.

“The girl worked hard to make herself worthy: winning marine science competitions, studying art appreciation, even changing the way she dressed and spoke.”

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